Nigel Powell (born 1 October 1971) is an English multi-instrumental musician from Abingdon. Powell was born in

Bromley Bromley is a large town in Greater London, England, within the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross, and had an estimated population of 87,889 as of 2011. Originally part of Kent, Bromley became a market town, c ...

, London, and educated at

Abingdon School Abingdon School is a day and boarding independent school for boys in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. The twentieth oldest independent British school, it celebrated its 750th anniversary in 2006. The school was described as "highly ...

. While at school he was in a band called Illiterate Hands, which also featured future

Radiohead Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); brothers Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments) and Colin Greenwood (bass ...

lead guitarist

Jonny Greenwood Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood (born 5 November 1971) is an English musician and composer. He is the lead guitarist and keyboardist of the alternative rock band Radiohead, and has written numerous film scores. Along with his elder brother, t ...

and

Andy Yorke Andy Yorke (born 10 January 1972) is an English musician and former lead singer and guitarist for the band Unbelievable Truth. He is the younger brother of Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. Early life Yorke began singing when he was ten. At the a ...

, brother of

Thom Yorke Thomas Edward Yorke (born 7 October 1968) is an English musician and the main vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Radiohead. A multi-instrumentalist, he mainly plays guitar and keyboards and is noted for his falsetto. He has been descri ...

. He is best known as the former drummer for Frank Turner's live and studio backing band; The Sleeping Souls. Nigel is also a member of the

Oxford Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...

based alternative rock band

Dive Dive Dive Dive are a British rock band, composed of Jamie Stuart (guitar and vocals), Ben Lloyd (guitar and vocals), Nigel Powell (drums and vocals) and Tarrant Anderson (bass guitar). Ben Lloyd and Tarrant Anderson also play as full-time members o ...

. He was formerly a member of

Unbelievable Truth Unbelievable Truth were a British rock band, led by Andy Yorke, with Nigel Powell, Jason Moulster, and Jim Crosskey. Their sound has been described as "slow, melancholy, country-tinged ballads, wrapped in a soft blanket of acoustic guitars an ...

. He is endorsed by

Pro-Mark Promark is a Houston, Texas-based American drum stick company. Since 2011, it is part of strings company D'Addario. Promark is a widely known stick company generally played in drum set, drum and bugle corps and concert bands. History Promark w ...

Sticks and Sabian Cymbals. Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls headlined at

Wembley Arena Wembley Arena (originally the Empire Pool, now known as OVO Arena Wembley for sponsorship reasons) is an indoor arena next to Wembley Stadium in Wembley, London, England, used for music, comedy, family entertainment and sport. The 12,500- ...

in April 2012, and played at the Opening Ceremony of the

2012 Olympic Games The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...

in London. On October 23rd, 2020, Powell announced via his social media that his tenure with Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls was ending, and he would be focusing on his solo project, The Sad Song Co.

The Sad Song Co.

The Sad Song Co. is a solo project of Powell that also features bass player Jason Moulster, begun in 2000 in Oxford. Powell took the songs he had been writing for Unbelievable Truth and recorded them for the debut The Sad Song Co. album ''miseryguts'', which was released in 2003. Moulster contributed bass throughout. Following a few years touring with Dive Dive in support of their first two albums Powell recorded his second album Poignant Device.

Marillion Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in 1979. They emerged from the post-punk music scene in Britain and existed as a bridge between the styles of punk rock and classic progressive rock, becoming the most ...

contributed use of their Racket Studios while they were on tour, and it was completed with

George Shilling George Edward Shilling (born 1966 in Redbridge, London) is an English musician, record producer, composer and audio engineer. He is the son of Eric Shilling, formerly of the English National Opera and actress Erica Johns. He studied cello at the ...

at his Bank Cottage Studios later that year. By the time of its release in 2007 three quarters of Dive Dive had begun acting as Frank Turner’s backing band on record and on tour, so there was little opportunity for touring, outside of the release show for the album supporting Marillion at their fan weekend in Port Zelande, the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

. During breaks in touring in 2014 and 2015, Powell wrote and recorded another album titled ''in amber''. After

crowdfunding Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people, typically via the internet. Crowdfunding is a form of crowdsourcing and alternative finance. In 2015, over was raised worldwide by cro ...

through

PledgeMusic PledgeMusic was an online direct-to-fan music platform, launched in August 2009. It was started to facilitate musicians looking to pre-sell, market, and distribute projects; such as recordings and concerts. It bore similarities to other artist p ...

, the album was released on 26 August 2016, and he undertook a UK tour in October, between tours with Frank Turner. Another album entitled ''Worth'' was released in 2018.

Discography – as musician

Studio albums

*'' ''Almost Here'''' (1998) – UK No. 21

(

Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. It grew to be a world ...

) *''sorrythankyou'' (2000)

(

Shifty Disco Shifty Disco was a British independent record label based in Oxford, England. The record label was started by local enthusiasts in January 1997 and their early releases were often featured by John Peel on his BBC Radio 1 show. Shifty Disco has r ...

