Nizlopi
Encyclopedia
Nizlopi were a two-piece band, from 1993–2010, with Luke Concannon on vocals, guitar, and bodhrán
, and John Parker on double bass
, human beatbox, and providing backing vocals. They were based in Leamington Spa
, England
. Prior to attending Trinity Catholic Technology College, Luke and John attended St. Joseph's Primary. The band is named after a Hungarian
girl who Luke had a crush on at school. The band have since confirmed they have split up as of 10 February 2010.
Nizlopi's most successful song is "JCB Song
" and reached number one in the UK, on its second release.
, in 2004 under FDM Records. It features the singles "JCB
" and "Girls". In 2007 Nizlopi received an 'Impala Platinum' award recognising sales of Half These Songs Are About You in Europe
. It was produced by Gavin Monaghan, also known for his work with Scott Matthews, Robert Plant, Editors, Ocean Colour Scene, The Twang and The Holloways.
suffered by Luke at school and his escape to accompany his father at work, and was released as a single in June 2005, reaching number 160 in the UK Singles Chart
. The single was then re-released in the UK on 12 December 2005, reaching number one the following week on 18 December 2005, selling more than twice the number of copies than their closest competitor, Westlife
. Dermot O'Leary
gave the track extensive airplay on his BBC Radio 2
show. Some bookmakers put it in the running for the honour of Christmas number one
, but it was beaten by the winner of the second series of the UK version of The X Factor, Shayne Ward
's debut single, "That's My Goal
". The video has received widespread airplay, mainly on music TV channel VH1
. It is an animated video, made by Laith Bahrani (aka Monkeehub), who also animated an unofficial video for an acoustic version of "Creep" by Radiohead
. In 2007 Nizlopi received an 'Impala Platinum' award recognising sales of over 500,000 copies of "JCB Song
" across Europe.
, was released on 4 September 2006. The six tracks included two that had been released before — "Helen" and "Yesterday" which were previously released on the "JCB" and "Girls" EPs respectively. The record is an attempt to strip down the orchestral production of their early work to represent the duo's vibrant live sound.
ExtraOrdinary contains the track, "Homage To Young Men", a piece written and performed by Alastair McIntosh
. McIntosh was inspired to write this piece after working with Concannon and performed live twice with the band. The band have likened Alastair's performances to "..the howlings of a wild animal". McIntosh is well known for his contributions to the Scottish version of 'Thought for the Day' and has been dubbed "The Rapping Reverend".
. The album was recorded on 2-inch tape, a traditional style of recording said to create a more 'raw' sound that is popular with musicians preceding the era of digital recording technology. The album includes Martyn Barker
(percussion/drums), Andy Simms (piano), Jonnie Fielding (violin), Jack Hobbs (vocal/scratching), Rory Simmons (trumpet), Kadially Kouyate (kors & Senegalese vocals), The Individuals Dedicated to the Ministry of Christ choir and a contribution by the poet Benjamin Zephaniah
.
Concannon has since announced that he is working on a solo album and plans to set up his own website by 2011 via the Nizlopi mailing list and has previewed new material on Touch FM's 'First Break Show'. He has also been taking part in song-writing workshops.
Luke Concannon is now living in Galway, and is actively writing songs, and planning a solo album to be produced soon.
.
They have been on tour with, and shared gigs and stages with, a diverse range of artists, touring the UK and Europe with Jamie Cullum
, joined Christina Aguilera
for two nights at Wembley Arena, toured Ireland with Damien Dempsey
, opened Gigbeth festival with Mr Hudson and The Library, duetted with Billy Bragg
at the Hackney Empire
, and been supported at headline shows by Newton Faulkner
and Duke Special
amongst others.
The band have been able to take in a great number of venues of note, headlining shows at the Shepherd's Bush Empire and at Indigo2 at the O2 Arena
(formerly the Millennium Dome
). They are also popular regulars on the festival circuit, having performed to crowds for years at Glastonbury Festival
, Wireless Festival
, Ireland's Fleadh, Cambridge Folk Festival and Solfest.
