The Westminster Abbey was formed in mid November 2002 by Christopher Mudgett. The project began as a solo project for Mudgett but later went on to become a musical duo which included Brett Nolan (son of famed songwriter Kenny Nolan). TWA began recording songs with Producer Joseph Lobato at Can-Am Studios in Los Angeles early 2003. Many of the tracks recorded at Can -Am were never released; however, there were a a few notable tracks such as “Oh No” and “Simple Man” that made it onto their debut release “Oh No, It’s An E.P!” from ISurrender Records.
After touring in support of “Oh No, It’s An E.P!”, Westminster Abbey went back into the studio to began work on their first full length album. Sessions began at Track & Field Studios in Santa Monica, Ca. Although a majority of the album was tracked there, TWA completed “Under The Weather” at Sound Quest Studios in Van Nuys, Ca. In total,The Westminster spent 18 months recording their 15 song masterpiece. You can here the detail in the lush vocal and instrument layers presented on this album. The album also features an original composition from Kenny Nolan entitled “Just People”.
Despite much indie and major label interest in the release of “Under The Weather”, The Westminster Abbey decided to release the album themselves in order to preserve the albums creative integrity. Mudgett, Nolan, and Lobato released the album via their own label “Grandiose Records”. Shortly after performing a multitude of live shows in support of Under The Weather, TWA recorded a live album and began writing and tracking songs for their next release. Unfortunately, un-reconcilable differences arose between the members of the group and on July 27, 2007 The Westminster Abbey officially announced that they had disbanded.
Christopher Mudgett is currently recording as “Windy City Gentleman” with Producer Brian West (Nelly Furtado, K’Naan, Paper Tongues) at Track & Field Studios in Hollywood, Ca. He will release his debut entitled “China White” in the spring of 2009.
Brett Nolan is currently collaborating with his father (Kenny Nolan) on a broadway musical. Nolan is also working as a producer on various up and coming musical projects.
