A Congleton music artist is taking us back to the 90s with his latest song.

Start Again is the next track to drop from Independent Soul-Folk artist, John Dhali in the run up to his crowdfunded debut album.

It was recorded at Lower Lane Studios in Stoke, where his first LP will be recorded as well.

The track features poetic, thought provoking lyrics set amidst a solid groove and 90's inspired dreamy, nostalgic backdrop.

An acoustic driven verse finds a rockier chorus, and eventually erupts into a symphonic sing a long outro.

"I wrote this song in 2019," John said on Start Again.

"To put it simply it's just about failing, and turning failure into a positive.

"It's one of those songs that came bit by bit over a long period of time.

"I stumbled over the guitar chords and vocal melodies at first, then they kind of told me what the lyrics should be about.

"Earlier this year me and Sam Bloor turned it into a big old nostalgic symphony that has come out at a weirdly synchronistic time with the end of the pandemic and loads of stuff in my own life."

John has supported big names such as Frank Turner and Lucy Spraggan.

Nick Drake and Nick Mulvey are influences. Manchester-band The Verve was also a huge inspiration for the track.

The Congleton-born musician has been played on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2.

"I gigged loads in Congleton when I first started out and still come back for The Congleton Jazz & Blues Festival," he added.

"My recent gig in Congleton there was amazing So many familiar faces came out in support. It was the perfect gig."

Dhali's fans have donated over £5000 to hear more of his uniquely powerful and uplifting style that sits in a colourful patchwork pocket of genres.

There will be 11 tracks on his currently untitled album, including Start Again.

"Crowdfunding allows you to engage more of a community around your music", he also said.

"As an independent artist that gives you a lot of fuel and motivation, because all of these people out of their own goodwill have put their hard-earned money and energy into me as an artist."

"It makes me feel really supported and believed in as an artist, they want me to be doing what I'm doing.

"There are other benefits, I'm not tied into a contract, I have complete autonomy which you wouldn't be able to go with a label, and it is a gift not a loan.

"I would like to shoutout everyone that has come to my gigs, listened to my music or donated to the crowdfunder.

"I would also like to thank the late, great Craig Pickering as well, he was a massive supporter of mine. I hope I can keep his energy alive by keeping the live music scene strong in Congleton."

You can listen to John's tunes on Spotify or Apple Music.

The new track can also be listened to on the video above.

John can be followed on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

He has a combined 7100 followers across social media.

You can donate to the fundraiser for John's debut album here.

Congleton Nub News will continue to follow John's career with keen interest.

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