| Stoney | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mark Stoney |
| Born | 24 May 1980 |
| Origin | Sheffield, England |
| Genres | Many genres including but not limited to indie, alternative, rock |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards, guitar |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Website | www.stoney.mu |
Stoney (born Mark Stoney 24 May 1980) is a British musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Contents |
Stoney first appeared on the UK music scene following the release of his debut inventive and homegrown-style album Amber in 2001. A quirky collection of songs written in his teens, and recorded in his Sheffield basement following his escape from his hometown of Croydon, it was independently distributed initially through a few local record shops on his own Holy Moly label. Stoney played all the instruments on the record.
In response to the positive public reaction, a full band was formed to take the songs to the stage, and a three track EP of songs from the album, enitled Amber EP, was released nationally the next year gaining Stoney his first national radio airplay.
Stoney signed to Island Records in 2003, teaming up with producers Kevin Bacon and Jon Quarmby (Longpigs, Richard Hawley, Sugarbabes, Finlay Quaye) to record an album. During this time, Stoney and his band performed under the name of Stoneylacuna, to reflect the change from the singer-songwriter feel of Amber to the bigger, full band sound of the new recordings. However, political wrangles ensued and Stoney parted company with the label the following year without a record being released.
A few months later, the limited edition single Constantly Running was released nationally on the small Transistor label. Despite positive reviews and some significant champions on UK radio, momentum had been lost and Stoneylacuna parted company.
In late 2004, Stoney focused on producing other artists, and set up Lacuna Productions, a record production company with fellow Sheffield producer Sam Jones. Lacuna birthed debut singles from several rising Sheffield indie stars such as Bromheads Jacket and Little Ze.
Stoney had all but stopped performing until early 2005, when Constantly Running was hailed as the single of the week on the iTunes music store, restarting a frenzy of activity. The single achieved over 17,000 downloads in the UK alone in the first week. Stoney followed up with the Soap In a Bathtub EP, which brought him further national exposure. After forming a new band, Stoney provided the support for the Arctic Monkeys first sell-out UK tour in the Summer of 2005, alongside festival appearances at Glastonbury and Leeds.
Stoney became a regular guest on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6Music and further shows with high profile acts such as Jamie T, Athlete & Feeder along with his own headline shows quickly gained him a reputation as an exhilarating and charismatic live performer, continuing to win him a steadily growing underground UK fanbase. A double A-side single featuring fan favourites Until You Leave and Holds the Stars was released at the end of 2005.
In 2006, following an acoustic show at the SXSW festival in Texas, he was flown to Los Angeles by Rick Rubin for a private showcase. At the time of writing, it is unconfirmed if the two will be working together on a future record, but emerging champions of Stoney on US radio such as Nic Harcourt at KCRW are quickly developing a strong fanbase over the Atlantic and his tracks have been featured in several Hollywood films & TV series. Stoney released the 12 track album The Scene and The Unseen in the summer of 2006 on the independent Manchester based label Too Nice Recordings and as a download on iTunes. Despite a typically low-key and organic release, it prompted widespread critical acclaim from the national UK papers, with rave reviews from The Independent, NME, The Sunday Times and The Daily Express. The album was re-released with full UK distribution on his own Sonic Roar Label in November 2007.
Since 2008, Stoney has been working in the US on new material with producers C.J Eiriksson (u2, the rocket summer, Blue October) and Darin Prindle (Madonna, Destiny's child) and now lives in Austin, Texas.
In March 2009 he played a stripped back set at the British Music Embassy showcase at SXSW alongside Laura Marling & Aqualung and presented by Nic Harcourt. In Late 2010, Stoney made available a 4 track E.P entitled "The Soar Before", a fan funded record sold exclusively on his website and at live shows featuring new tracks "Let it Go", "Albatross", Skyline" and "Glory Days" co-produced with C.J Eiriksson. A 16 date U.K tour supporting Athlete followed in November & December during which he performed a live session and interview on Dermot O'Leary's BBC Radio 2 show accompanied by various members of Athlete.
Stoney continues to work with other artists on a production basis, and is currently working on two forthcoming feature film soundtracks. He has regularly collaborated with award winning songwriter Guy Chambers on various side projects, And is also a founding member and guitarist in popular Austin based "Dirt-pop, soul-punk" band "Bobby Jealousy".
As Mark Stoney:
As Stoneylacuna:
As Stoney:
Compilations:
Production, Songwriting & Guest appearances: