THE Coral's drummer Ian Skelly has confirmed details of his new solo album which will be released in March 2024. 

A founder member of the band, who formed in Hoylake in 1996, Ian is the younger brother of The Coral's frontman, James Skelly.

In a press release announcing the release of Ian's third solo album, Lotus And The Butterfly, a spokesperson said: "After the psychedelic opus Cut From A Star (2012) and understated country weirdness of Drifter’s Skyline (2020) Ian Skelly is no stranger to the strange.

"He’s been busy the last few years at his day job as drummer/ songwriter for The Coral, playing and contributing to the critically acclaimed Coral Island and latest albums Sea Of Mirrors/ Holy Joe… Amidst all this, he’s found time to etch out a new and wonderful solo LP.

"Lotus And The Butterfly is a treasure trove of psychedelic colour and freak-folk. Think Brian McLean in a seance with Karen Dalton, dreaming up the soundtrack to a lost American road movie. Recorded between Parr Street Studios, Coastal Studios and band HQ the Coral Caves, it features cameos from James Redmond and bandmates Paul Duffy, Paul Molloy and Zak McDonell. Extended liner notes are written by Nick Power."

Wirral Globe:

Speaking to Shindig Magazine, Ian said of the album’s theme and feel: "A lot of the sounds I hear these days bore me, so I wanted to make a record that rips up the rule book a bit.

"I wanted Sweet Love to feel as if it was something from a 1969 biker movie starring Dennis Wilson, you know? No dialogue but plenty of great shots. I put that down originally with just guitar, no click track. Then later I added the drums, that’s what gives it that feel, I was having to guess where the ‘one’ might be." 

Ian Skelly's Lotus and the Butterfly is released on AV8 Records on March 29 2024. Available on black vinyl or CD plus original signed artwork and booklet.