The brand new John Reilly Single
The creatively powerful SHAPESHIFTERS is the brand new single from John Reilly. A passionate, anthemic song focussing on the power of change and the bravery of a leap of faith to change and enhance life. Reilly's lyrics are influenced by the Navajo folklore of Skinwalkers and Shapeshifters who can transform from human to animal. He sings of the transformation to an eagle with the freedom of soaring flight and to a powerful lion to focus on how the bravery of personal human change can break the chains and open the doors to a new amazing life and world.
Shapeshifters will join Reilly's last successful single 'La La La (Bulletproof)' on his forthcoming album MANTA RAY which will be released on vinyl and all formats in November 2024 to coincide with a UK and European tour with his Canadian long time writing partner Lewis Nitikman.
Liverpool born Singer songwriter John Reilly and now Sheffield's adopted musical son has followed his success in The US and Canada with his band Boy on a Dolphin by returning to begin a solo career which is growing with the emergence of his powerful and moving albums Tea Cozy Hat, Zebulon and Bad Vibe Shredder and his solo touring with artists such as Ray Davies. He has helped to raise £170,000 with his performances and song 'Women of Steel' co written with John Parr (St Elmo's Fire) and Grammy Award Winning producer Eliot Kennedy which culminated in a major statue in the centre of Sheffield honouring the women who worked in the steel Industry during both wars. Reilly performed the song on the BBC1 show 'The People Remember' on November 9th and is now writing the screenplay for The Women of Steel story. BBC Radio have supported and playlisted his singles 'Not Alone', his spiritually uplifting Christmas single 'PEACE SIGN' and 'LA LA LA (Bulletproof)' co- written with Canadian writer and pianist Lewis Nitikman.
A John Reilly concert is almost a spiritual event. An evening where every emotion is touched and unleashed in a uniquely intimate atmosphere created by his intensely profound lyrics and stunning vocals. Former UK ASCAP head recently reviewed an intimate acoustic concert saying, 'John Reilly and Lewis Nitikman anointed the good souls of the Cotswolds with their songs of love and grace. Such beautiful musicianship, power punch melodies and lyrics that would make Taupin and Joel weep.'
SUNDAY EXPRESS 'Reilly is a classic English Singer Songwriter in the Ray Davies/Richard Hawley mould and ZEBULON is a terrific record brimming with tunes, passion and wit' – Martin Townsend. Chief Editor
PAUL O'GRADY – 'Fantastic album, Brilliant voice. Out of 5 I'd give it a 10.'
Classic Rock Magazine. 'Every song here is a perfect pop gem. Beautifully crafted, intelligent pop music of this standard is rare these days. If you are looking for tuneful pop music with substance that you will never tire of then you should make Zebulon your next musical stop.'
PENNY BLACK MUSIC 'Zebulon is one of those albums where everything fits. The vocals are superb, instrumentally it's perfect and maybe more importantly, Reilly and Nitikman are obvious masters at writing perfect timeless tunes.'
GRAHAM NORTON – 'I've simply got to see him live!' - After playing the single Building Avalon
MANCHESTER MUSIC 'With Zebulon, Reilly has captured the true essence of pop infected rock' THE LICKS 'Front man of legendary Sheffield band Boy on a Dolphin goes solo with a powerful arsenal of beautifully crafted songs'
RIFF MAGAZINE 'Beautiful intense vocals with genius lyrics'
SONIC SHOCKS Re 'Deep and Blue' – 'Simple, genuine, melodic. A soothing pleasure you will get addicted to'
THE BRAND NEW SINGLE FROM JOHN REILLY SHAPESHIFTERS
Released by Art Music Records Ltd
via Proper Music Distribution
John Reilly
Interview John Reilly
How would you describe your music?
It's hard to describe your own music so I'll pick single words from various reviews. Melodic, personal, powerful, anthemic, uplifting, emotional, human.
Can you tell us about (your new song/upcoming gig/video), what was the inspiration?
SHAPESHIFTERS is my brand new single. A passionate, anthemic song focussing on the power of change and the bravery of a leap of faith to change and enhance life. My lyrics are influenced by the Navajo folklore of Skinwalkers and Shapeshifters who can transform from human to animal. I sing of the transformation to an eagle with the freedom of soaring flight and to a powerful lion to focus on how the bravery of personal human change can break the chains and open the doors to a new amazing life and world. I guess I was influenced by a Tony Hillerman book I read years ago and I have been fascinated with the legend and folklore ever since. I really enjoyed directing the video which was a real challenge pulling off the transformation from human to animal. It includes 'Team Reilly' with my roadies, my son, my PA, my writing partner Lewis Nitikman and his young daughter Eliana. It is also a homage to one of my favourite videos of all time, CRY by Godley and Crème.
What are you musical influences?
