Shoes And Socks Off Post Farewell Letter

A final farewell from one of our favorite solo musicians, Shoes And Socks Off...

"FIN

I was just sent a link to the final SASO song. Sorta took me right back there, which prompted me to write this.

The final tour was really something special. So many old friends cropping up in each town we played, it truly felt like it had all been worth it. From a few of the Talons boys showing up in Manchester (resulting in an un-rehearsed 'Throwing Opinions at Walls' with Reuben on violin!) to Matty and James from Dirty Otter giving us one of the best nights out in Leeds I have had in a long time. I even had a visit from a friend of my late Grandmother. It felt like History just wanted to get involved.

The final show was something else. I have never played that room to such a crowd before, in any band, and the vibe was just so rad. A lot of anniversaries that night. Other than it being the 21st anniversary of the release of Nevermind by Nirvana, it marked 5 years since the release of the Meet Me In St. Louis record which was exactly one year before the recording of the very first SASO album. Shoes And Socks Off lasted 4 years to the day. Big endings and new beginnings. It goes deeper than just music, too. Some huge stuff happened that night, not that I shall mention it here, but I'm just trying to say that it felt like some kind of apex, it was a very fucking poignant night.

The road wouldn't have been the same without Alan (Someone Died) and Jamie (Vibe Tech). Papa's special boys. Such balls.

The future is massive. I have a few projects on the go, some of them I can mention here, so here are a couple of links:

Bermuda Ern - My new band. really excited about this! We have written an album, and begin recording at the end of the year.

Love Among The Mannequins - A band I have been working on for a couple years now. First album is out now on Function Records, we have recorded a follow up EP (which we are REALLY proud of) and are just trying to find someone to release it.

Yesterday I finished my first song for a new solo project. No name as yet, but I have a lot of ideas about how it's gonna work, and how it shall be presented. Feels good.

In other news, keep your eyes and ears open for a new release from Nitkowski and Palehorse. I know those boys are currently writing/recording new material. Also, Chalk will be releasing his first album in the near future, as will Lunchtime Sardine Club. Both are records you need to hear. I believe that Someone Died will be in the studio at the end of the year, and that Joey Fourr is currently working on his 39th studio EP. I was lucky enough to hear an instrumental mix of my brothers in arms band, Tropics, new album. Shit the bed. Listening to it made me jealous. It's brilliant. Foe is working on new material (GO SHARK!) and they are currently on the road. Shoulders from Hymns has a new project called FTSE and its badass. There is so much new music. As long as we all keep doing rad things with our lives, the golden days will never be over.

Thank you for all your support over the last four years, plenty more noise to come. Forgive me if any of this sounded self important, I guess life just feels that way right now.

I shall end with the video that prompted this email.



Laters"

TOBIAS JAMES DYLAN HAYES