WELL WELL - THE NEW ALBUM!

I'm excited to announce that my new album, 'Well Well', will be released by Keo Records on 13th September 2019 on download, heavy weight vinyl and because I'm old fashioned, compact disc (standard and special edition). Pre-sales information will be announced soon.

It was recorded at Hightown Studios, Southampton by Tali Trow and mixed and mastered by Sam Williams. 

The cover features original artwork painted especially for the album by Eddie Argos of the band Art Brut. In his own words...

WHAT'S THE ALBUM LIKE? THE FIRST REVIEW

Good writing is rare and important these days and I was so impressed with Paul from the music blog 'The Mild Mannered Army' whom I met in Edinburgh when playing with Mark Morriss earlier this year, that I asked if he'd write the very first review for 'Well Well' - hoping he'd like it. 

He did:


'A piano plays in an empty room. 

Shimmering shadows. 

Then a mass, a mess, of drums and harmonica. Delta blues from the Home Counties. 

Southern comforts. 

This is the opening to "Well Well", the new album from Nigel Thomas who sings and writes songs; like Gerry Cinnamon or Ed Sheeran but, you know, good.   

The opening track "Rita" is so far removed from the sort of faux sincerity of some singer-songwriters, so far away from the phoney romance of certain stars, so distant from being concerned with being of the moment that it sounds like it has arrived from some parallel universe where people care more about talent, ability and honesty than they do about haircuts and swagger. 

We can but dream. 

That sense of joy in the craft, of placing quality and veracity at the heart of things, lies at the core of everything that makes Thomas someone worth listening to. 

From the giddy rush of "Stepping Up" to the slightly more tender thrills of "I've Seen Forever" Thomas works hard to make songs so delightful, clever, layered and beautiful sound improvised and simple...they sound intimate.  "Sometimes life can only offer you cruelty" he sings on "I've Seen Forever" and it sounds like your best friend whispering in your ear on one of those days. 

There are other moments where the music sounds like the score to the haziest half-dreams of imagined summers days.  "Well Well" is exactly that.  It sounds like the California sun as it starts to set on July 17th 1978...or something.  Like an old song...like a song from a lost classic album that has been rediscovered in a thrift store and given the chance to find an audience it didn't manage at the time by some hip record producer. 

That seventies feel and the feel of West Coast America runs right across the album but, thankfully, Thomas never strays in Starsailor territory...there are no "freeways" and fake American tones here.  This is very much a record from an English musician...the best sort of English songwriter, the sort who is looking further than the Rhododendrons at the end of his immaculate lawn, cherry picking and looking with magpie eyes for inspiration. 

This is also a very English record in places, most memorably on "Smiling and Laughing" where the ghost of George Formby looms large.  Yes, really.  If you think that is anything other than a good thing then I'm not sure you and I can every really be friends.  The likes of Formby and Gracie Fields and Noel Coward are as important to the evolution of British pop music as that Liverpool band and the Droning Bones are.  Arguably more so. 

Thomas has produced an album that places the song front and centre, this is a record where it really is, as Pete Postlethwaite argued in "Brassed Off", music what matters.  There are enough catchy tunes, clever lines, heart breaking rhymes and beautiful tones to make any day feel better. 

Music to soothe. 

Music to cherish. 

Music that matters.'


JUST ONE MORE THING: APPLE STORE GIG

I had a great time playing at The Apple Store on Regent Street back in March. Thanks to Carrie and everyone at Apple (and of course, the talented musicians who joined me: Jon, Pat and Alex) You can see footage of the gig below.  

More news to come. Naturally. 

Nigel. X

P.S. I had a great time playing at grand venue, The Ned, earlier this month. Very lovely review from Neon Music:   'There’s no doubting that Thomas is an incredible writer'.


'If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write, because our culture has no use for it.' ― Anais Nin

'If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.' ― Albert Einstein

BIG NEWS...

NEW ALBUM TO BE MIXED BY SAM WILLIAMS

I'm thrilled to announce that my new record is being mixed by musician and producer Sam Williams. 

