TEN TONNES Announces Self-Titled Debut Album

Recent months have seen 22-year-old newcomer TEN TONNES emerge from being a hotly-tipped British talent to seeing a string of infectious singles earning widespread radio play in the UK and beyond. Now he shares a new video for his current single "Lucy", which previews the May 3rd release of his self-titled debut album on Warner Bros.Records.

"Lucy" was premiered on BBC Radio as Annie Mac's Hottest Record in the World and adds to a growing TEN TONNES success at the UK's largest pop station, BBC Radio 1(over 120 plays to date), along with Beats 1 (Elton John and Matt Wilkinson), BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. Created by Vasilisa, the video finds TEN TONNES embarking upon a dreamlike, around-the-world voyage. The attention-grabbing creative visual is the perfect embodiment of a song that's became a fan favorite and one of TEN TONNES' personal favorites.

TEN TONNES is the recording moniker of Ethan Barnett, a gifted songwriting talent whose impressive start has seen him perform at London's famed Wembley Arena three times already; twice as opener for beloved British band Stereophonics and once for his older brother, BRIT Award-winning singer/songwriter George Ezra.

TEN TONNES' debut album was produced by Hugo White (The Maccabees) and Dan Grech (Wolf Alice, The Killers, Liam Gallagher). They maximized his potential with two different approaches which yielded a free-flowing set of songs with the driving energy of his live shows. White encouraged him to capture one-take live performances with backing from Maccabees' duo Rupert Shepherd (bass) and Sam Doyle (drums). Meanwhile, Grech focused on making each part TEN TONNES recorded (vocals, guitar, bass, keys) as tight as he possibly could.

While TEN TONNES plays with self-deprecating and unlucky-in-love experiences on the likes of "Better Than Me" and "Born To Lose", the album also explores the relatable emotions of a young man who's eager to experience life outside of his hometown. TENTONNES' songwriting gift is heightened with select co-writes with Crispin Hunt (Florence + The Machine, Jake Bugg, Lana Del Rey) and Luke Potashnick (Charlie Puth, James Blunt).

For someone who was, by his own admission, "extremely shy" as a young child Barnett cuts a strikingly confident figure. The young musician possesses a breezy, seemingly effortless ability to fashion snap-crackle lyrics and earworm melodies. It's a trait that's very much in evidence throughout his self-titled debut album.

His parents, both teachers, encouraged their children to be creative and to express themselves. Ethan's dad "had a couple of guitars around the house, and there was always music on, things like Paul Simon and Van Morrison." He started out playing drums at the age of nine before switching to guitar five years later. That passion continued, leading Ethan to study music production at York University. He quickly discovered it wasn't for him. "For me, when it comes to music, I want to do it, not learn about the theory. I wanted to get out there and go for it." Ethan instead focused his attention on his own songwriting. He first gained attention in 2016 with an independently released three-track debut EP, before releasing the follow-up "Born To Lose" with Warner Bros. Records in 2017. A succession of singles followed, from "Cracks Between", "G.I.V.E." to "Better Than Me", each of which delivered new admirers who had become enamored with his talents.

The album is available to pre-order from http://tentonnes.com/, and will be released on digital, streaming, CD and vinyl formats. The tracks "Lucy", "Better Than Me", "Lay It On Me", "Cracks Between", "G.I.V.E." and "Silver Heat" are all provided as instant downloads for fans who pre-order the album.

TEN TONNES will celebrate the album's release with a UK headline tour in May before heading into a hectic European festival schedule. Watch this space for news of his North American debut.

MAY

7th - Birmingham, O2 Institute

9th - Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

10th - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club

11th - Glasgow, St. Luke's

13th - Manchester, Gorilla

14th - Norwich, The Waterfront (SOLD OUT)

16th - Oxford, The Bullingdon

17th - London, Heaven

Photo Credit: Phoebe Fox

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