Bodhrán
The bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
, and John Parker on double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, human beatbox, and providing backing vocals. They were based in Leamington Spa
Leamington Spa
Royal Leamington Spa, commonly known as Leamington Spa or Leamington or Leam to locals, is a spa town in central Warwickshire, England. Formerly known as Leamington Priors, its expansion began following the popularisation of the medicinal qualities of its water by Dr Kerr in 1784, and by Dr Lambe...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Prior to attending Trinity Catholic Technology College, Luke and John attended St. Joseph's Primary. The band is named after a Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
girl who Luke had a crush on at school. The band have since confirmed they have split up as of 10 February 2010.
Nizlopi's most successful song is "JCB Song
JCB (song)
"JCB" is the second single from Nizlopi's first album Half These Songs Are About You.- Lyrics :The song is a reminiscence of childhood, based on singer Luke Concannon's own memories; it is sung from the point of view of a young boy, travelling with his father on his JCB digger, listening to...
" and reached number one in the UK, on its second release.
Half These Songs Are About You
Nizlopi released their first album, Half These Songs Are About YouHalf These Songs Are About You
Half These Songs Are About You is the first album released by the band Nizlopi in August 2004. It includes the number one single, "JCB". Despite the duo nature of Nizlopi, this album is largely populated by full band tracks with real drums and many other instruments...
, in 2004 under FDM Records. It features the singles "JCB
JCB (song)
"JCB" is the second single from Nizlopi's first album Half These Songs Are About You.- Lyrics :The song is a reminiscence of childhood, based on singer Luke Concannon's own memories; it is sung from the point of view of a young boy, travelling with his father on his JCB digger, listening to...
" and "Girls". In 2007 Nizlopi received an 'Impala Platinum' award recognising sales of Half These Songs Are About You in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. It was produced by Gavin Monaghan, also known for his work with Scott Matthews, Robert Plant, Editors, Ocean Colour Scene, The Twang and The Holloways.
JCB
"JCB Song" is Nizlopi's most successful song, reaching number one in the UK on its second release. The song was written about the dyslexiaDyslexia
Dyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
suffered by Luke at school and his escape to accompany his father at work, and was released as a single in June 2005, reaching number 160 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The single was then re-released in the UK on 12 December 2005, reaching number one the following week on 18 December 2005, selling more than twice the number of copies than their closest competitor, Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
. Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
gave the track extensive airplay on his BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
show. Some bookmakers put it in the running for the honour of Christmas number one
Christmas number one single
The Christmas number one single is a single that reaches number one on the national pop music charts in the week immediately prior to Christmas. It is primarily a pop culture phenomenon in the United Kingdom and in the neighboring Republic of Ireland....
, but it was beaten by the winner of the second series of the UK version of The X Factor, Shayne Ward
Shayne Ward
Shayne Thomas Ward is an English pop singer who rose to fame as the winner of second series of The X Factor. He has sold over 3 million records worldwide and has had number one albums and singles in 9 countries.During The X Factor competition, Ward was mentored by manager Louis Walsh...
's debut single, "That's My Goal
That's My Goal
"That's My Goal" is a song, released in 2005 as the first single by Shayne Ward, the winner of the second series of X Factor. The song was first heard in the final of the aforementioned series, where it was performed by both Ward and X Factor runner up, Andy Abraham. The single was rush-released on...
". The video has received widespread airplay, mainly on music TV channel VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
. It is an animated video, made by Laith Bahrani (aka Monkeehub), who also animated an unofficial video for an acoustic version of "Creep" by Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
. In 2007 Nizlopi received an 'Impala Platinum' award recognising sales of over 500,000 copies of "JCB Song
JCB (song)
"JCB" is the second single from Nizlopi's first album Half These Songs Are About You.- Lyrics :The song is a reminiscence of childhood, based on singer Luke Concannon's own memories; it is sung from the point of view of a young boy, travelling with his father on his JCB digger, listening to...
