Music
Press
I have my reasons, but reason isn't one of them - Thomas Channell
This leaves me speechless.
A top-end professionally crafted piece.
Execution of the composition is similarly professional.
If this piece, as is, were mixed like this and presented to A&R
execs at a major label, there is nothing in the presentation
that should cause Thomas or anyone else involved to lay awake sleepless wondering what else could or should have been done before its unveiling.
I myself would pay money to see Thomas.
It exists with a sense of timelessness that would maintain a long shelflife without going stale.
Thomas is perhaps one of the finest "singer/songwriters" in the serious adult scene that I've heard in awhile. - Billy Shaw, Sonicbids, August 3, 2005
Thomas Channell displays an infectious quality that is also vibrantly intelligent. Even his voice sounds just a little bit different, more emotive than your average super ambitious musical prodigy.
- Peter Tromp, The Cape Times, July 2, 2004
Thomas Channell shines as the narrator and lead singer, funny and camp when he needs to be and as serious and butch when required. His voice is tremendous.
- Rafiek Mammon, The Cape Argus, June 18, 2004
Discography
The Album
+ The music from Thomas Channell's album "Crowded Sunrise" ranges from calm ballades, to a pop-duet, rock, jazz and has a very original sound. It is in English and Afrikaans. Collaborators on the album include Mario Cronje, Lise Swart and Tinus van Dyk. The songs are about relationships, but never soppy, about issues, but with a unique sense of humour and poetry. They draw on personal relationships and experiences, from travelling to working for Rape Crisis as counsellor. Thomas is currently performing songs from Crowded Sunrise and new material in the USA singing and playing piano with Jason DeJesus on guitar and Chris Somers on drums.
Website: www.thomaschannell.com
Album available on iTunes, CD Baby, and other online stores.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
New York-based singer-songwriter Thomas Channell was born in Sydney, Australia, but grew up in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Somewhat of a nerd, he has a Bachelors of Music Honours degree from Stellenbosch University and an MA from Columbia University, where he studied on a Fulbright Fellowship. His songs are poetic narratives on South African themes and characters, as well as universal struggles. Just imagine Sade and Kurt Vonnegut's love-child was adopted by Rufus Wainwright and k.d. lang, with Herbert von Karajan as Godfather. A versatile performer, Thomas sings, plays piano, acts, writes songs and musical theatre pieces, and even dances. He has performed at all the major arts festivals in South Africa, as well as venues in Berlin, New York and Mexico City. He has just been invited to perform at Chansonfest 2007 in Berlin later this year. His first album Crowded Sunrise was released to great critical acclaim in South Africa in 2004 and he has been building up a loyal following in New York, headlining Cornelia Street Café and CBGB's to full houses. Other major venues include The Knitting Factory, Lincoln Center, The Living Room, The King Kong Room (@The Supper Club), R&R Bar, Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction, and Caffe Vivaldi. In South Africa he has performed with artists such as Stef Bos and Lise Swart, while in NY he has played with the likes of Mikanic (previously Sons of Trout), Shannon Corey, Tony Cedras and Morris Goldberg.
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