Jamie Rafferty Makes His Mark With Debut EP ‘Detached Observations’

Debut Ep ‘Detached Observations’ Is Out Now
Listen Here
Featuring the Focus Track ‘People Like Us’ 
Headlines Shows in London, Manchester and Glasgow Next Week

Jamie Rafferty’s first two singles, ‘Back To 25’ and ‘So I Can Let Her Go’, instigated positive comparisons to Sam Fender while also generating attention from Notion, House of Solo, Northern Exposure and more. Now the Scottish singer-songwriter continues to make waves as he shares his debut EP, ‘Detached Observations’. Listen HERE. It features the new focus track ‘People LIke Us’. Listen HERE.

If you’re new to Jamie Rafferty, ‘People Like Us’ is the perfect starting point – a song which captures his essence both musically and thematically. It is a tremendous, life-affirming rock‘n’roll anthem redolent of Fender’s breakthrough ‘Seventeen Going Under’, with a breathless tempo and a poignant message at its heart. His warm, resonant vocal captures the hopes and aspirations of the kind of humble, hard-working people who are his community.

Jamie says, “It’s about getting out and heading somewhere, pushing towards something better, not necessarily a specific place but a feeling or a promise two people make. The destination doesn’t matter, It’s about chasing something down that only people closest to you understand” 

The ‘Detached Observations’ EP also introduces another two new songs. The opener, ‘After All This Time’, is a triumph, kickstarted by his howl, as bracing as a blast of wintry Scottish air, then flowing into stomping rhythm and gritty melody.  It was inspired by the early days of his relationship with his long-term girlfriend, and shines bright with devotional love as well as  a resilience that already feels like a signature in his work. The other new song, ‘I’ll Never Find’, is layered with stunning harmonies in a nod to his gaelic heritage which, along with lush Eighties-indebted synths, makes the track feel timeless. Lyrically, it reflects on watching time slowly catch up to the people we hold closest.

Collectively the EP sees Jamie translating his key influences – Bruce Springsteen, The War On Drugs, Sam Fender, Oasis and Jackson Browne – into his own distinctive and contemporary artistry. It was written between London, Nashville and his home village of Croy, with co-writers/producers including Seton Daunt (Yungblud, Jack Savoretti), Owen Lewis (Leonard Cohen, Paolo Nutini, Matt Maeson),Elliott Blaufuss (Noah Kahan, Goldford, Phillip Phillips) and solo artist Luke Sital-Singh. The result is that ‘Detached Observations’ is a truly remarkable first statement.

He adds, “it’s really just about how I’ve watched life play out in front of me through the start of my 20s. As the name suggests it’s not exactly a diary entry, It’s more about standing back, taking stock of things and trying to make sense of what’s going on inside and around you.”

Jamie Rafferty was surrounded by music from a young age, and that permeated into him – first taking up the drums when he was just five-years-old and then picking up the guitar as a teenager after attending a Noel Gallagher gig. The idea of being a professional musician himself seemed like an impossible dream, so his first original songs were recorded in secret, made with money he earned working with his dad. When he finally revealed his talents, people were impressed – as they continued to be when he started playing at the village hall. Since then, he’s achieved more early career highs at Scottish institutions including King Tut’s, Barrowlands and TRNSMT, playing to ever-growing audiences each time.

Having recently played two shows as special guest to Randy Hauser, Jamie Rafferty completed a run of gigs with Noah James last tonight in Dublin. He will then celebrate the EP release by embarking upon a headline tour next week. Tickets for the dates, listed below, are available HERE. Support comes from Ian Elliott.

SEPTEMBER
10th – London, The Waiting Room
11th – Manchester, YES
12th – Glasgow, The Garage – Attic

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