We recently returned to the location (and inspiration) for our 2008 mini album 'The Failing of the Strains'.  It got me thinking about the songs I wrote at the time, especially this one. 'Handmaid's Blush' was the lead track (with video https://youtu.be/o1zbAfvXLyU ) but I thought I'd pare down the production and let the voices and banjo (Wes Martin) shine through.

handmaid's blush

Handmaid's Blush [2015 remix]

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! 
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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