" across Europe.
"Girls"
Their next single, released on 3 April 2006, was track two on the album, "Girls". The band have described the song's video on radio interviews as "Tim Burton-esque". The video was directed by Karni & Saul of Flynn Productions, and is the first that the band appear in. Like the JCB song before it, Girls was first released on the Internet. Limited radio play meant the song did not chart in the UK top 40.ExtraOrdinary
A mini-EP containing six songs and titled ExtraOrdinaryExtraOrdinary (EP)
ExtraOrdinary is an EP by Nizlopi, released in 2006.-Track listing:#"ExtraOrdinary" – 3:13#"Glastonbury" – 4:36#"Disarm" – 4:30#"Helen" – 4:08#"Yesterday" – 3:56...
, was released on 4 September 2006. The six tracks included two that had been released before — "Helen" and "Yesterday" which were previously released on the "JCB" and "Girls" EPs respectively. The record is an attempt to strip down the orchestral production of their early work to represent the duo's vibrant live sound.
ExtraOrdinary contains the track, "Homage To Young Men", a piece written and performed by Alastair McIntosh
Alastair McIntosh
Alastair McIntosh is a Scottish writer, academic and activist.He was brought up in Leurbost on the Isle of Lewis and is married to Vérène Nicolas. He is involved with Scottish land reform especially on Eigg and campaigned successfully against the Harris superquarry in Lingerbay...
. McIntosh was inspired to write this piece after working with Concannon and performed live twice with the band. The band have likened Alastair's performances to "..the howlings of a wild animal". McIntosh is well known for his contributions to the Scottish version of 'Thought for the Day' and has been dubbed "The Rapping Reverend".
Make It Happen
The second album from Nizlopi was released on 31 March 2008. The album was recorded with producer Phil Brown who had formerly produced artists such as Bob MarleyBob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
. The album was recorded on 2-inch tape, a traditional style of recording said to create a more 'raw' sound that is popular with musicians preceding the era of digital recording technology. The album includes Martyn Barker
Martyn Barker
Martyn Barker is an English drummer, best known as the drummer for Shriekback. He has also been a member of King Swamp, and worked with Paula Rae Gibson, Billy Bragg and Beth Gibbons, Rustin Man and Juldah Camara & Justin Adams....
(percussion/drums), Andy Simms (piano), Jonnie Fielding (violin), Jack Hobbs (vocal/scratching), Rory Simmons (trumpet), Kadially Kouyate (kors & Senegalese vocals), The Individuals Dedicated to the Ministry of Christ choir and a contribution by the poet Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah is an English writer and dub poet. He is a well-known figure in contemporary English literature, and was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008....
.
"Start Beginning"
The release of a new album, Make It Happen, was preceded on 17 March 2008 by a digital single, "Start Beginning". In November 2008 they completed a tour entitled 'last nights on tour.' They announced using both the official website and Myspace that they would be taking a year out in 2009 and would meet while travelling in Cuba to discuss the band.The End Of Nizlopi
On 10 February 2010 an e-mail was sent out to all mailing list subscribers confirming that the band had split up after being together for 17 years. Luke Concannon stated:- "And that after many wild meanderings and much confusion I feel I must go on, on my own from here. That my dream is now to do another project, not Nizlopi, and to build a new life. So, this is good bye from Nizlopi. We are no more! Wow, there you go I said it. Scary as " –Luke Concannon
Concannon has since announced that he is working on a solo album and plans to set up his own website by 2011 via the Nizlopi mailing list and has previewed new material on Touch FM's 'First Break Show'. He has also been taking part in song-writing workshops.
Luke Concannon is now living in Galway, and is actively writing songs, and planning a solo album to be produced soon.
