Neil Halstead

Neil Halstead
Neil Halstead

Neil Halstead performing at The Faversham, Leeds on 22nd September 2008.
Background information
Born

7 October 1970 (1970-10-07) (age 41)

Reading, England, United Kingdom
Genres Alternative rock
Shoegaze (formerly)
Indie rock
Occupations Musician
Instruments Guitar
Associated acts Slowdive
Mojave 3

Neil Halstead (born 7 October 1970 in Reading, Berkshire, England) is a British guitarist and singer, described as "one of Britain's most respected songwriters" by Allmusic.[1] He was a founding member of Slowdive, a band often associated with the shoegazer musical genre.[2] Following the disbanding of Slowdive, Halstead along with some other members of Slowdive (including longtime friend and musical collaborator Rachel Goswell) formed Mojave 3.[3] Mojave 3 are stylistically distinct from Slowdive and may be regarded as British country/folk. Halstead is the principal singer and songwriter in Mojave 3 and also plays guitar.

In 2002, 4AD (a British independent record label) released his debut solo album, Sleeping on Roads. Following his departure from 4AD, a second solo album, Oh! Mighty Engine was released by Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records on July 29, 2008. The album was partly recorded in Johnson's solar powered studio in Los Angeles before being completed at a Second World War airfield in Britain. The Guardian has compared Oh! Mighty Engine to the work of Nick Drake and Bert Jansch.[4] Halstead has said of his solo work that it's "really good doing something on my own", having been in Slowdive then Mojave 3 since he was 17 years old.[3]

Currently, Halstead is recording with Holton's Opulent Oog, a band including Mojave 3 drummer Ian McCutcheon and Robin and Joe Bennett of Goldrush. Their latest release "Love In The Mist" (2011) is being released on the boutique UK indie label Big Potato Records.,[5] a label founded in part by Halstead.[6]

Contents

Solo discography

Albums

  • Sleeping on Roads (2002, 4AD)
  • Oh! Mighty Engine (2008, Brushfire)

References

  1. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Neil Halstead Overview". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p171179. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  2. ^ Gourlay, Dom (2009-04-22). "DiS meets Neil Halstead". Drowned in sound. http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4136653-shoegaze-week--dis-meets-neil-halstead. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  3. ^ a b "Neil Halstead profile". 4AD. http://www.4ad.com/neilhalstead/profile/. Retrieved 2008-10-03. 
  4. ^ Rogers, Jude (2008-12-09). "Riding a new wave". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/09/neil-halstead-shoegazing-survivor. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  5. ^ http://www.bigpotatorecords.co.uk Big Potato Records
  6. ^ http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3768 God is in the TV

External links


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