While famously having produced the platinum selling 'I Should Coco' by Supergrass, Sam's also worked with artists including Plan B, David Bowie, The Noisettes, Kula Shaka and Gaz Coombes.  

Sam Williams

The as yet untitled record will be out in early 2019 and I can tell you that from the early mixes Sam is sending through, it will be worth the wait. I'm really proud of it and the many fabulous musicians who have contributed to its creation. 

RECORDING

 

Acoustic guitar time - Martin DX1RAE

Patrick Kenneally on drums

Jon Bretman

Fact: Stephen's lap steel guitar is worth over £1k

Stephen Barlow

Elder brother Ian

Musician and session engineer Tali Trow

  Tali's son Arthur showing us how it's done

WHILE NOT RECORDING...

After a great gig at The Isle of Wight Festival, I had the pleasure of supporting Mark Morriss from The Bluetones up in Aberdeen. Lovely and talented guy, thanks to AGP Aberdeen and everyone who came to see me. 

Backstage lovin'

I also appeared on the Jon Holmes show on Talk Radio, playing a couple of songs live (with the brilliant Darling Boy) and being interviewed. You can watch it all below, should you so wish: 

CARELESS SONS

When I shared the stage with the very lovely band that is Careless Sons for Cambridge TV Sofa Sessions last year, I had no idea I'd be in one of their music videos (and neither did they). It's one of the great randoms of the universe that I am, check it out below. 

They're doing a series of connected videos, so I'm also at the end of this equally brilliant music video of theirs too.  

Spookily, I have a massive fight with an onscreen girlfriend (which starts with smoke) in this Nathan Grisdale music video too. Things don't go well with the girl and I in this Jar Family music video either. 


AND FINALLY....

I hate it when people pirate my music.

Much love, 

Nigel. X

P.S. One of my hugely talented friends is in a touring show called 'The Hartlepool Monkey' - it's brilliant, go see it!
P.P.S. I've just finished 'How Not to be a Boy' by Robert Webb. Well worth a read.
P.P.P.S. This is the most addictive game you'll ever play. Ever. It's all about paperclips/taking over the universe.



'If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.'
Albert Einstein.  

A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henrydavid121060.html?src=t_acting

'So go create. Take photographs in the wood, run alone in the rain and sing your heart out high up on a mountain where no one will ever hear and your very existence will be the most hypnotising scar. Make your life be your art and you will never be forgotten.'
Charlotte Eriksson 

Shows, podcasts and new album

Hello you! 

Thanks for dropping by.


LONDON SHOW

I'm very excited for my gig on Friday 17th February at the prestigious Hospital Club in Covent Garden for the 'Darling Boy Presents' evening. 

This will be a stripped down acoustic show with double bass and I'll be playing brand new songs from my forthcoming album as well as tracks from 'Travelling Man'.  

The night kicks off at 7pm and I'll be on about 9pm. It's FREE ENTRY but as it's a private members club you have to register here for entry, which is but the work of moments.

Just add drums on 17th...

  
To compensate for my maestro drummer Pat not being in the photo above, here's a video of him playing along to the DJ after our recent Hamburg show - having very much enjoyed the wonderful (and plentiful) hospitality of our German hosts...

PODCASTING

In association with Bombshell Radio, I've recently produced two podcasts on 'Your Favourite Songs You've Never Heard' - tracks from a wide range of genres and acts, signed and unsigned which you may have missed but which deserve to be heard and fallen in love with.  

The first show (2 hours) can be downloaded free via the Soundcloud link below. You can  download the second (1hour) for free via iTunes, and the main website here. 






MEN WHO MARCH AWAY

I've the great pleasure of working with legendary songwriter Mike Batt on the premiere of his new musical 'Men Who March Away' set between the First World War and the Spanish Civil War. 

Tickets are available from here. Our first rehearsal was yesterday, it's really going to be something special. 

NEW ALBUM

* Will be recorded soon.
* Will be recorded abroad. 
* Will be recorded in a furnace. 

FIRST ALBUM 

If you've not bought your Limited edition heavyweight vinyl or CD's of 'Travelling Man' now is the time to do is as I'm including a variety of FREE BONUS CD'S/VINYL in all purchases. 

Every penny I make on album sales will go into recording the next album, so anything you buy really helps!

Available from: http://nigelsongs.com/store

'I wouldn't be at all surprised if Travelling Man appears on a number of Album of the Year lists.' Digital Journal.

'Travelling Man combines characteristics of indie rock, pop and folk to create a colourful compilation that really resonates.' Pure M.

'It’s hard to find a favourite track on an album this well crafted. Bravo!' Jammerzine.

'...a masterfully crafted collection of songs.' Stephen Brolan. 

'...one of the most soulful modern indie rock albums you’re likely to hear for a while.' TeeTotal Guitar.

' ... he continues to prove himself as a gifted songwriter, vocalist and guitarist.' Indie Biscuits.

'He's an artist that instantly grows on you...Nigel Thomas has "it", a real delight.' Rock At Night.

More reviews - http://nigelsongs.com/press

      

That's all for now. YOU are a lovely person for reading my blog, thank you. 

Nigel. X

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'Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, 
To Soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.' 
William Congreve. 

'He who sings doesn't have bad thoughts'
Bulgarian saying and a clue.    
 

Fever, Isle of Wight Festival and Hamburg

'WELL CRAFTED CORRUPTION...'

First off, here's the brand new music video to 'Fever', a track from my forthcoming début album. They say there's no light without darkness and this video is very dark - made by the fantastic Infinite Pictures (the team behind my 'Third Movement' video, as well as The Foxes 'Lover Killer' and 'Bill Hicks') it references films from Maniac and American Psycho to literature including the works of Burroughs, Bukowski, Ellis and Palahniuk.

CREDITS:
Words and music by Nigel Thomas.
Recorded by Luke Oldfield at Tilehouse Studios.
Mastered by John Davis at Metropolis.

Written and Directed by Zoe. Produced by Gavin Fry (Infinite Pictures - www.infinitepictures.co.uk)
Costume by Gemma Corker.

Huge thanks to everyone who gave up their time and talent so generously for this video to happen. You know who you are and you know I'm grateful.  

The next blog will contain full info on the album release.

CLARK KENT AMBUSH.

The great champion of new music Clark Kent (AKA John Clay) ambushed me on the streets of Camden Town in this three part interview. Take a look, then check out his Youtube channel here. He's the real deal.

ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL. 

Playing the Isle of Wight Festival was a blast! After the incredible amounts of rain on Friday evening the sun shone on the Kashmir Cafe stage on Saturday where I played with some hugely talented musicians to a sizeable festival crowd, then got to watch Blur again after - not a bad days work.Thanks as always to Doug Alldred for organising and to all in the lovely crowd who watched and listened. Photos below by Chemical Gdns. Click on photos for larger versions.

'Moment of the Festival' - seeing drummer Pat Kenneally in the morning after his £19 tent was found not to be quite as waterproof as he'd hoped, and he'd used his only dry trousers to mop up the puddles.

The band left to right - Alex S Tower (Keys), GrooveSun (bass, hidden behind Alex), Patrick Kenneally (drums, vocals, hat), Me (guitar, vocals) Jon Bretman (lead guitar, vocals).

Hamburg 

Last week I had the privilege of playing several gigs in Hamburg, both solo acoustic as as part of 'Darling Boy', led by the multi-talented musician Alex Gold, formerly of The Wutars, whom I met back in the Death Disco days. We were both in support of 'Duncan Reid and the Bigheads', led by the former front man of classic punk rock band The Boys. I've had their song 'Cest La Vie' in my head for days now, check it out. 

HUGE thanks to Anna and Dirke Lange for their hospitality, and everyone involved. Click on photos for larger versions.

At Monkey's, a fine club and lovely crowd.

I have a lot of time for this sign!

Photo op on stage!

More Monkey club action

On stage with Darling Boy!

Don't ask....

HOLIDAY TIP - don't cross the road in Germany without the green man, regardless of complete lack of traffic. The police will tell you off and you'll have to use your broken German to explain that you're used to throwing yourself into the road with wild abandon in London.  

NOT I...

I'll leave you with a track I've recently discovered called 'Little Heart Bomb' by Norwegian band 'Bigbang'. Enjoy. 

Nigel. X

P.S. lovely little pre-release review of 'Fever' by John Clay here, via God is in the TV. 
P.P.S My dear friend Stuart Saint is doing a kickstarter for an exiting new musical called 'Princess' - do have a look! 

New recordings, acting and a bit of both.

NEW ALBUM

I'm very pleased to announce I'll be recording my first proper solo album at Tilehouse Studios in January with a group of some of the best session musicians in the country. 

Here's a little sample of what we've done already (this one recorded at Bowerman Studios) and yes, it contains real harp, violin and cello.



There are live videos for 'Fever' and 'Travelling Man' both of which will appear on the album if you fancy other, very different tasters!

You can still currently download my acoustic album, 'Third Movement' for free from here. It'll be deleted at the end of the year, so get it while you can. 

MUSIC VIDEOS

I'm featured in the new Rizzle Kicks music video 'Skip to the Good Bit' which samples the famous EMF song. Here it is:

 Earlier this year I was also lucky enough to feature in the music video to 'Footsteps' from The Jar Family which you can see here. They're a great band, well worth checking out. 

My penchant for making low-fi music videos for The Foxes album tracks continue with this latest offering for "Sweet Little Wonder".  It features all of us in the bath, which will both delight and shock in (un)equal measure.

Other humbly home made videos include:

The Sad Thing.

Get Me. 

Send Me Nothing. 

Country Low.

No Reply (made by my brother Terry).

Candlestick director Chris Presswell who helped with filming this also made a very special little stop-motion/layered video test called 'Nigel Gets What He Deserves' which is both spiritually correct and rather amusing.

Chris was also responsible for taking the photo of me which was featured in the final episode of one of my all time favourite TV comedies, The IT Crowd on Channel 4. 

To quote Chris himself: "The episode is currently available on 4oD."


THE FILM

The new feature film I'm in, Candlestick, is 'a stylish Hitchcock style thriller'. The production team have just finished recording the score with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (which provided the music to such films as The Sixth Sense, District 9 and Mullholland Drive) and it'll be out in 2014. 

Follow the Candlestick facebook page for exclusive photos and regular updates. 

 

THE ADVERTS

Never one to turn down the chance to wear a bright green full body jumpsuit, I'm the 'game head' in this Stride advert for Gumulon. I also have a beard in this, which I quite like.

Using my geeky acting side to its extreme, I play Francis in this comedy viral ad. It's fine, I want to hit myself quite a bit in this too. 

Do check out the out-takes video too. 

AND FINALLY....

Thank you to everyone who came to see me in Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens at the Leicester Square Theatre this summer, directed by Stuart Saint. It was glittery, challenging and a lot of fun. 

Until next time....

Much love, 

Nigel. 

P.S. I found this: 'Hit or Miss' by Odetta Holmes. It's great. 
P.P.S. You can still find me dj'ing Death2Disco every week at Notting Hill Arts Club. I book the bands too, feel free to make suggestions. 
P.P.P.S. Real or not, this video has completely cured me. 
P.P.P.P.S. Pub quiz? 

• “While we look to the dramatist to give romance to realism, we ask of the actor to give realism to romance.” Oscar Wilde.

   

  "I got tiger blood, man. My brain...fires in a way that is - I don't know, maybe not from this particular terrestrial realm."  Charlie Sheen.

While we look to the dramatist to give romance to realism, we ask of the actor to give realism to romance.

Oscar Wilde

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