Renowned NYC songwriter-producer Charlie Nieland presents 'Shame', a firecracker that heralds his forthcoming 'Stories From The Borderlines' album, out on October 24. This video was directed and edited by multi-faceted NYC-based artist Hypnodoll, and filmed by Alice Teeple.
Nieland's backstory is extensive, having written, performed and produced music for decades. He has written for and produced such artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie and Scissor Sisters, as well as scoring the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (with Glenn Close), Showtime's pilot episode of 'The L Word' and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'.
'Shame' was fuelled by the obsessive lust and repulsion that has been weaponized against the queer community - how fascination runs like blood from all sides, our own self-loathing driving us into the unknown.
"We eroticize what we despise. 'Shame' twists the war over gender identity into a stomping glam anthem with big guitars and a psychedelic afterburn. I wrote this song for The Bushwick Book Club when we read Hugh Myers' book "When Brooklyn Was Queer: A History", says Charlie Nieland.
"In the late 19th century, before the word “homosexual” even existed, there was a thriving hedonism on the waterfront in Brooklyn, with male and female drag performers - known as inverts - entertaining a crowd that mingled in backrooms and filled the cabarets. After Freud popularized the actual diagnosis, the idea to arrest and imprison gays swept in with a vengeance and a special penitentiary built nearby. The word made it real."
The album's lead track 'Win' is a postpunk mini-epic that starts as a piano-led hymn, becomes an explosive jangling anthem before taking a spectacular turn by Staten Island activist / rapper spiritchild. This record arrives on the trail of Nieland's imaginative EP 'The Ocean Understands' and 'Redshift' and 'Drown' videos.
Presenting a visceral blend of post punk, glam, dream pop and progressive rock, 'Stories From The Borderlines' also involves keyboardist Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams, Nada Surf). Atmospheric, with sweeping melodies and restless rhythms, these unique soundscapes promise an immersive journey, showcasing Nieland's continued evolution as an artist and producer.
Charlie Nieland 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 Positionwith Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced.
After 20 years with Her Vanished Grace, Nieland established himself as a solo artist rich on nuanced songwriting and sonic exploration, releasing 'Ice Age' (2014), followed by 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016) and ‘Divisions' album (2021). Half of the literature-inspired duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang, he also produces and co-hosts the 'An Embarrassment of Prog' podcast.
On September 25, 'Shame' hits online platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where 'Stories From The Borderlines' is now available for pre-order. On November 5, Nieland will hold his Record Release Show at Berlin Under A, with Life in a Blender and Jessie Kilguss, who will also release the album 'They Have A Howard Johnson’s There'.
SINGLE CREDITS
Written by Charlie Nieland
Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
Recorded at Saturation Point Studios (Brooklyn, NY)
Charlie Nieland - vocals, electric guitars, 12 string acoustic guitar, bass, percussion
Dan McAssey - guitar
Billy Loose - drums
Single cover photo by Bob Krasner
Album cover art by Hypnodoll™
Videos for 'Shame', 'Redshift' and 'Drown' by Hypnodoll™
Photography by Alice Teeple
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
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