Nigel Stonier
Encyclopedia
Nigel Stonier is a UK based rock, roots
and pop producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
, but first relocated to London
when, at the age of seventeen he secured a publishing deal with Southern music, and recorded his first demos produced by Dave Cousins of Strawbs, and with arrangements by Robert Kirby
, famed for his work with Nick Drake
.
Stonier’s first official releases were with Northern Sky, with whom he was rhythm guitarist, and co-writer of their 80s radio hit “I Wanna Be With You”. However it was as a producer/collaborator that he eventually came to major recognition.
He has produced and written material for a long line of UK acts, including Fairport Convention
(whose latter-day anthem “The Wood And The Wire” he composed with Chris Leslie), Lindisfarne (band)
, Paul Young of Mike + The Mechanics and Sandi Thom
.
He has also collaborated with such UK roots-rock luminaries as Mike Scott (musician)
of the Waterboys, Kathryn Tickell
, Chris While and Rod Clements
.
It was with Rod Clements that Nigel Stonier co-wrote “Can’t Do Right For Doing Wrong”, a top 40 hit in 2003 for pop singer Erin Rocha. He has produced both of Clements solo albums “Stamping Ground” and “Odd Man Out”.
In the mid nineties Stonier met, and began working with Oxfordshire born singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore
. He has since become her producer of choice and ongoing musical partner. He produced her first top 40 single “Juliet” and co-wrote its follow-up Mainstream”, he has also produced all seven of her albums, and toured extensively in the UK and US as her guitarist.
In 2006 a song composed by Nigel Stonier and award winning jazz artiste Clare Teal
(“Messin' With Fire”) was featured on the soundtrack of the hit British comedy movie “Confetti”, performed by Teal. Stonier further collaborated with Teal on material for her 2007 album ‘Paradisi Carousel”.
Also in 2006 Stonier joined Martha Wainwright
onstage at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London. One of several UK artistes guesting on the show, Stonier hooked up with Martha for a rapturously received performance of her song “Who Was I Kidding”.
Roots music
Roots music can refer to several styles or trends in music:* Americana * Folk music* Roots of hip hop, the conditions which led to creation of the hip hop genre* Roots reggae...
and pop producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Biography
He was born in CheshireCheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, but first relocated to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
when, at the age of seventeen he secured a publishing deal with Southern music, and recorded his first demos produced by Dave Cousins of Strawbs, and with arrangements by Robert Kirby
Robert Kirby
Robert Kirby was a British born arranger of string sections for rock and folk music. He is best known for his work on the Nick Drake albums, Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter, but has also worked with Elton John, Ralph McTell, Strawbs, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello.-At Cambridge:Patrick...
, famed for his work with Nick Drake
Nick Drake
Nicholas Rodney "Nick" Drake was an English singer-songwriter and musician. Though he is best known for his sombre guitar based songs, Drake was also proficient at piano, clarinet and saxophone...
.
Stonier’s first official releases were with Northern Sky, with whom he was rhythm guitarist, and co-writer of their 80s radio hit “I Wanna Be With You”. However it was as a producer/collaborator that he eventually came to major recognition.
He has produced and written material for a long line of UK acts, including Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
(whose latter-day anthem “The Wood And The Wire” he composed with Chris Leslie), Lindisfarne (band)
Lindisfarne (band)
Lindisfarne were a British folk/rock group from Newcastle upon Tyne established in 1970 and fronted by singer/songwriter Alan Hull. Their music combined a strong sense of yearning with an even stronger sense of fun...
, Paul Young of Mike + The Mechanics and Sandi Thom
Sandi Thom
Alexandria "Sandi" Thom is a Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She became widely known in 2006 after a series of webcasts and the success of the single "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker ".-1984–2004: Early life:Thom was born in Banff, Aberdeenshire...
.
He has also collaborated with such UK roots-rock luminaries as Mike Scott (musician)
Mike Scott (musician)
Michael 'Mike' Scott is the founding member, lead singer and chief songwriter of rock band The Waterboys. He has also produced two solo albums, Bring 'em All In and Still Burning...
of the Waterboys, Kathryn Tickell
Kathryn Tickell
Kathryn Tickell is an English player of the Northumbrian smallpipes and fiddle. She has recorded over a dozen albums, and toured widely.-Life and career:...
, Chris While and Rod Clements
Rod Clements
Rod Clements is a British guitarist and singer-songwriter.-Career:...
.
It was with Rod Clements that Nigel Stonier co-wrote “Can’t Do Right For Doing Wrong”, a top 40 hit in 2003 for pop singer Erin Rocha. He has produced both of Clements solo albums “Stamping Ground” and “Odd Man Out”.
In the mid nineties Stonier met, and began working with Oxfordshire born singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore
Thea Gilmore
Thea Eve Gilmore is a British female singer-songwriter. She began her career working in a recording studio, where she was discovered by her now long-time collaborator, producer and sometime co-songwriter Nigel Stonier, whom she married in October 2005.-Career:Gilmore was born in Oxford to Irish...
. He has since become her producer of choice and ongoing musical partner. He produced her first top 40 single “Juliet” and co-wrote its follow-up Mainstream”, he has also produced all seven of her albums, and toured extensively in the UK and US as her guitarist.
In 2006 a song composed by Nigel Stonier and award winning jazz artiste Clare Teal
Clare Teal
Clare Teal is an English jazz singer who has become famous not only for her singing, but also for having signed the biggest ever recording contract by a British jazz singer.-Biography:...
(“Messin' With Fire”) was featured on the soundtrack of the hit British comedy movie “Confetti”, performed by Teal. Stonier further collaborated with Teal on material for her 2007 album ‘Paradisi Carousel”.
Also in 2006 Stonier joined Martha Wainwright
Martha Wainwright
Martha Wainwright is a Canadian-American folk-rock singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of American folk singer and actor Loudon Wainwright III and Canadian folk singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle...
onstage at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London. One of several UK artistes guesting on the show, Stonier hooked up with Martha for a rapturously received performance of her song “Who Was I Kidding”.
Marriage and children
In 2005 Stonier and Thea Gilmore married. They now live in Cheshire and have a son, Egan, born in 2006.Discography
Stonier has released four solo albums and one compilation.- Golden Coins For The Holy Kid (1995)
- English Ghosts (2000)
- Brimstone And Blue (2003)
- Don't Sing Love Songs... ...You'll Wake My Mother (2006 compilation)
- Notes From Overground (2010)