Cardinal Black Talk New Album, Live Plans And More

Cardinal Black will release their new album ‘Midnight At The Valencia’ – on 23rd May 2025 on Thirty Tigers and support it with a UK and European tour. Lead vocalist Tom Hollister kindly chatted to us about the new album and more:  

Who is in Cardinal Black, how did you meet and what do they play?

I sing, Chris plays guitar and Adam’s the drummer. We grew up pretty close to each other in South Wales, with me and Chris attending the same high school. We started playing together on the local covers scene and quickly formed a band of our own called Julie Andrews and The Midnight Cowboy, mainly playing songs from musicals but in a Country style.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Listening to records my dad would play when we washed the sides after dinner. John Martyn, Eric Clapton, James Taylor. It was guitar based but all melody focused and based around great songwriting.

When did you begin songwriting?

As early as I can remember really. It came pretty naturally to me to start writing basic ideas; chords with simple melodies. I doubt they were any good, but was always pretty decent at listening to a song and stripping it back to its constituent parts. Once you can do that, building your own song becomes less daunting.

Your new album ‘Midnight At The Valencia’ us released on 23rd May 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

Songwriting needed to before everything else. Often the production process was used to cut the fat from the songs and tighten up parts. We have plenty of opportunity to embellish songs live, but we were really keen to make a great studio album first.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

It was recorded in a few different places, a natural process of being a touring band, but the vast majority of it the recording took place in Maur, Switzerland – about 20 minutes outside of Zurich. The studio, Powerplay, is this incredible play house of old analogue toys and beautiful spaces. All overlooking a lake. Pretty idyllic. The owner, Cyril Camenzind also produced the record. Such a great guy and with the patience of a saint! He really helped us step this record up a gear from the first.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

It was about day three of our second session at the Powerplay and for whatever reason, we had hit a bit of a dry spot with regard to inspiration on a middle section of a track. It was sounding a bit ‘forced’ and wasn’t flowing as smoothly as usual. I decided we should take a break from recording from an hour. We went upstairs and as de facto barman, I started making everyone the strongest drinks I could. Now, Chris isn’t a big drinker, but in fairness he does like an afternoon loosener and he drinks very quickly. He nailed about 6 of my rum and cokes and what must have been close to 3/4 a litre of rum in about an hour. He was in a VERY good spot. We all were. Went back into the studio and proceeded to nail the biggest solo on the album in the first take back! It’s what you’re hearing on the record. Incredible to watch. I take all of the credit.

Do you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

There’s lots of different gear all over the record. It’s one of great things about working in such a great space. You can get a bit experimental, play around with space and mic placement. To be honest though, vintage guitars and drums are our usual staples.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

a) Need More Time – the lyrics aren’t that happy, but it’s great fun to play.
b) Keep On Running – because of it’s subject matter.
c) Adeline – it’s a melancholy track written about my relationship with my daughter.

You have also released the single ‘Keep On Running’. What was the inspiration/story behind the track?

It’s not the nicest subject matter, but unfortunately all too familiar. It tell the story of a girl I knew in university who was being stalked. I tell it from the point of the stalker as someone who was delusional about his version of an unwarranted relationship.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

The narrative of the video was to have a young woman revisit pivotal moments in her past, which seem to be increasingly traumatic. It was directed by Lewys Mann. He’s part of a creative duo based in South Wales called Trigger Happy Creative. We work with them a lot.

Who created/designed the album artwork?

Chris – he’s creates mostly everything you would have seen art-wise. The cover photo itself is of a real bar, The Valencia Club in California.

Was it a difficult album to write?

As with most second albums, it was a more pressurised album to write. Not just because you have less time, but also because unlike your debut record, there are expectations with this one. How will it go over with your fans, will it lead to the progression of the band etc. But I enjoy writing and the studio, so I welcome the challenge.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

We want to have a good night and we want fans to have a good night. The two things usually go hand-in-hand. We really enjoy playing each show and hope that comes across.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

As a singer, your mic is everything. We gone through plenty. I have a pretty big range so you need something that can handle that while maintaining clarity. I also have a lisp! So you want to work with mics that don’t exacerbate that. I’m using a Beyer Dynamic M88 at the moment and it’s great. You’ll always find Chris with his Yamaha Revstar and Adam plays Ludwig.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

The band has grown out of Cardiff. Beautiful, historic, energetic, welcoming, cultural.

How do you look after your voices?

No alcohol or partying, a very strict diet and bed by 9pm. Something like that.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

This is tough question for someone who almost exclusively reads non-fiction! I reckon if they made a film adaptation of Rory Stewart’s, The Places In Between, the score could be awesome!

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I love James Taylor, Carole King, Paul Simon… But if you’re lucky enough to be listening to John Martyn for the first time, I’m very jealous.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?

Yeah, we’ll be doing a short run of in-store gigs in late May. In terms of headline shows, we’ll be in the UK in October and EU in November/December.

What makes Cardinal Black happy and what makes you unhappy?

Cardinal Black became happy when we had the money to fund me sleeping in my own hotel room on tour. I’m unhappy when pubs don’t serve Guinness.