{{Short description|English musician}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Nigel Powell | image = Nigelpowelloldtrafford.jpg | caption = Nigel Powell playing at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in June 2010. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1971|10|01}} | birth_place = Bromley, London, England | origin = Abingdon, England | occupation = Musician, producer | instrument = Drums, percussion, piano, guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, keyboards, vocals | associated_acts = Frank Turner, Dive Dive, Unbelievable Truth }}

'''Nigel Powell''' (born 1 October 1971) is an English multi-instrumental musician from Abingdon.

Powell was born in Bromley, London, and educated at Abingdon School. While at school he was in a band called Illiterate Hands, which also featured future Radiohead lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and Andy Yorke, brother of Thom Yorke.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/this-is-what-radiohead-looked-like-in-the-80s | title= This Is What Radiohead Looked Like in The '80s | work=Buzzfeed | date=24 March 2013 | access-date=13 June 2013}}</ref>

He is best known as the former drummer for Frank Turner's live and studio backing band; the Sleeping Souls. Nigel is also a member of the Oxford-based alternative rock band Dive Dive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.divedive.co.uk |title=Official Band Website -&#124; |publisher=Dive Dive |access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> and Unbelievable Truth. He is endorsed by Pro-Mark Sticks and Sabian Cymbals.<ref name="ProMark">{{cite web|url=http://www.promark.com/community/profile/6166|title=ProMark Endorsees|publisher=Promark.com|access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls headlined at Wembley Arena in April 2012,<ref>{{cite news|last=Gee |first=Catherine |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/9209172/Frank-Turner-Wembley-Arena-review.html |title=Frank Turner, Wembley Arena, review |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> and played at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.<ref>{{cite news|author=Tim Jonze |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jul/27/frank-turner-olympics-opening-ceremony |title=Frank Turner warms up crowd for Olympics opening ceremony &#124; Music |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> On October 23, 2020, Powell announced via his social media that his tenure with Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls was ending, and he would be focusing on his solo project, the Sad Song Co.

== The Sad Song Co.== '''The Sad Song Co.''' is a solo project of Powell that also features bass player Jason Moulster, begun in 2000 in Oxford.

Powell took the songs he had been writing for Unbelievable Truth and recorded them for the debut the Sad Song Co. album ''miseryguts'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Sad-Song-Co-Miseryguts/release/9190014|title=The Sad Song Co. - Miseryguts|website=Discogs|language=en|access-date=2017-10-30}}</ref> which was released in 2003. Moulster contributed bass throughout.

Following a few years touring with Dive Dive in support of their first two albums Powell recorded his second album Poignant Device. Marillion contributed use of their Racket Studios while they were on tour, and it was completed with George Shilling at his Bank Cottage Studios later that year. By the time of its release in 2007 three quarters of Dive Dive had begun acting as Frank Turner’s backing band<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/leisureold/music/8713573.Preview_of_Frank_Turner_and_Dive_Dive_at_The_Regal__Oxford/?ref=rss|title=Preview of Frank Turner and Dive Dive at The Regal, Oxford|website=The Oxford Times|language=en|access-date=2017-10-30}}</ref> on record and on tour, so there was little opportunity for touring, outside of the release show for the album supporting Marillion at their fan weekend in Port Zelande, the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.last.fm/event/41901+Marillion+at+CenterParcs+Port+Zelande+on+04+February+2007|title=Marillion at CenterParcs Port Zelande (Ouddorp) on 4 Feb 2007 — Last.fm|website=Last.fm|language=en|access-date=2017-10-30}}</ref>

During breaks in touring in 2014 and 2015, Powell wrote and recorded another album titled ''in amber''. After crowdfunding through PledgeMusic,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/sadsongco|title=The Sad Song Co.: In Amber - the new album|website=PledgeMusic|language=en|access-date=2017-10-30}}</ref> the album was released on 26 August 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Sad-Song-Co-In-Amber/release/9190005|title=The Sad Song Co. - In Amber|website=Discogs|language=en|access-date=2017-10-30}}</ref> and he undertook a UK tour in October, between tours with Frank Turner.

