Nick Laird-Clowes

Last updated

Nick Laird-Clowes
Born (1957-02-05) 5 February 1957 (age 67)
London, England
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Formerly of The Dream Academy

Nick Laird-Clowes (born 5 February 1957, in London, England)[ citation needed ] is an English musician and composer, best known as the singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter for The Dream Academy.

Life and career

Laird-Clowes was a member of Alfalpha and The Act [1] before forming The Dream Academy. He was also a presenter for the first series of the Channel 4 music show The Tube . [2]

The Dream Academy formed in 1983. [3] [4] Laird-Clowes sang and played guitar for the band [5] and was its primary songwriter. [6] The band's other members were multi-instrumentalist Kate St John and keyboardist Gilbert Gabriel. [4] The Dream Academy is most noted for their 1985 hit single, "Life in a Northern Town" (1985), [7] [8] which was a worldwide success and a sizeable hit in the U.S. [3] The band released three albums: The Dream Academy (1985), Remembrance Days (1987) [9] and A Different Kind Of Weather (1990). [7] The Dream Academy disbanded in 1991. [10]

Laird-Clowes released a solo album, Mona Lisa Overdrive, under the name Trashmonk in 1999. [11]

A friend of David Gilmour, with whom he co-produced both The Dream Academy and A Different Kind of Weather albums, [12] Laird-Clowes contributed lyrics to two songs on Pink Floyd's album The Division Bell . [13]

In the 2000s, Laird-Clowes was involved in film and documentary soundtracks. He produced the score for The Invisible Circus (2001), directed by Adam Brooks and starring Cameron Diaz, [14] and was the musical consultant for Bernardo Bertolucci's The Dreamers (2003). [15] Laird-Clowes composed the music for Fierce People (2005), which was directed by Griffin Dunne and starred Diane Lane and Donald Sutherland, [16] and for Wit Licht (2008), directed by Jean van de Velde. [17] [18] Nick Broomfield's film Battle for Haditha , which premiered at the London Film Festival in 2007, also had a Laird-Clowes soundtrack. [19] [20] [21] In June 2009, he scored Broomfield's agitprop documentary for Greenpeace, A Time Comes, featuring the single "Mayday". [22]

In May 2007, Laird-Clowes and Joe Boyd produced a Syd Barrett memorial concert, "The Madcap's Last Laugh", at the Barbican Centre in London; the concert also featured both Pink Floyd and Roger Waters. [23]

In 2013, Laird-Clowes worked as both composer and music consultant for the Richard Curtis directed film, About Time . [21] [ better source needed ] In 2014, The Dream Academy released a compilation album entitled The Morning Lasted All Day: A Retrospective ; it was compiled, annotated, and remastered by Laird-Clowes. [24]

In 2017, Laird-Clowes composed the music for the feature documentary, Whitney: Can I Be Me , directed by Nick Broomfield. [25] In 2019 (and also for Broomfield), he composed the score for the acclaimed Universal film about Leonard Cohen, Marianne & Leonard: Words Of Love. [26]

Related Research Articles

Deep End was a short-lived supergroup founded by guitarist Pete Townshend of the Who and featuring David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. The group also included drummer Simon Phillips, bassist Chucho Merchan, percussionist Jody Linscott, keyboardist John 'Rabbit' Bundrick, harmonica player Peter Hope Evans, vocalists Billy Nicholls, Cleveland Watkiss, Chyna, and a brass ensemble called the Kick Horns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Mason</span> English drummer, co-founder of Pink Floyd (born 1944)

Nicholas Berkeley Mason is an English drummer and a founder member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. He has been the only constant member since the band's formation in 1964, and the only member to appear on every Pink Floyd album. He co-wrote Pink Floyd compositions including "Echoes", "Time", "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" and "One of These Days".

The Amazing Pudding (1983–1993) was a British fan magazine devoted to Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, and the solo careers of other Pink Floyd band members, including Syd Barrett. It was seen as being the main fanzine of Pink Floyd during the time of its publication. Journalist Stuart Maconie wrote about The Amazing Pudding as part of a feature in the April 1993 issue of Q.

<i>More</i> (soundtrack) 1969 studio album / Soundtrack album by Pink Floyd

More is the third studio album and first soundtrack album by English rock band Pink Floyd. It was released on 13 June 1969 in the United Kingdom by EMI Columbia and on 9 August 1969 in the United States by Tower Records. The soundtrack is for the film of the same name, which was primarily filmed on location on Ibiza and was the directorial debut of Barbet Schroeder. It was the band's first album without former leader Syd Barrett.

Rado Robert Garcia Klose is an English musician, photographer and printmaker. Between 1964 and July 1965, he was the lead guitarist of the rock band the Tea Set, an early incarnation of Pink Floyd. Although he recorded a few songs with that band, he left before their transformation into Pink Floyd. However, on the band's official Facebook page, he has been repeatedly mentioned when discussing the band and their tenure as the Tea Set.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dream Academy</span> British band

The Dream Academy was a British band consisting of singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Nick Laird-Clowes, multi-instrumentalist Kate St John, and keyboardist Gilbert Gabriel. The band is most noted for their 1985 hit record, "Life in a Northern Town".

<i>Music from The Body</i> 1970 soundtrack album by Ron Geesin and Roger Waters

Music from The Body is the soundtrack album to Roy Battersby's 1970 documentary film The Body, about human biology, narrated by Vanessa Redgrave and Frank Finlay.

<i>Pink Floyd – The Wall</i> 1982 film directed by Alan Parker

Pink Floyd The Wall is a 1982 British live action/adult animated surrealist musical drama film directed by Alan Parker, based on Pink Floyd's 1979 album The Wall. The screenplay was written by Pink Floyd vocalist and bassist Roger Waters. The Boomtown Rats vocalist Bob Geldof made his film debut as rock star Pink, who, driven to neurosis by the pressures of stardom and traumatic events in his life, constructs an emotional and mental wall to protect himself. However, this coping mechanism eventually backfires, and Pink demands to be set free.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Careful with That Axe, Eugene</span> 1968 single by Pink Floyd

"Careful with That Axe, Eugene" is an instrumental piece by the English rock band Pink Floyd. It was recorded in November 1968 and released as the B-side to the single "Point Me at the Sky", and featured on the 1971 compilation album Relics. It was re-recorded for the 1970 film Zabriskie Point, retitled as "Come In Number 51, Your Time Is Up".

"Brain Damage" is the ninth track from English rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. It was sung on record by Roger Waters, who would continue to sing it on his solo tours. Gilmour sang the lead vocal when Pink Floyd performed it live on their 1994 tour. The band originally called this track "Lunatic" during live performances and recording sessions. "Brain Damage" was released as a digital single on 19 January 2023 to promote The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary box set.

"Bike" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd, which is the final track featured on their 1967 debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

"Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd, appearing on their second album, A Saucerful of Secrets (1968). It was written by Roger Waters, taking lyrics from a Chinese poetry book, and features a drum part by Nick Mason played with timpani mallets. It is the only song recorded by Pink Floyd to feature material from all five band members, as there are several different guitar parts recorded by both David Gilmour and Syd Barrett, although the guitar parts are buried in the mix.

<i>Remembrance Days</i> 1987 studio album by the Dream Academy

Remembrance Days is the second album by the British band the Dream Academy. Not as successful as the band's 1985 self-titled debut, the album peaked at number 181 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Nile Song</span> 1969 single by Pink Floyd

"The Nile Song", written by Roger Waters and sung by David Gilmour, is the second song from Pink Floyd's 1969 album More, the soundtrack to the film of the same name. It was released as a single in 1969, and included on the 1971 compilation album Relics. While Pink Floyd never played the song in concert, Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets performed it in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paint Box (song)</span> 1967 single by Pink Floyd

"Paint Box" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd, written and sung by keyboardist Richard Wright. It was first released in 1967 as the B-side to the single "Apples and Oranges". The song is about a man who lives in an abusive relationship and has artificial friends.

"Julia Dream" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd and the B-side of the single "It Would Be So Nice". The song was the first to be released by the band with lead vocals by David Gilmour.

"Embryo" is a song by Pink Floyd. It was recorded in 1968 and regularly performed live in 1970–71, but never released on any regular Pink Floyd studio album.

