Jacob Yates & The Pearly Gate Lock Pickers

An album launch for 'The Hare, The Moon, The Drone' on Optimo Music.

Jacob Yates and his band 'The Pearly Gate Lock Pickers' were formed almost a decade ago by singer songwriter Jacob Lovatt. Lovatt looked to continue and add to the musical tradition he began with his previous band Uncle John and Whitelock. Taking inspiration from blues, folk, horror and dub Yates and his band deliver ballads and laments, some with dark humour others laced with real loss. The band have seen a few members come and go but the current line up seems set and their rare live performances are worth waiting for. Comparisons have been made to Tom Waits and Nick Cave but there's no aping or pastiche here.

Lyrically Lovatt tells stories of Saville haunted care home corridors, abandoned cars, faith healers and shape-shifting. The music matches these themes perfectly, Christopher Haddow's guitars add light, shade and timelessness, Joshua Longton can take guitars to gothic depths, their basslines can raise armies of dub zombies. The drums are played by Michael Bleazard, always understated but with the right expression, helping to drive a groove or to hammer nails in. Returning for a second time to the band Jamie Bolland creates landscapes for Lovatt's stories, rich and soulful.