Duke Garwood at The Deaf Institute

“I met Duke at The Luminaire. He was playing sweet ballads with a tint of free-jazz; his voice was thin and full, like a Chet Baker turned into a midnight wolf. The first question was ‘who is this guy’?” Jehnny Beth (Savages)

You should know Duke Garwood. As it is, his soulful, stripped-bare sound has been under your nose this entire time. Until now, he’s been a ghost-like presence at gatherings of some the world’s biggest rock stars-turned-his closest friends, and an unassuming continent-hopper trying to find his way in the world. But that’s all set to change with the ink just dry on a new record deal with Heavenly Recordings and Heavy Love – his brand new album due for release on 9th February which looks set to thrust Garwood into the spotlight he so thoroughly deserves.

“When I was young and pretty, I could’ve become a star,” reveals Garwood. “Luckily, I didn’t have any inkling to. I didn’t know what I was doing; I wanted to play music the way I wanted it to be played. That probably saved my life”.

Truer to his muse than ever before, Heavy Love (recorded in Josh Homme’s Pink Duck studio in Los Angeles with Alain Johannes (QOTSA) and Mark Lanegan at the helm) brilliantly explores this magical artist’s auteurist, cinematic vision – it’s dark, mystical and erotic sound returns Garwood’s music to the elements, to his mad blues, the unhurried grooves and desert slithers, and his spectral, past-midnight burr.

Capturing a musician at his peak, and one who has embarked upon the kind of character-building, detour-strewn route known only by the greatest artists and vagabonds. Garwood has formed deep connections with great musicians – from similarly quixotic souls Mark Lanegan (who Garwood collaborated with on the 2013 album, Black Pudding), Seasick Steve and Josh T. Pearson – to distant legends Tinariwen and The Master Musicians Of Jajouka. Savages singer Jehnny Beth has also been a long-term admirer and it’s her delicate vocals that appear on Heavy Love’s haunting title-track, where you can hear now on the new video made by Garwood and famed rock photographer Steve Gullick.

What others have to say on Duke:

“The entire record listening public should know Duke Garwood’s music. The fact most don’t is a fucking travesty. He’s a mystic, a musical genius and Heavy Love is a total mind-blowing masterpiece. Get with it people!” Mark Lanegan

“Duke Garwood is the real thing; like the perfect blues perpetually emanating good vibes thru a uni-vibe (even when he’s singing about darkness). An old soul and a saint…” Kurt Vile

“My brother Duke is the most soul-acious soul man I know. He’s always cut his own groove and it’s been my honour to play with him so many times.” Seasick Steve

“I’ve listened to Duke for years but have not heard him as in control and powerful as he is on Heavy Love. His guitar playing and singing remind me of an unrequited and lusty relative of JJ Cale. I fucking love this.” Greg Dulli

“As close to Heaven as you can get with a guitar.” Josh T. Pearson