Another album entitled ''Worth'' was released in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/album-review-the-sad-song-co-worth-2018-lp/|title=Album Review: The Sad Song Co. - Worth (2018 LP)|website=Theaureview.com|date=5 February 2018|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref>

==Discography – as musician== ===Studio albums=== *''''Almost Here'''' (1998) – UK No. 21 Unbelievable Truth<ref name="UTchart" /> (Virgin Records) *''sorrythankyou'' (2000) Unbelievable Truth (Shifty Disco) *''SmileSunset'' (2001) Mark Mulcahy<ref name = "mm">{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Nigel+Powell#per=50&p=1&t=Credits_All|title=Nigel Powell|publisher=Discogs.com|access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> *''Misc. Music'' (2001)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 575}}</ref> Unbelievable Truth * ''Asianblue'' (2002) Emm Gryner<ref name = "emm">{{cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/asianblue-1|title=Asianblue album credits|publisher=Answers.com|access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> (percussion on Siamese Star) * ''miseryguts'' (2003) the Sad Song Co. * ''Tilting at Windmills'' (2005) Dive Dive * ''The Great Lakes'' (2005) Emm Gryner (drums on Case of Tornadoes) * ''Poignant Device'' (2007) the Sad Song Co. * ''Revenge of the Mechanical Dog'' (2007) Dive Dive * ''Sleep Is for the Week'' (2007) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''Simple'' (2008) Andy Yorke * ''Love Ire & Song'' (2008) – UK No. 72 Frank Turner<ref name="FTchart" /> (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''The First Three Years'' (2008) – UK No. 72 Frank Turner<ref name="FTchart" /> (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''Poetry of the Deed'' (2009) Frank Turner – UK No. 36 Frank Turner<ref name="FTchart" /> (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy'' (2009) Various Artists (plays and produces tracks by Unbelievable Truth and Frank Turner) * ''Memoria : A Tribute to the Alternative 90s'' (2009) Various Artists (plays and produces on cover of Kerbdog's ''Sally'' by Frank Turner) * ''One Light Is Gone'' (2010) Josienne Clarke (drums on 3 tracks) * ''Potential'' (2010) Dive Dive (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''England Keep My Bones'' (2011) Frank Turner UK No. 12<ref name="FTchart" /> (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''Tape Deck Heart'' (2013) Frank Turner UK No. 2 (Xtra Mile Recordings / Interscope Records) * ''Positive Songs for Negative People'' (2015) Frank Turner UK No. 2 (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''In Amber'' (2016) the Sad Song Co. * ''Worth'' (2018) the Sad Song Co. * ''Be More Kind'' (2018) Frank Turner * ''Saudade'' (2021) the Sad Song Co.

===EPs=== * ''Stone – EP'' (1997) Unbelievable Truth (Virgin Records) * ''Higher Than Reason – EP'' (1998) Unbelievable Truth (Virgin Records) * ''Settle Down / Sea Dune – EP'' (1998) Unbelievable Truth (Virgin Records) * ''Solved – EP'' (1998) Unbelievable Truth (Virgin Records) * ''When I Wank on My Guitar the Whole World Wanks With Me'' (2002) Dustball (Juggernaught Records)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://damagedgoods.co.uk/band/?c=Dustball|title=Damaged Goods Records website|publisher=Damagedgoods.co.uk|access-date=25 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309221439/http://damagedgoods.co.uk/band/?c=Dustball|archive-date=9 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> * ''Sounds All Wrong'' (2002) Dustball (Juggernaught Records) * ''Campfire Punkrock'' (2006) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''The Real Damage'' (2007) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''Bad Moon Rising'' (2010) Lazare * ''iTunes Festival: London 2010'' (2010) Frank Turner * ''Rock & Roll'' (2010) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''Liar'' (2010) ''Dive Dive'' (Xtra Mile Recordings)

