By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa Correspondent
INTERVIEW: UK songwriter/musician Nigel Thomas
I recently was introduced to a video for a new single “Fever” by Nigel Thomas, former frontman of UK band The Foxes. There was a “viewer discretion” warning and the press release noted “the track explores the theme of madness and depravity.” The article continued explaining Thomas was inspired to write this after collapsing in the kitchen due to severe illness. The feeling of helplessness and empathy for those with illness and mental illness were the catalyst for this new single. OK. I thought, “Let’s give it a whirl!” The song had a definite 60s retro Brit pop sound, an infectious melody, a Hammond B-3 organ, a lead guitar solo break in the middle, and after all the hysteria, a mellow almost psychedelic ending. So what is so controversial? Well, watch the video (scroll down) and see for yourself.
Rock At Night interviewed Nigel Thomas on the cusp of the release of his single “Fever” and soon in February, the release a full album. I have listened to most of the songs, which offer very pretty Beatlesque or Oasis-like melodies that are highlighted by Thomas’ clean, pitch-perfect vocals. There is a collection of well-crafted music with a definite 60s vibe, including vocal harmonies, keyboards and vibraphone, and dramatic pauses followed by lead guitar solos. The melodies are sweet and dreamy while the lyrical content is both poignant (e.g., break-ups, romance) and quirky (e.g., sĂŠances, illness).
About the song and video “Fever”
I started the interview by noting, “Letâs talk about the video for ‘Fever’. Iâm sure you are getting a lot of criticism about the video. Itâs very macabre.”
Thomas agreed, “Yeah, itâs a bit darker than other videos Iâve done. There is a homemade video I did for Anne. That kind of video is a lot nicer. I think itâs nice to have kind of a contrast with darkness and light (in what you do). I did something a bit darker which goes with the nature of the song as well.”
I conceded, “Well, at least you have some warnings about the ‘graphic nature’. Itâs not exactly for kidsâit is for adults. I am a fan of David Lynch movies and it kind of made me think of Eraserhead or Blue Velvetâthat kind of feel. Do you have a fascination with stuff like that?”
Thomas explained he enjoys using a cinematic effect in his videos. We both agreed that Blue Velvet relates to this theme. I wondered if he had a fascination with the “dark side”. Thomas explained he has broad tastes in both books and films, and he tries to adapt certain themes into music and lyrics.
Thomas said, “I tried to capture the essence of hopelessness in a way that everyone can relate to. The video does get lighter because then you can ask yourself if it is real or indeed hopelessness. I guess I wanted to give people something to think about and go, âOh, thatâs dark!â”
Chuckling, I agreed, “Yes, being here in Florida I always think of Ted Bundy. Weâve had a lot of serial killers hereâAileen WournosâFlorida is just full of serial killers!
We both shared a hearty laughed and Thomas added, “You have ‘Dexter’ as well. Isnât he down there in Florida?”
“Ah, yeah!”
Nigel Thomas, the actor
Actually, Thomas worked in the mental health field before becoming a full-time musician and actor (“we all left our day jobs when I was in The Foxesâ). He frequently acts in West End theatre productions and had a prominent role in a feature film Candlestick.
I expressed, âYou have quite a resume. I see you do theatre and have a film Candlestick. I guess itâs kind of a Hitchcock-like, thriller. You are really multi-faceted. Thatâs why I was really interested in interviewing you. What are you first—a musician or an actor? How do you see yourself?â
Thomas rolled his eyes and head up, as if thinking, and said, âWhen Iâm acting I see myself as an actor, but when I have a guitar in my hand, I see myself as a musician. Itâs an interesting life. One day I can be on stage at the West End of London and the next day I can be playing music.â
âI guess you come from a musical family. I guess you were kind of destined to get into music.â
âMy dad was a songwriter and he released a couple of singles. He used to play his guitar to me (well, to my mother when I saw inside as a bump). Thereâs definitely a family influence.â
About the new album
I had listened to most of the tracks from the upcoming album. Since I play music, my questions are from a songwriting composition perspective. I said, âI want to talk to you about some of your new music. It seems a lot quieter than The Foxesâ music, which was more punk-pop. Have you matured (in your songwriting)? What do you think?â
He laughed, saying, âI think my friends would say I havenât matured!â
He continued explaining The Foxes was a four-piece band and the songs were guitar-driven. He had certain restrictions in his writing but now had more freedom as a solo artist.
