vinyl confessions & her friends

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R.L. Jones - ‘Everybody Wants To Be Your Friend’

I Want That You Are Always Happy was the last LP by Australian troupe The Middle East. The mood of the record was set by ‘Black Death 1349’, a song about the bubonic plague that spread from China to Europe in the 14th century. It pretty much remained as bleak (and beautiful) throughout. Two months after its release, The Middle East split.

R.L. Jones is Robin Jones from the band. Listening to his solo work, Jones must have been responsible for The Middle East’s chirpiest moment, the dance around a campfire happiness of ‘Jesus Came To My Birthday Party’. 

‘Everybody Wants To Be Your Friend’ is loose and bright; keening, country-tinged, boy/girl guitar-pop  - Adalita from Aussie rockers Magic Dirt providing a sweet duet to Robin’s light drawl. It’s a cruising, drive-time hit. 

Jones has a full album in the pipe line, spending time in his hometown of Townsville and Sydney working on new material. He also keeps company with his former bandmates who play with him in a live setting - Jack Saltmiras (guitar), Tim Barwise (bass) and Mike Haydon (drums).  

‘Everybody Wants To Be Your Friend’ is out now via Spunk Records.

[facebook.com/RLJonesMusic][soundcloud.com/spunkrecords]