The modestly titled ‘I’m a God’ is not an autobiographical reference to singer/songwriter Jake’s on-stage pop star moves but a shopping list of deities, some more deserving of reverence than others.
Shillingford said; “I wanted to highlight how the media lazily awards everything and everyone divine status and consider if worshiping false gods is embedded in our DNA. I remember reading that even Prince Phillip was seen as a god by the Yaohnanen people”. He went onto say“It's a classic MLS listing song similar to 12 Reasons Why I Love Her - by juxtaposing a real god next to a false idol it creates a collage of lyrical contrasts.”
Next year My Life Story return with their fifth studio album on Exilophone Records. The record has been written and produced by Jake alongside Nick Evans and mixed by Ben Hillier who produced two Depeche Mode albums as well as working with Blur, Patrick Wolf, Nadine Shah and Peter Perrett. The record features this year’s digital only singles: Numb Numb Numb, Tits & Attitude plus eight brand new tracks. This follows the release of their critically acclaimed album ‘World Citizen’ released in 2019.
My Life Story became a pioneering force in the Britpop movement scoring 6 UK top 40 singles and a top 40 album inspiring the era's orchestral identity. Combining playful lyrics with epic pop, MLS formed in Southend in 1984. By the early 90s, lead singer Jake Shillingford had grown the band into a flamboyant orchestral 11 piece with string and brass section. Their passionate, often chaotic live shows lead to Giles Martin (The Beatles) recording tracks for their debut album ‘Mornington Crescent’ after discovering them at the Marquee.
Signed to Parlophone in 1996, the band released ‘The Golden Mile’ which spawned most hit singles including ‘12 Reasons Why I Love Her’, ‘Strumpet’ and ‘Sparkle’. ‘Joined Up Talking’ followed on Andrew Lloyd Webber's It Records in 2000, featuring sixth hit single, ‘It's A Girl Thing’. Many collaborations followed including Morrissey, The Pogues and Marc Almond. MLS performed Glastonbury Pyramid stage and Reading Festival 4 times. They supported Blur & Pulp and are one of the only bands to headline over Oasis.
By 2001 the band ceased all touring & recording. The 00s saw several sporadic celebratory reunion shows at Shepherds Bush Empire, however by 2016, Shillingford wished to tour more frequently, retiring the orchestral ensemble. A two-year run of 90s nostalgia festival shows, featuring a streamlined, alt-rock line up, led to a boost in profile. This inspired an appetite for new music, spawning the fan funded album; World Citizen, released in 2019 to wide-ranging critical acclaim.
This release is to be followed next year by a small UK tour and a new album. The tour includes two shows at the prestigious London venue the 100 Club on Oxford Street, the first, which sold out in a day is on Saturday 17th February 2024 and marks their first London show in over 2 years.
The dates are as follows, with more to be added:
FEBRUARY
Thurs 15th St.Albans - The Horn
Fri 16th Brighton - Hope & Ruin
Sat 17th London - 100 Club (Sold Out)
Thurs 22nd Birmingham - Hare & Hounds
Thurs 29th Bristol - Louisiana
MARCH
Sat 2nd London -100 Club
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