one of those "wish I'd thought of that" Wonderful

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

That's How A Good Thing Can Haunt You Demo 4

The demo from god knows when - recorded with a bit more stuff for the Summer's Last Hurrah album in 2011

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/still-time

Album version

Still Time (demo)

I Hate When We Don't Talk

I Hate When We Don't Talk (Raw Demo)

Written for Scott Hutchison of the band Frightened Rabbit

lyrics
I’m away now, away now, to the calling of the sea
I’m away now, away now, so don”t go following me

Upon the shore I left my love
A treasure chest of song
I’m guided by the stars above
Soon I’m sailing on

I”m away now, I’m away now, to the calling of the sea

Upon the shore I left my love
A treasure chest of song
I’m guided by the stars above
Soon I’m sailing on

I’m away now, away now, to the calling of the sea
I’m away now, away now, so don’t go following me
credits
from Betty's Boudoir Sessions Vol. II, releases May 19, 2023
Nigel - vocal, guitar, harmonica
Betty - vocal

Betty's Boudoir Sessions (Volume 2)

I'm Away Now

Bandcamp

I'm very proud to announce that a  Vol II of 'Betty's Boudoir Sessions' will be released on Friday the 19th of May by Nub Music (and on Bandcamp with bonus bits) 
Here's a taster of the six songs recorded over the past few years with the multi-talented  Betty Manson 
(and Neil Manson on one track) plus one song co-written with the wonderful Jon-Yngve Bakke 
Much like Vol I the songs are mostly regarding love, loss, death, Gardener's Question Time, and the shifting sands of time.  
Hear the first song here https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/road-2

Some comments on Vol I of Betty's Boudoir Sessions EP

"Truly truly beautiful"

"Mooi en wow!"

"Fucking beautiful"

"...so melancholic that you want to pull your own guts out to ease the pain but eh that’s the best kind of song innit"

"Wow what a tune. WHAT. A. TUNE."

Bettys Boudoir Sessions EP Volume 2 - taste a sample

With poetic lyrics, that resonate deeply and a sparse arrangement that allow the emotions to take centre stage, "Most of the Time" showcases Man at Sea's exceptional songwriting prowess. Hewson paints vivid images of landscapes etched in our hearts, where mountains and rivers stretch out beneath starry skies, and where human connections are concealed ‘most of the time’. His collaboration with renowned producer Tom Campbell has yielded a sonically enchanting experience that transports listeners to ethereal landscapes.

Produced by Tom Campbell

Mastered by Shawn Joseph at Optimum Mastering 

Copyright Man at Sea 2023

© all rights reserved
license
all rights reserved
license
all rights reserved

Most of the Time

Track #3 from our new album 'We Weathered The Storm'
Recorded by Nigel on his bed, remastered by Mick Armistead (the recording, not Nigel's bed)
Els D'hooge on accordion :)

iTunes https://apple.co/2FyUI7B
Google Play http://bit.ly/2HN6v3W
Amazon https://amzn.to/2HOmUFn

We Weathered The Storm

The River Knows The Score

An eclectic 90-second blast of some of my favourite, and diverse, songs.  
Gives a general idea of what I do, I hope.

Sign up for my mailing list and get a FREE and exclusive brand new song, plus a regular newsletter with upcoming gigs, previews and other muso meanderings...

Click here https://nigel-parrington.ck.page/ca5f9cf681   

Thank you!

Instant Song Reel !!

It's A Wonderful Day (Andrea B, J. Bakke)- collab DEMO for FAWM (2024)

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

One of three new 30 second songs written and recorded as our contribution to the  forthcoming Pocket Gods/Nub Records album '100 x 30' featuring 100 songs 30* seconds long about the current state of the music industry. 
Info here http://www.100x30.com/

*max 37

I made a video (of sorts)https://youtu.be/5mtfSjPJPrk 

Dog Chews For Shoes

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

Putty

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.

The Only Constant

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

A Prize Every Time - The Greatest Bits

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 River Knows The Score

The Low Countries

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