Today sees the release of the final single off BIG BIG TRAIN forthcoming “Welcome to the Planet” album. ‘Bats in the Belfry’ was composed by the band’s drummer, Nick D’Virgilio.
Nick comments about the song: ‘Big Big Train has many songs where the drum parts are challenging and we have a few instrumentals now, but I wanted to write something to really give me the room to stretch out on the drums. I wanted the song to be fast but groovy. I’ve also enjoyed writing more specific parts for our brass ensemble. The song started with the bass line and grew from there. Next came the main melody in the opening section. From there I was off to the races. I was able to add fast “drum-n-bass” style drum solos over the top of some nice counterpoint brass lines, a rocking middle part, and an end section where I changed the beat around just for fun. One thing I have to say is that no matter what I throw at this band they can handle it and then some. The first time I heard Rikard’s “surf” sounding guitar on the fast middle section I burst out laughing with musical joy! ‘
Listen to the single on Spotify | Apple Music | Tidal or stream it below.
The release of “Welcome to the Planet” will continue on 28th January 2022, six months after the band’s critically acclaimed top 40 album “Common Ground”.
As with “Common Ground”, “Welcome to the Planet” sees BIG BIG TRAIN retain their progressive roots but also take influence from all spheres of music. The four recent singles “Proper Jack Froster,’ ‘Made Of Sunshine,’ ‘The Connection Plan’ and ‘Lanterna’ are also included along with keyboard player Carly Bryant‘s first writing credit and lead vocal on the captivating title track. The album is completed by the delicate acoustic ‘Capitoline Venus’, the beautiful ‘Oak And Stone’ and a pair of dazzling instrumentals, ‘A Room With No Ceiling’ and ‘Bats In The Belfry’, written by guitarist/keyboardist Rikard Sjöblom and drummer Nick D’Virgilio respectively.
Pre order the album On vinyl, CD & download at Burning Shed or Bandcamp.
“Welcome to the Planet” Track-Listing:
Part One
- Made From Sunshine
- The Connection Plan
- Lanterna
- Capitoline Venus
- A Room With No Ceiling
Part Two
- Proper Jack Froster
- Bats In The Belfry
- Oak And Stone
- Welcome To The Planet