Midnight South “First Tattoo”
Americana Highways brings you this premiere of Midnight South’s new song “First Tattoo,” which is set for release on April 17 via Rock Ridge Music. “First Tattoo” was written by J.L. Jones, produced and mixed by Ben Jackson; recorded by Ben and Jase Keithley at East End Studio in Nashville; and mastered by Duncan Ferguson.
“First Tattoo” is Ben Jackson on keyboards, Hammond B3 organ, and acoustic guitar; Darin Davis on drums and percussion; J.L. Jones on acoustic guitars and background vocals; Billy Lowe III on electric guitars and background vocals; David Tidwell on bass; and Matt Sammons on lead vocals.
As Darin Davis tells us about the song, “’First Tattoo’ is one of those songs that really captures the kind of storytelling we love in country music. J.L. Jones is the primary writer on this one, and he wrote it from the viewpoint that some things that seem small in the moment can end up meaning the most later in life. A tattoo on a 17-year-old girl’s arm becomes this lifelong reminder of the night two people met and the life they built together. The line about even the boldest black fading to midnight blue really speaks to that idea that time changes everything — except the love that holds people together.”
And songwriter J.L. Jones also explained, “This release is also really special to us as a band because it marks a bit of a transition point in our music. Over the last year or so, we’ve really focused on chasing a sound that feels more authentic to who we are as writers and musicians. Instead of trying to fit into any particular lane, we’re leaning into the stories we want to tell and the kind of songs we grew up loving. ‘First Tattoo’ is the first step in that direction, and we’re really excited about the music that’s coming next. If this song is any indication of where we’re headed, we feel like we’re finally hitting a stride that feels honest and true to us.”
This song is lavish Americana country goodness, with honest sounding vocals and nostalgia about that first teenage temporary tattoo, and the innocence: “Where you go I will too till I’m old and faded / Honey I’m stuck on you just like your first tattoo.”
Find the music here: https://tribly.fm/midnight-south/first-tattoo