Pete Doherty has shared a new single titled ‘The Day The Baron Died’, whilst also announcing that The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce will join his live band for multiple dates this summer.
The singer-songwriter has released the third single from his upcoming solo album, ‘Felt Better Alive’, which is accompanied by a gothic music video filmed at Doherty’s house in Normandy, France.
Staring Doherty and his wife Katia deVidas, the breathless video features The Libertines frontman as ‘The Baron’ whilst deVidas plays ‘The Lady’. Check it out below.
The new release follows on from the first two previews of his fifth solo album, the title track ‘Felt Better Alive’ and the serene single ‘Calvados’.
Speaking of ‘The Day The Baron Died’, Doherty said: “I always thought it was a weird jazz number, with a silly, catchy little melody.
“It’s kind of a homage to John Lennon’s ‘Instant Karma’, not the lyrics but the weird off time drum fill in the chorus. And I’m not gonna explain what the song’s about because I’m working on a follow up!”
The upcoming album promises to be full of craftsmanship and character, with Doherty taking much inspiration from his now subdued life in the North of France.
Speaking on the inspiration of the second single, ‘Calvados’, Doherty said: “Where I live there’s a fellow in town, he’s got a shop that specialises in Calvados and ciders; the apple juice becomes cider becomes Calvados.
“He took me on a tour of all the old Calvados makers, in his van, place to place, staying with them. It’s that story.” said the Babyshambles singer-songwriter.
Doherty has also announced the exciting news that his live band will be joined for multiple dates this summer by The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce.
The musician is set to appear as an “extra special guest” at numerous gigs, including Doherty’s shows at The Great Escape in Brighton, Southend’s Lazydays Festival, Port Talbot’s In It Together Festival and more including dates in Europe.
Doherty will be looking to continue his success in recent years after The Libertines topped the charts with their fourth studio album ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ in 2024.
Speaking to NME in January, Doherty explained how this album came about after the songs “didn’t seem right” for The Libertines, saying: “They were all written around the same time; around the time I was working on The Libertines’ new album but they didn’t seem right for it.
“It’s not that they were rejected by the band, but in order for it to be a Libertines song, it has to be really me and Carl [Barât]. These are songs that are me, really.”
‘Felt Better Alive’ is set to be released on Friday 16 May and is available to pre-order here.
Doherty will be performing at numerous festivals in the UK this summer, as well as marking the albums release on an already sold out in-store tour, including stops in Leeds, Liverpool, Nantwich, Kingston and London.
