Shane Nicholson (singer)
Encyclopedia
Shane Nicholson is an Australian singer-songwriter
from Brisbane
in Queensland
. He currently lives on the Central Coast in New South Wales
with wife Kasey Chambers
, with whom he has a son, Arlo Ray, born in July 2007.
Nicholson first appeared on the scene through a band formed in his last year of high school, called "Freak". This band went on to win the first round of Triple J
Unearthed competition in the Sunshine Coast division. Shortly after this, the band name changed to Pretty Violet Stain which released an EP in 1997 called Blush and the long awaited LP Parachutes and Gravity in 2000. Both releases had minor hit songs on radio stations around the country, such as "Blush" and "Never Come Down".
The band split shortly after a lengthy delay in releasing the album and Shane decided to pursue a solo career and released the critically acclaimed It's a Movie in 2002. It was during the recording of this album with Nash Chambers that Nicholson met Kasey Chambers, who duetted with him on the lead single "Designed to Fade".
He toured in Australia, and made his United States debut at the South by Southwest Festival, which prompted his signing with Virt Records
and a more extensive US tour. USA Today
named It's a Movie one of the top pop albums of 2004. A second solo album, Faith and Science was released in 2006.
In 2008 Shane joined with wife Kasey Chambers for the critically acclaimed Rattlin' Bones roots/country album which eventually won an ARIA Award for Best Country release in Australia 2008, and also picked up 5 Golden Guitar Awards in Australia in 2009. Shane found time between tours to record a third solo album, Familiar Ghosts released in November 2008, which was also nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Country Album in 2009.
In recent years, Shane has also moved into music production, working on albums for artists such as Angie Hart (Frente), Catherine Britt, Sarah Humphreys, Nikki Jensen and others.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
from Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. He currently lives on the Central Coast in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
with wife Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers is an Australian country singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of steel guitar player Bill Chambers, and the sister of musician and producer Nash Chambers.-Solo success:...
, with whom he has a son, Arlo Ray, born in July 2007.
Nicholson first appeared on the scene through a band formed in his last year of high school, called "Freak". This band went on to win the first round of Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
Unearthed competition in the Sunshine Coast division. Shortly after this, the band name changed to Pretty Violet Stain which released an EP in 1997 called Blush and the long awaited LP Parachutes and Gravity in 2000. Both releases had minor hit songs on radio stations around the country, such as "Blush" and "Never Come Down".
The band split shortly after a lengthy delay in releasing the album and Shane decided to pursue a solo career and released the critically acclaimed It's a Movie in 2002. It was during the recording of this album with Nash Chambers that Nicholson met Kasey Chambers, who duetted with him on the lead single "Designed to Fade".
He toured in Australia, and made his United States debut at the South by Southwest Festival, which prompted his signing with Virt Records
Virt Records
Virt Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, USA.Virt artists are primarily singer/songwriters.-Artists signed to Virt Records:Current*Ellery*The Bittersweets*Shane Nicholson*Brenda Weiler*Beth Boucher*Rachel GaudryFormer...
and a more extensive US tour. USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
named It's a Movie one of the top pop albums of 2004. A second solo album, Faith and Science was released in 2006.
In 2008 Shane joined with wife Kasey Chambers for the critically acclaimed Rattlin' Bones roots/country album which eventually won an ARIA Award for Best Country release in Australia 2008, and also picked up 5 Golden Guitar Awards in Australia in 2009. Shane found time between tours to record a third solo album, Familiar Ghosts released in November 2008, which was also nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Country Album in 2009.
In recent years, Shane has also moved into music production, working on albums for artists such as Angie Hart (Frente), Catherine Britt, Sarah Humphreys, Nikki Jensen and others.
Albums
- Parachutes & Gravity (2000, Pretty Violet Stain, Warner Music)
- It's a Movie (2002, Warner Music)
- Faith & Science (2006, EMI/Essence)
- Rattlin' BonesRattlin' Bones-Charts:...
(2008, Liberation/UMA) #1 Australia - Familiar Ghosts (2008, Liberation/UMA)
- Bad Machines (2011, Liberation/UMA) #29 Australia
EPs
- Blush (1997, Pretty Violet Stain, Independent)
- If the Money's Right (1998, Pretty Violet Stain, Warner Music)
- It's a Home Movie (2002, Warner Music)
Singles
- "Blush" (1997, PVS – radio only)
- "She Keeps Souvenirs" (1997, PVS – radio only)
- "Tastes Like a Lemon" (1998, PVS – radio/TV only)
- "Talk" (2000, PVS)
- "Never Come Down" (2001, PVS)
- "Designed to Fade" (2002)
- "I Wish I Was You (Sometimes)" (2003, radio only)
- "I Know What You Need" (2006)
- "Safe and Sound" (2007)
- "Rattlin' Bones" (2008, radio/TV only)
- "Monkey on a Wire" (2008, radio/TV only)
- "Summer Dress" (2008, radio/TV only)
- "Where the Water Goes" (2009, radio only)
Awards and nominations
- Best Country Album (Rattlin' Bones) – ARIAARIA Music AwardsThe Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
– Won, 2008 - Album of the Year (Rattlin' Bones) – ARIA – Nominated, 2008
- Single of the Year ("Rattlin' Bones") – Golden GuitarCountry Music Awards of AustraliaThe CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival, in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They are wholly owned and staged by the Country Music...
– Won, 2009 - Album of the Year (Rattlin' Bones) – Golden Guitar – Won, 2009
- APRA Song of the Year ("Rattlin' Bones") – Golden Guitar – Won, 2009
- Video of the Year ("Rattlin' Bones") – Golden Guitar – Won, 2009
- Highest Selling Album (Rattlin' Bones) – Golden Guitar – Won, 2009
- Group/Duo of the Year (Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson) – Golden Guitar – Nominated, 2009
- Producer of the Year (Rattlin' Bones, Nash Chambers & Shane Nicholson) – CMAA Achiever Award – Won, 2010
- Best Country Work (Rattlin' Bones) – APRA Award – Won, 2009
- Best DVD (Rattlin' Bones: The MAX Sessions) – ARIA – Nominated, 2009
- Duo/Group of the Year (Kasey & Shane) – Americana Awards, USA – Nominated, 2009
- Song of the Year ("Rattlin' Bones") – Americana Awards, USA – Nominated, 2009
- Best Country Album (Familiar Ghosts) – ARIA – Nominated, 2009
Productions
- Eat My Shadow – Angie Hart (ARIA nominated, 2010)
- Catherine Britt – Catherine Britt (ARIA nominated, 2010)
- La La La Not Listening – Lou Bradley
- Youth Skin – Steve Grady
- Autumn EP – Sarah Humphreys
- "Under the Rain Tree." - Nikki Jensen (2011)
External links
- Official site
- [ Entry] at Allmusic