Jr. Thomas & Eraserhood Sound — Life of the Party
Listen to ‘Life of the Party’ .
Pre-order ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’.
Minnesota-born singer, songwriter, and producer Jr. Thomas – best known for his work with Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos – is back with a brand-new single, 'Life of the Party'. The track marks the final release ahead of his forthcoming album Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood, landing September 26th via DeepMatter Records.
A collaboration with Philadelphia production duo Eraserhood Sound (Maxwell Perla & Vincent John), the project sees Thomas exploring a new chapter in his career, paying homage to the golden era of soul music while carving out a sound that’s uniquely his own. Drawing inspiration from Eraserhood’s previous work with Kendra Morris, Angelo Outlaw, and Say She She, Thomas felt he had found the perfect partners to bring his vision to life.
Recorded in Eraserhood’s Philly studio – once owned and custom-built by Questlove – the sessions brought together Thomas’ songwriting with the studio’s rich musical history. Joined by keyboardist Raynier Jacildo (The Volcanos, The Black Keys), the result is an analog-driven, deeply authentic take on modern soul, sitting comfortably alongside rising stars such as Jalen Ngonda, Thee Sacred Souls, and Pale Jay.
'Life of the Party' is a powerful, expansive piece of music that blends rich soul textures with subtle psychedelic touches. Featuring standout performances from Ron Kerber on flute and Angelo Outlaw on vibraphone, the track perfectly complements Eraserhood Sound’s lush production. Lyrically, Thomas reflects on his past struggles:
“‘Life of the Party’ reflects on the years I spent drinking and using, capturing the search for something deeper in the depths of addiction. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to see those experiences as a source of inspiration.”
This introspective, honest storytelling runs throughout Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood. Previous singles including 'Never Be Another', 'By Your Side', and 'Can’t Leave You Alone' have already received airplay and support from BBC 6 Music’s Craig Charles, Jazz FM, and KEXP, building anticipation for the full album release.
Born in Saint Cloud, Minnesota in 1981, Thomas’ musical DNA is steeped in classic Jamaican reggae, 60s/70s soul and funk, and singer-songwriter traditions. After early success with Minneapolis ska outfit The Dropsteppers, he relocated to Los Angeles to form Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos, releasing acclaimed albums including Rockstone on revivalist label Colemine Records. Now, with Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood, he enters a bold new era – one that embraces the timeless energy of soul for a new generation.
Jr. Thomas & Eraserhood Sound — Can’t Leave You Alone
Listen to ‘Can’t Leave You Alone’ + pre-order ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’
Best known for his work in Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos, Minnesota singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Jr. Thomas returns with a collaboration that pays homage to the golden era of soul music. Teaming up with Philadelphia production duo Maxwell Perla & Vincent John - AKA Eraserhood Sound - he’s proud to announce his new album ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’ with the lead single ‘Can’t Leave You Alone’, out now via DeepMatter Records.
A project that began with a songbook of tunes Thomas had been working on alone, ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’ came together through the magic of collaboration, and Thomas’ drive to find the perfect musicians and studio combination to fulfil his vision. After hearing Eraserhood’s work with Kendra Morris, Angelo Outlaw, and Say She She, he knew he’d found the perfect match: “The Eraserhood sessions were fuelled by focus, hard work, and pure determination. In the late summer of 2023, I approached Vince and Max from Eraserhood with the vision of making an album—despite not having a single song written. We booked a winter session, and I spent the next four months writing.”
Fast forward a few months, and Thomas flew out to Philadelphia alongside his confidant on keys, Raynier Jacildo (The Volcanos, The Black Keys)for 4-days in Eraserhood’s Philly studio - formerly owned and purpose-built by Questlove. The results of working in a studio rich with history are clear when listening to ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’. An authentic, analog-focused take on soul music, it pays respect to the genre whilst joining a growing movement that seeks to bring the uplifting energy of the music to a new generation of listeners, sitting alongside the likes of Jalen Ngonda, Thee Sacred Souls and Pale Jay.
The lead single from the record ‘Can’t Leave You Alone’ is a sunshine-ready, groove-laden cut that sees Thomas reflect on his younger self’s mishandling of relationships, and the madness that can be fuelled by love. The musicianship on the track stands out, with Eraserhood’s Vincent John’s percussive guitar playing paired with beautiful piano work from Raynier Jacindo. “Can’t Leave You Alone came together quickly, which is usually a good sign that it’s going to be a solid tune. I first demoed it in a stripped-down version with just guitar and bass for Vincent, Maxwell, and Raynier, giving them space to interpret it in their own way and expand where they felt inspired. I love how Maxwell brings the dance into the groove, while Raynier’s beautiful octave work on the piano and Vincent’s guitar performance is something I can’t get enough of.”
The single sets the lyrical tone for the album, which is introspective, digging into Thomas’ reflections and lessons learned from his younger self. Across the 9-track run, he explores the mishandling of relationships and the effects of intoxication – be it from love or alcohol – whilst also handling themes of addiction and loss with a sensitivity and maturity that can only come from a life of experience and decades of learning. “Life of the Party reflects on the years I spent drinking and using, capturing the search for something deeper in the depths of addiction. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to see those experiences as a source of inspiration.”