Two years on from Home Part 1, Wolverhampton singer-songwriter Scott Matthews returns with Home Part 2.

Recorded at home and released on his own label, Shedio Records, it sees Scott fully embrace the role of producer, and signals a new era for the award-winning writer who first came to prominence back in 2006 with the acclaimed Passing Stranger – a release that catapulted him into Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Foo Fighters, support slots, as well as a continent-spanning tribute to Nick Drake.

Taking a brief break between European and UK tour dates, Scott gave What’s On a call…

How were the recent dates abroad?
We did a three week tour around Europe, and it was pretty mind-blowing. It was the first time I’ve been with the band across Europe. There were lots of positives. There were some pretty eye-opening moments. It was great. We played Italy and the Paradiso in Amsterdam, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg. We went with no expectations as there was not much promotion over there – so we were not sure what to expect. But we got there and we’d sold out some shows!

Any particular highlights?
We played in Portugal in this venue with lots of elegant decoration, and sold out  … we didn’t expect that. There was a real anticipation over there – we were taken aback by the reaction. There was also a real electricity in the audience in Amsterdam, you could smell the anticipation. They were some of life’s great experiences. We met some great people, stuff you can take away…

Why were you so surprised by the crowds?
Previously, I’d had European distribution but never an official [promotional] campaign from the label. But there were fans clearly out there – we’ve just skimmed the surface.

There have been some major changes since the release of Home Part 1 ...
Yeah. Me and my wife are running the show now. We distribute from our house, and you can get the album from the website. It’s all pointing to a very good place. If we can spread the word to labels in Europe…

The album's on your own label, Shedio Records. Why DIY now?
I did four albums with San Remo, and I’ve now fulfilled my contract. We’d spent 10 years together, we’d all grown together, so let’s explore other options. I put out a DVD last year – Live at St George’s Brighton – and there was a suggestion that I put it out on my own label … and Shedio was born.

How are you finding managing your own career now, with your own label too?
Having this avenue is rewarding. I’m sitting in my dining room, writing notes to people – so it has that personal touch. I wanted to regain that personal touch. You have to balance it all though, but I’m sure it’ll level off and then I can concentrate on the music. Some days I dip into being Scott Matthews, head of Shedio Records, and other days I can disconnect. If it gets in the way you have to question it going forward, but until then …

How has Home Part 2 been received so far?
Fortunately the new record has been well received, the momentum is strong, which is better than having to build that momentum … you can just ride that wake to sustain that energy.

Do you think it will be a slow build, much like many of your previous releases?
From day one, I was always a slow burner. Word of mouth is still the strongest player. If you have a record label, they start to get panicky. We have a few disturbing moments … but we want the goals and the rewards. I’m not trying to take on the world.

Is this record a continuation of Home Part 1?
Home Part 2 is very much a continuation of Home Part 1. Home Part 2 was made under very different circumstances though. With Part 1, I had to learn to be an engineer, demoing my own songs. I had thought about re-recording them, but then thought, I can put it out there.

I’ve said that the first one is a sepia record; and this one is more Technicolor, with a broader multifaceted approach. It’s very different sonically, it’s got some legs … it’s definitely got a Technicolor outlook.

Part 1 was about coming home, about being at home; is that the case with Part 2?
The themes from Part 1 are in Part 2, there’s still echoes of that [homecoming], there’s lyrical nods to the first record too [Passing Stranger] and records I’ve made since. Characters come back.

Should people listen to both records together?
With Part 1 and Part 2, you can hear the relationships between songs; if you hear them together, you get more of an understanding of the journey there, why I’ve got to this point. It’s having that foundation to build from. Part 1 is like a dusty record, it feels; Part 2 has got a brilliance to it. I’m really proud of it.

Scott Matthews appears at The Glee Club, Birmingham, on Sunday 4 December 2016.