Live shows
In between recording albums, Nizlopi toured since early 2000. They are known for crowd involvement at their gigs, giving an energetic performance. They often improvised, even going so far as to invite people up on stage to sing and dance or unplugging and going into the crowd themselves. They took part in 'Healthy Concerts' or 'gigs in digs' where artists play in someone's house. On the 14 October 2008, Nizlopi played an intimate version of "Answers" on a balcony overlooking Camden Lock for the music viral show BalconyTVBalconyTV
BalconyTV is a leading daily online viral music show that features bands, musicians and other variety acts on balconies around the world. It was founded in Dublin, in June 2006....
.
They have been on tour with, and shared gigs and stages with, a diverse range of artists, touring the UK and Europe with Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum is an English pop and jazz-pop singer-songwriter. Though he is primarily a vocalist/pianist he also accompanies himself on other instruments including guitar and drums. Since April 2010, he has been presenting a weekly jazz show on BBC Radio 2, broadcast on Tuesdays from 19:00.- Early...
, joined Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
for two nights at Wembley Arena, toured Ireland with Damien Dempsey
Damien Dempsey
Damien Dempsey is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk with contemporary lyrics to deliver social comment on the positive and negative aspects arising from Ireland's Celtic Tiger society.-Early life:...
, opened Gigbeth festival with Mr Hudson and The Library, duetted with Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
at the Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney, built in 1901 as a music hall.-History:Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building...
, and been supported at headline shows by Newton Faulkner
Newton Faulkner
Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Reigate, Surrey. Known for his guitar playing, which involves rhythmically tapping and hitting his guitar's body, Faulkner came to prominence in 2007, with the release of his debut studio album, Hand Built by Robots...
and Duke Special
Duke Special
Duke Special, real name Peter Wilson, is a songwriter and performer based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A piano-based songwriter with a romantic style and a warm, distinctly accented voice, he has a distinctive look, with his long dreadlocks, eyeliner and outfits he describes as "hobo chic"...
amongst others.
The band have been able to take in a great number of venues of note, headlining shows at the Shepherd's Bush Empire and at Indigo2 at the O2 Arena
The O2 arena (London)
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in London, England.With a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event, it is second largest...
(formerly the Millennium Dome
Millennium Dome
The Millennium Dome, colloquially referred to simply as The Dome or even The O2 Arena, is the original name of a large dome-shaped building, originally used to house the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium...
). They are also popular regulars on the festival circuit, having performed to crowds for years at Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
, Wireless Festival
Wireless Festival
The Wireless Festival is a music festival in England that takes place every year in Hyde Park, London, and took place at Harewood House, Leeds in 2006 and 2007. It is owned and managed by Live Nation....
, Ireland's Fleadh, Cambridge Folk Festival and Solfest.
Albums and EPs
- Half These Songs Are About YouHalf These Songs Are About YouHalf These Songs Are About You is the first album released by the band Nizlopi in August 2004. It includes the number one single, "JCB". Despite the duo nature of Nizlopi, this album is largely populated by full band tracks with real drums and many other instruments...
(16 August 2004) - ExtraOrdinaryExtraOrdinary (EP)ExtraOrdinary is an EP by Nizlopi, released in 2006.-Track listing:#"ExtraOrdinary" – 3:13#"Glastonbury" – 4:36#"Disarm" – 4:30#"Helen" – 4:08#"Yesterday" – 3:56...
(4 September 2006) - Make it HappenMake It Happen (Nizlopi album)Make It Happen is the second full-length album released by the band Nizlopi in March 2008, following an EP released 2 years previously. The album was preceded by the single "Start Beginning".-Track listing:# Tape Spooling# Start Beginning [feat...
(31 March 2008)
Singles
- "JCBJCB (song)"JCB" is the second single from Nizlopi's first album Half These Songs Are About You.- Lyrics :The song is a reminiscence of childhood, based on singer Luke Concannon's own memories; it is sung from the point of view of a young boy, travelling with his father on his JCB digger, listening to...
" #160 (6 June 2005) - "JCB" (re-release) #1 (12 December 2005)
- "Girls" #91 (3 April 2006)