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Class Of 2008: Nic Nell

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'N-Trance, At The Drive-In and Regina Spektor partying on the yacht from that Duran Duran video with R Kelly as the captain wearing a hat'.

Posted 14th January 2008, 9:19pm in Interviews
Nic Nell It's 2008: and no, we're not sure where the last twelve months went either. What we are fairly certain about, however, is that it popped up more than a couple of ace bands for us to get all excited about.

We've taken the best of the bunch that got DIY Towers buzzing and quizzed them about both themselves and what they might get up to in the next 12 months. Not universally sure fire bets for unit shifting superstardom, we're expecting good things from them all.

Someone ring the bell, then. The Class of 2008 is in.


London-based one-man-show Nic Nell first came to DIY's attention when he became our saviour, being the last-minute replacement for an act who'd pulled out of our live night. And if we were to say we were rather impressed we'd probably be making one hell of an understatement. He plays laptop-based, guitar-featuring electronica, with a few nifty vocal effects thrown in for good measure. He has flash trainers. He's been in a photoshoot with Timmy Mallett. What's more, he's due to release his debut single via XL offshoot Salvia quite soon.


Who are you, and what do you do?
My name is Nic Nell and I'm a singer songwriter who makes acoustic, eurotrance/Casio infused electronic music. Live I do lots of looping stuff with my voice.

Lazily, compare yourself to at least three well-ish-known bands in a semi-comical way.
N-Trance, At The Drive-In and Regina Spektor partying on the yacht from that Duran Duran video with R Kelly as the captain wearing a hat. OK, that was five.

What's the best thing about being in a band so far?
Playing shows and having people you've never met before singing back all the words to your songs.

...and what's the worst?
Driving for hours to the middle of nowhere to play to a room of five people.

Why do you think 2008 is going to be a great year for you?
Because I should have my first album out by the end of the year and hopefully should be playing a bunch of festivals in the summer.

Are you making any new years' resolutions?
No.

If people were to listen to just one of your songs, which one would you hope it was and why?
'Glow' because it's my first single and if they like it they can go out and buy it.

Where do you hope to be in twelve months' time?
In the studio collaborating with R Kelly.

What's the worst piece of advice anyone's ever given you?
Someone once recommended I rent 'Lawmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace'.

If you were to have a motto, what would it be?
Er... seize the day? Next question please.

What would be your reaction if someone were to cover one of your songs on X Factor?
Well I think it would probably be the happiest day of my life. Ever.

Do you have an album in the pipeline?
Yes. I've got lots of songs written and I'm writing lots more at the moment and trying to hammer them into something vaguely coherent and album shaped.

Who'd be your dream producer to work with?
Nigel Godrich simply because he has produced some indredibly beautiful records.

Remixes are, it would seem, 'all the rage'. Who would you just love to remix one of your tracks?
I really love Jacques Lu Cont's remixes or maybe something more banging like a MSTRKRFT remix would be great. The Teenagers' remixes are great too.

What does it take to be a fan of Nic Nell?
A cash donation to my personal bank account.

What's the weirdest thing anyone's done at one of your gigs?
It was probably at an all ages show in south London where it had sold out and was at capacity and there were loads of kids still trying to get in outside and when my friends came the bouncer unlocked the front door to let them in and 20 kids just rushed the bouncer, knocked him over and ran into the venue before he could get up and shut the door again. I thought that was pretty funny.

Tell us something random yet interesting about you.
My great great great grandfather was the state architect for the king of Prussia, Frederick the Great.

You're part of the DIY Class of 2008 - what was your favourite subject at school?
Maths.
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