this song keeps popping up when i play soundcloud tuneage.  Its growing on me worse than the strange genital stuff....

Just diggin this tune overall... Very not bad ;)

Great Sound! Best of Luck with the new Album...Dennis

A small selection of some of my favourite songs I've written/co-written over the past 30 years, gives you a flavour of what I do. 
I can help you craft songs, get in touch!

My full Discography is here https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/

Bandcamp Discography

Nigel Parrington - A Song Portolio

Lyrics:

I've written all these songs for you, don't know what else to do
A penny for your thoughts they say, well it's the one who got away

You ever write a note for me? You ever haunted by memory?
I don't believe in ghosts you'd say, well you're the one who got away

I'm sailing down the river of regret, I didn't drown but I got wet

Well there's a road we'll never take, no matter how long we wait
I'll wait until my dying day for the one who got away


Played on BBC Radio 6 Music http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03ft8jz November 2013

"The One Who Got Away has a traditional feel and is a song of loss made with subtle beauty and sadness, and it's little more than acoustic guitar and voice" The Sound Of Confusion

"The One Who Got Away...leans on acoustic simplicity to deliver its sad, wistful message" Ralph's Life 

Track 2 - the last song to 'write itself' - if only more would aspire to the same.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-invisible-ray/id707632346
A new video https://youtu.be/MOdAMq3CaS0

The Invisible Ray

The One Who Got Away

Purchase on Bandcamp

Single released 1.5.11 from The High Ones' eponymous album on Nub Country Records.
Tom Robinson Introducing BBC6 airplay and podcast!

The High Ones are a result of the smooth blending of Mark Lee (the pocket gods) and Nigel Parrington (the low countries) plus special guests.
Your five a day in one killer song: wild berries; drugbuckets; Flemish-groove; samples and a killer riff.


The High Ones

Blueberry Smile

Lyrics:
In a City like this, it's easy to miss, just what I'm not.
The future's tomorrow, to beg steal and borrow and tomorrow's all we've got.

But if you still need me, there's one place we can meet: Sun Street (X2)

Yesterday's done, today's what we've won, who would've thought?
When I saw you last you struggled to grasp, how I was caught.

But if you still need me, there's one place we can meet: Sun Street (X2)

If you're hunting me down, well I'm, well I'm still around.

But if you still need me, there's one place we can meet: Sun Street (X3)

In a City like this, it's easy to miss, just what I'm not.
The future's tomorrow, to beg steal and borrow and tomorrow's all we've got


‘Like a lost track off Abbey Road’ @coffeehopper 

‘(The Low Countries)...revisiting an older number with considerable aplomb, it bodes well for their forthcoming self-titled album’ Rock ‘n’ Reel Magazine  

‘Excellent live, and if you think indie folk can't do a BIG sound then think again’.. @BigJimCambo

‘Sonic bliss’  Ola’s Kool Kitchen 

‘Rousing delivery’ Unsigned and Independent 

‘Such a shaggable voice’ (anon)


The Low Countries, until 2013 an indie-folk duo, are now resurrected as a five piece band. They're currently recording a 6-track EP (out early 2016) and 'Sun Street (2015)' is their first band single, released September 25th 2015.  It features the harmony vocals of The Kitchen Collective choir.
Please enjoy/stream/purchase. Thank you loves.
https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/we-weathered-the-storm
Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/track/1BcvC4tKceoQ10sTJwei4J
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/…/sun-street-2015-sin…/id1036723009
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015NDMH9K
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1EQtUhS
A kind of comeback for Nigel and his songs, assisted by a band of great musicians, people and friends.  Betty (the arranger of the choir vocals) told me recently she has 'a real emotional attachment to the song'. I think we all do. 
Here's the official video by Adam York Gregory https://youtu.be/SwL2-cSlNy8
'If you still need me...'

Recorded, engineered and mixed by Mick Armistead at Space Sound Lounge Studios. Lancashire. March-July 2015. 
Written by Nigel Parrington. 
Rob Daniels - drums, vocals, percussion. 
Els D'hooge - vocals 
Darren Leadsom - bass guitar 
Marc Nellis - electric guitar 
Nigel Parrington - lead vocals, guitars, melodica, piano, percussion 
Kitchen Collective vocals: 
Ann Brookes, Rowan Brook-Thompson, Rosa Coriander Grace Cooper-Davies, Kate Heathcote, Betty Manson, George Moran, Nigel Parrington, Maria Piacentini, Jilly Sumsion. Arranged by Betty Manson. 
Additional percussion by Maria Piacentini.

An Extended Play

Sun Street (2016)

Sun Street

De Nederlands versie (door een engelsman..) van 'The Invisible Ray'
Track #6 op onze nieuwe band EP 'An Extended Play' (via Nub Music). Geniet ervan!
Nu te koop via :
iTunes http://apple.co/1TLOvJa
Google Play http://bit.ly/27S39oB
Amazon http://amzn.to/1Wcu3TY
Dank u wel!

De Onzichtbare Straal

Another almost lost Low Country recording with the then beer collective known as 'Dr€nch' - here we did a 1 take recording of a long forgotten 'Love Will Come Your Way' deep in the Flemish badlands (Limburg). The guy singing BVs was a blind engineer/producer who's name I've shamefully forgotten. His braille stickered studio was in a large dilapidated shack at the bottom of his parent's garden, did the job though. 
Piet Daniels on lead guitar, Raoul Lenders on bass and Pieter Vrints on drums. Dank u wel.

Love Will Come Your Way [unreleased]

Ik trok naar het Peeterskasteel in Scherpenheuvel, waar ik sprak met 3 vluchtelingen: Huda, Ali en Hasibullah.

Opvangcentrum Peeterskasteel - radiodocumentaire

Lyrics:  
You can read me like a book you can get yourself immersed
You can even take a look at my last page first
Tonight I'm a slave, to your pheremonal glands
I'm putty in your hands

Tie me down or tie me up I won't put up a fight
Give my heartstrings a pluck you can pluck me when you like
To hell with the righteous and blessed are the damned
I'm putty in your hands

You've got me crawling the floor
Got me begging more, begging more

I'm lost in your orbit, so bring me in to land
I'm putty in your hands

'Has the listener both bleary eyed and stamping feet with wide grin at one and the same moment' Indie Bands Blog
'The moment the Dylanesque harmonica launches alongside jangly guitar, descending bass and solid drums, the song springs to life and what follows does not disappoint' Fresh On The Net listening post

'Putty' has always been a favourite of Nigel’s and was written with a band in mind way back in 2004, so this was bound to be one of the first to be band-tested in rehearsals.  Rob and Darren helped Nigel transform the song from its lo-fi bedroom home-tape vibe to an altogether more power pop arrangement.  It’s a true band achievement with glorious harmonies, jangle riffage and a George Harrison inspired slide solo.  Mick the sound engineer was even inspired to sing a harmony. Karma.

Available on Bandcamp https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/putty-2  
                      iTunes https://apple.co/2DCb52M
                     Amazon http://amzn.to/2GjBcxx
                     Google Play http://bit.ly/2G4win5

We Weathered The Storm

Putty

'Gent!' is the second single taken from our forthcoming new album ('We Weathered The Storm') and will be released at the end of March 2018 via Nub/ADA/Warners.  
Now on iTunes https://apple.co/2FNmty1
           Amazon https://amzn.to/2GiZLxT
    Google Play   https://bit.ly/2E41NMp
Handmade video here;https://youtu.be/QFszNlGkFIs 
The video was shot on location by Nigel and uses, wherever possible, authentic Belgians and their many wonderful beers. 
'Gent!' is the second single taken from our forthcoming new album ('We Weathered The Storm') and will be released at the end of March 2018 via Nub/ADA/Warners.  
The video was shot on location by Nigel and uses, wherever possible, authentic Belgians and their many wonderful beers. 
Gent (or Ghent if you’re not Belgian) deserves a song. If New York has several then why not Gent? Gent is Belgium’s lesser known main city but by far the most interesting and beautiful. As charming as Brugge (but with fewer Irish hit-men) with placid waterways, an annual epic ten-day bonkers festival in July, history oozing out its stones, even an unsolved crime involving a Biblical masterpiece, Nazis, mystic lambs and a Vicar’s deathbed confession. What’s not to love? Naturally Nigel fell deeply in love with the place way back in 1994, visited as often as possible over the years and really hopes to play the song to its lovely citizens (with the band) sometime soon.  Nigel originally wrote the song for an EP based on Flanders in 2012.  He had the chorus already in his head before he sat down and rhymed off all the things he loved about the place. So not only is it a damn catchy song but it’s a useful tour guide as well. 
Once the band started to play it live the song got even better, thumping beats, bonkers solos - a natural set closer which they couldn’t wait to record! When are we going??
Recorded by Mick Armistead at Space Lounge Sound, Lancaster
Rob Daniels - drums, vibes (Delirium Tremens)
Els D'hooge - backing vocals (Hoegaarden)
Darren Leadsom - bass (Kwak)
Marc Nellis - lead guitar (Palm Royale)
Nigel Parrington - lead vocal, guitars, keyboard, sample (Grimbergen Dubbel)

Gent!

