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Hailed as the “Southern Duke Of Psych-Rock” (Bright Young Things) Ian Ferguson is relatively unknown on the music scene but with the release of his forthcoming album State Of Gold ready to drop in July, things are about to take a turn in a new direction.
Opening on the album’s title track, you’re immediately greeted with a sound straight from the West Coast more yearning than celebration from a guitar that could take centre stage all in its own, then in comes Ferguson with those honey sweet vocals and rolling harmonies as the song pays homage to the golden state of California, his birth-state.
The album jaunts along merrily, easily slipping into one slick melody after another until Deep Beneath The Waters, a notable change in tempo, it has an almost menacing feel that sings almost like a chant, reminiscent of a Beatles song with its overlapping harmony of voices.
Tyrants Walk, the first single of State Of Gold released on 6th June, an almost self explanatory piece of tyrants from every walk of life.
“Written years ago”, states Ferguson, but as the theme addresses the disconnection between the masses and those in power, it has significant reference to today’s world and fits perfectly on an album that explores not only the state of the world within the writers scope, but a wider context and the human condition.
The album has been compared to psychedelic rock band T Rex and it’s not hard to pick the similarities, it’s the modern twist that makes the difference. An alternative collection with the potential for mainstream success, given the need for a break in musical repetition.
A self proclaimed high school dropout, Ian Ferguson embarked on a solo career after the formation of the now dissolved band Kingston Springs, who were on the cusp of securing a major record deal when he discovered “the sound of mom’s basement” after inadvertently getting locked in.
Unfazed by the situation, he decided to make the best of it and set to work on an old 90’s HP that was down there, soon after, the demos were cut and State Of Gold was conceived.
Ferguson’s live performances have been described as mind blowing and have been showcased at some of the more prestigious festivals such as the Austin City Limits Festival, Lollapalooza and Hangout Music Festival having been given early support including The 405 and Willie Nelson’s Luck Journal.
It’s a pleasure to follow on what is clearly an enjoyable personal adventure and seeing the musical experiment right through to fruition, it’s blossoming creation is certainly worth serious consideration.
State Of Gold is out July 26th and set to be the most critically acclaimed DIY releases of the year.