By Richard Derbyshire

SOUTHAMPTON songwriter Seán McGowan has played his biggest show so far in the same week he released his debut album.

On Tuesday, he joined Hampshire star Frank Turner at the singer’s Lost Evening session at The Roundhouse in London.

Afterwards, Seán said that playing to a sold-out crowd of more than 3,000 people was “the best night of his life.”

The next day he began his own national headline tour that includes a triumphant homecoming at The Joiners on June 2 and at The Railway Inn, Winchester on June 6.

The indie-folk stalwart, who played the main stage at Common People last year, describes his first record, Son of The Smith, as “urgent” and “feeling like it could tip over the edge at any point.”

His time growing up and ducking and diving in Southampton, plus his strong family ties to Shepherd’s Bush in London, echo through the 13 tracks.

For nearly 10 years, the singer has been gathering stories, and carving melodies while working at The Joiners and playing his own shows, armed usually with just an acoustic guitar.

Now, as the St Mary Street venue celebrates 50 year of putting on the biggest new bands, one of its own is releasing his debut record.

Recorded at SS2 Studios in Southend with label mate Sam Duckworth, aka Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, and Jay Malhotra, ‘Son of The Smith’ is released on Xtra Mile Recordings, who Seán signed to almost a year ago.

One of Seán’s oldest ideas for a record, a journey across London between Old Street, Oval and Camberwell, runs through his batch of songs. “The city’s breathing,” he begins on album opener ‘Mind the Doors’.

The singer previewed many tracks, including latest single Cuppa Tea, while touring the UK and Europe with label mate Will Varley earlier this year. He also teamed up for shows with good pal Billy Bragg at the end of 2017, four years after they first shared a stage at Glastonbury.

As Sean has travelled further, he says he has realised his songs resonate with people across the whole of the UK and even in places like Ireland and Germany. “You learn a lot about different places and can see the similarities,” he says. “Everyone’s plight can be kind of similar.”

Seán McGowan debut album Son of The Smith is out now. He plays The Joiners on June 2 and Railway Inn, Winchester on June 6.

‘Son of the Smith’ album track listing:

1. Mind The Doors

2. Cuppa Tea

3. Romance Ain’t Dead

4. Skin & Bone

5. Porkie Pies

6. Oh My Days

7. Mind Your Head

8. Springhill

9. Local Boy

10. Auto Pilot

11. Life Has A Way

12. Off The Rails

13. Mind The Gap