Buy on iTunes

Lyrics:

The fields we played in they're a housing estate, the trees we climbed have met a similar fate
We weathered the storm, best buddies were born
Our football pitch is now some tower blocks
The two screen cinema a row of charity shops
We weathered the storm, best buddies were born

Though our world it is changing for good or bad
You're the best friend, you're the best friend i've ever had

We swam in rivers now the Northbound M6, we knew of three James Bonds now there's at least six
We weathered the storm, best buddies were born
My pals at school have disappeared or worse, middle management it's a modern curse
We weathered the storm, best buddies were born

Though our world it is changing for good or bad
You're the best friend, you're the best friend i've ever had



The title track to our new band album, a sepia infused ballad for a buddy.  

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/we-weathered-the-storm
Purchase on Amazon https://amzn.to/2HOmUFn
Google Play http://bit.ly/2HN6v3W
Apple Music  https://apple.co/2FyUI7B
Rob Daniels - brushes & glockenspiel
Nigel Parrington - vocal & guitar
Maria Piacentini - double bass
Recorded by Mick Armistead at Space Lounge Sound, Lancaster.

Track #6 from our new album 'We Weathered The Storm' - available now on: 

Bandcamp https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/album/we-weathered-the-storm
iTunes https://apple.co/2FyUI7B
Amazon https://amzn.to/2HOmUFn
Google Play http://bit.ly/2HN6v3W
Thank you for supporting indie artists!
The promo info:
"Another new song put forward for the album and ironed out in rehearsals. Splurged out of Nigel’s dilapidated memory palace while absent-mindedly plucking a guitar, this song grew and grew. Based on a half-remembered, rather melancholy farewell in a crowded dark bar, while the jukebox played rather apt bitter-sweet music. No names needed. It’s all true, at least in Nigel’s rather addled brain.   Never (yet) performed live, this is a studio creation and features some fine vocal ideas from Rob and Els and a tasteful driving bass from Darren. A real band effort and worth all the hard work."

Rob Daniels - drums, BVs, congas, bongos
Els D'hooge - accordion, BVs
Darren Leadsom - bass
Nigel Parrington - vocals, guitars, piano

Recorded and engineered by Mick Armistead at Space Lounge Sound, Lancaster

Billie Holiday

Opening song to the album 'a brown cafe at 3am' (2009).  

Lyrics: 

A brown cafe at 3am, got the twelfth-bar blues again, I drink to you, I drink to you.
So one more for the road my friend. Who knows when this road will end? So drain your cup, goodbye, good luck.

You and I can never be, living in this low country, we're two wrongs, trying to make a right.

Off my head as I watch the sun, burning through the City scum - I rub my face - of you no trace

You and I can never be, living in this low country, we're two wrongs, trying to make a right.

And on the streets, bottles roll, empty trams and empty souls, I'll make my way, home someday
It's a tribute to a certain cafe and a certain friend at a certain time of night. 
Lilting, late and heartbreaking.
Goes down  well with a chilled Duvel in a filthy glass.
Now included on 'A Prize Every Time - The Greatest Bits'
There's a new video to accompany my favourite song:
http://youtu.be/1jArzvOF83c

A Prize Every Time - The Greatest Bits

Low Country

Downing wine, to kill the time, the day is young
Like a moth to a flame, you're waiting again for your time to come

Why don't they, why don't they do the things they say?
People you meet, they lie and they cheat at the end of the day

You can't get your head, round the things they said, were never so
They twist and they turn, so the more you learn, the less you know

Why don't they, why don't they, do the things they say?
People at heart, they're cold and they're dark, at the end of the day

What will it take, your heart on a plate, to find some trust?
But your face don't fit, so down you slip, towards the dusk

Why don't they, why don't they do the things they say?
All that you planned, will crumble to sand, at the end of the day, at the end of the day



Recorded towards the end of the last century in Flanders.
Nigel Parrington - guitars, vocals
Raoul Lenders - bass
Piet Pentecost - drums
Els Nicasy - piano
https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/at-the-end-of-the-day-2

At the End of the Day

Buy on Bandcamp

Songwriter-singer and vice versa with 30 years experience of writing and performing, from indie-pop to indie-folk.  
Song-writing saved my life and I'm now discovering the joy of collaboration, get in touch! 
Sign up to my mailing list for and receive an exclusive free song!
https://nigel-parrington.ck.page/ca5f9cf681

In the 90s I wrote and performed with The High Ones (Britpop/Indie-pop) and eventually went solo and formed The Low Countries - a mix of indie-folk to full on band recordings, plus nice stuff in-between. 
I've worked for Warner Bros Music as a co-writer for 'Novastar' and also co-written with Andrew Rollins (Emmy winning Nashville songwriter).
My songs continue to be played on BBC6 Music and BBC Introducing, the most recent track 'I'm Away Now' was chosen for Tom Robinson's best of BBC6 Mixtape 2023!

