IT WAS back in November 2017 that Foy Vance decided to take a break from touring, taking his first significant amount of time off in 20 years. Since then, he’s been busy recording at the legendary FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Released today, his new album From Muscle Shoals features two of the original 'Swampers' rhythm section; Spooner Oldham (keys) and David Hood (bass), who played on cuts by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and Bobbie Gentry.
The ghosts of FAME have undoubtedly worked their enchantment on the haunting You Get To Me.
"It was everything that you would hope for," suggests Vance, admitting he felt like "a bit of a fan or appreciator".
He adds: "It was just a joy to walk into my booth every day, put my headphones on and sing."
The Bangor-born musician suggests his motivation to turn what was originally pitched as an EP into a full-length long-player came from Ed Sheeran.
"He's still the label boss, it's his imprint and he’s steering the ship. He was involved in these EPs and the more songs that were recorded he was the first to say,‘Let’s make Muscle Shoals an album’.
"Ed’s still very much involved, he’s like a patron and very supportive. I’d written these songs for various projects and I thought they should have a life outside of my hard-drive, they were never meant to be on albums."
The collection ends with a sublime version of Make It Rain, which was previously recorded by Sheeran in 2014 and featured in the American television series Sons Of Anarchy.
Vance suggests it was partly "written in the toilet of Abbey Road Studios" while recording some demos.
"The whole idea was to release some new music while I’m taking more time to write the next album," he explains.
"I collected old songs that I’d written and ended up recording a lot more music while I was over there."
Among the new cuts is Sunshine Or Rain, originally written for Tom Jones.
"I sat in the car and recorded it in Brighton after a show on my phone. He came straight back saying he liked it, but asked if I could make it third person as it was too personal.
"I never got around to doing that so it just sat there until now."
Sheeran’s Gingerbread Man Records released the singer/songwriter’s third album, The Wild Swan, in 2016. Vance also supported Sheeran, Elton John and Josh Groban as well as taking on a headline tour of his own. He admits there was a sense of increased pressure.
"It took a while to recalibrate to the normality of life not being on road. It was time to get off because it had been the busiest two years of my life. With that record, Ed had signed me and put a decent investment in; I felt the need to work it hard.
"I wanted to do my part because they put their money where their mouth was. I felt I had to work twice as hard as I usually do. In that time, my partner became pregnant and we had a baby."
Sonny celebrated his second birthday on St Patrick’s Day, while Vance’s daughter Ella (with ex-wife, Joanne Shaw) turns 16 next month.
"It’s an awakening at any time," says Vance of the baby’s arrival.
"It’s been great because kids remind you of the importance of play, just to play with a child for the love of doing it."
For some years now, home for Vance has been Aberfeldy in the Scottish Highlands. He has also been recording in London, splitting his time between the two locations.
"I’m still in Aberfeldy but I’m down here in London working in a studio and it’s a good pace of life. Aberfeldy was amazing for writing Joy of Nothing and The Wild Swan, but I started to get into a certain way of life. My manager told me it was like working with a guy from the 1800s because he could never get me on the phone and the wi-fi is terrible."
Vance suggests he now clocks in "Monday to Friday, like a plumber, and then I take the weekend off. It helps get back to regularity, with tour life you do the same ritual and it's hard to get into good rituals."
Undoubtedly, life on the road is a romantic notion – but it also has its pitfalls.
"I’ve stopped drinking for a good while now, I have the odd drink but you get so used to it on the road. At the venue it's 12 o’clock, it's sunny and there's a beer-laden fridge in your dressing room. Often, you just go for a beer and you’re drinking before even thinking about it.
"Before long, it becomes a way of life. It was unsustainable and it is for anyone: you get foggy if you drink all the time."
The fruits of Vance’s time off have also produced To Memphis, a companion album to From Muscle Shoals, recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Studios in Tennessee.
He will return to touring in November, playing two nights at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall. Last month, Foy made a memorable return to his hometown of Bangor in support of Snow Patrol for a show which attracted an estimated 35,000 fans.
"It was killer, just great," says Vance.
"I think what the Snow Patrol lads did there, no one will ever really fully appreciate. The general punter won’t appreciate what they took on because they weren’t making big money; they were taking a big risk to put on a show of that size and then it did sell out and it over-sold out."
Bono also made a surprise appearance to perform U2’s One.
"I was backstage beside Connor McCreanor who plays bass with me, we just looked at each other and said ‘should we go up and see him, or stay here?’ We were having a good chat so we stayed, but we stood and soaked up 35,000 people getting electrified by Bono.
"It was quite a moment."
:: From Muscle Shoals is out now
