Richard Hawley

Today, there is no shortage of serious young men in groups, sketching out how they imagine the extremes and depths of emotion might be. Time was, though, that only those who had earned the right to sing of love, loss and striving would share such confidences - real singers, of the calibre of Scott Walker, Roy Orbison, or even Nancy's old dad, The Chairman himself.

Richard Hawley understands this. The man who could well be Britain's finest songwriter insists his mind is full only with "confused thoughts and Guinness". But when he sings, he does so in a voice that's deep and low, and does not lie. His merciful, wise songs tell of the heart's truths as seen in the dark, revealed by moonlight. Remember, this is the hopeless romantic who, on returning home from a lengthy tour of America was reduced to tears by the sight of a bottle of sauce - Sheffield delicacy Henderson's Relish - on his kitchen table.

Hawley's 2007 album Lady's Bridge (again named with a Sheffield reference[3] - Lady's Bridge is in the centre of Sheffield]) was released in the UK on 20 August 2007. The first single from the album was "Tonight The Streets Are Ours". He performed a 16 date tour during September 2007 to promote the album. Merchandising on the tour included the usual t-shirts and posters, but also special edition bottles of Henderson's Relish. The bottles featured the album's artwork, and a note to those unfamiliar with the relish that it gave extra flavour to meat, fish, soups, pies, casseroles and vegetables. Hawley previously used the relish to promote Coles Corner.

Coles Corner was Richard's first release with Mute Records and he was Mercury Music Prize nominated in 2006.

Hawley provided vocals for "Bad Woman", a B-side to Arctic Monkeys' single, "Teddy Picker" released on 3 December 2007.

On the 14 January 2008, Hawley was nominated for his first solo Brit Award for Best British Male.

Richard performed onstage with Elbow at this year's hugely successful Glastonburyand the video can be seen HERE (go to the 15th minute for Richard's performance)

Discography

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