Born to an American mother and English father, Thomas Baines was exposed to a wide range of music as he grew up in rural Ohio. Listening to his parents and their friends play bluegrass on the farmhouse porch, driving around in the old family pick up truck and summers spent in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York formed some of Thomas's earliest memories. With mandolins, banjos and a piano always to hand, young Thomas taught himself to play.
Moving to England with his family, Thomas brought with him an instilled love of open, expansive landscapes which formed the context for his early work. Influenced by folk legends Fairport Convention, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, Thomas's songwriting developed over time, giving his music a familiar yet unique quality.
Making the album
Inspired by the independent approach of artists like Tom Waits, Thomas arranged and produced debut album 'Return' himself. Using an abandoned church building on a south-west London estate, he braved the cold, a leaking roof and resident rodents to finish the album. "Making a record on your own is a solitary experience," explains Thomas, who recorded at night and at weekends while holding down a full-time job to fund the album. "At times I had to drag myself through it - but to know you've captured the way the songs sounded in your head before starting to record is so satisfying."
"Time can be the most precious thing for getting things right," Thomas continues, "and studio time can be rushed unless there's a massive budget. This encouraged me to create my own recording spaces in order to capture the character of each instrument - which I particularly wanted for the drums and violin. The vocals were done in my bedroom which was soundproofed using egg boxes from a local greasy spoon café."
'Return', the 11-track debut release from Thomas Baines is available now on CD with 16-page booklet at www.thomasbainesmusic.com, or as a digital download at iTunes and Amazon.
The band
Fuelled by the completion of the album in late 2008 and a love for performing live, Baines set out to find a 'red hot band' to bring his music to life. First on board were lifelong friend Dorry Macaulay, who played violin on the record, and Brigitte Beraha who sang harmonies. Following a number of acoustic gigs as a trio, guitarist Tom Pink, drummer Neil Blandford and bassist Tom Clay were recruited to form the current London based six-piece.
Just a note to say how much I enjoyed your band at the Alton Maltings Sat night. I keep listening to your CD -truly an excellent piece of work. I'll be in touch with you again to see if you're available to play for the Cecily's Fund Gig at TheSTUDIO@TPS Sat Nov 14th. All the best,
4-7 of June - FINDAMORALE FESTIVAL 2009, HOXTON, LONDON.
with SUPER double bills from Paris on 5th and 6th of June featuring
1) - HADRIEN FERAUD (Bireli Lagrene, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea) and RUMEURS
2) - LINLEY MARTHE ( Joe Zawinul, Mino Cinelu, Dave Liebman, Trilok Gurtu, Richard Galliano) Project. You will have a rare chance to see these two bands on one night for the price of one!
Only at CHARLIE WRIGHT'S INTERNATIONAL (45 Pitfield Street, N1 6DA). For more info call 07918635328 or go www.myspace.com/charliewrights
just wanted to let you know we are going to be down at Phonica Records in Soho (51 Poland St ) this Thursday evening (7 May) to celebrate the release of our first album.
we are putting a rather good little soundsystem in. Then we'll mix up some lovely drinks to ply you with, and go and play a few songs around 8pm. If the weather is nice the windows of the shop slide out and we'll be playing out to the street
hope to see you down there...if not I'll drink yours! - especially if I am holding a copy of the finished article (fingers crossed - they are meant to be delivered that day...)
hi ya ollie, howz it going. It was really great to meet u back at Aaron's leaving par-tay. i'm very much looking forward to st marks, will be awesome. c u soon
Hey Thomas Baines!.. Hows your day so far??.. Really cool tunes by the way!.. Just to let you know we are playing at the Goodship on friday 4th July in kilburn.. its gonna be a jaunty/indie/quirky kinda night with much dancing,drinking and all round fun!! bring your camera,your mates, and your mates cameras!! this is not to be missed! much love xx
Ollie! Or should i say Thomas?? How you doing buddy? Its been a while, ive just checked out your new recordings, great by the way but in doing so i came across messages on your page from me but im pretty sure i didn't write them?? Maybe i did in a subconscious state....anyway, feel free to delete them as i feel like a bit of a lemon but i would like to know who ashley and mike are.
