The famed producer, known for his decades of work with David Bowie, suddenly turns up on Nic's calendar...and at the studio! But, does Nic's boss even know who Tony is?
Thank you for the comment, Jon, and I am very glad you’re enjoying these anecdotes/memories. I’ve been greatly encouraged by the response, and the support of the musicstack community, in particular Brad’s encouragement and support. With this in mind, I have a plan on my clipboard for at least 10 more long form articles about different studios and my experiences — including Town House studios, Basing Street/Sarm West studios, Ridge Farm studios, R.G. Jones studios and more, with artists from Jah Wobble, The Edge, Stephen Bishop, Hazel O’Connor, FatBoy Slim, and producers like the legendary Steve Brown (for example “She Sells Sanctuary”), Guz Dudgeon, Hayden Bendall and Martin Rushent. Maybe this will somehow all morph into a book one of these days. Thanks again for the comment, greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Jim! As I mentioned to Paul, when I get great material (like a tailor), I can sew together a great-fitting suit! Be sure to check out Nic's original long-form piece, linked in the article!
This was fantastic. I love reading Nic’s stories, and you, Brad, know exactly how to work your magic in order to make his voice shine. Not too dissimilar to the way a clever and talented producer or audio engineer will add their unmistakable touches to enhance the voice of a talented singer. Great work all around!
Thanks, Andy! You nailed it! I just roll tape, Nic lays it all down, and I give it my Phil Spector/Wall of Words treatment to it! When Nic just started blithely telling me his London studio exploits, I was stunned these stories were just running loose, and hadn't been suitably corralled and tamed!
It's really the perfect collab: Nic tells his stories in his own way as he sees fit, and he's kind and generous (and trusting!) enough to let me "do mah thang," as the kids would say, to pull out and highlight bits'n'pieces! Plus, I (and, hopefully, many readers) are discovering UK-centric artists like "Haze" and Modern Romance that may have gotten little-to-zero exposure in the States!
Stay tuned, Andy! You "clumb" aboard just in "The Nic of Time"!
I can't really add much to that! Thank you, Andy, for your comments and enthusiastic support. And thank you Brad for your encouragment. Andy, I'm really glad you're enjoying this collab. I'm never 100% certain what Brad is going to pull out of the hat next, so I'm also learning stuff as we go along. For sure I get to see a draft of what Brad has done maybe a day before he publishes, and Brad prefers to just let me write and publish in my on way and time... and he just cherry-picks what grabs his attention. So hopefully we're just getting started... I'm very much looking forward to see how this develops. I mentioned here today in the comments that I've got at least ten more longform articles planned on my clipboard, about famous studios, producers, engineeers and artists that I was fortunate enough to cross-paths with... so probably enough to keep this going for way into next year... and a bi-product is I keep remembering things from back then in London during 80s, 90s and 00s (pronouced naughties). Thank you again for the comment.
It’s great because we as readers get Nic’s stories as he wants to tell them, and we also get them through your lens and with your added flavour plus additional info that helps us (especially in my case) fill in those “gaps” we always talk about. Informative, fun, entertaining… who could ask for anything more? 🎶🎼🎵
Fantastic read, Nic! Your vivid storytelling of that unexpected encounter with Tony Visconti in 1983 was entertaining and insightful. Loved how you captured the excitement and chaos of that day. Looking forward to more behind-the-scenes stories from your Trident Studios days!
Thank you for the comment, Jon, and I am very glad you’re enjoying these anecdotes/memories. I’ve been greatly encouraged by the response, and the support of the musicstack community, in particular Brad’s encouragement and support. With this in mind, I have a plan on my clipboard for at least 10 more long form articles about different studios and my experiences — including Town House studios, Basing Street/Sarm West studios, Ridge Farm studios, R.G. Jones studios and more, with artists from Jah Wobble, The Edge, Stephen Bishop, Hazel O’Connor, FatBoy Slim, and producers like the legendary Steve Brown (for example “She Sells Sanctuary”), Guz Dudgeon, Hayden Bendall and Martin Rushent. Maybe this will somehow all morph into a book one of these days. Thanks again for the comment, greatly appreciated.
Thanks for this! Also for closing the Hazel O’Connor loop. I only learned of her recently; I wrote a profile of the incredibly obscure Generation X spin-off Empire, and their first gig was opening for her….
Thanks, Seth......I appreciate you stopping by, and glad you liked! Be sure to check out Nic's original article from whence this nugget comes (linked within)!
Did Gen X splinter off after Billy went solo? As you mentioned, I'm afraid I've added to Empire's obscurity by never hearing of them! Thanks again!
