The Last Bastion of a Lad. Now THAT’s a rock’n’roll title for an album. Say it in a Lancashire accent, with its resounding assonance and pithy plosives, and it truly sums up Tim Allen’s geographical and psychological journey thus far.
It’s an album title that perhaps connotes an easing up on the wild life, putting one’s larrikin ways to bed, growing up.
This sophomore song collection runs the gamut of life experiences; from the loss of a loved one, ‘Joan Don’t Go’ to the rollicking but wrenching feeling of displacement in ‘Different Shore’ to being diagnosed with adult ADHD, ‘Won’t Let You Win’, this UK born Auckland based singer-songwriter is reassessing his life as he lays it bare, dressing it in firmly rooted Brit-pop leanings with a smattering of kiwi spit and polish.
Produced by Ben King and engineered by both King and Nick Abbott, The Last Bastion Of a Lad features some of New Zealand’s finest musicians including Ben King (Goldenhorse), Milan Borich (Pluto), Matthias Jordan (Pluto, Night choir), plus appearances by Dominic Blaazer, Toni Randle (Eyreton Hall) and Callum Passells.
The album was recorded in various band members’ houses and evolved to Kiwi producer Nick Abbott’s North Western recording studio in Auckland N.Z.
Tim's The Last Bastion of a Lad U.K tour was set to go ahead next month before Tim headed to France and returned to N.Z. via Asia for a string of dates, but unfortunately due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tim's U.K tour has been postponed until further notice.
However, Allen is planning a mini-tour of Godzone next month starting in Dunedin on July 17th at the Dog with Two Tails. Further dates TBC.
The Last Bastion of a Lad is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and all good digital sites.