Lyrically, Bernie Taupin, Dylan, Joni Mitchell. Writers and poets such as Steinbeck, Yeats.
Musically Hailing from a large family, my dad being the youngest of 15 kids and Mum one of nine, I have three older sisters and grew up in a house filled with an eclectic mix of music from Sinatra and Nat King Cole, Dylan and Joni Mitchell, to Motown and 70's glam and i was particularly influenced by the lyrics of Bernie Taupin. I found my own voice by using my sisters' hairbrush as a mic and belting out Michael Jackson songs in front of the mirror or playing guitar on a tennis racket to early Springsteen albums. My first band at sixteen while still at school was 'Force' who played at the legendary 'Eric's' in Liverpool, playing mainly Roxy and Bowie covers. I love the imagery and musicianship of early Elton and the edginess and creativity of The Clash.
Do you prefer performing live or recording?
On average I play at least 100 live shows a year. It is a privilege to share our songs and especially to a new audience. I also love to celebrate other songwriters with my band of top session players The Acoustic Angels who have played on so many hits by Paul Carrack, Take That, Spice Girls, Lighthouse family etc. I love the time on stage but not the hanging around waiting after sound checks. I still get nervous before performing which I don't think is a bad thing and I never use a set list as I like to read the audience and just call out the next song and that keeps things fresh and challenging for the players. Because I play so many live shows I really look forward to the change of pace and the concentration and creativity of the studio. Nurturing and giving birth to new songs is an amazing feeling. When writing I am in another zone completely, so listening back to a finished recording of a new song is really strange. It's almost as if I didn't write it and some other force is at work.
What should we expect from your upcoming shows?
I have to live the song and become the person in the song. I would feel I had failed if you left without being moved. Music is touching souls. So that means euphoria, sadness, joy, laughter and a personal one to one feeling no matter what size of the crowd.
This is a short review of a gig just a few weeks ago. What motivates you most when writing music?
'John Reilly and Lewis Nitikman anointed the good souls of The Cotswolds with their songs of love and Grace. Such beautiful musicians, power punch melodies and lyrics that would make Taupin and Joel weep. Yes I loved it.'
Sean Divine – President ASCAP UK
What motivates you most when writing music?
Writing music and writing lyrics are worlds apart. Musically For me, melody is the key to an emotional response and certain chord changes in themselves can create goose bumps. ('How strange the change from major to minor') I write on guitar but I love to work with Canadian pianist Lewis Nitikman because the piano has a wider range of chord possibilities and emotive dynamics. Quite simply our motivation is this. Our test when we have ideas is, if it gives you goose bumps, that little emotional thrill and that pang of sadness or uplifting joy then we follow it through and if not it goes on the shelf.
Which music/artists are you currently listening to?
Welcome to Mr Eclectic! Because for me the song is God, I'm all over the place in what i'm listen too. For example, today in my car heading to the studio I played Howling Wolf, The Sherlocks, New Radicals, Babyface, John Mellencamp, The Who, Nick Cave and The Blue Nile.
What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
It just happened. I never had any plan. Obviously I had a love for music and found I had a voice and rhythm so I would just sing and sing on my own at home as a kid and bang out a beat with my Ma's knitting needles on a cushion. As a teen I was a bit angst ridden as many are and I found that writing helped as a pressure valve for my head so without knowing it I was honing my writing skills at an early age with no plan other than keeping myself sane.
If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
I would love to write some lyrics for Elton! And maybe to sing with K D Lang. I think our voices would work really well together.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in the music industry?
Without doubt the sudden overnight changes at the top at Atlantic Records when my Band Boy on a Dolphin were touring the US with sell out shows promoting our first album 'Words Inside' which was also all over the radio. All the top brass disappeared in a sudden takeover and all the people supporting us at the label were instantly not there. All momentum was lost and it was devastating for me and the band. It took us a long time to recover and for Boy on a Dolphin it was like returning to the UK and starting all over again.
What's next, for you?
Shapeshifters is the first single from a really creative year of writing with long time Canadian collaborator Lewis Nitikman, so we are in and out of the studio working on the new songs at the iconic Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield England aiming for an album release on vinyl in November. I am also excited to be writing with John Parr (St Elmo's Fire) and Grammy Award winning producer Eliott Kennedy on songs for the musical WOMEN OF STEEL for which I have written the screen play. Lots of gigs in the diary with Lewis and with my bands Boy on a Dolphin and Acoustic Angels.
Title. SHAPESHIFTERS
Writers. Reilly - Nitikman
Artist. John Reilly
Label. Art Music Records Ltd
Distribution Proper Music Distribution
Publisher. Reilly - Nitikman
Producer. Colin Elliot
Recorded. Yellow Arch Studios. Sheffield England
Mastered. West Side Music New York by Alan Duches
Length 3:40