Thank you for the comment, Jon, and I am very glad you’re enjoying these anecdotes/memories. I’ve been greatly encouraged by the response, and the support of the musicstack community, in particular Brad’s encouragement and support. With this in mind, I have a plan on my clipboard for at least 10 more long form articles about different studios and my experiences — including Town House studios, Basing Street/Sarm West studios, Ridge Farm studios, R.G. Jones studios and more, with artists from Jah Wobble, The Edge, Stephen Bishop, Hazel O’Connor, FatBoy Slim, and producers like the legendary Steve Brown (for example “She Sells Sanctuary”), Guz Dudgeon, Hayden Bendall and Martin Rushent. Maybe this will somehow all morph into a book one of these days. Thanks again for the comment, greatly appreciated.
Great stuff, Brad. Every time you publish I learn something new and different.
Thanks, Jim! As I mentioned to Paul, when I get great material (like a tailor), I can sew together a great-fitting suit! Be sure to check out Nic's original long-form piece, linked in the article!
Visconti is one of the Greats
For years, too, John! That's what's amazing....so consistent!
This was fantastic. I love reading Nic’s stories, and you, Brad, know exactly how to work your magic in order to make his voice shine. Not too dissimilar to the way a clever and talented producer or audio engineer will add their unmistakable touches to enhance the voice of a talented singer. Great work all around!
Thanks, Andy! You nailed it! I just roll tape, Nic lays it all down, and I give it my Phil Spector/Wall of Words treatment to it! When Nic just started blithely telling me his London studio exploits, I was stunned these stories were just running loose, and hadn't been suitably corralled and tamed!
It's really the perfect collab: Nic tells his stories in his own way as he sees fit, and he's kind and generous (and trusting!) enough to let me "do mah thang," as the kids would say, to pull out and highlight bits'n'pieces! Plus, I (and, hopefully, many readers) are discovering UK-centric artists like "Haze" and Modern Romance that may have gotten little-to-zero exposure in the States!
Stay tuned, Andy! You "clumb" aboard just in "The Nic of Time"!
I can't really add much to that! Thank you, Andy, for your comments and enthusiastic support. And thank you Brad for your encouragment. Andy, I'm really glad you're enjoying this collab. I'm never 100% certain what Brad is going to pull out of the hat next, so I'm also learning stuff as we go along. For sure I get to see a draft of what Brad has done maybe a day before he publishes, and Brad prefers to just let me write and publish in my on way and time... and he just cherry-picks what grabs his attention. So hopefully we're just getting started... I'm very much looking forward to see how this develops. I mentioned here today in the comments that I've got at least ten more longform articles planned on my clipboard, about famous studios, producers, engineeers and artists that I was fortunate enough to cross-paths with... so probably enough to keep this going for way into next year... and a bi-product is I keep remembering things from back then in London during 80s, 90s and 00s (pronouced naughties). Thank you again for the comment.
You both make a great team, and you can really see the mutual trust and respect on every level. Keep those stories and collaborations coming!
It’s great because we as readers get Nic’s stories as he wants to tell them, and we also get them through your lens and with your added flavour plus additional info that helps us (especially in my case) fill in those “gaps” we always talk about. Informative, fun, entertaining… who could ask for anything more? 🎶🎼🎵
Fantastic read, Nic! Your vivid storytelling of that unexpected encounter with Tony Visconti in 1983 was entertaining and insightful. Loved how you captured the excitement and chaos of that day. Looking forward to more behind-the-scenes stories from your Trident Studios days!
Thank you for the comment, Jon, and I am very glad you’re enjoying these anecdotes/memories. I’ve been greatly encouraged by the response, and the support of the musicstack community, in particular Brad’s encouragement and support. With this in mind, I have a plan on my clipboard for at least 10 more long form articles about different studios and my experiences — including Town House studios, Basing Street/Sarm West studios, Ridge Farm studios, R.G. Jones studios and more, with artists from Jah Wobble, The Edge, Stephen Bishop, Hazel O’Connor, FatBoy Slim, and producers like the legendary Steve Brown (for example “She Sells Sanctuary”), Guz Dudgeon, Hayden Bendall and Martin Rushent. Maybe this will somehow all morph into a book one of these days. Thanks again for the comment, greatly appreciated.
Now these sound brilliant too, great work. 🤩
Thanks for this! Also for closing the Hazel O’Connor loop. I only learned of her recently; I wrote a profile of the incredibly obscure Generation X spin-off Empire, and their first gig was opening for her….
Thanks, Seth......I appreciate you stopping by, and glad you liked! Be sure to check out Nic's original article from whence this nugget comes (linked within)!
Did Gen X splinter off after Billy went solo? As you mentioned, I'm afraid I've added to Empire's obscurity by never hearing of them! Thanks again!
Sort of: Tony James wound up in sigue Sigue Sputnik, for better or worse, and the other two ended up in Empire:
https://twotrackseth.substack.com/p/empire-of-none
Another good one, Nic and Brad!
Thanks, Paul! As the kids might say, "Nic's the dood!"