British India have formally announced the addition of Jack Tosi as their new guitarist, ahead of a run of east coast dates later this year.
This time last year, Aussie rockers British India were gearing up to announce a run of tour dates that would serve as the farewell for founding guitarist Nic Wilson.
Known for his wild style of playing a classic Gibson SG, Wilson hung up his axe at the end of January this year, saying goodbye to the fans he has performed in front of so many times in the past.
While the majority of this year was looking a little quiet for the band, with uncertainty about their future undoubtedly brewing, British India announced their live return back in June, joining the bill for the Brisbane leg of the Scene And Heard festival.
Now, following the unveiling of an east coast tour just last week, the group have introduced fans to their new guitarist, Jack Tosi.
Having been friends for years, the addition of Tosi came following a chance meeting with drummer Matt O’Gorman, who soon organised a jam session between members. By the session’s end, Tosi had scored himself the role of the new guitarist, removing the need for a gruelling audition process for the band.
Check out British India’s ‘I Thought We Knew Each Other’:
“We’ve known Jack since high school, in fact, his band beat British India in battle of the bands back in the early days!” explained vocalist and guitarist Declan Melia. “So, I don’t think it was a surprise that Matt asked him.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that Nic was the only guitarist we had ever played with, so that’s why we were surprised when it all gelled so easily with Jack. We were halfway through the second song when I turned to Matt and smiled like, ‘this is going to work’, that kid can play a guitar man!
“I’m so excited for these shows, it’s going to be a really strange and vibrant feeling. It’s going to be amazing actually. Where will it lead? Who knows, but you know us, we love this music and this band too much to stop.”
Kicking off their tour in October, British India will hit up venues and festivals all over the place, ensuring that their legions of fans receive the famed rock show they’ve been longing for, while finding themselves acquainted with the band’s new guitarist.
“‘I’ve know the guys since they started and it’s been great watching their success over the years,” Jack Tosi says of the upcoming shows.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the road, playing these great songs and being part of the next chapter.”
Tickets to the tour are on sale now, so be sure to head along and give Jack Tosi the warm welcome to the British India family.
In related news, British India have also released their 2013 album Controller on vinyl for the first time, with a limited edition run of coloured records available through the Waxx Lyrical record club.
Check out British India’s ‘Precious’:
British India National Tour 2019
Friday, October 18th
Beer Deluxe Albury, Albury, NSW
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, October 19th
Stonefest, Canberra, ACT
Tickets: Moshtix
Friday, October 25th
Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide, SA
Tickets: Moshtix
Saturday, October 26th
B.I.G. Festival, Geelong, VIC
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, November 2nd
Scene & Heard Festival, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, November 8th
Crowbar Sydney, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, November 9th
Narrabeen RSL, Narrabeen, NSW
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, November 16th
Soundlounge, Currumbin, NSW
Tickets: Oztix
Thursday, November 21st
Sooki Lounge, Belgrave, VIC
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, November 22nd
Espy Gershwin Room, St Kilda, VIC
Tickets: Moshtix
Saturday, November 23rd
Altar Bar, Hobart, TAS
Tickets: Oztix
Sunday, November 24th
Bridge Hotel, Forth, TAS
Tickets: Oztix
