"This collection of his solo offerings – his second as a solo artist – spectacularly unearthing our worldly connection through his profound, thoughtful and grounding music" - The Spill Magazine
"Pressing drum strikes create a restless atmosphere that’s reinforced by brightly winding guitar lines, and Nieland’s heartfelt vocals as he sings socio-politically steeped lyrics” ~ Big Takeover Magazine
"Brings to mind R.E.M. with both music and vocals right in line with the kind of music they put out in their first ten years... Nieland carries it with strength, his voice like a beacon of truth" ~ Amplify Music Magazine
"Thoughtful and socially-conscious... Neiland brings a message of hope and a vision for a better future" ~ Rebel Noise
"Nieland approaches such subjects with a musical deftness and sonic poise which may at first belie the poignancy of the message he is sending... he balances shards of guitar noise, beguiling electronica and his imploring vocals" ~ Dancing About Architecture
NYC-based producer indie music veteran Charlie Nieland presents his new ‘Divisions’ LP, out March 5, as well as a new video for ‘The Land of Accidents’. Directed by NYC-based multi-faceted artist Hypnodoll, this expansive, visceral music video is inspired by our beautiful earth. She notes "Where we’re from can often feel as if it were projected onto us".
"As the pandemic took hold, so did my plan to produce ‘Divisions’ and I began a listening expedition through my inspirations, from The Beatles to Yes, Cocteau Twins to Interpol, Peter Gabriel to Blur, U2 and The Flaming Lips. I wanted these tracks to be mini-epics, where you hear something new every time you listen. I started recording in my apartment this summer and reached out to drummer Brian Geltner and cellist Patricia Santos, who recorded their parts at home and shared them with me,” explains Charlie Nieland.
“As restrictions lifted, I started a marathon tracking process at my studio that included violinist Heather Cole, both Susan Hwang from my band Lusterlit and Billy Loose from Her Vanished Grace on drums and Susan on backup vocals. I called into service all my instruments, from lap steel, to 6 and 12 string electric and acoustic guitars; fretless, fretted and 8 string basses; analog synths, virtual mellotrons, TR-808s and more. This whirlwind journey is heard here in the obsessive and passionate, surreal and visceral, dream-like progressive rock and dream pop of Divisions"
Nieland’s musical backstory is extensive, having written and produced material with such notable artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Dead Leaf Echo, Blondie and Scissor Sisters. He scored the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (starring Glenn Close), the pilot episode of 'The L Word' on Showtime and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'. Charlie was awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie's 'Greatest Hits Sight & Sound' and achieved a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Position with Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced.
Nieland also played power dream pop with the band Her Vanished Grace for over 20 years before establishing himself as a solo artist with a mix of nuanced songwriting and sonic exploration. He is currently half of the literature-inspired songwriting and performing duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang.
Nieland elaborates on 'The Land Of Accidents': "This is a dark anthem to not-belonging, inspired by a passage in the novel ‘White Teeth’ by Zadie Smith: a dialogue between the thirst for acceptance and freedom. The suffering we feel in our estrangement can just as easily be liberation. “Nothing happens the way you expected". It was written as part of the international performance series, Bushwick Book Club,” says Charlie Nieland.
The 'Divisions' LP is out March 5 and will be available digitally everywhere, including Spotify and Apple Music, and can also be ordered directly from the artist via Bandcamp. That same day at 1pm EST, Charlie Nieland is celebrating with a livestream show featuring songs from and some words about the new record.
CREDITS
Charlie Nieland: Electric Guitars, Bass, Glockenspiel, Vocals
Brian Geltner: Drums, Samples
Written by Charlie Nieland
Recorded: July-Nov 2020 at home and at Saturation Point Studios (Brooklyn NY)
Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Charlie Nieland
Cover photo and video by Hypnodoll
Keep up with Charlie Nieland
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music |