) *''SmileSunset'' (2001)

Mark Mulcahy Mark Mulcahy is an American musician and front-man for the New Haven, Connecticut-based band Miracle Legion. The band earned modest renown, especially in their native New England region, but disbanded after a sad turn of events with their rec ...

*'' Misc. Music'' (2001)

* ''

Asianblue ''Asianblue'' is the seventh album by Emm Gryner, released in 2002 on Gryner's independent Dead Daisy Records. ''Asianblue'' was nominated for Pop Album of the Year at the 2003 Juno Awards, but lost to Avril Lavigne's '' Let Go''. Track listing ...

'' (2002)

Emm Gryner Emm Gryner (born 8 June 1975 in Sarnia, Ontario) is a Canadian-Filipino singer, songwriter, recording artist, and author. She has released 20 albums as a solo performer, and has collaborated with artists including David Bowie and Chris Hadfie ...

(percussion on Siamese Star) * ''miseryguts'' (2003) The Sad Song Co. * ''

Tilting at Windmills is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is ''The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'' or, in Spanish, (changing in Part 2 to ). A founding work of Western ...

'' (2005)

* ''The Great Lakes'' (2005)

(drums on Case of Tornadoes) * ''Poignant Device'' (2007) The Sad Song Co. * ''Revenge of the Mechanical Dog'' (2007)

* ''

Sleep Is for the Week ''Sleep Is for the Week'' is the debut album by UK based songwriter Frank Turner, released on 15 January 2007 by Xtra Mile Recordings. In a 2008 interview, Turner claimed that the album was "a snapshot of pretty much exactly one year of my life" ...

'' (2007) Frank Turner (

Xtra Mile Recordings Xtra Mile Recordings are a British independent record label based in London, England. The label was founded in 2003 by Charlie Caplowe and they release an eclectic mix of genres with a focus on rock and folk. History The label first signed the ...

) * ''

Simple Simple or SIMPLE may refer to: *Simplicity, the state or quality of being simple Arts and entertainment * ''Simple'' (album), by Andy Yorke, 2008, and its title track * "Simple" (Florida Georgia Line song), 2018 * "Simple", a song by Johnn ...

'' (2008)

* ''

Love Ire & Song ''Love Ire & Song'' is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on 31 March 2008 by Xtra Mile Recordings. On 26 January 2009, the album was re-released as a deluxe version, including the '' First Three Years'' ...

'' (2008) – UK No. 72 Frank Turner (

Epitaph Records Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo ba ...

) * '' The First Three Years'' (2008) – UK No. 72 Frank Turner (

) * ''

Poetry of the Deed ''Poetry of the Deed'' is the third studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on 7 September 2009. The album was released on Xtra Mile Recordings in the UK and Epitaph Records worldwide. Unlike Turner's previous sol ...

'' (2009) Frank Turner – UK No. 36 Frank Turner (

) * '' Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy'' (2009) Various Artists (plays and produces tracks by

and Frank Turner) * ''Memoria : A Tribute to the Alternative 90s'' (2009) Various Artists (plays and produces on cover of

Kerbdog Kerbdog were an alternative metal band from Kilkenny, Ireland, formed in 1991. Following two albums released on Mercury Records, the band split up in 1998. Since 2005, they have reformed for a series of occasional one-off performances. In 201 ...

's ''Sally'' by Frank Turner) * ''One Light Is Gone'' (2010) Josienne Clarke (drums on 3 tracks) * ''

Potential Potential generally refers to a currently unrealized ability. The term is used in a wide variety of fields, from physics to the social sciences to indicate things that are in a state where they are able to change in ways ranging from the simple r ...

'' (2010)

(

) * ''

England Keep My Bones ''England Keep My Bones'' is the fourth studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on 6 June 2011, on Xtra Mile in the United Kingdom, and on 7 June 2011, on Epitaph Records worldwide. Preceded by the single, " Pegg ...

'' (2011) Frank Turner UK No. 12 (

) * '' Tape Deck Heart'' (2013) Frank Turner UK No. 2 (

Interscope Records Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group through its Interscope Geffen A&M imprint. Founded in late 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture with Atlantic Records of Warner ...

) * ''

Positive Songs for Negative People ''Positive Songs for Negative People'' is the sixth studio album by English singer/songwriter Frank Turner. It was released on 7 August 2015 by Xtra Mile Recordings. The album garnered a positive reception but critics said it was derivative of T ...

'' (2015) Frank Turner UK No. 2 (

) * ''In Amber'' (2016) The Sad Song Co. * ''Worth'' (2018) The Sad Song Co. * '' Be More Kind'' (2018) Frank Turner * ''Saudade'' (2021) The Sad Song Co.

EPs

* ''Stone – EP'' (1997)

(

) * ''Higher Than Reason – EP'' (1998)

(

) * ''Settle Down / Sea Dune – EP'' (1998)

(

) * ''Solved – EP'' (1998)

(

) * ''When I Wank on My Guitar The Whole World Wanks With Me'' (2002) Dustball (Juggernaught Records) * ''Sounds All Wrong'' (2002) Dustball (Juggernaught Records) * ''

Campfire Punkrock ''Campfire Punkrock'' is the first EP by UK based songwriter Frank Turner. The EP was released via Xtra Mile Recordings on May 15, 2006. The vinyl release includes a live version of "The Ballad of Me and My Friends" and is pressed on a sulfur-yel ...