All my albums (2007-2018) and a plethora of bonus tracks are now available to stream/purchase via Bandcamp 

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/

'A gorgeous understated elegy to Scott Hutchison..' Tom Robinson on 'I'm Away Now', BBC6 Music (2023)

'indie-folk at its best...' Folk Radio UK

'They make literate, clever music that makes Belle and Sebastian look like a bunch of thugs' Popshifter

"They're witty, they're psychedelic, they're individual, they're self-depreciating at times, and they write some very good songs...a lost treasure"
The Sound of Confusion

‘this is indie-folk music from the heart and I say give it a go’ Johnno Casson, Fresh On The Net

The full story:

Nigel started writing songs during the great war (Blur won) in a remote Mental Hospital in Hertfordshire.  He escaped to London and formed The High Ones with Mark Lee (The Pocket Gods)- Nigel wrote most of their indie-pop style songs and tours of Belgium and the home counties ensued.  A double A-side single ‘Sunny Day/Northern Skies’ was a hit in Belgium and Nigel toured Studio Brussels placing their EP in random drawers, where they remain. Nigel changed his name to Niels and moved to Antwerp - The High Ones had one last gig in The Borderline after drinking several Antwerp bars dry and conversing with dEUS.
Nigel worked briefly for Warner Bros Belgium and through this contact The Low Countries were born, going on to win valuable studio time in a few swanky Flemish studios, all of which boasted that ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was recorded on their sound desk. During this ‘Flemish blue period’ Nigel soaked up Flemish sounds & smells & wrote some classic songs - witty lyrics with a rich skein of melancholy. 
Moving back to the UK in 2006 Nigel was signed to Nub Music and began releasing 7 albums over a period of 8 years. In 2014 Nigel & Els formed a 5-piece band with Rob Daniels, Darren Leadsom and Marc Nellis  - they recorded an EP in 2016 and in 2017 Marc left the band but returned for guest guitar on the band's 2018 album.
Nigel’s songs have been played on BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Lancashire, Amazing Radio, Unpeeled.net, Folk Radio UK, Dandelion Radio, Beyond Radio,Studio Brussels, Radio Centraal and Sky TV. 

Some more reviews:

'Blissfully wonderful music' Beehive Candy

'Like a lost track off Abbey Road' @coffeehopper (on Sun Street (2015))

'making music that makes the world a better place' @indiebandsblog

'Beautiful...'The Invisible Ray' will most likely become a lost treasure. We just hope that in a few years it's uncovered and given the respect it deserves' The Sound Of Confusion

'I'm...struggling to see how they've not found greater recognition for past works and could 'The Invisible Ray' be a seminal album?' Ralph's Life

'Parrington's son has apparently predicted that his dad's songs will be famous after he dies. Pennyblackmusic readers would be advised not to wait that long' Pennyblack Music (The Greatest Bits)

‘captivating to a fault’ Folk and Roots

‘indie-folk at its best, I love it’ Folk Radio UK

’English psyche pop folk masterpiece - syd barrett meets nick drake with glorious beatles harmonies and northern wit - album of the year’ MBop Magazine

’..The Low Countries: splendid melancholia which sounds like a North Country version of Golden Smog or Josh Rouse. Nigel Parrington is definitely onto something’ Howard Byrom, The Lancaster Guardian 4 05 07

’Really tasty stuff - a little beauty!!’ Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk)

‘Beautiful South meets Richard Thompson…really fine mellow tunes’ Fresh Air FM

’shades of Ryan Adams…Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris…elsewhere Tell Her could be lifted from the Beatles’ back catalogue…’ www.folking.com

The High Ones are the unwanted brainchild of Mark Lee (The Pocket Gods) and Nigel Parrington (The Low Countries) - together, with much prodding, they produce psyched up harmonious 60s pop with a dash of wit and a smidgeon of darkness. Described as 'akin to the Halley's comet of pop' by Emerging Indie Bands their sporadic output burns just as bright. And as old. 
For 2015 they released a single 'Bold' taken from their new over-viewing 'Highlights' album - a 14 track collection of prime popness (some new,some  old, some borrowed and one blueberry).

Released 26.1.15 on Nub Country Records.


Blueberry Smile

thehighones

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