John Doe Trio are returning to the big-time! Some four years after the release of their critically acclaimed second album, Railroaded, John Doe Trio are delighted to announce that they are back in the studio recording a brand new album and will resume touring with a revamped lineup in the new year.
Kent based, John Doe Trio have been creating music since 2013 after the band was formed by frontman Phil Woollett, one of the leading guitarists of the UK Blues Music and Paul Townsend, a successful session musician and West-End drummer. Joined by bass sensation Craig Ferguson, they released debut album, Stranger, in late 2016 followed by Railroaded in early 2020. With Craig moving on to pursue another career path, John Doe Trio will be joined by Lenny Bunn (ex Clacket Lane) for the initial dates of the JDIII tour and then Phil’s hugely talented son Ben Woollett going forward.
Despite the loss of its accompanying tour due to Covid, Railroaded still achieved considerable success, however the effects of the pandemic hit the band hard. Frontman, Phil Woollett, describes the band very nearly folding due to a deterioration of mental health problems and is keen to use the opportunity of the new release to highlight the plight of mental health sufferers, both within the music industry and wider society.
Surrounding the sudden loss of his young son, a number of years ago, Phil suffered a catastrophic mental health collapse, ending his previous career and leaving him directionless and at a very low ebb. Turning to his enduring passion of music, Phil formed John Doe Trio as well as returning to his long-abandoned university studies, earning both 1st class Honours and Master’s degrees in music, as a mature student.
Despite now earning his living in his dream job, as a musician, Phil, like many other musicians and entertainers continues to deal with mental health problems on a daily basis and believes that increased openness is important to a greater understanding of such issues in society. Having been very actively involved in the recent fundraising for the late Matt Long, of Catfish, Phil experienced how the British blues scene can act as a force for good and hopes that he can similarly use music to help highlight the issues he cares so dearly about.
The title tracks of both previous John Doe Trio albums deal with the feelings of loneliness and anxiety respectively, felt by many mental health sufferers. Don’t Matter from Stranger and To Walk Alone, from Railroaded act as frank reminders that mental health is no respector of social or economic status and, whilst writing JDIII, Phil continues to highlight such issues, whilst also taking a lighter view of life with other tracks.
Phil describes the process of writing and recording JDIII as “a no-holds-barred adventure, taking all the best features from the previous two albums and then pushing our creative boundaries to new heights”.
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