{{Short description|British singer-songwriter (born 1976)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} '''Neil McSweeney''' (born 9 June 1976 in Irvine, Scotland)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukfestivalguides.com/artists/neil-mcsweeney/|title=Neil McSweeney|website=Ukfestivalguides.com|accessdate=17 July 2020}}</ref> is a British songwriter and musician based in Sheffield, England.<ref>Granville, David (24 June 2007) [http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/46960 "A Man On The Rise"], ''Morning Star''. Retrieved 17 June 2013</ref> His acoustic guitar playing style combines folk, blues and country influences but it is his voice, likened by ''The Guardian'' to a male Tracy Chapman,<ref>Simpson, Dave (8 May 2007) [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/may/08/popandrock1 "Neil McSweeney: Grapes, Sheffield"], ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 17 June 2013</ref> and his direct and personal lyrics,<ref name="multiple">Spellman, Robert (23 October 2009) [http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/135796/Neil-McSweeney-Shoreline "Neil McSweeney: Shoreline"], ''Daily Express''. Retrieved 17 June 2013</ref> for which he is most recognised.
thumb|Neil McSweeney
McSweeney’s debut album, ''Remember To Smile'' was released in 2006 by Sheffield independent label, LM Music. Tracks from the album attracted national radio play from BBC Radio 2 and the digital station BBC Radio 6 Music. This led to "Postcards" being released as a single by Kids Records, the singles arm of Warner Music UK subsidiary 14th Floor Records. Further national radio exposure followed<ref>BBC (4 June 2007) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20070604 “Zane Lowe Track-listing archive”]. Retrieved 17 June 2013</ref> including the track being playlisted by XFM. Around this time McSweeney also accompanied his friend Stoney on record, on tour and in session for BBC Radio 2’s Dermot O'Leary at Maida Vale Studios.<ref>Dunn, David (26 October 2010) [http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/gigs-music/stoney-broke-the-mould-1-222569 “Stoney broke the mould”], ''The Star (Sheffield)''. Retrieved 17 June 2013</ref>
Extensive touring in the UK followed before the second album, ''Shoreline'' emerged in 2009. This was self-released and attracted positive reviews in the national press,<ref name="multiple"/> as well as the attention of fellow Sheffield musician, Richard Hawley.<ref>McVeigh, James (August 2010) [http://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/music/interviews/neil-mcsweeney/ “Man On Fire”], ''Exposed'' Magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2013</ref> Following support sets at The Crucible in Sheffield and the Royal Festival Hall, McSweeney accompanied Hawley as main support on the European leg of his Truelove’s Gutter tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/music/gigs-contemporary/tickets/richard-hawley-50230|title=Southbank Centre (23 January 2010)|website=Southbankcentre.co.uk|accessdate=17 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.botanique.be/en/activity/richard-hawley-neil-mcsweeney-17052010|title=Botanique (17 May 2010)|website=Botanique.be|accessdate=17 July 2020}}</ref>
During a hiatus from touring in 2011 and 2012, reportedly to spend more time with his young family, McSweeney developed friendships with musicians from the English folk and roots scene. This developed into collaborations which formed the basis for an EP (''The Seventeen EP'') and a third full-length album (''Cargo'') both released in 2013. The album features contributions from Lucy Farrell, Sam Sweeney, Brooks Williams, Matt Boulter, Vera Van Heeringen, Jock Tyldesley, Andy Seward and others.<ref>Clegg, Rachael (25 May 2013) [http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/listings/music/man-for-all-seasons-1-5707432 “Man for all seasons”], ''Sheffield Telegraph''. Retrieved 17 June 2013</ref>
In late 2013, McSweeney supported English folk group Bellowhead on their UK tour. He was accompanied by Vera van Heeringen and Sweeney. Van Heeringen and McSweeney subsequently collaborated on an EP (released in October 2015).
Other projects include GluePot (with Farrell and Boulter), who released an EP (''Lulu the Bear and other Stories'') in 2015, and Holler, with Fay Hield and Jon Boden.
In 2016, McSweeney co-founded Hudson Records with his friend, record producer Andy Bell. In September that year, he also joined the University of Sheffield's Department of Music, where he teaches Music Management, Popular Music Studies, and songwriting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/music/people/academic-staff/neil-mcsweeney|title=McSweeney, Neil|date=1 October 2024|website=www.sheffield.ac.uk|accessdate=22 November 2024}}</ref>
Hudson Records released McSweeney's fourth album, ''A Coat Worth Wearing'', in March 2017.
==Discography== *''Remember To Smile'' (album) # "Sunrise" # "Postcards" # "Walleye Jean" # "Broken Truth" # "Smile" # "Flowers" # "London Road" # "Long Way Round" # "Heartlands" # "Let The Side Down"
*"Postcards" (7" single) # "Postcards" # "My Design"
*''Shoreline'' (album) # "Glencoe" # "Standing Still" # "Wonder In The Making" # "Side To The Sun" # "Time" # "Rope To Hang" # "The Break" # "Half A Mind" # "Wasters" # "Everybody Tells Me I'm Wrong"
*''The Seventeen'' (EP) # "We Are Here" # "In A Dream" # "To Live Is To Fly" (Townes Van Zandt) # "The Seventeen"
*''Cargo'' (album) # "Bulldozer" # "Be Your Own Dog" # "Happiness" # "San Miniato" # "New Year’s Day" # "Sapling Bough" # "Snow Blind" # "Into The Sound" # "Slowly Sets The Sun" # "Cargo" # "Stop Digging"
*''A Coat Worth Wearing'' (album) # "Old Glory Blues" # "Forlorn Hope" # "Danse Macabre" # "Land of Cockaigne" # "Atlantis" # "Strangers of Maresfield Gardens" # "Waving Not Drowning" # "Night Watchman" # "The Call"
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.neilmcsweeney.com/ Official Website: Neil McSweeney]
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Performed at the wedding of Steffanie and Daniel Cardona, 14 May 2016.
{{DEFAULTSORT:McSweeney, Neil}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Sheffield Category:English male singer-songwriters Category:English singer-songwriters