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Claire Nicolson & Yellowhammer, You & I (Canned)
Hugo Nicolson is, quietly, a bit of a cult figure. He was the man who put Screamadelica together under Andrew Weatherall's watchful eye. The experience, living amidst a whirl of drug-fuelled maniacs at the eye of the rave hurricane, affected Nicolson and he left the world of music for a few years, quietly sneaking back and popping up as an engineer here and there (he worked on Radiohead's In Rainbows, for instance). In 2004 he promoed an album under the name Yellowhammer, a wonderful piece of work, pop-electronica that sounded as if it had been stewed up in a fairground in a David Lynch flick. The album was never released, sadly, but now suddenly, up pops his sister Claire with a track from it, singing sweetly, longingly, over swirling Wurlitzer-esque strings, perky whistling and a trip hop beat. It's the sound of easy listening grown overripe, queasy, yet strangely more-ish. (THG) - The Arts Desk
...starring Emily Blunt. The singer Claire Nicolson has made an appointment to...soap to make them look greasy. Nicolson likes to dress up. “It’s in...parchment, and every bit as chaotic Nicolson moves on to a rack of scrubs and... - The Sunday Times Magazine
CLARE NICOLSON - You And I
Already on rotation on the current Surf TV ad, 'You & I' was written and produced by Claire's brother, ex-Primal Scream (Screamadelica) producer Hugo Nicolson, for his new LA-based project Yellowhammer. The new two-track release, which also features live favourite Quiet Company follows the critical success of debut single 'Toothpaste & Whisky.' Featuring Alabama 3's Nick Reynolds on harmonica, it won plaudits across both print and online press, as well as airplay on BBC Radio 2 (Jeremy Vine, Dermot O'Leary show) and 6 Music (Chris Hawkins). Both singles are taken from Claire's forthcoming debut album '52 Card Pick Up,' due this summer. - Music Week
Having contributed backing vocals to Martina Topley Bird’s new album, Nicolson now takes the helm on her forthcoming solo LP ’52 Card Pickup’, which is due for a summer release through her own label, Canned Records. Before that, there’s new single ‘You And I’. Featuring a breezy, nostalgic hook, which was seized upon by laundry giants Surf to soundtrack a recent advert, the single is set for release on 7 Mar, also via Canned Records. - CMU
Coming across like a breezy vintage lounge-pop standard, Claire Nicolson's second single was written by and recorded with Claire’s brother, Hugo Nicolson (Primal Scream's Screamadelica) for his new LA-based project Yellowhammer. Her debut single Toothpaste & Whisky featured Alabama 3’s Nick Reynolds and received support at radio from Jeremy Vine and Dermot O'Leary on Radio 2 and Chris Hawkins at 6 Music. Taken from the album 52 Card Pick, which is due out early summer, You And I is already airing on the current Surf TV ad, so the whistling hook may be familiar to you already. - Record of The Day
Even opening act Claire Nicolson, on paper the most mainstream of tonight’s three acts, has a wickedly deviant streak running through her country-tinged indie pop. Her androgynous looks and severely cropped La Roux-style haircut have a touch of ‘Labyrinth’-era Bowie, and although ‘Pot Kettle Black’ and recent single ‘Toothpaste & Whisky’ are innocently catchy tunes, the lyrics tell tales of wanton one night stands and other naughtiness, elevating them well beyond the average singer-songwriter fodder. - The Fly
Discography
EP : Toothpaste and Whisky, 24th August 2010. Included radio play for Radio 2 and Radio 6.
EP: 'You and I', 7th April 2011. Has had plays on Chris Hawkins, Radio 6 music, is in the Surf Advertisement, gaining Radio play in the U.S.
EP: 'Summer Wine', 7th June 2011.
LP: '52 Card Pick-up', 14th June.
Photos
Bio
Claire Nicolson has been a name for those in the know for quite long enough. A classically trained musician, she has worked with artists from Kula Shaker and Dodgy to Mike Oldfield, The Waterboys, The Mary Janes and Melanie C. Now, finally, she is launching her own, much-anticipated solo career.
Her work as a backing singer and musician have seen her travel the world on two global tours and more recently she was called up by Martina Topley Bird to play guitar and do backing vocals on the Massive Attack singer’s new studio album.
Claire learned violin and piano from age five, going on to win a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London where she studied for two years. However, the allure of the electric guitar and her growing passion for all things rock’n’roll was simply too strong to resist and, by the age of 15, she was gigging and writing with bands.
In true modern DIY style, she has recently been recording tracks for her own label, Canned Records, and producing a forthcoming album which showcases her prodigious songwriting skills. The new tunes are already creating a buzz and look set to reveal to the world her hidden talents.
She is about to embark on a ‘Sing For Your Supper’ tour, which will see Claire pitching up at bars and pubs across the country and offering them a tune or two from her and her guitar in exchange for a hot meal...A few proper gigs are booked on the way too which will allow the odd famous friend to join in. The tour will finish with a full-band gig and shindig which will bring together for all the artists and fans she has met on the way.
“This soul siren will scorch your ears,” says Donald Ross Skinner (former guitarist with Julian Cope and of scenester acts Fiji and Kiosk)
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