Following the announcement of their highly-anticipated forthcoming album, ‘Invitation’ – out October 9th – Ward Thomas have unveiled their infectious new track ‘Meant To Be Me’ – a clever twist on a traditional country song and beautifully showcasing the girls’ trademark harmonies.
“‘Meant To Be Me’ is a song we wrote in Nashville last year and it’s all about looking back on a relationship with hindsight,” Lizzy reflects. “The song is from the perspective of someone who has moved on from a previous relationship but sometimes looks back and has those doubts. The ‘what if’s’, ‘was it meant to end?’, ‘were we meant to stay together?’ and ‘was it Meant To Be Me?’”
Largely produced by Jonathan Quarmby (Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker, Finley Quaye), and mostly recorded in lockdown from their Hampshire cottage, ’Invitation’ is a coaxing doorway for all into an exciting new chapter as the fog of a global pandemic begins to lift. There’s palpable energy by the bucket load, and many of its songs benefit from a coming of age for sisters Catherine and Lizzy and a new found voice sees them diversify their sound.
Lockdown may have forced Ward Thomas to finish Invitation in isolation, but it was always intended to have a homespun vibe. For the first time since making their debut while still at school, for their most personal album yet, Catherine and Lizzy went DIY. Invitation will be distributed by East West, their new major label home, but it was written and recorded entirely independently, with every decision taken by the duo. The pair’s imminent move from the rented cottage they’ve shared for the past few years, where so many songs have been written over countless cups of tea, to their own respective homes fuelled the positivity that flows from Invitation.
“When it came to doing new photos for press and artwork – or making videos – we did it independently. If we couldn’t do something ourselves or with help from our friends we just left it,” says Lizzy. “It’s our new attitude. Don’t stress because the world right now is tough enough. Just do your best and be kind and always look for the positives in life.”
“Natural and organic,” says Catherine, butting back in. “Just like the album.”
The girls will embark on an intimate “Invitation” acoustic tour, which was rescheduled due to Covid-19, for April next year. The 16-date run will include two dates at London’s Union Chapel on the 26th & 27th.
2020 may have been a year of global ups and downs so far, but as one door closes, another opens. Enter an exciting new chapter for Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas.
UK TOUR DATES (tickets on-sale HERE)
April
Fri 9th LIVERPOOL, Grand Theatre
Sat 10th LINCOLN, Engine Shed
Sun 11th BARROW, Forum Theatre
Mon 12th LEEDS, City Varieties
Tue 13th NORWICH, Epic Studios
Thu 15th GLASGOW, Mackintosh Church
Fri 16th EDINBURGH, Queen’s Hall
Sun 18th LEAMINGTON SPA, Assembly
Mon 19th BOURNEMOUTH, O2 Academy
Tue 20th WOKING, New Victoria Theatre
Wed 21st SOUTHEND, Palace Theatre
Fri 23rd BRIGHTON, St George’s
Sat 24th BATH, Forum
Sun 25th MANCHESTER, RNCM Theatre
Mon 26th LONDON, Union Chapel
Tue 27th LONDON, Union Chapel