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Albums
I've been honoured to work on solo material as well as other people's as a featured artist.
Those Thousand Seas was produced and co-written by Mike Hedges. Co-writers also include Sally Herbert, Al Mobbs, and Shelley Pool. The album was signed to Sony/BMG in 2007, and dropped in 2008 when it failed to sound enough like Dido. So Mike and I finished it ourselves. Mike made the album possible. He invested huge amounts of time and energy into it, and although it's a shame it never saw the big release it was earmarked for, I can hold my head high, and say that I love it.
We don't need another Dido, because Dido does Dido really well. I believe in compromise, collaboration, co-creation, but not if it tips into losing yourself. This album was a hell of a journey, and a labour of love and learning.
Those thousand Seas
2010
The first step to owning yourself is knowing yourself
Love, kindness, connection, care, sensuality. Both expressing and receiving them. Often seen as "feminine" and as weakness. Even as dangerous. As obstacles to emotional safety, and as the opposite of power. Vulnerability can be a terrifying delve, and a skill we're seldom taught. Yet it's key to any real connection. It's time. Dare to explore. Dare to know. Dare to desire. Dare to be trustworthy towards yourself. Dare to love. And first, dare to love yourself.
I will sail those thousand seas, for I am nothing without love
The title track from my solo album, and a video made in collaboration with my friend Betony Vernon, American/Italian erotic jewellery maker and sexual anthropologist described by writer Sarah Hassan as 'the High Priestess of Paradise'. Shot by Dana and Eric at BURST.
In this video, Betony and I explore the concept of intimacy as starting with knowledge of ourselves, our own bodies, as surrender to our passion, to our pleasure and to our care. Betony is one of the world's few to master Japanese rope binding, a hugely intricate Art. One, contrary to many people's perception, dedicated to exploring deep intimacy, respect and trust. Experiencing it was one of the most exquisite moments of my life, and a turning point.
Note: The nipple shields were used with regret and only because, offline and online, women's nipples are taboo and censored. Don't get me started on this... The image above will take you to Youtube, who have set the video rating to 18+ This may affect your ability to view it depending on your settings.
That Fever, Neil Davidge
A co-write on his first solo album 'Davidge', 2014.
That Fever was used as a closing track for the Golden Globe winning TV series The Affair.
It wasn't a massive surprise, though it was a massive honour, that the track was used for a sensual intimate scene. It was written pretty much about such a moment, when two people let go of everything but each other.
Anyone Laughing, Neil Davidge
A co-write on his solo album 'Davidge', 2014.
The video was shot for anyone wondering how much make-up, lights and camera filters affect a face. I got fed up by the hypocrisy and the pressure it puts on women. Never compare yourself to anyone on screen, because it's essentially bullshit. It's Showbiz baby.
The song is a call to listen to the voices that love us, that we're often too busy to pay attention to.
Autotalk
A collaboration with a bunch of legendary folk. Drummer Steve Barney and bass player Michael Cusick brought together some old and new friends, including Apollo 440 frontman Ewan Macfarlane, Melanie Gabriel, Claire Feeney and yours truly, to play together and make some music.
I got to do two tracks, and sing backing vocals for Ewan on a third. A very gentle and intimate track from normally very noisy people :)
Upcoming Collaboration
Look out for an upcoming track in production with Swiss/American/UK Collective 'Saint Mars'