We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Heart of the Matter

by True Strays

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    This album was funded by our fans, friends and family during a 2020 crowdfunding/ kickstarter campaign.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £7 GBP  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Gatefold signed CD of the incredible debut 12 track album with bespoke artwork designed by the sensational Patch de Keyes. (patchdkeyes.co.uk)

    This eagerly anticipated release, was nearly abandoned due to continued lock downs and lost incomes, but the generosity of our fans, friends and family helped raise nearly £10,000 to get the album finished. Any purchases will help get the band out on the road in 2022 to play our new music!

    Only 100 signed copies available.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Heart of the Matter via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    edition of 100 

      £13 GBP or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Gatefold signed 12" heavy vinyl of the incredible debut 12 track album with bespoke artwork designed by the sensational Patch de Keyes. (patchdkeyes.co.uk)

    This eagerly anticipated release, was nearly abandoned due to continued lock downs and lost incomes, but the generosity of our fans, friends and family helped raise nearly £10,000 to get the album finished. Any purchases will help get the band out on the road in 2022 to play our new music!

    Vinyl production delays mean that we are unlikely to get the vinyl to you before it's release date.

    *****Latest up date is they will be ready to ship by the end of October 2022.*****

    Only 100 signed copies available.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Heart of the Matter via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 98 days
    edition of 100 

      £30 GBP or more 

     

  • Bundle Bonanza Signed CD and T-Shirt

    Grab a gatefold signed CD of the incredible debut 11 track album with bespoke artwork designed by the sensational Patch de Keyes (patchdkeyes.co.uk) alongside the specially commissioned 2022 UK Tour T by Tea in Dreamland for a bumper price only until 28 February 2022.

    This eagerly anticipated release, was nearly abandoned due to continued lock downs and lost incomes, but the generosity of our fans, friends and family helped raise nearly £10,000 to get the album finished. Any purchases will help get the band out on the road in 2022 to play our new music!

    Sold Out

  • Limited Edition Debut Album 2022 UK Tour T-Shirt
    T-Shirt/Shirt

    Help get True Strays on the road this April with this dazzling limited edition Tea in Dreamland designed Yin and Yang inspired T. Printed on certified organic cotton on a classic black vegan T. Super comfy!

    Only 50 available to buy online until 28th February. Shirts delivered by 1st April 2022 in time for the tour!

    This T will only be on sale as part of the pre-order campaign with limited stock available at April 2022 shows.

