Second  Album - 'MILK' 

The Story So Far ...

In 2018, Ewan MacFarlane played his final show as frontman of Apollo 440 in front of 30,000 fans in a sun-kissed 
Seville. His next step was to do something completely different when he released his debut solo album ‘Always 
Everlong’ in October 2021. It emerged to a rapturous reception, with praise from countless publications 
including Rolling Stone, Classic Rock, Louder Than War and The Sunday Times, who declared him to be “the best 
voice in rock this side of the Atlantic.” winning praise for the rich timbre of the soul of his voice, as well as for songs 
that felt like a kindred spirit to Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. 
Amidst the praise almost everyone posed the same question. How come the guy from Apollo 440 is now making 
music that feels like a kindred spirit to Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen? 
Embracing a rich run of creativity, Ewan quickly released a Deluxe Edition of ‘Always Everlong’ before following it 
with his second album, ‘MILK’, in October 2022. If Always Everlong delivered the unexpected, Ewans’s second 
album Milk throws another thrilling, fascinating curveball into the mix. His love of Petty and Springsteen remains 
in sharp focus as heard with his debut album, but now you can hear touches of Al Green, Arctic Monkeys, The 
Clash, Foo Fighters and The Replacements within a stellar set of songwriting. 
“‘Always Everlong’ was an ode to my heroes, like Springsteen, Petty, Fleetwood Mac and Bowie,” he begins. “My 
new album Milk, is a bit more edgy, and there’s a lot more soul. It’s very varied and unpredictable with some big 
changes in the way that some of the songs go. That’s my favourite thing about being a solo artist. I can do exactly 
what my mind and heart wants to do.” 

The album’s title track ‘MILK’ is one of the finest moments that Ewan has ever delivered. Opening with a 
swaggering, indie-rock riff with a hint of Alex Turner in his vocal phrasing, it opens up epically during its chorus, 
while Ewan’s voice takes on a tone that recalls Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction. “It shouldn’t work,” he admits, 
“but that’s the beautiful thing about music. There are no rules.” 
“‘Milk’ is a concept album all about the same woman, my wife Jo. I suppose a modern take on a love album, with 
twists and turns. It’s about all the highs and lows of love, lust and passion, whilst being in a long-term relationship 
and one that I believe many people will relate to. For me personally it’s the best piece of work I’ve done to date. 
Everything about this record just flowed from start to finish with regards to the process. I’m very proud of the 
product.” 
Featuring the sublime and varied singles such as “Won’t Stop Burnin”, “Tangled”, “All Those Years”, and title- 
track “Milk”, the album also features the simmering country-tipped centrepiece “How To Build An Empire” - 
which you can tune into here. Speaking about the track, Ewan adds : 

““How To Build An Empire” offers a universal message. So often these days we focus on money & capitalism to 
build a so-called empire. The world would be a very different place if it was built through love & good intention 
and not the manipulative power from governments and “big pharma”, praying on the less fortunate, poor, or 
vulnerable.” 
Which begins to answer our earlier question. Ewan initially moved to London in the early nineties and was 
managed by the legendary Bill Curbishley when he first met Apollo 440. He was invited to drop by their studio, 
and his jaw dropped when he heard a fusion of drum ‘n’ bass and rock ‘n’ roll that they were working on. Ewan 
insisted he could add vocals, and after a little persuasion, his one-take, improvised lyrics became an essential 
element of one of their definitive moments in their album Electro Glide in Blue. His connection with the band 
continued over the years until he became their full-time live vocalist in 2007 and then a key creative force on their 
album ‘The Future’s What It Used To Be’. 

