Nicholas Thorburn

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Nicholas Thorburn

Nick Thorburn performing with Islands in Stockholm, 2012.
Background information
Also known as Nick Thorburn
Nick Diamonds
Born (1981-11-27) November 27, 1981
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
Associated acts The Unicorns
Th' Corn Gangg
Islands
Reefer
Human Highway
Mister Heavenly

Nicholas Thorburn (born November 27, 1981) is a Canadian musician originally from Campbell River. He has fronted numerous bands such as The Unicorns, Th' Corn Gangg, Islands, Reefer, and Human Highway. Thorburn occasionally goes by the stage name "Nick Diamonds".

History

Thorburn was born in 1981 in Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada, which he says has influenced his songwriting.[1] Nature, in particular whales, are a subject of interest;[2] his lyrics include references to rivers, swans and frogs. He also had a formative experience in a visit, along with his father, to see the killer whale Luna; his memories of the visit became an influential part of Islands' debut album Return to the Sea.[1]

Thorburn has fronted The Unicorns, Th' Corn Gangg, Islands, Reefer, and Human Highway.[3] Thorburn has gone by the stage name "Nick Diamonds."[1][4]

His vocals have been noted as a distinguishing feature of The Unicorns and Islands.[5][6] His production technique involves dark personification over enjoyable music, though he is "usually wary of composing dance tracks."[7] This contrast is observed in his live performance as well.[8]

In 2005, he co-wrote with Adam Gollner the satirical charity song "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" organizing the collaboration of many artists.[9] He guest performed on Les Savy Fav's 2007 album Let's Stay Friends.[10]

Thorburn has made an album with Honus Honus (aka Ryan Kattner) of the band Man Man: "One thing that has been floated around is Honus Honus from Man Man and I making a record in a new (sub)genre we are developing, called Doom Wop, which is essentially low frequency, and extremely slowed down music atop traditional doo wop harmonies. Or something."[11][12] The project, called Mister Heavenly, also involves drummer Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse and The Black Heart Procession and has had actor Michael Cera playing bass on the tour.[13]

Thorburn was featured on the 2012 El-P album Cancer 4 Cure, singing the chorus of the track "Stay Down". He has performed the song live with El-P on multiple occasions.

Thorburn acted in the 2013 Canadian film, Everyday Is Like Sunday [14]

Discography

Albums

Guest appearances

Acting

In 2013, Thorburn made his acting debut in the Canadian independent feature film, Everyday Is Like Sunday. [14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Van Evra, Jennifer (3 November 2006). "One man's Islands". The Globe and Mail (Toronto: Bell Globemedia). theglobeandmail.com. p. R6. ISSN 0319-0714. 
  2. ↑ Pareles, Jon (11 October 2006). "A Barrage of Calamities Set to a Vintage Soundtrack". The New York Times (Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr.). nytimes.com. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved 30 December 2007. 
  3. ↑ "Nicholas Thorburn Credits". www.allmusic.com. Allmusic. Retrieved 6 December 2011. 
  4. ↑ Carew, Anthony (10 December 2004). "Horned wonder". The Age (Melbourne: Fairfax Media). theage.com.au. ISSN 0312-6307. Retrieved 30 December 2007. 
  5. ↑ Jordan Hickey (11 April 2006). "Islands worth a visit". The Maneater. Retrieved 30 December 2007. 
  6. ↑ Jim Withington (12 July 2007). "Up & Coming". The Portland Mercury. Retrieved 30 December 2007. 
  7. ↑ Ben Breier (5 October 2005). "Islands: All metaphorical, not at all tropical". University Wire. Retrieved 30 December 2007. 
  8. ↑ Lauren Hill (20 October 2006). "Islands' show reveals a disappointing mediocrity". The Johns Hopkins News-Letter. Retrieved 30 December 2007. "Out to pick a fight, Diamonds quickly found an audience member to bicker with early in the set. His sulky demeanor contrasted oddly with the band's peppy pop songs." 
  9. ↑ CHARTattack, Staff (22 August 2005). "Sum 41, The Arcade Fire And Beck Collaborate On Anti-Halloween Single". Chart (Toronto: Chart Communications). chartattack.com. ISSN 1198-7235. Retrieved 30 December 2007. 
  10. ↑ Katie Hasty (21 August 2007). "Les Savy Fav Thinks Big On First Album Since '01". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2007. 
  11. ↑ Weiss, Evan (20 October 2009). "Music: "Vapours" by Islands". theartssection.com. The Arts Section (blog). Retrieved 20 October 2009. 
  12. ↑ Charlesworth, Jenny (29 December 2009). "Islands and Man Man Join Forces for 'Doom-Wop' Project". spinner.ca. Spinner. Retrieved 6 December 2011. 
  13. ↑ Michaels, Sean (2 December 2010). "Michael Cera joins real-life indie band". The Guardian (London: Guardian News and Media). guardian.co.uk. ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Review: Everyday Is Like Sunday - Exclaim!

External links

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