Thomas Channell: Vocals and Piano and Songs
In Europe:
Thorsten Lastinger: Bass
Andre Wenzlitschke: Drums
In the USA:
Jason DeJesus-Kennedy: Electric and Acoustic Guitar
Chris Somers: Drums and Percussion
Guests: Lise Swart, Schalk Joubert, Shannon Corey, Tomo Ito, Nick Turner, Bongile Mantsai, Tinus van Dyk, Jan Matthews, Mario Cronje...
Influences
Natascha Patterson from New York says:
Again, I have to tell you how much I enjoyed the performance. You were fantastic. So, definitely had some impressions of: Damien Rice, Sufjan Stephens, could also see some similarities to Billy Joel. But truthfully, I changed my mind every song. I think your music really defies definement, which is very cool.
THANKS NATASCHA!
Anise Hutchison from New York says:
Music from the soul...inspiring, thought provoking...Thomas' words read like a novel in which you are thrown into his captivating stories and discover a chilling resemblence of yourself in the midst of his bitter sweet lyrics and the rhapsody of his accompanied piano. A twist on folk music, he and his band create a unique consistency alternating between an alternative style, a jazz flare and a traditional country tune. Just when you think he has mellowed down the mood of his song, his instrumentalists and his bellowing voice
catapult you into a whirlwind of movement and hair-raising energy.
BELLOWING! I'LL TAKE THAT, ANISE.
Sounds Like
Damien Rice, Sufjan Stevens, Billy Joel, Rufus Wainwright, Stef Bos, David Gray, Ben Folds, Early Elton John, Jeff Buckley...
Biography
+New York bred singer-songwriter Thomas Channell was born in Sydney, Australia, but grew up in Stellenbosch, South Africa and recently relocated from New York to Berlin, Kreuzberg. So like, what kind of like music does this Channell guy play? Just imagine Tori Amos and Kurt Vonnegut’s love child, was adopted by Rufus Wainwright and k.d. lang, with Johannes Brahms and Elton John as Godfathers. Differently put, Thomas’ tunes are expressive, haunting, quirky, harmonically just a little off-beat, soulful, mellow, with lyrics that read like a novel.
He has built up a kick-ass following in New York, regularly playing at venues including the legendary CBGB's, The Bitter End, Caffe Vivaldi, Cornelia Street Café, The Knitting Factory, Lincoln Center, The Living Room, Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction, The King Kong Room (@The Supper Club), and R&R Bar. Now he is out to conquer Europe, starting with Berlin, where he has just made it through to the Finals of the Troubadour Competition, one of Europe’s premiere singer-songwriter showcases, which will be held at WABE in Berlin on June 13. He has performed at all the major arts festivals in South Africa, as well as venues in Mexico City and Berlin, including Kunstfabrik Schlot, Café Bilderbuch and Junction Bar. Thomas' first album Crowded Sunrise was released to great critical acclaim in South Africa in 2004.
Thomas performs with Thorsten Lastinger on bass and Andre Wenzlitschke on drums in Europe. He performs with Jason De Jesus-Kennedy on guitar and Chris Somers on drums/percussion in the USA.
A versatile performer, Thomas sings, plays piano, acts, writes songs and musical theatre pieces, and even dances. Somewhat of a nerd, he has a Bachelors of Music Honours degree from Stellenbosch University and an MA from Columbia University, where he studied on a Fulbright Fellowship. In South Africa he has performed with artists such as Stef Bos and Lise Swart, in productions directed by Marthinus Basson and Pedro Kruger/Hennie Van Greunen, while in NY he has worked with the likes of Mikanic (previously Sons of Trout) and Shannon Corey, and director Juan Souki.
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Website
http://www.thomaschannell.com
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Discography
The Album
+ The music from Thomas Channells album "Crowded Sunrise" ranges from calm ballades, to a pop-duet, rock, jazz and has a very original sound. It is in English and Afrikaans. Collaborators on the album include Mario Cronje, Lise Swart and Tinus van Dyk. The songs are about relationships, but never soppy, about issues, but with a unique sense of humour and poetry. They draw on personal relationships and experiences, from travelling to working for Rape Crisis as counsellor.
Hallo. Wenn du lust auf einen musikalischen und gemütlichen Abend hast, solltest du dir für Donnerstagabend nichts vornehmen. Los gehts 21 Uhr in der Frankfurter Allee 53 im Oxident. Wir wünschen dir einen super Start in die Woche und würden uns freuen dich am Donnerstagabend begrüßen zu dürfen. Viele Grüße ME&MEYER
Hey Thomas! I'm out of town this week, but I'm coming to the June 30th show. Break a leg! I have a show in the Fringe in August. I'll let you know as soon as I know the dates. Take care, Sona
thanks for the add. i hope to plan a trip down to nyc soon. maybe around one of your shows? check out "special delivery" on my site and watch your incredible performance. see you soon.
Hey Thomas Channell, I just thought that i would put an end to those nasty stories about me being antisocial and say hey have a nice day. Id put a little picture in here but have no idea how to. Dani
just dropping by to let you know that my whole album is up for streaming on my page. I hope you have a minute to have a listen and enjoy some of my music.
Take care
Ray
hey thomas, cool bio/background and songs - i can definitely hear (and relate!) to the musical theatre influences - good to meet you and thanks for finding me!
You our fans blow us away. NO 16 on the 5FM hi5@5. Please dont stop supporting us by voting on the Hi5 @ 5 on 5FM.
This is how you do it:
SMS "Hi5 Fevertree Cannot See" to 33345
We could never have gotten this far without our myspace fans.. and we can never get to No1 Without you. Please support us by voting at least once a day. you are allowed to vote more, so got for it!
Rock N Roll
Thanks for you support
F E V E R T R E E
Our album is available in all Look and Listen Stores. Spoil yourself. If you live overseas, the new Album is now available on ITUNES.
YESTERDAY WE MADE IT ONTO THE 5FM Hi5@5 @ no 24.. ALL BECAUSE OF YOU.. Our Myspace friends.. you really do have the power!
We just want to thank you all for the amazing support. All your voting and comments and messages mean the world to us - we really do try to reply to every one we get -we are working the back log ;). We really couldn't do this without you guys and Ladys.
We need you to keep voting for us, as many times a day as you want. all you do is:
SA Fans:
SMS "Hi5 Fevertree Cannot See" to 33345
Overseas Fans... Email studio@5fm.co.za or karen@5fm.co.za and tell them why you love the song.
Thanks again for all the support, you guys are the greatest fans. Thanks for staying true to SA music.
Garth Luke
F E V E R T R E E
PS... The brand new (2nd) album, can be bought from Look and Listen. Or online from www.lookandlisten.co.za - Please support us!
OK... so there are only a few days left before my CD goes to print.
Its all sounding wonderful and the artwork is looking fantastic too. All that missing are the last of your names to be included.
This is the last push so if YOU or YOUR FRIENDS want YOUR NAMES on the artwork for the album. Then all you have to do is follow the links below or visit my profile for more information .
Buy the album on-line and we will post it to you as soon as its out.
Buy before 4th of March you can have your name in the artwork.
it was good to see you play last night man. i enjoyed the set. Hit me up when you want to talk about new recording projects. cheap rates, cheaper wine.
IIE is pretty slammin'!! I can always count on lots of fun internationals partaking of the wine. And oh' how the red wine flows.
We're going to try and come out to your show. You should stop by sometime when you're in the neighborhood and check out the studio, ya know, since i'm recording your new album. nice.
take it easy.
-bret
TPR
