Laurie Vincent’s New Band Share Their Debut Single ‘Central Reservation Blues’; The First Release From Their Upcoming Debut Album

Big Truck reveals a side to Laurie Vincent that’s completely different to the visceral raw energy of his work with SOFT PLAY. Joined by Sam Coppins (drums), Asa Thallon (guitar) and Justin Myles (keys), the band’s far-reaching sound touches on diverse influences including The Cure, The Smiths, The War On Drugs and The Breeders, complete with Laurie’s charismatic lyricism. Big Truck today introduce themselves with their debut single ‘Central Reservation Blues’, which is out now on Marshall Records.

‘Central Reservation Blues’ makes an instant impression, an unlikely hybrid between the highway vibes of heartland rock and ‘80s Brit indie with a melancholy undertone. With Big Truck, Laurie has embraced writing lyrics based on his own authentic experiences and this song captures something particularly personal.

Laurie says: “I missed my partner’s birthday and my son’s birthday when I was in America. I’m no good at numbers and I tend to miss those details when we’ve got a big touring operation and things are booked a year in advance. Those birthdays I missed will be remembered forever, whereas I can't even remember those gigs that I played”.

It’s a narrative that’s representative of his lyricism for Big Truck. The band’s songs are at turns confessional, witty, philosophical and just plain matter-of-fact: a yin-and-yang pull between appreciating what’s good in life and accepting that things can be a bit shit.

Big Truck’s roots go back twenty years, when Laurie and Sam Coppin were friends on the Tunbridge Wells music scene. Back then, they came within a whisker of forming a band together: the reason that they didn’t is now lost to memory. So Big Truck is an almost mystical, full circle moment for the duo.

Sam then identified two musicians who could add something remarkable to the line-up: Asa Thallon, a guitarist with a background in metal and an inspiring character in his own right, and keyboardist Justin Myles, who brings stellar musicianship from his R&B / soul roots into the mix. Laurie credits the musicianship of his bandmates as being far beyond what he could do himself, and states that it’s an honour that they want to play his songs.

Big Truck played a residency of shows at the Tunbridge Wells Forum’s Basement last year, a process which would prepare the band for the live approach that Sam had planned for the album recording. Those sessions were vibrant and immediately productive, with the entire record captured in just four days at the world-class Marshall Studio.