The first single from my new album is out today. Let me tell you more about the story behind ‘The Back Room at Ronnie’s.
When I moved to London as a student I started going to more gigs in jazz clubs and there was this one particular club where I dreamed of playing someday. As a fan of this particular club the more I went there and was able to take in more of my surroundings I began to notice this black door to one side of the stage. This was the door through which the band would appear before they went on stage to play. What was curious to me however, was throughout the gig whilst the band were performing, various people kept going in and out throughout the that black door. Huge plates of food going in and out and I just kept thinking; “What is going on back there? Is there another party happening? Another gig?”
I have since played at this particular club and now know it’s not half so magical as I first pictured but nevertheless I thought this would a great concept for a song. Lyrically, the song begins by talking about the experience of being at the gig; what it feels like being in the audience and listening to the band. Then as the song progresses it moves to this contrasting section which imagines being able to go through the black door and discovering what kind of worlds might be behind it. This contrasting section is depicted in the music mainly by the rhythm section who move from a backbeat to an afro-cuban groove.