Apollo 440’s disinterest in being confined by genres (they loved Led Zeppelin as much as they admired Roni Size 
and the Beastie Boys) has continued to serve Ewan well. And now he’s unleashed his similarly sprawling second 
album, only a few months after releasing a deluxe edition of his debut. 
“Working independently means I can push in whatever direction I like, with no expectations from anyone else,” 
he concludes. “It’s really liberating. The variety of this album might confuse people at first, but when you put the 
jigsaw together it all makes sense. I’ve always been obsessed with song writing and this is full of good tunes.” 
Whether it’s with his work with Apollo 440, The Grim Northern Social or his solo career, Ewan’s world class vocal, 
magnetic stage presence and easy-going charm have made him an essential live performer. He also has the 
versatility to switch between full-band shows, solo acoustic gigs or a stripped-back trio Johnny Cash-style skiffle 
line-up. The release of ‘MILK’ will prompt a greater discovery of one of Scotland’s greatest cult talents. 
2022 has proved to be a benchmark year for MacFarlane as his solo career continues to bloom. Ewan’s latest 
works have received warm support across media including Classic Rock , The List Magazine, Amazing Radio, 
Maverick, The Daily Record, BBC Radio Scotland, Americana UK, RTÉ Radio 1, Backseat Mafia, Glasgow Herald/ 
The Times and many more, plus support from the legendary Rodney Bingenheimer too. Earning the respect of 
three generations of major Scottish bands in the process, The Snuts (who are name-dropped in his “Won’t Stop&nbsp;<br>Burnin”) showed their support for his previous single, hard rock heroes GUN extended their invitation for him to 
join them on tour as their special guest, and now Ewan is also due to support Big Country this December 2022. 
Available for download/streaming formats, ‘Milk’ is also available on CD and limited edition red vinyl. The CD 
format also features two live bonus tracks. Order/Stream ‘Milk’ now HERE 
With ‘Milk’ now out in the world, fans will be able to hear the songs live for the first time since its release with his 
most recent Coatbridge show selling out in 24hours, 
 

ACHIEVEMENTS: 
- Ewan’s debut full-band solo show in March 2022 sold-out in 12 hours - a subsequent acoustic show then 
sold-out in 48 hours. He then completed his debut full-band solo tour of Scotland in September / October 
2022. 
After the completion of his Scottish Tour, his recently announced Coatbridge show in November 2022 
Sold out in 24 hours. 
- This year he has also played shows as support to Reef, GUN, and JJ Gilmour, as well as a co-headline gig 
with Astrid. He is also scheduled to open for Big Country and Danny Vaughn before the year is out. 
- As frontman of Apollo 440, Ewan played major festivals all over the world as well as gigs with The Prodigy 
and The Chemical Brothers. 
- With The Grim Northern Social, Ewan performed alongside Muse, Elvis Costello, Simple Minds, Thin Lizzy 
and Skunk Anansie. The band were hand-picked to play Glastonbury’s John Peel stage by the festival’s 
founder Michael Eavis, performed at T In the Park for three consecutive years, and sold-out three nights 
at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut two years in a row, with no promotion beyond word-of-mouth. 
- There was such demand for The Grim Northern Social’s show at SXSW that the authorities had to close 
the road down. They also played another major North American showcase gig at CMJ. 
- He has been featured by The Sunday Times, Rolling Stone, Classic Rock, Clash, Music Week, Daily Record, 
Glasgow Evening Times, The Herald, The National, Louder Than War, Maverick, Americana UK, Backseat 
Mafia, XS Noise and more. The List highlighted ‘MILK’ as their Album of the Month. 
- Airplay for the ‘MILK’ campaign has included Amazing Radio, BBC Radio Scotland , Rodney Bingenheimer, 
Radio 1 Ireland . The song, ‘This Year’, from the Deluxe Edition of ‘Always Everlong’, was picked as BBC 
Radio Scotland’s Record of the Week. 
- His summer single ‘Won’t Stop Burnin’ was shared online by The Snuts. 

PRESS QUOTES: 
- “The best voice in rock this side of the Atlantic.” - The Sunday Times 
- "MacFarlane belts out hard, driving sounds with catchy-as-hell lyrics and rhythm." - Rolling Stone 
- “Sparking with triumphant Wah! exuberance, the former Apollo 440 / Grim Northern Social frontman 
channels his inner Tom Petty to excellent effect.” - Classic Rock 
- “A mesmerising live act and decidedly the best the country has to offer.” - Music Week