Real music. Real people.
Ross Harding has announced the release of ‘Graveyard Blues’, the second single from his three-part project Blues Shadows, due out on 5 June 2026.
The South African-born, UK-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter is releasing Blues Shadows as a sequence of singles, each one exploring the darker edges of the blues through what Ross Harding calls Dark Blues – cinematic, raw, minimal and atmospheric.
The trilogy unfolds as follows: ‘John The Revelator’ was released on 1 May and is out now, ‘Graveyard Blues’ follows on 5 June, and ‘If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day’ closes the sequence on 10 July.
‘Graveyard Blues’ draws on the mythology of the crossroads – one of the blues’ oldest and most enduring themes – and the folklore surrounding Robert Johnson. Where many such songs chase wealth or fame, this one takes a different angle. Its narrator is driven purely by the need to create, to follow a calling that is uncertain, demanding and difficult to explain.
The defining line of the song is “Signed the page in blood so I could sing these Blues” – a vow to the craft itself rather than to any material reward. The sacrifice at the heart of the song is artistic, a willingness to give parts of oneself in pursuit of something honest and lasting.
Haunting imagery and melancholy textures run throughout, with the song reflecting on devotion, perseverance and what gets left behind in the pursuit of meaningful art.
Across the Blues Shadows project, Ross Harding strips the music back to its core – voice, dark acoustic guitar and slide. The performances are intimate and unvarnished, built around tone, space and emotional weight rather than production gloss. Entirely self-produced, the record takes a modern, heavy approach to a traditionally stripped format.
Each of the three singles covers distinct emotional ground. ‘John The Revelator’ carries a stark, prophetic tone. ‘Graveyard Blues’ deals in personal weight and artistic sacrifice. ‘If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day’ takes a darker, more confrontational stance. Together they move between confession, warning and internal struggle.
Ross Harding has described Blues Shadows as a defining moment in his Dark Blues Revival – a modern take on the genre that stays rooted in tradition while being driven by mood, space and emotional depth.
The project has already drawn coverage from Blues in Britain and Blues Rock Review, and Ross Harding continues to build a growing audience across the UK through his recordings and live performances.
The Blues Shadows singles are being supported by an extensive 2026 UK and European tour, with the Dark Blues Revival Tour 2027 already in the early stages of booking. Ross Harding performs in three distinct live formats – Solo Acoustic, Blues Shadows Band, and The Dark Blues Revival Band – each offering a different dimension of his work.
The solo acoustic shows are looper-based and atmospheric, building a full sound in real time from guitar, voice and texture. The Blues Shadows Band format is a hybrid acoustic/electric setup that leans into space, mood and tension. The Dark Blues Revival Band is an electric trio – heavier, high-energy, and a modern hard-edged take on the blues.
Saturday 14 June – The Picturedrome, Northampton (Blues For Brain Tumours, Solo Acoustic)
Sunday 21 June – The Louisiana, Bristol
Sunday 28 June – Chiddingfold Village Hall, Godalming (The House Of Blues Sessions)
Thursday 30 July – Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Southampton
Friday 14 August – Fiery Bird, Woking (Blues Shadows Band Acoustic Trio)
Saturday 15 August – Nelly’s Retro & Vintage, Stratford-upon-Avon (Solo Acoustic)
Sunday 23 August – The Brunswick, Hove (Solo Acoustic with Special Guest Dave Packham)
Friday 28 August – Riff Factory, Stoke-on-Trent (Solo Acoustic)
Saturday 12 September – St James Wine Vaults, Bath (Solo Acoustic)
Saturday 19 September – Lloyd & Platt and Kamera Ballroom, Manchester (Solo Acoustic with Special Guest John Montana)
Thursday 24 September – Ram Jam Records, Kingston upon Thames (Dark Blues Revival Full Band)
Sunday 27 September – The Motorsport Lounge, Llandudno (Afternoon show, doors 1pm, Dark Blues Revival Full Band)
Thursday 1 October – The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Havant (Dark Blues Revival Band)
Thursday 15 October – The Half Moon, London (Solo Acoustic, Special Guest to Erja Lyytinen)
Friday 16 October – The Old Brewery Store, Faversham (Solo Acoustic, Special Guest to Erja Lyytinen)
Tuesday 10 November – The Coulsdon Club, London (Dark Blues Band, Special Guest to Jack J Hutchinson)
Sunday 15 November – The Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft (Afternoon show, 2.30pm, Dark Blues Revival Full Band)
Dark Blues Revival Tour 2027:
Saturday 24 April 2027 – Bromsgrove Arts, Fairfield Village Hall, Worcestershire (Solo Acoustic)
