The
LONGSHORE DRIFTERS

Cosmic Country revivalists, The LONGSHORE DRIFTERS release their latest single ‘BAD RECEPTION' on all platforms Nov 3rd. 

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The revved-up lament to a romance, precarious as a dwindling phone signal began life way back in 2004. Songwriter Michelle Miller was working in London’s iconic Denmark Street and immersing herself in the raw and rebellious sounds of Sam Phillips’ early Sun Records recordings. This would inspire the first version of ‘Bad Reception’ in the mould of the classic early recordings of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

Fast forward to 2025 Miller alongside fellow songwriter Mark J. Lee are accumulating songs for the Longshore Drifters’ first album. As well as writing fresh material, they dig through old notebooks and demos, rediscovering this forgotten gem. Dusted off and rearranged for twin telecaster guitars and pedal steel, ‘Bad Reception’ shares sonic DNA with the West Coast twang of Dwight Yoakam or Emmylou Harris's Hot Band whilst retaining the raw edges of the song's original 50’s inspiration.

Adopting the motif of a dropped phone call to explore emotional miscommunication and heartbreak, infusing the pain with levity and a sense of liberation. “It’s about finding comedy in the tragedy,” says Miller. “Heartbreak is hard enough. This song lets you hold the good, the bad, and the ugly, look it in the eye, and celebrate the past rather than cling to it. After all, wildness is inevitable. And essential. Now, let’s dance…”

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