<i>The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story</i> 2001 TV series or program

The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story is a 2001 television documentary produced by Otmoor Productions for BBC Two's Omnibus series and originally called Syd Barrett: Crazy Diamond. Directed by John Edginton, the film includes interviews with all the Pink Floyd members – Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright – plus the "fifth Pink Floyd", Bob Klose, who left the band in 1965, getting their points of view on the original band founder Syd Barrett. The film includes rare early television appearances of Pink Floyd, and home movies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life in a Northern Town</span> 1985 single by the Dream Academy

"Life in a Northern Town" is the debut single by British band The Dream Academy, released in March 1985. It appears on the band's self-titled debut studio album, The Dream Academy. The song was written as an elegy to British folk musician Nick Drake. Written by band members Nick Laird-Clowes and Gilbert Gabriel, the song was produced by Laird-Clowes with help from Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. The single reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1986 and reached No. 15 on the UK charts. It is the band's highest charting single in the UK, the US, and Ireland.

References

  1. ↑ Harris, Will (7 July 2015). "Interview: Nick Laird-Clowes of The Dream Academy". www.rhino.com.
  2. ↑ Lindores, Mark (14 February 2022). "Remembering The Tube". www.classicpopmag.com.
  3. 1 2 "Biography: The Dream Academy". AllMusic.com.
  4. 1 2 Smith, Christopher (12 September 2020). "WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The Dream Academy".
  5. ↑ "The Dream Academy special Gilbert Gabriel". www.c86show.org. 2 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "Lunchtime with Joe on Monday 6th September from 12noon with Nick Laird-Clowes (Dream Academy), Andy McCluskey (OMD) and Ruth Lear". northmanchester.fm. 31 August 2021.
  7. 1 2 Kamau, Eric (18 September 2022). "Top 10 Songs From The Dream Academy".
  8. ↑ Jamison, Darren (7 March 2023). "100 Greatest Songs from 1986 - Singersroom.com".
  9. ↑ "The Dream Academy". iHeart.
  10. ↑ Goodwin, Stuart (15 February 2012). "Old Music: The Dream Academy – Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want (Instrumental)". The Guardian.
  11. ↑ "MOJO Time Machine: Dream Academy Break Big With Life In A Northern Town". Mojo. 20 June 2022.
  12. ↑ Miles, Barry; Mabbett, Andy (1994). Pink Floyd - The Visual Documentary. Omnibus. ISBN   0-7119-4109-2.
  13. ↑ Mabbett, Andy (2010). Pink Floyd - The Music and the Mystery . Omnibus. ISBN   978-1-84938-370-7.
  14. ↑ "UNEVEN 'CIRCUS' HAS MOMENTS OF CLARITY, TRUTH". Courant.com. 2 February 2001.
  15. ↑ "The Dreamers - Original Soundtrack - Credits" – via www.allmusic.com.
  16. ↑ Rabinowitz, Mark (28 April 2005). "Fierce People". ScreenDaily.com.
  17. ↑ "INTERVIEWS WITH ACTORS AND FILMMAKERS". FILM TALK. 27 September 2016.
  18. ↑ "Film Music Site - Wit Licht Soundtrack". www.filmmusicsite.com.
  19. ↑ D'Arcy, David (1 October 2007). "Battle for Haditha". ScreenDaily.com.
  20. ↑ "Nick Laird-Clowes - Battle for Haditha Album Reviews, Songs & More" – via www.allmusic.com.
  21. 1 2 http://www.emimusicpub.com/worldwide/artist_profile/nick-laird-clowes_profile.html Archived June 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ "Behind the scenes of Nick Broomfield's A Time Comes". The Observer. 30 May 2009 – via The Guardian.
  23. ↑ Greene, Andy (27 September 2016). "Flashback: Pink Floyd Honor Syd Barrett at Final Concert". Rolling Stone .
  24. ↑ "Real Gone Music - News - The Dream Academy". Real Gone Music. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  25. ↑ Dalton, Stephen (26 April 2017). "'Whitney: Can I Be Me': Film Review". Hollywood Reporter.
  26. ↑ McCarthy, Todd (29 January 2019). "'Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love': Film Review". Hollywood Reporter.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.