Elton John Joins Yard Act On New Version Of 100% Endurance
Friday, 01 July 2022
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Rachel Paley
Elton John has jumped on a re-recording of the Yard Act song 100% Endurance.
The original version of the track features on the Leeds group's debut album, 'The Overload', released earlier in 2022, while the revamp features John on piano and providing additional vocals. It was produced and mixed by Ali Chant at Metropolis Studios, and recorded at Parlour Studios. Yard Act singer James Smith said:
"Within our camp we have a saying: 'Mad shit happens when you do art' - it means what it means. You make stuff because you want to make it, and you throw stuff you've made into the world because you'd rather share it than not and then you leave it alone and let it do its thing. That thing you did can take you to places you didn't intend to go with it, but it's out of your control really. You have no control over the mad shit. It just happens (when you do art). Elton John saw our stuff and he started telling the press he thought we were good and then we chatted on the phone and after a few calls I said 'Elton, do you want to come to the studio and play piano on a tune?'; because, fuck it, it doesn't matter if he says no. Anyway, he said 'yes', so it doesn't matter that he didn't say no. I don't know what else to say. He's brilliant. Switched on, hilarious and an amazing musician.
"After he'd laid down the piano and laid down the vocals, taking direction from us and trying everything we asked, Elton reiterated his love of sessioning on other people's tracks and said something very poignant to me and Ali - "I love playing on other people's songs, especially these guys, because I started off as a session musician. The fascinating thing is you hear things so differently from other people, and when you hear what they hear, then it all makes sense." That insight, that curiosity and that approach to music is the reason he's still standing (after all this time). Elton is a diamond. It was an honour to collaborate with him. My mum is showing off to all her mates and mad shit happens when you do art."
John added: "From the first moment I heard Yard Act, I fell in love with James' lyrics, and the way he's delivered the song. Their sound is such a breath of fresh air. When James called and asked if I would come into the studio I instantly loved the idea. I started out as a session musician in the late '60s and I absolutely loved it then. It was such a thrill to be thrown in with musicians I'd never met before, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and I became a better musician. During lockdown, I had the time on my hands to really start doing that in a concerted way again, and I fell in love with the challenge and the process all over again. They're a very special band, with a massive future ahead of them, and I'm honoured they've let me be a part of their journey."
Yard Act will appear at various UK and European festivals this summer, including Truck, Tramlines, and Deer Shed. They also have a headline UK tour in the diary for this autumn. Head below for dates and ticket details.
Yard Act Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Wed July 27 2022 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Cluny
Thu July 28 2022 - EDINBURGH Caves
Fri September 16 2022 - OXFORD Bullingdon
Sat September 17 2022 - BEDFORD Esquires
Sun September 18 2022 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute3
Wed September 21 2022 - STOKE Sugarmill
Thu September 22 2022 - YORK Crescent
Fri September 23 2022 - HULL Polar Bear
Tue November 22 2022 - GLASGOW QMU
Wed November 23 2022 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Newcastle University Students Union
Thu November 24 2022 - LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds
Fri November 25 2022 - MANCHESTER O2 Ritz
Sat November 26 2022 - BRISTOL Marble Factory
Sun November 27 2022 - CARDIFF THE TRAMSHED
Tue November 29 2022 - SOUTHAMPTON 1865
Wed November 30 2022 - BRIGHTON Chalk
Thu December 01 2022 - LONDON O2 Forum Kentish Town
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