One of the most difficult things about emigrating is keeping up with things back home. Sure, you want to embrace the new lifestyle and the culture of your new home, but that doesn’t mean that you should completely lose touch with the land of your birth.
And thus, when I find myself watching Sky News and finding out about a musician I’ve never heard of - the surprise nominee for the Best Solo Male at the upcoming BRIT Awards – and he’s from Sheffield, I know I’m letting it slip a bit.
Richard Hawley is 41 years old* and has been working in music for years as a session musician for the likes of REM, Gwen Stafani, Nancy Sinatra, All Saints and Arctic Monkeys.
His first solo album came out in 2000 – long before I left the UK, but he’s achieved little commercial success. His albums to date have all had a Sheffield reference to them, including his 2007 offering Lady’s Bridge, promoted by the release of special edition Henderson’s Relish bottles. Too cool.
But it was his comments on Sheffield’s steel industry that made me laugh. He, like me, gets a little depressed and nostalgic when he goes to Kelham Island Museum. As he points out:
Working in Sheffield’s steel industry was a job that had dignity.
Can you see there being Call Centre Museums in 30 years time?“Look, that’s where your dad plugged ’is phone in”
“I can remember, me laptop used t’ sit rate ‘ere”No, because those jobs don’t have dignity. No-one wants to remember them.
As for the music – Roy Orbison meets Jarvis Cocker, Morrissey and Nick Cave. Perhaps a little Country/Folky/Pub Crooner for some, but it’s worth a listen anyway. Plenty to watch and listen to on YouTube.
I won’t mention his taste in football clubs. He has none.
* so getting on a bit… (P.S. Hi Ant! *grin*)
11 Comments
Nice find.
Love the accent – very Jarvis Cocker.
Which would fit cos he was from Sheffield too of course.
Not my kind f musoc.
Big fan of Hawley.
Met him twice. Very down to earth guy.
4-ton – he was. I sound nothing like either of them though.
Danesh – Shame. Not my kind f spellon.
Warren – I got that impression.
But far more important than a muso from Sheffield is barnsley knocking the scousers out of the FA cup today. Now that is a home sick moment.
Barnsley – I saw it. I was impressed. Your finest moment. Except for getting drilled 3-0 at Plymouth last week, perhaps?
Can one really be homesick for Barnsley? You must be a true Dingle.
No allegiance to a football club? My kind of guy
Koosh – Not quite. Just an allegiance to the wrong one.
42 actually! It apparently is the answer to life, the universe and everything…
Ant – RH will never make it that far…
Tis a right bastard – I remember old Joe as the new kid on the block! On Sheffield though – plenty of decent watering holes , a distinct lack of any footballing prowess and more than friendly women.
Very tiring place to visit in those far off days – good ale , 3 or 4-0 win at either ground , good shag and home for Morecambe and Wise !
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[...] which Christie covers songs written and previously performed by Sheffield artists and bands such as Richard Hawley, Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Human League and others. And while you can listen to Christie’s [...]