Sarah Nixey
Encyclopedia
Sarah Nixey is a British singer songwriter
, best known as the vocalist in Black Box Recorder
. Her debut solo album, Sing, Memory
, was released on 19 February 2007, followed by Brave Tin Soldiers, released 9 May 2011. Nixey currently lives in London with her husband, music producer Jimmy Hogarth
, who she married in late 2010 and has one son, Reuben (born late 2007). Hogarth acts as step-father to Nixey's daughter Ava from her previous marriage with John Moore.
(who had been the drummer for The Jesus and Mary Chain
) and Luke Haines
(frontman of The Auteurs
), who had formed a duo and were looking for a vocalist. The duo convinced Nixey to join them by promising her that she would become famous, and in 1998, Black Box Recorder
released their first album, England Made Me
to critical acclaim.
Their second album, The Facts Of Life, followed in 2000, and spawned a top 20 single of the same name, which saw the group perform on BBC
's "Top Of The Pops
". A further single followed, and in 2001, Nixey married John Moore
, and they had a daughter together (Nixey and Moore divorced in 2006). In 2003, Black Box Recorder released their third album, Passionoia; their first and only album for One Little Indian records, following the demise of Nude Records
.
In 2004, Black Box Recorder went on hiatus; not officially splitting, but with all 3 members deciding to pursue solo projects. In late 2005, Nixey announced she was working on a solo album, to be produced and co-written by James Banbury (a producer, programmer, writer and string arranger, as well as former member of The Auteurs
). In mid-2006, two songs were made available on legal download services, entitled "The Collector" and "Love & Exile". A third song was made available in September, entitled "Strangelove", backed by remixes of "The Collector". Nixey's debut full-length solo album, entitled Sing, Memory
, was released on 19 February 2007, following the release of her third single, "When I’m Here With You", which was released on 29 January 2007, backed with non-album track, "Watching Over You". Drowned in Sound
awarded Sing, Memory 8/10 and MusicOMH gave it 4 stars. The album was given 7/10 by the NME
and 6.3 by Pitchfork
In December 2007, Black Box Recorder teamed up with Art Brut
to create the single Christmas Number One under the collaborative title of The Black Arts.
In October 2008 Black Box Recorder appeared at the Nick Sanderson (Earl Brutus
) tribute concert. It was subsequently announced that the band would play their first headlining gig for five years at The Luminaire
, Kilburn, London in February 2009. They then played their last gig at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London's Southbank, on 23 July 2009. A final statement was issued just prior to the 2010 UK general election stating ″on Thursday 6 May, Black Box Recorder go to the country for the last time″. Their last two recordings were Do You Believe In God? and Keep It In The Family, and are available as a download.
Sarah appeared as a guest vocalist on the track 'Water Drops on Burning Rocks' on the autumn 2009 EP 'Blips Don't Lie' by American electronic duo Microfilm.
In April 2011 it was announced that Nixey had written and produced a new album, Brave Tin Soldiers to be released 9 May 2011 on her own label Black Lead. The press release described the album as such: "lush piano, string and choral arrangements envelop her vocal which reveals family secrets, erotic entanglements and tragic love stories". A week prior to the album, Brave Tin Soldiers EP was released with remixes by dadahack and Kids Love. The Freelance Hellraiser
also released a bootleg mix entitled Brave Tin Lovers .
The album Brave Tin Soldiers was given 4 stars by The Sunday Times
and Scottish Sunday Express , very favourable reviews in The Independent
and Uncut
and radio support from 6 Music.
On 18 July 2011, The Homecoming EP was released with remixes by Microfilm and Kids Love, plus a further reworking of Black Rose by Half Cousin. A music video was also made available via YouTube, directed and produced by Black Lead Films .
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known as the vocalist in Black Box Recorder
Black Box Recorder (band)
Black Box Recorder were an English indie rock group. They debuted in 1998 with England Made Me and followed this up with The Facts of Life, which gave them their first hit with the single of the same name in April 2000. Their third album, Passionoia, was released in 2003...
. Her debut solo album, Sing, Memory
Sing, Memory
Sing, Memory is the debut album from British Black Box Recorder vocalist, Sarah Nixey. Recorded in London, and produced by James Banbury, the album is split into two halves, Sing and Memory. The title is probably a reference to Vladimir Nabokov's autobiography, Speak, Memory...
, was released on 19 February 2007, followed by Brave Tin Soldiers, released 9 May 2011. Nixey currently lives in London with her husband, music producer Jimmy Hogarth
Jimmy Hogarth
Jimmy Hogarth is a London-based producer and songwriter, whose production and writing credits include Amy Winehouse, Sia, Paolo Nutini, Duffy, Corinne Bailey Rae, Estelle, Tina Turner, KT Tunstall, James Blunt and James Morrison....
, who she married in late 2010 and has one son, Reuben (born late 2007). Hogarth acts as step-father to Nixey's daughter Ava from her previous marriage with John Moore.
Biography
Whilst working as a backing vocalist for the folk band Balloon, Sarah Nixey was approached by John MooreJohn Moore (drummer)
John Moore is a British musician, best known for his work as the drummer in The Jesus and Mary Chain and as a member of Black Box Recorder.-Biography:...
(who had been the drummer for The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
) and Luke Haines
Luke Haines
Luke Haines is an English musician, songwriter and author, who has recorded music under various names and with various bands, including The Auteurs, Baader Meinhof and Black Box Recorder.-'New Wave':...
(frontman of The Auteurs
The Auteurs
The Auteurs were a British alternative rock band of the 1990s, and a vehicle for the songwriting talents of Luke Haines .-Career:...
), who had formed a duo and were looking for a vocalist. The duo convinced Nixey to join them by promising her that she would become famous, and in 1998, Black Box Recorder
Black Box Recorder (band)
Black Box Recorder were an English indie rock group. They debuted in 1998 with England Made Me and followed this up with The Facts of Life, which gave them their first hit with the single of the same name in April 2000. Their third album, Passionoia, was released in 2003...
released their first album, England Made Me
England Made Me
England Made Me is the debut album by Black Box Recorder, whose members include Luke Haines, Sarah Nixey and John Moore, released in July 1998 via Chrysalis Records....
to critical acclaim.
Their second album, The Facts Of Life, followed in 2000, and spawned a top 20 single of the same name, which saw the group perform on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's "Top Of The Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
". A further single followed, and in 2001, Nixey married John Moore
John Moore (drummer)
John Moore is a British musician, best known for his work as the drummer in The Jesus and Mary Chain and as a member of Black Box Recorder.-Biography:...
, and they had a daughter together (Nixey and Moore divorced in 2006). In 2003, Black Box Recorder released their third album, Passionoia; their first and only album for One Little Indian records, following the demise of Nude Records
Nude Records
Nude Records was a London based record label, set up in 1992 by Saul Galpern who had previously been involved in the success of artists such as Simply Red, the Fall, Julian Cope, The Triffids, The Slits and The Au Pairs. The label's first success was with Suede. Suede's debut album was the fastest...
.
In 2004, Black Box Recorder went on hiatus; not officially splitting, but with all 3 members deciding to pursue solo projects. In late 2005, Nixey announced she was working on a solo album, to be produced and co-written by James Banbury (a producer, programmer, writer and string arranger, as well as former member of The Auteurs
The Auteurs
The Auteurs were a British alternative rock band of the 1990s, and a vehicle for the songwriting talents of Luke Haines .-Career:...
). In mid-2006, two songs were made available on legal download services, entitled "The Collector" and "Love & Exile". A third song was made available in September, entitled "Strangelove", backed by remixes of "The Collector". Nixey's debut full-length solo album, entitled Sing, Memory
Sing, Memory
Sing, Memory is the debut album from British Black Box Recorder vocalist, Sarah Nixey. Recorded in London, and produced by James Banbury, the album is split into two halves, Sing and Memory. The title is probably a reference to Vladimir Nabokov's autobiography, Speak, Memory...
, was released on 19 February 2007, following the release of her third single, "When I’m Here With You", which was released on 29 January 2007, backed with non-album track, "Watching Over You". Drowned in Sound
Drowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
awarded Sing, Memory 8/10 and MusicOMH gave it 4 stars. The album was given 7/10 by the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
and 6.3 by Pitchfork
In December 2007, Black Box Recorder teamed up with Art Brut
Art Brut (band)
Art Brut are a Berlin-based English and German indie rock band. Their debut album, Bang Bang Rock & Roll, was released on 30 May 2005, with its follow up, It's a Bit Complicated, released on 25 June 2007...
to create the single Christmas Number One under the collaborative title of The Black Arts.
