New Album

The story of Nell’s upcoming album, “Shake the Tree,” began at Metrophonic Studios just outside London in summer 2010. It was there that she met Patrick Mascall, a British guitarist and songwriter with more knowledge of American culture than most Americans. The pair immediately hit it off after discovering a mutual admiration for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, and quickly began writing a flood of songs that would later form the backbone of the album.

On a car ride home from the studio one evening, Patrick played Grammy-winning producer Mark Taylor some of their work and plans for cutting an album immediately ensued. In early 2011 a band of carefully selected musicians went into West London’s State of the Ark studio. Owned by legendary songwriter Terry Britten and renowned for its large collection of vintage gear, including an old EMI console complete with “Mick and Keith” scratched into it courtesy of some former users, the studio provided the perfect environment to bring the album to life.

“Shake the Tree” is a metaphor for the way Nell has approached her career in the music industry.  Never one to wait for others to come to her, she’s applied her New Yorker can-do attitude to everything from touring to releasing records.  When she started touring Europe, rather than courting uninterested booking agents, she set up 250 shows a year herself, staying on the road for four years.  She has been self-releasing her own EPs and albums for the last ten years, doing licensing deals with record labels in various territories.  Realizing  that the days of being “discovered” by a record label are over, witnessing the seismic shifts throughout the music business, Nell has stayed true to her music and her vision, always finding a way to connect with her fans and continually “Shake the Tree.”

“Shake the Tree” is expected to be released in June 2012.

Striking a Chord

Susan Rockefeller’s documentary about Nell’s tours to Iraq was produced in partnership with Nile Rogers’ We Are Family Foundation.

ABOUT “STRIKING A CHORD”

The impetus for making Striking a Chord is our growing awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and its devastating effects. As director Susan Cohn Rockefeller researched the project, she realized how little civilians actually know about the demands made on soldiers stationed in combat zones.
Striking a Chord brings the audience right into the army bases in Iraq. The film shows the boredom and isolation, the effect of repeated deployments, and the need to create experiences that bring the troops some consolation. Long lines of soldiers waiting to speak with Nell Bryden and the band after every concert attest to the effect of the music on the troops. Their fervent applause and heartfelt comments show how deeply they respond to the concerts.
Inter-cut with uplifting and moving scenes of Nell’s performances and talks with the soldiers are interviews with a psychiatrist who discusses how music addresses PTSD, promoting relaxation, expression of feelings and healing invisible battle scars.
Most importantly, Striking a Chord reminds us that when our soldiers return home, they need special care and attention. PTSD is a disorder which many veterans are ashamed to speak about, yet it’s all too common. As the film shows, music can provide a way to begin the healing process.

Please visit http://strikingachordthemovie.com

Smooth Advert

Click on the link for the new TV ad for  Smooth Radio, which is currently running in the UK – recognise the soundbed?!

http://www.youtube.com/user/nellbryden?feature=mhum

Sunday’s Weekend Wogan

If you missed my performance on Weekend Wogan on Sunday, you can watch it on the link below. It’s around 1hr 15mins in.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tytss/Weekend_Wogan_03_10_2010/

Top of the Blues Chart!

What a day! My album has again hit #1 on the iTunes blues chart, and I’ve got 2 songs in their top ten blues tracks, including the top spot! Thanks SO much for your support.

Mega Monday!

Lots of news today folks – the new single, the headline UK tour and the ‘Secret Sessions’ Pledge Music event!

‘Goodbye (Ash Howes Remix)’ is released today by Cooking Vinyl.

With the help of acclaimed remixer Ash Howes (James Morrison, Annie Lennox, Hurts, Ellie Goulding, Jools Holland), this new version of the track showcases Nell exploring a more lush and polished sound, whilst still retaining her usual raw vocal presence and power.  This new remix has already been making waves, being playlisted on UK radio and also soundtracking the forthcoming official launch of Smooth FM as a UK-wide network!

The single is available to download from iTunes, Amazon, 7digital and all good digital stores.

2010 is turning out to be a very exciting year for Nell, not least in light of her performances this weekend.  Nell played to her biggest audiences ever at Proms in the Park this Saturday, and also at Radio 2’s Elvis Forever event last night, also in London’s Hyde Park.  Listen to Nell’s Elvis performances (at around 1:15) here.

Nell’s headline UK tour also begins today, with the first show tonight at The Albert in Brighton.  Further details and ticket buylinks are at Nell’s official site (on the right, below the single artwork).

And finally…today Nell announces details of her Secret Sessions.  This is a special event taking place in mid-December where Nell will play in a prestigious London venue to a specially invited intimate audience – find out how to get one of those special invitations here.  The fruits of these sessions will then be available for a limited time only through the Pledge Music site, in addition to VIP concert tickets, customised merchandise, one-off hand written lyric sheets and other special items, unavailable anywhere else in the world! Look out too, for the special early bird items, which you’ll only be able to take advantage of if you’re quick off the mark!

Music Week – The Panel

The industry magazine Music Week have featured Nell in ‘The Panel’. A weekly feature on their top tips!

‘Goodbye’ playlisted in the UK!

Nell’s fantastic new single ‘Goodbye’ has been playlisted on both BBC Radio 2 and Smooth FM in the UK thanks to the help of Hesso Media! The single is released on September the 13th and is a remix of her album track arranged by Ash Howes. He has done an excellent job of modernising the song without taking away any of Nell’s character. The new single can be heard on Nell’s Youtube channel here. Be sure to subscribe so you can keep track of all of Nell’s new videos!