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Bill Ryder-Jones

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Bill Ryder-Jones
Ryder-Jones at Islington Assembly Hall in 2006
Ryder-Jones at Islington Assembly Hall in 2006
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Edward Ryder-Jones
Born (1983-08-10) 10 August 1983 (age 41)
Warrington, Cheshire, England
OriginWest Kirby, Merseyside, England
Genres
OccupationsMusician, singer-songwriter, composer, record producer
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, piano, bass, drums, violin, trumpet, ukulele, glockenspiel, harmonium
Years active1996–present
LabelsDomino, Double Six
Formerly ofThe Coral
Websitehttp://billryderjones.co.uk

William Edward Ryder-Jones (born 10 August 1983) is an English singer-songwriter, musician, music producer and composer from West Kirby, Merseyside. He co-founded the band The Coral, together with James Skelly, Lee Southall, Paul Duffy, and Ian Skelly, playing as their lead guitarist from 1996 until 2008. He has since pursued a solo career, writing both his own albums and film scores, as well as producing records for other artists and appearing as a session musician.

Ryder-Jones' debut album, If..., an instrumental concept album featuring the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, serving as an imaginary film score for the Italo Calvino novel, If on a Winter's Night a Traveler..., was released in 2011.[1] His second album, A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart was released in 2013, again to positive reviews. His third, West Kirby County Primary, was released in November 2015. Both are departures from the orchestral nature of If..., the former featuring a more traditional collection of minimal folk songs, and the latter being a heavier, more alternative folk rock album.

Career

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The Coral

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Main article: The Coral

Ryder-Jones was the lead guitarist with The Coral and played on the band's first five albums. In 2005, he briefly stopped touring with the band due to a stress-related illness.[2] It was announced on 9 January 2008 that Ryder-Jones had left The Coral and the remaining five members would continue with the band.[3]

Early solo work and If... (2009–2011)

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Following his departure from The Coral, Ryder-Jones began writing songs and instrumental pieces and uploaded several demo recordings to his MySpace profile.[4] In 2009, Ryder-Jones composed the score for his friend's short film Leave Taking, directed by Laurence Easeman.[5][6] The four compositions were released on his debut EP A Leave Taking Soundtrack as a free download in July 2011 by Double Six Records (a subsidiary of Domino Recording Company) via their website[7] and a music video was filmed for the title track "A Leave Taking".[8] The EP was also released on 12-inch and digital download formats on 26 September 2011. Ryder-Jones also composed the scores for the short films It's Natural to Be Afraid (2010) and Bed (2011).[9]

Ryder-Jones' debut solo album If... was written as a musical adaptation of Italo Calvino's 1979 novel If on a Winter's Night a Traveler,[10] with each composition representing a different chapter in the book.[11] The idea for the album was first conceived after a meeting with Laurence Bell, the head of Domino Records, who had suggested Ryder-Jones record an "imaginary film score".[12] Recording sessions for If... took place during 2010 at various locations on Merseyside, including Elevator Studios, the Scandinavian Church of Liverpool, The Friary in Everton and Ryder-Jones' mother's house in West Kirby. Most of the album's tracks were recorded with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra.[13] Ryder-Jones' musical influences for the album came from film score composers such as Abel Korzeniowski, Michael Galasso and Clint Mansell and rock artists such as Syd Barrett, Nick Cave and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci.[13] If... was released on 14 November 2011 and received largely positive reviews from music critics.[14]

A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart, scrapped third album, and West Kirby County Primary (2012–2018)

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On 29 April 2013, the soundtrack to the 2012 film Piggy was self-released by Ryder-Jones on Bandcamp, with proceeds going to the Trekstock charity.

Ryder-Jones' second and third albums, A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart, released 2013, and West Kirby County Primary, released 2015, are both a departure from If...'s orchestral nature. They do, however, retain the concept album theme (both albums focus around Ryder-Jones' life). A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart is a collection of folk and folk rock songs, influenced by Ryder-Jones' love of Bill Callahan[15][16] as well as various other minimal and folk artists. West Kirby County Primary is a heavy, alternative and folk rock album, influenced by bands such as Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Super Furry Animals, The Strokes and Pavement.[17] It was recorded with friends, adding to the band-theme Ryder-Jones was trying to capture. The track Wild Roses was co-written by Ryder-Jones and friends Emma Leatherbarrow (of MiNNETONKA) and Liam Power (of By the Sea); Ryder-Jones claims to have only written the chorus. "Seabirds" was co-written by Ryder-Jones and Leatherbarrow.[18] Half of the album was written at Ryder-Jones' home, before continuing to work on the material at his home studio, located in his old bedroom in his mother's house, and at Parr St. Studios in Liverpool.[19]

In an interview with BBC Radio 6 Music, Ryder-Jones stated that he had chosen to scrap an album's worth of material after being unsatisfied with the result. He said, "I wasn't writing things that were making me happy in the moment. I got lost a little bit in why I was doing it and as a result wasn't living in the most responsible way. So the record I made during that time, thankfully, Domino were kind enough to let me drop. Some of the things that had happened to me though during the making of that record, the one I eventually dropped, turned out to be interesting enough to make good songs out of!"

