A Big Apple musician has found herself singing in Scotland.
Nell Bryden is a favourite on the BBC Radio 2 playlist and lives in London with her husband and 21-month-old daughter, but goes back to America often to see her family and to write her songs.
Nell likes to do things a little bit differently. Her new album, Bloom, is due to be released in 2017, but she is taking an unorthodox approach and touring the music first.
“I’m taking the music out live to an audience first. I’m a bit of a musical romantic,” said Nell.
“I think that is the test of the song. You learn a lot about a song when you play it live. Some songs I wouldn’t have done but they work live.”
Her tour will take her around the UK, from Birmingham to Aberdeen to Bristol. Nell has played in Aberdeen before, but not for a long time. She is looking forward to the experience because of the way the Scottish audience is so embracing.
She said: “The further north you go, the more they are out for fun. In Scotland, everyone in the room goes crazy and wild. I love it.”
Nell had over 40 songs to choose from before making this new album. Some were old numbers and some were brand new, but Nell had to find the ones that would sit together naturally. The aim is to make everything sound effortless, despite the huge amount of work that goes in to its creation.
The music may sound spontaneous, but Nell explained that you have to write a vast amount of songs to find the ones that just pop up from nowhere. Her live gigs feature stripped-back versions from when the songs are first written, compared to the many layers of a piece of studio music which artists choose to perform live while on tour.
This album is going back to Nell’s roots, with her style of music changing over the years. Her first album came from travelling around America, influenced by gospel and country music. Her second album was made while she lived in the UK and had a more laid-back feel to it. The third album had a more electronic and dance vibe, and the fourth is more soulful and reflective.
“I’m in that kind of place now in my life,” said Nell.
“Now I am a mother I have no time to mess around. I get to the heart of the matter.”
Nell’s little girl could sing lines back at her mother before she could properly talk and was listening to rock and roll every night in-utero. Maybe she will pick up her mothers talents?
“Every parent wishes their child will do something sensible,” said Nell.
“It is a trying and challenging business. If someone is going to do it, then you need to do it 100%. You have to have tunnel vision. If I had a Plan B it would be very different.”
Nell started out her career in a very different world compared to the music industry which exists today. She had to book her own tours 15 years ago – you needed a booking agent but Nell didn’t have one.
Instead, she would create a character who would then call up on her behalf to book gigs. She worked hard to become the successful musician and her emotions are revealed in her expressive voice.
“Don’t sit in your bedroom. It’s like what Malcolm Gladwell said about “ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness”. Know your craft, play thousands of shows and take control of your career.”
Nell Bryden is playing at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen on Sunday, October 23. See www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/events/nell-bryden-396853