âIâve got a wonderful harp player to play a the beginning of âDancingâ. Each instrument and set-up kind of fits the lyrics in what I really wanted to do. I think in that sense âIâm quite pleased with it. There are heavier tracks (like âFeverâ of course). Again, I didnât feel constrained and they [songs] just naturally erupted.â
I noted since I had recently viewed his video for the song âAnneâ, âEach song is poetic and deep, like âAnneâ for example. You obviously were influenced by seeing Anne Frankâs house. Iâve been there myself and itâs kind ofâsad. When you think about how small the place was [for all those people living there]. It was really tiny.â
âThat struck me as well as the sorrowâand of course, the diary. I think with the song, I didnât want to focus on the dark, sad side but all the positive messages she has in her diaryâreally living life. I wanted to focus on how she wanted to be a famous writerâand that happened but she never knew it. I really wanted to focus on the positive side of her story. I think it is my personal letter back to her.â
âSo you are really paying homage to her.â I added since I have been analyzing his music and taking notes on each song, saying â Your new album used the organ a lot. It has kind of the 60s retro organ sound.â
âYes, we used the keys and used all vintage equipment.â
âExcellent! So you really had a B-3?â
âYes!â
Continuing our conversation about his upcoming album, I added, âI listened to âAnneâ and it sounded John Lennon-ish at first be then sounded like Ray Davies-ish. There are a lot of minor notes. It sounds bluesy with B-flats in there. Thereâs oohs an aahs.â
Then, the discussion moved to the topic of the sweetly melodic but sad (really, it is about a girl blowing off a guy) called âThird Movement.â I said, âI listened to âThird Movementâ and wrote down âvery Beatlesque or Oasis-like..a really sweet ballad. Thereâs a lot of harmonies with a 60s retro feel. What were you thinking when you wrote that?â
Thomas replied, âThat song is a very personal song about someone I used to care about a great deal. So thatâs where I was coming fromâŚa mournful farewell to someone. Yeah, there are a lot of harmonies in it. It almost wrote itself.â
âWriting for youâŚis it a creative endeavor or catharsis?â
âA bit of both, actually.â
âWhat is your songwriting process?â
Thomas explained, âSometimes I sit down to write a certain type of song and will have an idea. I have a cup of tea and will sit down and it will then have a completely different mood. I can start out writing something quite sad but then two minutes later, something really happy and upbeat. As you write you might realize thereâs something that needed healingâŚit kind of has a mind of its own.â
âDo you keep a notebook and write down little phrases or ideas? Whatâs your process?â
âI like to use my phone and make some little notes when I have ideas. I have hundreds of files and piece them together.â
I began to describe my impression of various songs on the album saying, ââDriftââŚan acoustic song with a very dreamy, ethereal feel. âDestinyââŚ..a very sweet, melodic ballad. It kind of sounds like Blur a little bit but then it gets more rocking at the end. I notice there is a pause and then you segue into a finale. The organ comes inâŚthe lead guitar comes in.â
âI think itâs exciting for a song to go into an unexpected directionâŚ.like âI didnâtâ expect it to do thatââŚI like that funky contrast.â
I agreed saying, âThatâs kind of like âLaylaâ. It starts out as a slow song but then takes off at the end. Duane Allman goes crazy on the guitarâŚ.and then Eric Clapton. I like âDestinyâ. To me, it is refreshing because people donât do that [technique] anymore. To me itâs classic.â
âYeah, I think youâre right. I guess itâs the industry. Thereâs so much demand for instant hits and songs that can be a single.â
Continuing, I noted, ââQue SeraââŚ.sounds like a vibraphone or keyboard âŚ60s and dreamyâŚ.McCartneyesque.â After pausing, I asked, âWhat is your favorite song?â
Thomas hesitated and replied, ââQue SeraââŚsometimes âDancingââŚ.depends âŚItâs hard to pick. Itâs like choosing your favorite child.â
I continued, ââTraveling ManââŚMcCartneyesqueâŚ.kind of rockingâŚdramatic pause and then an organ and lead guitar fills. Is this [song structure] your signature or was it just for your two songs?â
âItâs not that I purposefully set out to do. It just happened naturally.â
The future for Nigel Thomas
Nigel Thomas is going to be having a Release Party for the launching of the single âFeverâ on November 9th. Then, he will be departing for a short tour through Scotland and then Germany. I commented that the common path of musicians appears to be a tour in Germany. The Beatles headed there before gaining popularity in their own country.
Thomas commented, âYou are looked upon differently in Germany. Thereâs so much competition in the UK..Itâs cutthroat. They [the Germans] seem to have a lot more respect for what you are doing. They feed youâŚgive you drinks. They are very hospitable.â
I agreed wholeheartedly, saying âHere in the US we feel that way about the UK. We are treated like celebrities over there. Here, the bands are âjust a local bandâ. Familiarity breeds contempt.â
In February 2016, the full album will be released. Thomas explained he has a catalog of music and another album will follow shortly thereafter. About the idea of The Foxes performing again, he noted there could be a reunion one day but there are âno plans at the moment.â Former The Foxes guitarist Jon Bretman plays with Thomas band during his solo effort.
When asked if he had any departing message for folks, Thomas replied, âDo look at my videosâ and if anybody wanted to chat about music or mental health issues, he noted âItâs good to talk to people for inspiration or exchanging views.â
“Fever” **Warning-Viewer Discretion Advised
“Anne”
 “Third Movement”
TOUR
9th November â Fever Launch Party, London.
18th November â Glasgow.
19th November â Edinburgh.
20th November â Aberdeen @ Drummonds w/Dante.
27th November â Hamburg, Germany.
28th November â Leipzig, Germany.