Drinking Man

Drinking Man is the b-side to TJ Howlett's debut single, Not Mine. It's a stripped back blues lament that tells the story of a family that is haunted by addiction, and the different ways they are affected by the relentless spectre that invades every part of their lives. The rhythm is slow and brooding and gives the melody a bare minimum of support, so that every word has emotion and impact. This is a song that you feel, not just hear.

TJ drew on his own life in writing it, things he's lived and things he's seen others go through. The lyrics are unflinchingly raw and honest, creating a song that is confronting and demands an emotional response as you listen. It vibrates with frustration, anger and loneliness, but it has purpose and energy, and it ends with a blistering lead break that is all power and strength, rewarding the listener with a sense of acceptance, and maybe a little hope.

"No hero in this story. Just survivors."— Groover City, 21 March 2025