You simply have to confront some of your most personal demons in order to move past them, a chilling sentiment that is most definitely relatable to Black Tar Roses’ head honcho Darren Long who, in 2019, was told that he was given just six months left to live because he found himself very troubled by his addiction to a world of drugs. Three years later, in 2022, Long still stands today. Thirteen years of being clean have followed, and Long has finally decided to explore this inner conflict with his band’s new single ‘Lady Noir’ from Olga – one of the fleet from the Sailing Tectona charity that helped to save his life in the challenging time, as a plea to his struggling friend bitten by the fangs of cocaine as he continues to find help at a time where it is significant.
Performed by Dark Folk/Indie Americana rock band Black Tar Roses and released on July 22nd, ‘Lady Noir’ is an ambitious track by the Plymouth-based British group who harness a Roots Rock-influenced sound that hits its stride somewhere between folk rock and nautical psychedelia that Sarah Gosling (a writer for BBC Introducing) states “feels like it ought to be sound-tracking a Coen Bro’s movie or something…” in her positive write-up. Along with Darren Long on guitar and vocals, Black Tar Roses is also comprised of Long’s wife Sally (percussion, vocals), Ian Stewart (bass, vocals), Anna Crabtree (violin, percussion) and John Maddock (banjo, mandolin, cittern).
Reflecting on his many demanding battles with years of drug abuse, domestic violence, isolation, addiction and homelessness throughout the new single of ‘Lady Noir’, Long found hope when his doctor had informed him that he may only have a meager six months left to live if he continued walking down a previous path, but, thankfully, he didn’t. Instead of giving in, he found himself an entirely different and healthy addiction in writing and performing his music as a part of Black Tar Roses as an incredible project. Having lost loved ones to the same faults, Long checked himself into the phoenix futures’ Alpha House rehab because he found strength in admitting weakness and simply asking for help. Talking about this time, he says, “The game changer for me was the sailing trip of an 80 foot, 80 tonne gaff ketch called Tectona for the graduates of the CBT based programme that they ran”, in the defiant musician’s own words. Inspired by these experiences, Long volunteered on the boat working with vulnerable children – later becoming a part of the team which pioneered the first ‘Voyage Of Recovery’, an award-winning programme which looked at alternative approaches to drug treatment in fresh ways that were incredibly unique yet special.
An ambitious cut that tackles drug addiction in swashbuckling spectacular fashion, ‘Lady Noir’ is the first single to be taken from Black Tar Roses’ upcoming new full-length album ‘Black Tar Roses’ Travelling Emporium’ that is due to be released on August 11th of this year. The 10-track project showcases the band’s signature storytelling style and, both ahead and beyond of the release date of the long-player record, the band will be giving their fans the chance to meet and greet them. If this interests you, you can attend the London Launch of the album on August 20th or their Vinyl Launch on September 25th. The album was produced and mixed by Josiah J. at Momentum Studios in Plymouth, bringing a home-grown perspective to the highly anticipated LP.
Accompanied by an old-school cinematic music video traversing through black-and-white visuals and rich colour sections, ‘Lady Noir’ is a melodic tune filled with striking imagery and moderate Baroque influences that may remind you of the ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out Of…’ debut album era that Panic! At The Disco originally explored in the mid-2000’s. The pop-inspired track blends dream pop-esque female vocals with husky male vocals that detail a letter to a close friend who is struggling with a cocaine addiction. It feels different to chart show contemporaries and it would fit the joyous vibe of an alternative animated musical such as Coco, The Nightmare Before Christmas or Corpse Bride really well. Much like the album, ‘Lady Noir’ is an in-depth and original experience that is laden with tales of misfits and outsiders as Darren Long draws on his life-changing experiences with a keen ear for melody and a dark Americana sound that feels right at home in the city of Plymouth, as they continue to build up towards the enchanting full LP release.
Words by Jacob Braybrooke
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