It’s here! Ready for your ears! Introducing Jenny Biddle’s 8th independent album “Hoping for a Hero”! Explore thirteen exquisitely crafted compositions, as Jenny candidly surveys the ups and downs of life using her diverse palette of blues, folk, alt-country, rock and roots flavours.
Several years in the making, and playing a dozen instruments on this album herself, you’ll hear her memorable acoustic guitar style that marries melody, bass and percussion amidst her dependable guitar hooks. Joined by talented session musicians for a lush, full band vibe, enjoy raunchier roots, gentle folk tunes, poignant piano ballads, blues grooves, sweet country flavours, and in “Mountains & Molehills” she immerses us for the first time with the meandering sounds of a Weissenborn slide guitar, hand made by her father. With a lush sonic experience, producer Sean Carey adds the icing to the cake with his atmospheric, electric guitar melodies that tie in beautifully with Jenny’s reflective lyrical sentiment.
From the depths of lockdown, Jenny describes the album concept: “I was struck by the undertone of a longing for some kind of hero throughout these songs. In the past I’ve channelled my quest for happiness in futile directions, whether it be dreams, fame and fortune, romance, approval, or a binge-eating sesh at midnight, and you can very much sense the theme of chasing happiness or some kind of saviour throughout this album. If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that our priorities need a good shake up, and in fact some things we chase and value aren’t nearly as essential as we think.” But who’s the hero in the story? That’s for you to determine…
Jenny boldly confronts her battles with depression in “Long Winter’s Day”, and talks about befriending her anxiety in “Worrying Mind”, and uplifts the listener in her heart-warming alt-country finale, “Five Foot Tall”. Added to this collection of new songs, she’s also included a new orchestral version of “Village by the Sea”, and the sequel to her popular coming-out song, “Hero in Me” with its added verse celebrating marriage equality in Australia.
With beautiful cover art by Ruth Thorp, lyrics booklet and guitar tunings included with the CD, you can buy your very own copy now, or listen on your favourite streaming platform.
TRACK LISTING:
- Too Much Too Ask
- Mountains & Molehills
- Worrying Mind
- Too Little Too Late
- Kintsugi
- Stories We Tell
- One and the Same
- Believe in Yourself
- Loaded Gun
- Long Winter’s Day
- Hero in Me (Hero in You Sequel)
- Village by the Sea
- Five Foot Tall
CREDITS:
Produced, recorded and mixed by Sean Carey at Church Street Studios, Sydney, NSW, Australia in 2019 and 2020
Mastered by Kathy Naunton – dB Mastering
Cover art by Ruth Thorp
Jenny Biddle: vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, Weissenborn slide guitar, piano, synth keys, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, percussion
Sean Carey: bass guitar, electric guitars, backing vocals, percussion
Matt Druery: drums, percussion, backing vocals
Damien de Boos-Smith: cello
POSTAGE & SHIPPING: Local postage is available in both UK & Australia. International shipping to the rest of the world. Free postage for orders over AUD$90! Please note, due to COVID-19 deliveries may be delayed.
Introducing brand new Scottish Borders–based duo, Miwa Nagato-Apthorp & Jenny Biddle. Blending their Australian, Scottish and Japanese cultures with roots music, folk, song-driven storytelling with warmth, grit and heart.
Jenny appears at Horncliffe Beer & Music Festival this year – July 5th 2026. Enjoy a weekend of fabulous music and craft beer!
