The idea of the EP was to write a soundtrack to a fictional road trip I made with my family in the summer of 2013. It plots the journey from my home in Cardiff, leaving city life and the M4 behind (Traffic Report 1), hitting the open road (Motorhome) and travelling up country to Northumberland (Everything's A1) for a well needed rest and holiday. The Beach at Bamburgh Castle was our ultimate destination (You are the Best Beach that I Know) as I'd been told that it was a pretty spectacular place. 

For the most part the journey went smoothly but it was not without a few minor bumps in the road (no pun intended). For example, the less than neighbourly couple at Lakeside Caravan Park outside of Thirsk, A61, who took an instant dislike to the size and age of our van (A Stand off with Those at Hook up No.8). Or when we came face to face with some unfriendly cows on the B1341 who didn't take kindly to being beeped at to get out of the way (Animals Crossing and Cross Animals). But we made it, in one piece and, it was, well, worth it. (You are the Best Beach that I Know).  

The journey home (Traffic Report 2) initially felt long and was tinged with sadness (Lay Bye Bye) but, as we drove in to Wales, our spirits lifted as we realised it was OK to be home and were excited and ready for our next adventure (Motoring Home).

I imagined the road trip being broadcast as a BBC documentary from the late 70s, early 80s, like something Paul and Linda might do. A documentary scheduled between Tomorrow's World and a Roger Moore Bond film. A documentary that wouldn't get shown on TV anymore.  

The music was recorded with this era in mind. Wings and the Traveling Wilburys were the main inspirations for the songs and the Radiophonic Workshop for the incidental music. I also consider this EP as a bit of a test drive (pun intended) for The Boombox Ballads as the songs were originally going to be included on the album.

TRACKLISTING: 1) Traffic Report 1 (Experimental Road Layout) 2) Motorhome 3) Everything's A1 4) A Stand Off With Those At No. 8 5) Animals Crossing 6) Cross Animals 7) You Are The Best Beach That I Know 8) Traffic Report 2 9) Lay Bye Bye 10) Motoring Home