In October 2008 Black Box Recorder appeared at the Nick Sanderson (Earl Brutus
Earl Brutus
Earl Brutus was a British indie rock band that emerged in the 1990s. It was formed in 1993 by Rob Marche, Jamie Fry, Nick Sanderson and Stuart Borman...
) tribute concert. It was subsequently announced that the band would play their first headlining gig for five years at The Luminaire
The Luminaire
The Luminaire was a live music venue on Kilburn High Road in north west London, UK. It opened on 1 March 2005 in what was a nightclub called Late, above McGovern's Pub and The Kilburn Bar...
, Kilburn, London in February 2009. They then played their last gig at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London's Southbank, on 23 July 2009. A final statement was issued just prior to the 2010 UK general election stating ″on Thursday 6 May, Black Box Recorder go to the country for the last time″. Their last two recordings were Do You Believe In God? and Keep It In The Family, and are available as a download.
Sarah appeared as a guest vocalist on the track 'Water Drops on Burning Rocks' on the autumn 2009 EP 'Blips Don't Lie' by American electronic duo Microfilm.
In April 2011 it was announced that Nixey had written and produced a new album, Brave Tin Soldiers to be released 9 May 2011 on her own label Black Lead. The press release described the album as such: "lush piano, string and choral arrangements envelop her vocal which reveals family secrets, erotic entanglements and tragic love stories". A week prior to the album, Brave Tin Soldiers EP was released with remixes by dadahack and Kids Love. The Freelance Hellraiser
The Freelance Hellraiser
Roy Kerr, aka The Freelance Hellraiser, is one of the creators of the UK bootleg scene.He gained fame with a mash-up called "A Stroke of Genius", which combined an instrumental edit of The Strokes' track "Hard To Explain" with Christina Aguilera's pop hit "Genie in a Bottle"...
also released a bootleg mix entitled Brave Tin Lovers .
The album Brave Tin Soldiers was given 4 stars by The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
and Scottish Sunday Express , very favourable reviews in The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
and Uncut
UNCUT (magazine)
Uncut magazine, trademarked as UNCUT, is a monthly publication based in London. It is available across the English-speaking world, and focuses on music, but also includes film and books sections...
and radio support from 6 Music.
On 18 July 2011, The Homecoming EP was released with remixes by Microfilm and Kids Love, plus a further reworking of Black Rose by Half Cousin. A music video was also made available via YouTube, directed and produced by Black Lead Films .
Singles
- "Child Psychology" - 1998
- "England Made Me" - 1998
- "The Facts of Life" - 2000
- "The Art of Driving" - 2000
- "These Are The Things" - 2003
- "The School Song" - 2003
Albums
- England Made Me - 1998
- The Facts of LifeThe Facts of Life (album)The Facts of Life is a 2000 album by Black Box Recorder, whose members include Luke Haines, Sarah Nixey and John Moore. The title track, The Facts Of Life, was released as a single, and was lauded by Mark and Lard, BBC Radio 1 disc jockeys who played it as the first song on their final Radio 1...
- 2000 - The Worst of Black Box RecorderThe Worst of Black Box RecorderThe Worst of Black Box Recorder is a 2001 album by Black Box Recorder, whose members include Luke Haines, Sarah Nixey and John Moore. It is a compilation of B-sides from the singles of England Made Me and The Facts Of Life....
- 2001 - PassionoiaPassionoiaPassionoia is a 2003 album by Black Box Recorder, whose members include Luke Haines & Sarah Nixey.-Track listing:# "The School Song" – 3:41# "Gsoh Q.E.D." – 3:46# "British Racing Green" – 4:34# "Being Number One" – 3:26# "The New Diana" – 2:49...
- 2003
Singles
- "The Collector" Single (download only) - 2005
- "Strangelove" EP (7" vinyl & CD) - 2006
- "The Collector" Remixes EP (download only) - 2006
- "When I'm Here With You" (download only) - 2007
- "The Black Hit of Space" (download only) - 2007
- "Le Temps de L'Amour" (download only) - 2008
- "Brave Tin Soldier" EP (download only) - 2 May 2011
- "The Homecoming" EP (download only) - 18 July 2011
Albums
- Sing, MemorySing, MemorySing, Memory is the debut album from British Black Box Recorder vocalist, Sarah Nixey. Recorded in London, and produced by James Banbury, the album is split into two halves, Sing and Memory. The title is probably a reference to Vladimir Nabokov's autobiography, Speak, Memory...
(CD and download) - 2007 - Brave Tin Soldiers (CD and download) - 9 May 2011