'' (2006) Frank Turner (

) * '' The Real Damage'' (2007) Frank Turner (

) * ''Bad Moon Rising'' (2010) Lazare * ''iTunes Festival: London 2010'' (2010) Frank Turner * ''

Rock & Roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It originated from African-American music such as jazz, rhythm an ...

'' (2010) Frank Turner (

) * ''Liar'' (2010) ''Dive Dive'' (

)

Singles

* ''Building'' (1997)

(

) * ''Higher Than Reason'' (1998) – UK No. 38

(

) * ''Solved'' (1998) – UK No. 39

(

) * ''Settle Down'' / "Dune Sea" (1998) – UK No. 46

(

) * ''Agony'' (2000)

(

) * ''Landslide'' (2000)

(

) * ''Advice to a Lover'' (2000)

(

) * ''Good Show''(2004)

* ''555 For Film Stars'' (2005) UK Indie No. 6, UK Chart No. 48

* ''The Sorry Suitor'' (2005) UK Indie No. 10, UK Chart No. 54

* ''

Vital Signs Vital signs (also known as vitals) are a group of the four to six most crucial medical signs that indicate the status of the body's vital (life-sustaining) functions. These measurements are taken to help assess the general physical health of a ...

'' (2006) Frank Turner (

) * ''The Game'' (2007)

* ''

Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that, through cellular respiration, can later be released to fuel the organism's activities. Some of this chemical energy is stored in ...

'' (2008) Frank Turner (

) * '' Reasons Not to Be an Idiot'' (2008) Frank Turner UK Chart No. 124 (

) * '' Long Live the Queen'' (2008) Frank Turner UK Chart No. 65 (

) * ''

The Road ''The Road'' is a 2006 post-apocalyptic novel by American writer Cormac McCarthy. The book details the grueling journey of a father and his young son over a period of several months across a landscape blasted by an unspecified cataclysm that ha ...

'' (2009) Frank Turner UK Chart No. 62 (

) * ''

'' (2009) Frank Turner (

) * ''

Isabel Isabel is a female name of Spanish origin. Isabelle is a name that is similar, but it is of French origin. It originates as the medieval Spanish form of '' Elisabeth'' (ultimately Hebrew ''Elisheva''), Arising in the 12th century, it became popul ...

'' (2010) Frank Turner (

) * '' Try This at Home'' (2010) Frank Turner (

)

DVDs

* ''All About The Destination'' (2008) Frank Turner (

) * ''Take to the Road'' (2010) Frank Turner (

) * '' Frank Turner Live From Wembley'' (2012) Frank Turner (

)

Discography – as producer

Studio albums

* '' Almost Here'' (1998)

* ''sorrythankyou'' (2000)

* ''miseryguts'' (2003) The Sad Song Co. * ''

'' (2005)

* ''The Bigger Picture'' (2006)

Milow Jonathan Ivo Gilles Vandenbroeck (; born 14 July 1981), known professionally as Milow, is a Belgian singer-songwriter. Milow released his debut album, ''The Bigger Picture'', in 2006 on his own label Homerun Records. The fourth single from that ...

No. 10 ( B) No. 78 ( NL) Gold (

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to ...

) * ''Poignant Device'' (2007) The Sad Song Co. * ''Revenge of the Mechanical Dog'' (2007)

* ''

'' (2009)

(one track) No. 26 (B) No. 3 ( GER) No. 38 ( SWE) No. 17 (NL) Platinum (Germany) * ''Take to the Road'' (2009) Frank Turner (stereo and 5.1 mixes for DVD / CD release) * ''

'' (2010)

Singles / EPs

* ''Stone – EP'' (1997)

(

) * ''Monster / Plastic 7" Single'' (1997) Beaker (

Fierce Panda Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass. Fier ...

) * ''Higher Than Reason – EP'' (1998)

(

) * ''Solved – EP'' (1998)

(

) * ''Settle Down / Sea Dune – EP'' (1998)

(

) * ''More Familiar'' (2005)

(Homerun Records) * ''One of it'' (2005)

No. 64 ( NL) (Homerun Records) * ''Excuse To Try'' (2006)

(Homerun Records) * ''Landslide'' (2006)

(Homerun Records)

Demos

* ''

'' as '' On A Friday'' – various demos between 1986 and 1990 * ''Dial F For Frankenstein'' (2009)

References

External links

* * Interview with 'Gigsoup' (2016)

* Interview with 'Libel Music' (2016)
Nigel Powell
{{DEFAULTSORT:Powell, Nigel 1971 births Living people English rock musicians English record producers People educated at Abingdon School

The Sad Song Co.

Discography – as musician

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

DVDs

Discography – as producer

Studio albums

Singles / EPs

Demos

See also

References

External links