Thomas Baines
In hard times, independance and ingenuity can still see you through. Thomas Baines knows this more than most. Not many artists can say that they've had to re-record a take because a squirrel interrupted them but when using an abandoned church building due for demolition on a south-west London estate, he braved the cold, a leaking roof and resident rodents to get his album recorded his way.
"Time can be the most precious thing for getting things right," Thomas says, "and studio time is always rushed unless there is a monster budget. This encouraged me to find or create my own spaces to record in. This gave a unique quality to the sound - which I particularly wanted for the drums and violin. The vocals were done in my bedroom which was soundproofed using egg boxes from Tony's, my favourite local greasy spoon café. Tony saved so many boxes that his wife got mad and threw most of them out. Legendary behaviour from the man, I feel!"
Born to an American mother and English father, Thomas was exposed to a wide range of music as he grew up in rural Ohio and then southern England. The influences of both locations and cultures can be heard weaving softly through his truly beautiful acoustic arrangements; arrangements that he produced and performed himself (he recorded all instruments with the exception of the violin which was played by lifelong friend Dorry Macaulay whilst harmonies were provided by another friend, Brigette Beraha.)
Tomorrow, you can see Thomas live at the Cobden Club and he will be doing a few other select gigs around London over the next month or so. Keep an eye on his Myspace page or go right ahead and buy his stunning debut album 'Return' available now on CD at www.thomasbainesmusic.com, or as a digital download at iTunes and Amazon.
"Time can be the most precious thing for getting things right," Thomas says, "and studio time is always rushed unless there is a monster budget. This encouraged me to find or create my own spaces to record in. This gave a unique quality to the sound - which I particularly wanted for the drums and violin. The vocals were done in my bedroom which was soundproofed using egg boxes from Tony's, my favourite local greasy spoon café. Tony saved so many boxes that his wife got mad and threw most of them out. Legendary behaviour from the man, I feel!"
Born to an American mother and English father, Thomas was exposed to a wide range of music as he grew up in rural Ohio and then southern England. The influences of both locations and cultures can be heard weaving softly through his truly beautiful acoustic arrangements; arrangements that he produced and performed himself (he recorded all instruments with the exception of the violin which was played by lifelong friend Dorry Macaulay whilst harmonies were provided by another friend, Brigette Beraha.)
Tomorrow, you can see Thomas live at the Cobden Club and he will be doing a few other select gigs around London over the next month or so. Keep an eye on his Myspace page or go right ahead and buy his stunning debut album 'Return' available now on CD at www.thomasbainesmusic.com, or as a digital download at iTunes and Amazon.
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