Adam Masterson To Release DELAYED FUSE on June 22; Watch the video for "Runaway"

Photo Credit: Anna Gabriel

Watch "Runaway" HERE

New York, NY (April 24, 2018) – Adam Masterson is a British songwriter and his new album, Delayed Fuse, is a lesson in happy accidents, persistence and what magic can happen when you pair a great songwriter with a who’s who of top British studio musicians. An album that’d feel right at home nestled next to your Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits vinyl, Delayed Fuse is set for release on June 22 via CEN/The Orchard.

The debut track from the album is "Runaway" and the video tells the tale of an ex-champion boxer trying to redeem himself. “I had this idea about this guy who had taken some metaphorical punches in life and wanted to come back,”says Masterson of the track. “I put in some snippets of my own emotional life. Musically, it’s happy go lucky, but with a dark undercurrent.” The video was directed by Masterson’s wife Anna Gabriel (daughter of Peter) and shot on location in New York’s Tompkins Square Park, at the Horseshoe Bar, Bar Chord in Ditmas Park and in John’s Boxing Gym in the Bronx.

“On this record, I had good instincts and the good fortune to surround myself with great musicians,” says Masterson. 

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Those musicians include Jeremy Stacey (King Crimson/Ryan Adams) on drums, his brother Paul Stacey (Oasis/The Black Crowes) on electric guitars, Charlie Jones (Page and Plant/Goldfrapp) on bass, David Rhodes (Peter Gabriel/Scott Walker) on electric guitars, Peter Tickell (Sting) on mandolin/violin and Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) on bass. As well, the record was mastered by Bob Ludwig and Matthew Agoglia and mixed by Ron St. Germain (Sonic Youth) and Dave O’Donnell (John Mayer, Keith Richards, James Taylor). 

Providing the album’s initial spark was James Hallawell (The Waterboys/Graham Parker), who co-produced the album with Masterson, played piano and organ, co-wrote two songs on the record and provided his studio space “The Barn.” “The story of this record really starts when I met James,” says Masterson, who hails from England but now resides in New York. “I was back in London for a little while, and I had gone out to a show. I met James at the bar. He said he was playing shows with The Waterboys and had a studio near where I grew up.” 

Turns out Masterson and Hallawell had a strong musical chemistry, as well as a shared love of Billy Preston and obscure Rolling Stones album tracks. A brief songwriting foray eventually turned into a longer process, one that involved Masterson actually flying back to England to record the album. “I finally got my visa to live in the States, but in a three-week trip I found this studio and was going back there to record,” says the singer. “That’s life for you.” 

During those recording trips, the duo was able to corral an all-star lineup of session players. Many had worked with Hallawell. And some certainly knew Masterson — the singer had originally made a name for himself when he was signed by Nick Stewart (who also signed U2) at the tender age of 21, releasing a debut One Tale Too Many(Gravity/BMG) that featured several Van Morrison alumni and session musicians. “I think Nick signed me after hearing a cassette demo in his car,” remembers Masterson. “That was obviously an amazing moment in time.” 

Over the next several years, Masterson opened up for the likes of The Stereophonics and Tori Amos, and once shared a bill with Amy Winehouse. He also performed with Mick Jones of the Clash and Patti Smith, and featured in a David Bowie tribute concert in London.  

While still being steeped in the finest traditions of American rock’n’roll — from theatrical, piano-based epics (“Backstage”, “Leaves Against the Sky”) to country rockers (“Take a Little Love”) to pretty ballads (“Farewell Blue Eyes”) — Delayed Fuse also serves as a personal statement. “While I was writing I was going through bereavement after my father’s passing, I had my visa issue, and when I returned home a friend of mine I used to do gigs with passed away. It knocked me off my balance a bit,” says the singer.  

“Everything you do in life has to have a certain spirit to carry you through,” he says. “For years, maybe you meet a dead end. Then you get an opportunity. Well, the last few years — meeting James, making this album — there’s been a spirit of good fortune to all of it. From day one, it feels like there’s been a green light for this to happen.”

Delayed Fuse Track Listing
1 - The Kiss
2 - Chains
3 - Take A Little Love
4 - Runaway
5 - Farewell Blue Eyes
6 - Backstage
7 - Desire
8 - Crazy Rain
9 - Mojo
10 - Cry With No Tears
11 - Leaevs Against The Sky

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