Bitter Harvest Recordings has announced the release of “Too Many Whiskeys Under the Bridge,” the debut single from River East River West. This innovative studio project is the brainchild of acclaimed Liverpool songwriter John Jenkins, designed to explore the frontier where traditional songwriting meets modern AI technology. The track is an upbeat, foot-tapping country anthem that Jenkins penned years ago but never felt suited to perform himself. By utilizing AI as a creative tool—much like the Mellotrons or drum machines of previous eras—Jenkins has brought to life a fictional band capable of delivering his more traditional Nashville-leaning material with the specific swagger and swing he always imagined. The result is a vibrant reintroduction to his melodic craft, proving that the heart of a song remains with the author, regardless of the lens through which it is filtered.
“Too Many Whiskeys Under the Bridge” captures a relationship unraveling in the town of Belvedere, balancing sharp, wry humor with the “knowing nod” of classic country narrative traditions. The lyrics paint a vivid scene of red lipstick and frayed pride, all set against an irresistible rhythm that belies the emotional weight of the story. Jenkins, a veteran of John Peel sessions and the 1980s post-punk scene with The Persuaders, views this project as a way to ensure his compositions find a voice rather than sitting unheard in a vault. As a master of the UK Americana and folk scene, Jenkins’ experiment with River East River West establishes a new chapter in his decades-long career, demonstrating how emerging tech can serve the timeless art of the song.