Soft Play's Laurie Vincent has launched his new project Big Truck with 'Central Reservation Blues'

Soft Play's Laurie Vincent has unveiled Big Truck, a new four-piece whose debut single 'Central Reservation Blues' is out now via Marshall Records. Completing the line-up alongside Vincent are drummer Sam Coppins, guitarist Asa Thallon and keyboardist Justin Myles.

The track serves as the first taste of a forthcoming debut album, which was recorded in just four days at Marshall Studio. A residency at the Tunbridge Wells Forum's Basement last year helped shape the group's live dynamic ahead of those sessions.

Vincent and Coppins first crossed paths on the Tunbridge Wells music scene around two decades ago, nearly forming a band at the time before the plan fell through. Thallon brings a background in metal to the group, while Myles draws on R&B and soul influences. The combination results in a sound that sits apart from Vincent's previous output, drawing on a broad palette of reference points.

Speaking about the personal story behind the single, Vincent said: "I missed my partner's birthday and my son's birthday when I was in America. I'm no good at numbers and I tend to miss those details when we've got a big touring operation and things are booked a year in advance. Those birthdays I missed will be remembered forever, whereas I can't even remember those gigs that I played."

Big Truck have a string of live appearances lined up over the coming months, taking in headline shows alongside slots at The Great Escape and 2000trees. The dates in full read:

MAY
8 The Waiting Room, London, UK
15 The Great Escape, Brighton, UK
23 Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, UK
28 The Exchange, Bristol, UK

JUNE
19 Yes (Pink Room), Manchester, UK
20 Hangar 34, Liverpool, UK

JULY
4 Tattoo Convention, Bristol, UK
11 2000trees, Cheltenham, UK
17 Esquires, Bedford, UK
25 Where Else?, Margate, UK

AUGUST
1 The Forum, Tunbridge Wells, UK