MK’s Southern Rock fuelled quartet, Ramblin’ Preachers
Posted 31st October 2024Ramble On…
2024 has been quite the year for MK’s Southern Rock fuelled quartet, Ramblin’ Preachers.
The release of their warmly received debut album, Sins & Virtues, making inroads into Europe, and some nice festivals have helped cement their standing as ‘ones to watch,’ and not here in the new city where that secret was given up a while ago, but further afield.
“2024 has been truly mind-blowing,” picks up frontman Ross Connor, “We have played some amazing festivals and venues this year, including the stunning Blackpool Winter Gardens, and a massive high point was our recent trip to Germany. It was the first time we played in Europe and we loved it.
“We have done some great support slots too, we’ve recently played with the incredible Greg Koch, The Cold Stares and Jared James Nichols…”
Pulse was among a keen audience who caught Ramblin’ guitarist James stage sharing with JJN on a great cover of the Mountain track, Mississippi Queen.
Let’s step back a little to that album release though. Seeing that issued must have been a ‘pinch me’ moment?
“Absolutely,” Ross agrees, “We had so many obstacles testing us during the whole recording process that when we were finally over the line it was like a weight had been lifted, and we had some fantastic reviews…”
An album release show at The Craufurd Arms was a bit special too – and put the band before a sell-out crowd.
“That was something we never dreamed of happening and from a personal perspective, having the album on vinyl and seeing that with our own eyes was one of the most satisfying things.”
Ramblin’ Preachers have worked hard and fast throughout the year. Every last morsel of positivity has been earned legitimately. Toil pays dividends, but what has the band learned along the way?
“We work relentlessly and honestly never really switch off and we are always trying to think of new things to do or something different to try.
“I think a lesson we have learned, which we have implemented and also not implemented at the same time, is to just follow our gut feeling.
“There are a lot of things we hesitated on which hindered us a little. But there are things that we just did and it worked out,” he reflects, “Obviously what works for one band might not work for another.
“I think we hit most of our expectations but we also know what we can do differently next time and we’re so proud of what we’ve achieved to this point.
“If you are into guitar music and Southern Rock vibes which ebbs and flows the lines of blues, rock and a touch of country rock with gritty vocals, lethal guitar solos and a stomping tight rhythm section, we’re probably your bag!” Ross reckons, explaining what you might have missed.
And if you haven’t yet met their acquaintance, you get another chance imminently.
Before the Preachers stop for a seasonal ‘put your feet up’ moment, they’ll be live at The Crown in Stony Stratford on Friday, November 29.
What’s on the musical menu?
“We’ve had such a year of playing shows where we’ve had fast turnarounds, hours and hours in the van, early starts and super late finishes which have all been great but equally don’t always offer the opportunity to just have a laugh and relax.
“We’re gonna blow the roof off, no doubt! It’s going to be a night of pure rock n roll music and we plan on just having a bit of fun with it and having a laugh at the same time. Call it a celebratory end of year blow out!”
And with the new year fast approaching, the band already has one eye on 2025.
“We plan on much of the same next year but even more!” Ross promises, “We’re heading to the Czech Republic where we’ll play 11 shows in 12 days in March, which is going to be epic.
“We’re playing Minehead Bootleg Ball in January, as well as another trip to Winter Gardens for the Love Live festival.”
And the band will be back in the studio early in the year to begin work on the follow up to Sins & Virtues.
It’s too early to shed any details on that yet, as writing has yet to begin, but Ross promises that, much like its predecessor, it will be “incredible.”
Check in at ramblinpreachers.com