Poptown is very pleased to announce the addition of Michael Weston King to their growing family. Michael hails from the UK and has an extensive list of credits that stretch back over a decade. His latest work, A New Kind of Loneliness, will be released  in the States on Poptown Records on December 12, 2006.

A New Kind of Loneliness is a brilliant album that contains 12 brand new feature tracks, 2 bonus tracks and a variety of special guest stars such as Chris Hillman, Herb Penderson, Ron Sexsmith and Don Kerr. Look for Michael’s 2007 American Tour to kick off in Cincinnati in February.

Here’s what the critics say about Michael Weston King:

“Like Phil Ochs or Van Zandt, King transmutes squalor and self-laceration into pure gold. …. A classic." Q

“The acoustic troubadour route is a road worn and scarred down the long years, but when infused with as much feeling, unabashed honesty (and occasional humour) as this, its' strength remains undiminished.“ Whisperin' & Hollerin'

“Michael Weston King has a voice part Nashville balladeer and part Alternative Country hero....a cross between Nick Cave and Rodney Crowell…reflective, laid-back semi-country class” The Independent

"Real ´Blood on the Tracks´stuff, Kings voice is superb. Utterly compelling, beautifully wrought, a masterpiece of sorts" Time Out

"One of Britain's most eloquent singer-songwriters. Achingly beautiful stuff. MWK´s voice soars and his guitar is loud...a front man going it solo, not a laid back folkie." The Daily Express

Biography:

Born in Southport, England Michael Weston King put a down payment on his first Fender Telecaster at the age of 16 and cut his musical teeth in various bands in the early 80s Liverpool scene. Inspired by Gram Parsons, Hank Williams and The Byrds, as well as the new wave of country acts such as Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakham, and Nanci Griffith, he joined forces with some like minded souls and over 4 years he performed over 250 shows throughout Europe with the band Gary Halland the Stormkeepers. Along the way, they released two albums and two singles, one for BMG before going their separate ways.

Michael’s next step was to form The Good Sons who offered up an authentic British alternative to, what for them, was the most exciting form of music currently on offer and hailing from America, the burgeoning Alternative Country movement. Michael remembers, “I wanted to combine my love of songwriters such as Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, and Townes Van Zandt with the contemporary country rock feel of The Jayhawks."

In 1995 they released their debut album Singing the Glory Down which featured a guest appearance by the legendary Townes Van Zandt on Michael’s song ‘Riding the Range’. A few months before his death Townes cut his own version of the song with Nashville bluegrass band The Calvins.

In 1996 they released the much more acoustic orientated album The Kings Highway and in 1997 rockin’ Wines Lines and Valentines. Eventually, Wines Lines and Valentines was both repackaged and retitled, Angels in the End and released in America. That year Michael left The Good Sons and came across the pond to share the stage at the annual SXSW festival with Billy Bragg, Loudon Wainwright and Nick Lowe. When Michael returned home he embarked on a series of European solo tours holding opening slots with Ron Sexmith, Steve Forbert, Chris Hillman and Nick Cave.

Soon songs for the album A Decent Man were taking shape. Produced by Jackie Leven, the record received great reviews and Michael spent much of the year touring to support the release. 2005 brought a retrospective album focusing on King’s solo work called The Tender Place. Now, step into the future as Poptown Records presents A New Kind Of Loneliness, the newest and most promising release from the incredible British singer/song writer Michael Weston King!

Get more information about Michael Weston King, including US and UK tour dates, at www.PoptownRecords.com