===Singles=== * ''Building'' (1997) Unbelievable Truth (Shifty Disco) * ''Higher Than Reason'' (1998) – UK No. 38 Unbelievable Truth<ref name="UTchart">{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/unbelievable%20truth/|title=Official UK Chart Website – Unbelievable Truth|publisher=Theofficialcharts.com|access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> (Virgin Records) * ''Solved'' (1998) – UK No. 39 Unbelievable Truth<ref name="UTchart" /> (Virgin Records) * ''Settle Down'' / "Dune Sea" (1998) – UK No. 46 Unbelievable Truth<ref name="UTchart" /> (Virgin Records) * ''Agony'' (2000) Unbelievable Truth (Shifty Disco) * ''Landslide'' (2000) Unbelievable Truth (Shifty Disco) * ''Advice to a Lover'' (2000) Unbelievable Truth (Shifty Disco) * ''Good Show''(2004) Dive Dive * ''555 For Film Stars'' (2005) UK Indie No. 6, UK Chart No. 48<ref name="chart">{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/dive%20dive/|title=Official UK Chart Website – Dive Dive|publisher=Theofficialcharts.com|access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> Dive Dive * ''The Sorry Suitor'' (2005) UK Indie No. 10, UK Chart No. 54<ref name="chart" /> Dive Dive * ''Vital Signs'' (2006) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''The Game'' (2007) Dive Dive * ''Photosynthesis'' (2008) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''Reasons Not to Be an Idiot'' (2008) Frank Turner UK Chart No. 124 (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''Long Live the Queen'' (2008) Frank Turner UK Chart No. 65<ref name="FTchart">{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/frank%20turner/|title=Official UK Chart Website – Frank Turner|publisher=Theofficialcharts.com|access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''The Road'' (2009) Frank Turner UK Chart No. 62<ref name = "FTchart" /> (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''Poetry of the Deed'' (2009) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''Isabel'' (2010) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''Try This at Home'' (2010) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>

===Other=== * ''The Greatest Shindig'' (1990) Shindig (Self-released)

===DVDs=== * ''All About the Destination'' (2008) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings) * ''Take to the Road'' (2010) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings / Epitaph Records) * ''Frank Turner Live From Wembley'' (2012) Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings)

==Discography – as producer== ===Studio albums=== * ''Almost Here'' (1998) Unbelievable Truth * ''sorrythankyou'' (2000) Unbelievable Truth * ''miseryguts'' (2003) The Sad Song Co. * ''Tilting at Windmills'' (2005) Dive Dive * ''The Bigger Picture'' (2006) Milow No. 10 (B) No. 78 (NL) Gold (Belgium) * ''Poignant Device'' (2007) The Sad Song Co. * ''Revenge of the Mechanical Dog'' (2007) Dive Dive * ''Milow'' (2009) Milow (one track) No. 26 (B) No. 3 (GER) No. 38 (SWE) No. 17 (NL) Platinum (Germany) * ''Take to the Road'' (2009) Frank Turner (stereo and 5.1 mixes for DVD / CD release) * ''Potential'' (2010) Dive Dive

===Singles / EPs=== * ''Stone – EP'' (1997) Unbelievable Truth (Virgin Records) * ''Monster / Plastic 7" Single'' (1997) Beaker (Fierce Panda) * ''Higher Than Reason – EP'' (1998) Unbelievable Truth (Virgin Records) * ''Solved – EP'' (1998) Unbelievable Truth (Virgin Records) * ''Settle Down / Sea Dune – EP'' (1998) Unbelievable Truth (Virgin Records) * ''More Familiar'' (2005) Milow (Homerun Records) * ''One of it'' (2005) Milow No. 64 (NL) (Homerun Records) * ''Excuse To Try'' (2006) Milow (Homerun Records) * ''Landslide'' (2006) Milow (Homerun Records)

===Demos=== * ''Radiohead'' as ''On A Friday'' – various demos between 1986 and 1990 * ''Dial F For Frankenstein'' (2009)

==See also== * List of Old Abingdonians

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{official website|http://www.thesadsongco.com}} * Interview with 'Gigsoup' (2016) - [https://www.gigsoupmusic.com/interviews/sad-song-cos-nigel-powell-exclusive-gigsoup-interview/] * Interview with 'Libel Music' (2016) - [http://libel.co.nz/home/2017/5/16/nigel-powell Nigel Powell]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Powell, Nigel}} Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:English rock musicians Category:English record producers Category:People educated at Abingdon School