Confessions of a Justified Sinner by Blyth
Hi there, Pop Pickers, Confessions of a Justified Sinner is the debut LP from Blyth. Blyth is the brainchild of Ian White who is best known for being the drummer of both Gallon Drunk and Big Sexy Noise. James Johnston plays some guitar and piano on the record. Also guesting on the album are Jeremy Cottingham on guitar and Josie Maprayil on cello. You can listen to most of the tracks on Bandcamp here.
Read Le Document’s Chris Tosic’s reaction below:
The title track of Confessions of a Justified Sinner, really blew my socks off! The drumming is very powerful and it's got overtones of a kind of Krautrock 'motorik' groove. Samples spring out from every angle, moving effortlessly in and around the rhythm. As Blyth states on the Bandcamp page, he was going for a kind of 'ritualistic' quality and I think they've really managed to pin this down. I could listen to this in the studio no problem. I like the fact there are no vocals, there are subtle vocal chanting and skats here and there but otherwise it's pure form. I listened to the other tracks and found them just as energised and easy to listen to. All round, this is a great LP, I think it has all the markings of a future instrumental classic.
Read Le Document’s Harry Pye’s Q&A with Ian White below:
Ian White
Harry Pye (HP) Are you excited about your new record and have people who’ve heard it been responding positively?
Ian White (IW) Yes I’m absolutely thrilled about it! Really excited. And a lot of people have sent me some lovely messages. It does make a difference to know people are enjoying it
HP What bands and musicians have been inspiring you lately?
IW I haven’t heard a lot of new stuff lately. I’ve always been inspired by jazz musicians and soundtrack music.
HP Gallon Drunk have always put on great live shows. Do you miss being on the road are you keen to play live again?
IW I really really love touring so I have missed that terribly. Can’t wait to be able to play again!
Drawing of Ian White by James Johnston
HP James has been selling his paintings and exhibiting his works – are you a fan of the art he makes?
IW Absolutely. I think they’re fantastic. It’s great to see such a talented friend have success!
HP Which track on the LP are you most proud of and why?
IW Hard to say but maybe Tongue Tied or Ghosts. I suppose I didn’t really think that I could manage to make something as musical as that!!!! But I’m really so happy with the whole record and that it didn’t just stay as an idea in my head!
HP I think of Gallon Drunk as being a London band. What parts of London do you love most and are there any other towns you could imagine living in?
IW I like the industrial parts of east London, way over by city airport and the sugar factory. That’s where I have my studio. I love being in London so I would find it hard to leave. Glasgow and Edinburgh have always had a strong appeal for me.
HP Who were your musical heroes? Which contemporary drummers do you rate?
IW Growing up I loved stuff like AC/DC, Motorhead, Stooges. Anything loud. Then I heard great jazz like; Mingus, Coltrane etc, and always loved Nina Simone. The drumming on her records is superb. Most drummers that I love are dead sadly – Elvin Jones, Billy Higgins, Bonham, Danny Richmond, Philthy Animal Taylor.
HP What are your happiest memories connected with Big Sexy Noise and working with Lydia Lunch?
IW Being on tour. I don’t think I have ever laughed so much for so long anywhere else! And playing was such a joy. Being on stage with James and Lydia … well you can’t get any better than that!
HP Where is the best place to listen to Blyth (e.g. in the car, late at night?)
IW Wherever you can play it loud enough, and preferably somewhere you can dance around like a loon!
HP What next? Would musical ambitions do you have left?
IW To keep playing as many gigs as possible. Hopefully joining up with other people to do music. I want to keep experimenting with this solo project and hopefully another record after this one.
You can follow Ian’s new Instagram page here.