    Sold Out

1.
Campesina 03:38
What did I do I don’t know My soul sister Knew I shouldn’t have kissed ya Eyes melt in the morning sun Better rewrite all that I’ve done and You said, ‘boy, Write me a song.’ I wrote you one already We ain’t been loving that long What did I do to make you love me I don’t know I don’t know Campesina You make my grass grow greener Born on horse back way out west Help me to be my best You said, ‘boy Write me a song!’ I wrote you two already I can’t be going that wrong. What did you do? I don’t know. You said, boy, Write me a song! I wrote you three already Something good going on.
2.
Been hunting you For 98 days Been getting me down Down to the ground And If I work more than I live And If I take more than I give And If I get my kicks for free What's left of me, there ain't much left to see God damn my soul Lets stop and turn No more slash and burn Bitter and betrayed Karma I never saved Burn this mother fucker down B urn this mother fucker down to the ground.
3.
I’ve been howling When your sea’s been rough You’ve been fumbling and tumbling You’ve been struck down By thunder and lightning Your hands are tough from pulling on the ropes That tie this ship together Now it's hanging off of hope I’m an old salt dog Old salt dog I’ve been howling Howling for you Patching up your sails Heading into the breeze To find a little island with calmer seas Living off the fruit Of a dedication tree Sleeping under stars wrapped inside a green palm leaf For you my love I’ve been howling all through night For you my dear could have put up more of a fight
4.
They tell me love’s a losing game Well I would lose everyday just to gain one more with you Well I know I ain’t ashamed To feel the way I do, yes it’s true Beecause I get high So high on you I get high One day I’m going to break on through So forget about what’s outside Let your heart lead the way When the rains don’t come and the field don’t show Well I know what seed it is I’m gonna sow Lay it down by your feet and watch that flower grow I’m gonna climb to the top I’m gonna beat your drum I won't stop Ohh I get high on you Ahh I get high on you
5.
War Cry 03:49
In the mud of your creation In the tears of your nation Hear your land’s primal roar Let’s prepare for what’s in store Hear our heartlands Hear our calls Here we stand here we fall In the landslides In the floods Hear our prayers lord above Here I heard your war cry Why people hate Why people die High above the modern ways Time stands still like olden days Love is earned Love is work Tears and toil in the dirt
6.
Conflict 02:24
My baby don’t care for me Like she used to My baby don’t care Now that she’s gone Fairytale gone wrong This whole life of mine Seems empty and bare Conflict out and in I just don’t know where to begin So I hold my head up high. To the sky. On the long train home This is how we’ve grown Loneliness The path we’re bound to roam ‘Cos I’m hardwired and caffeinated My soul long dehydrated And I’m dying to go home.
7.
This is an emergency Can’t you see Maybe like no other Swimming of the coast in the warm winter sea A wave spoke to me She said, “son take this problem more seriously! You’ve been neglecting me.” She said, “You ain’t listening to us You ain’t listening to me Take this problem seriously.” We gotta move away We gotta move away from here. Rip me out of my depth Pull me into the deep My heart skips a beat Here I’ll die five thousand miles from home Cold high and all alone She said, “I’ll release my grip on you Stop wasting time there’s work to do.” She said, “You ain’t listening to us You ain’t listening to me Take this problem more seriously!”
8.
Golden Age 03:19
You’re a money man Pretending to be poor Lying to your people Who deserve more Your towns are dust bowls Broken and bust All of their lives Gathering rust We thought that these days belonged to the past Golden age would never last Destroyer Battle hard won Just days to be undone Destroyer Jobs gone overseas Banks gambled their homes They lied and they cheated Sold luckless loans You blame the immigrant And not the CEO Now you must maintain The status quo Dark shroud on our shoulder Keeps on creeping, making us colder...
9.
Rosalea 05:43
People passing stories from the bay to the bar As the coin flips over and the man with a scar for a heart Reveals it all Living in the gaps between society He flies his flag so high for the eyes of one to see Rosalea She came on a morning at the bird song of dawn Filled his heart full of love like he never felt before Rosalea Everyday they would spend in the arms of each other Never sacrifice a moment spent with another Rosalea has gone She left without word undercover from the dark Leaving nothing behind but the sweet scent of her perfume Rosalea In her heart though she tried never fully satisfied To be settled on the land when she knew she could fly so high Rosalea has gone The broken home which she came affects her day-to-day Healing wounds and her scars they dot together like stars Rosalea Now he wanders the streets just a shadow of a man with a bottle by his side Keeping everything close at hand Rosa Rosalea Now people passing stories from the bay to the bar Speak of one man's love and the loss of his little sweetheart Rosalea
10.
Searched for so long From town to town Disco to dungeon To solve my conundrum Bottom of the bottle Kerouac’s fools Beat rules to follow No magic pill to swallow I don’t know what it all means All the colours in between Can’t say what isn’t so Hope won’t grow where there’s snow Buried the treasure out of sight Marked with an X Map the light Flame that made me Burnt me and bathed me Shroud for my sorrow Bought not borrowed I don’t know what it all means All the colours in between Can’t say it isn’t so Hope won’t grow where there’s snow Hope Hope to grow
11.
Fire burning up on the horizon Will you let it go Loved ones acting up under duress Will you let it go There’s no price to pay So say what you’ve got to say In your hands To make a fist yeah you make your stand Be strong Be strong And If you love her let her know If she needs to she’ll let you go Be strong Leaders spin you a lie Will you let it go Fire burning up from within you Will you let it show There’s no price to pay So say what you’ve got to say In your hands Make a fist yeah to make your stand Be strong Be strong If she loves you she’ll let you know If you need to you’ll let her go Be strong Be strong In your hands We are fire flies We hold the power to ignite In your hands To be strong
12.

about

Digging deep into the internal psych, holding to account your actions and those of others around you. Putting your energy where it is valued, and respected. Don’t let the self deprecating internal beast take control, or that of another. Learn to love, firstly to yourself then it will flow to others. Be honest, a lie will only unravel itself, leaving the brutal truth of what it tries to hide. And when you have made mistakes, learn from them, it will make you stronger. Creep closer to the calm of a setting sun, letting love, sex and vulnerability bathe on you, accept loss, don't fight it, embrace it, take the vulgar nauseating pulse of pain, hold it by the scruff, take the weight and the woe, reassemble the parts to form a brighter you, a stronger us. Understand that we all wear multiple masks, don't forget who is beneath.

credits

released March 18, 2022

All Songs Written and Arranged by True Strays.
Recorded at Crossleaze Studios, Bath
New Cut Studios, Bristol
Produced by Thomas Benjamin Cooper
Engineered by Charles Grimsdale
Mixed & Mastered by George Perks
Artwork & Design by Patch D Keyes
Logo by Lewis Kay Thatcher

True Strays are:
James Cameron - Vocals & Guitars
Joe James - Vocals, Bass & Guitars

Additional Musicians:
Matt Cooke - Drums, Percussion and Vocals
Tom Cooper - Guitars and Vocals
Robert Grist - Keyboards
Jonny Henderson - Hammond Organ
Jonny Lawes - Saxophone
Kanti Qena - Quena Flute
Jeanette Rojas - Zampoñas

Kickstarter Vocals - Let Your Heart Lead The Way
Katalina Thoms
Anouska Streets

Additional Vocals - Campesina
Natali Martinez Riobo
Marta Gonzalez

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

True Strays Bristol, UK

True Strays are lifelong friends, songwriters and country boys - Joseph James and James Cameron - from Bristol, England. Their music is a cathartic celebration of alternative roots americana and blues rock.

The duo draw influences from Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Fleetwood Mac and modern acts like Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark Jr and the Black Keys.
... more

shows

contact / help

Contact True Strays

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like True Strays, you may also like: