Artist Information
Biography
DESPITE LIVING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC, SONGWRITING DUO OF SEAN DUNLOP (DETROIT) AND JAMIE RADFORD (LONDON), AKA THESE CURIOUS THOUGHTS, COLLABORATE BRILLIANTLY—AND ALLOW THEIR FACEBOOK FANS TO EXPERIENCE THEIR PROCESS AND CONTRIBUTE IDEAS IN REAL TIME
Aiming for a clever PR campaign for their previous album Building Mountains from the Ground, songwriting duo Sean Dunlop (music) and Jamie Radford (the quirkiest off the wall lyrics you’ve probably ever heard) came up with a wild origin story that’s about as crazy and intriguing as the idea of The Duke being Batman’s brother (Bruce Wayne)—the driving concept of “John Wayne,” a trippy, ambient-psychedelic track on What Is It, And How Did It Get In There?, their new 16 track studio album.
The two have a very unique international setup as they create a constant flow of what Dunlop calls “indie rock that’s progressive, introspective, poetic, upbeat, catchy, strange and unique…(a vibe that) some people say is a cross between The Beatles and REM.” Radford pens the words from his home base in London and emails them to Dunlop, who lives and makes music in his studio in Detroit. Because the two collaborate so seamlessly despite living on different continents, they thought it was in line with their crafty sense of humor to say they met in 2004 while vacationing separately in Tingo Maria, Peru, where they were introduced to the Ancient Society of Mound Builders. The less glamorous reality is that Dunlop and Radford met on a “musicians wanted”-type website. When Dunlop read one of Radford’s off the wall lyrics, he was hooked. Dunlop, whose college major was history, couldn’t get enough of Radford’s riff on Civil War zombies.
Once the two clicked and became prolific partners, Dunlop had the idea to create an internet based band with contributing members from all over the world. When that didn’t pan out, the two formed a local Detroit band called Shock of the Cold. Their first album, Listen At Your Own Risk, was written and recorded over six months and consisted of over 30 songs. In 2006, Shock played at the Emergenza Music Festival in Detroit and took first place in all three rounds of the competition, beating out many local bands. Shock earned the opportunity to perform in front of 1,600 people at the Majestic Theater where Dunlop won Best Guitarist. In 2007, Radford came to visit the band and participate in one of their shows. The band performed throughout the Midwest and released 3 full length albums. When the band broke up in 2008, Dunlop and Radford decided to forge ahead creating a new band, These Curious Thoughts—and quickly gained a buzz for their multi-faceted albums whose covers featured the colorful artwork of Dunlop’s dad. These Curious Thoughts’ discography includes The World Outside, The Colour of Sound, Lets See What 2moro Brings and—in line with the Peruvian tall tale—Building Mountains from the Ground.
TCT is constantly writing music via their popular Facebook fan page, where they invite their nearly 6,000 international fans to participate in their ongoing evolution as a creative team—posting songs and accompanying videos as soon as they record them. “Our fans are commenting on our songs and becoming more actively involved,” says Dunlop. “We have also asked our fans what we should be writing about and getting amazing feedback.” Other key tracks on the new LP include the edgy, riff driven guitar rocker “Lead Balloon” (the perfect metaphor for a band trying to get off the ground despite numerous obstacles), the emotional love rock opera “Because She Is Love” (written for Radford’s wife), the sexy and transformative lust song “Daughter of Morpheus” starting with hard rock and ending with a melodic piano and guitar based outro, and concluding the LP with the two-part rock analysis of modern life, “Lost in Confusion.”
“The distance actually helps us as collaborators,” says Dunlop. “Jim writes the lyrics at his leisure, and I record and do all the videos at my leisure. This gives us the ability to be fully focused on our creativity when we feel creative. Since we don’t pay for studio time, I have the ability to work on the music and make it right, and not worry about my time ending. I’m also happy to say we are currently performing the music of These Curious Thoughts live with Sean Nasrey on drums and Dan Steffy on bass. It’s great to keep progressing. We don’t live in the past, and the music we’re creating today truly reflects where we are—almost like a soundtrack to our lives.”
TCT is currently working on songs for their next album, “Inventing Dr. Sutherland, and his Traveling Hospital.” The new album should be an amazing collection of songs presented on a concept-type album. Find out what is happening in real time by visiting, www.facebook.com/thesecuriousthoughts
“These Curious thoughts are a band for the 21st century.” – Wildy - WILDY'S WORLD
“Fantastic effort for two dudes collaborating across the Atlantic. Dunlop is a musical genius, and Radford’s lyrics provide the perfect counterpoint. They’re smart, clever and insightful.” – Brian Watson - DPRP.net
“This dynamic duo from two separate continents have simply got it together.” – MF Greens - Vandala Concepts
The songs have varying sounds to keep you listening, some bordering more of a sound that is very reminiscent of 70’s soft-rock. – Trigger Happy Listener
“Definite sounds of late 60s and early 70s influence through the music, quite a bit of this could sit alongside Sgt Peppers without raising an eyebrow.” – Simon Jones - Rumbles & Grumbles
“‘The bass however owes nearly everything to The Beatles and Paul McCartneys’ Hoffner throb.” – Jules - TAPEtoTAPE
“This is a fascinating experiment in transatlantic musical relations hinting at a pair of powerful song writing imaginations.” – Stephen Morris - RockKent.com
“These Curious Thoughts gave me some curious thoughts on how a couple of fellows who were across the pond from each other could actually make a music project blossom into a full blown band. These guys had the raw garage chops and musical intuition to pull it off.” – Cory - Boy Meets Music
Instrumentation
JAMIE (JIM) RADFORD - LYRICS & INSPIRATION
SEAN DUNLOP - MUSIC & VOCALS
Sean Nasrey - Drums
Dan Steffy - Bass
Discography
RELEASED (AVAILABLE ON ITUNES)
2013 - WHAT IS IT, AND HOW DID IT GET IN THERE? (Viaduct Records)
2012 - MAKING MOUNTAINS FROM THE GROUND (Viaduct Records)
2011 - LETS SEE WHAT 2MORO BRINGS (Viaduct Records)
2010 - THE COLOUR OF SOUND (Viaduct Records)
2009 - THE WORLD OUTSIDE (Viaduct Records)
UNRELEASED
2013 - INVENTING DR. SUTHERLAND, AND HIS TRAVELING HOSPITAL (Viaduct Records - Expected Release Date 11/12/13)
Official Website
http://www.thesecuriousthoughts.com
Links
Audio
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Lead Balloon
Listen Download -
Because She is Love
Listen Download -
John Wayne
Listen Download -
Lost in Confusion
Listen Download -
Daughter of Morpheus
Listen Download -
I've Got God on the Phone
Listen Download -
Arctic Heart Attack
Listen Download -
Animals
Listen Download -
Get Along
Listen Download
Lyrics
Photo Gallery
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Sean Guitar
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Jim Chair
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TCT Logo
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TCT
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Jim Chill
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Sean Beer
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Jim Light
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Sean Shock
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Jim & Sean
Download print quality (high-res) version (Right Click -> Save As) -
The Walk
Download print quality (high-res) version (Right Click -> Save As) -
World Outside Album
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JimRedLight
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InMusic
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JimBeer
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Building Mountains from the Ground Album
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Press
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"From a pure songwriting standpoint, the collaboration works. Not once did I wonder, “Why the hell did Dunlop go with that musical style for those words?” The music is perfectly suited to Jamie Radford’s unusual and often penetrating lyrics."
[+ Show ]
Technology has redefined collaboration in every field of endeavor, including music. Note that techno...
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Fantastic effort for two dudes collaborating across the Atlantic. Dunlop is a musical genius, and Radford’s lyrics provide the perfect counterpoint. They’re smart, clever and insightful.
[+ Show ]
Sean Dunlop from Detroit and Jim Radford from London met on holiday in Peru seven years ago and got ...
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These Curious thoughts are a band for the 21st century.
[+ Show ]
These Curious thoughts are a band for the 21st century. Lyricist Jamie Radford is based in London (...
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This is a fascinating experiment in transatlantic musical relations hinting at a pair of powerful song writing imaginations.
[+ Show ]
Transatlantic co-operations between lyricists and musicians are slightly more common than you’d thin...
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These Curious Thoughts - Let's See What 2moro Brings (CD-R, Viaduct, Pop)
[+ Show ]
These Curious Thoughts is the duo comprised of Jamie Radford and Sean Dunlop. TCT is an internet ban...
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This dynamic duo from two separate continents have simply got it together.
[+ Show ]
“This dynamic duo from two separate continents have simply got it together... Showing their darker s...
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"Jamie Radford and Sean Dunlop have been passing compositions across the Atlantic for a while now, and this latest collection is just as inventive, eccentric and loopy as its predecessors. The production is more accomplished (brighter, anyway), and that suits these songs well."
[+ Show ]
These Curious Thoughts What Is It, and How Did It Get In Here? (Viaduct) Jamie Radford and Sean Dun...
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Five smart melodic pop tunes from Royal Oak, Michigan's These Curious Thoughts. This is a true independent release, apparently created from start to finish by the guys in the band. What Is It, And How Did It Get In There? features hummable upbeat pop tunes that should appeal to a wide range of listeners. The band is comprised of Sean Dunlop (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Jim Radford (lyrics, inspiration), Sean Nasrey (drums, backing vocals), and Dan Steffy (bass). Word seems to be spreading fast about these guys, as they've already managed to rack up some appropriately positive reviews. All five tracks here are keepers...our favorites are "Lead Balloon" and "John Wayne." Good solid stuff with excellent vocals..."
[+ Show ]
"Five smart melodic pop tunes from Royal Oak, Michigan's These Curious Thoughts. This is a ...
Setlist
Lead Balloon
My Dilated Pupils
The Knife
Heads Twisting Tails
Breathe the Day In
This Modern Age
Get Along
I've Got God on the Phone
Walking between the Raindrops
E=MC2
I am a Man
The Good Times
How Far?
Lets See What 2moro Brings
Care in the Community