Ryder-Jones embarked on a ten-date tour of England and Scotland from 24 October to 14 November 2015 to celebrate the release of West Kirby County Primary. The first five dates were in support of Spector.[20] He continued to tour into 2015, including various festival dates. He concluded the album's tour cycle with a final leg in late 2016, playing six UK dates.[21] The 'Ta-Tah Tour' featured support from By the Sea, MiNNETONKA and Matt Maltese.[22]

Yawn and Yawny Yawn (2018–2019)

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Ryder-Jones released the album Yawn on 2 November 2018 and after this, Yawny Yawn on 26 July 2019. Yawny Yawn is an acoustic reworking of Yawn and features the same songs, just with different instrumentation. Both albums have been critically acclaimed[23] and Ryder-Jones finished a tour of the Yawny Yawn album in November 2019.

Iechyd Da (2023–present)

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On 19 September 2023, Ryder-Jones announced Iechyd Da, his first album in five years, which was released on 12 January 2024 on Domino. The album marked his first entry in the UK top 40 at number 30, as well as hitting number 3 or higher in the UK Record Store, Physical, Vinyl, Independent and Album Sales charts.[24]

The album was produced by Ryder-Jones at his Yawn studio in West Kirby, England. Its title translates as "good health" in Welsh. Ryder-Jones stated that he has not been "this proud of a record since A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart" and called it his "most produced record".[25]

Iechyd Da received a score of 90 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on eleven critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[26] Mojo felt that the album "documents a period of intense anguish with careful understatement and smart musical references".[27] Shaun Curran of Record Collector in their five star review called it "a truly wonderful record, one that embellishes Ryder-Jones' writing in ways both grand and unusual, without sacrificing any of the closeness – his lyrics remain raw and direct – or melodic knack". The Guardian's Dave Simpson described it as "overwhelmingly lovely, with classy hooks and rousing choruses" and remarked that Ryder-Jones's "closely mic-ed voice is fragile, delicate, even on the edge of croaky, giving the impression he's sharing intimacies directly with the listener".[28] Reviewing the album for Uncut, Laura Barton, rating the album 9/10 found it to contain "songs marked by a remarkable closeness, by the intimacy of place and people" in "a world filled with colloquialisms and gentle wit, where we were all on first-name terms and the geography sat in our marrow."[29]

Following the album's release Ryder-Jones embarked on a sold-out 20-date tour of Europe [30] festival performances,[31] and a full European tour supporting Beth Gibbons. The second half of 2024 will see further festival performances, a headline concert at London's prestigious Barbican Centre Main Hall, [32] and a UK co-headline tour with Gruff Rhys.

Musical style and influences

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Ryder-Jones has said that the sound of all three albums of his albums have been heavily influenced by the music he was listening to, and was interested in at the time of writing and recording. He stated in an interview with BBC Radio 6 Music that when making If.., he'd been "obsessed with classical music for a year-and-a-half", while when he was making West Kirby County Primary, he had "started to enjoy heavier music".[19] He has previously confessed admiration for Bill Callahan, suggesting that he influenced the sound of A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart.[15][16]

Collaboration and production

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Ryder-Jones has recorded guitar for other artists such as The Last Shadow Puppets on "Gas Dance" (B-side of "Standing Next to Me"), Arctic Monkeys on "Fireside" and Alex Turner on the Submarine EP.[33] In 2011, he collaborated with Graham Coxon and Paloma Faith on the song "Desire", which was released online by Converse. He has also been a guest guitarist and keyboardist on Arctic Monkeys' AM Tour.[34]

Ryder-Jones has produced and co-produced many albums with other artists. These include co-producing The Wytches's debut album Annabel Dream Reader with the band's frontman Kristian Bell, released in August 2014.[35] and Hooton Tennis Club's debut album Highest Point in Clifftown, released in August 2015.[36] In 2014 Ryder-Jones also co-produced the album Endless Days Crystal Sky for the neo-post-punk band By the Sea. More recently, he has produced Our Girl's album Stranger Today,[37] Brooke Bentham's album Everyday Nothing,[38] and Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band's 2022 album, Dear Scott, which picked up Mojo's album of the year and peaked at number 6 in the UK Albums Chart.[39]

2024 has seen the release of Bill Ryder-Jones produced albums by Amelia Coburn, Saint Saviour,[40] The Rhythm Method, Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band,[41] and Swim Deep.[42]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[43]
If... —
A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart
  • Released: 8 April 2013
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download
 174
Piggy Soundtrack
  • Released: 29 April 2013
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download
 —
West Kirby County Primary
  • Released: 6 November 2015
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download
 110
Yawn
  • Released: 2 November 2018
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
 57
Yawny Yawn
  • Released: 26 July 2019
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
 —
Iechyd Da[44]
  • Released: 12 January 2024
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
 30
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

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Title Details
A Leave Taking Soundtrack
  • Released: 23 September 2011
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: Digital download

Selected productions

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Year Release Artist Label Role
2011 Waltz Away 7" By The Sea The Great Pop Supplement Producer
2012 The Lost Brothers Album The Lost Brothers Lojinx Producer
2012 Ophelia Album Bird Self Release Producer
2014 Burn Out The Bruise 7" The Wytches Heavenly Recordings Producer
2014 Annabel Dream Reader Album The Wytches Partisan Records Producer
2014 Tap Tap Tap' 7"' We Are Catchers Domino Recording Company Producer
2014 In The Seams Album Saint Saviour Surface Area Producer
2014 Wire Frame Mattress Album The Wytches Heavenly Recordings Producer
2015 Jasper / Standing Knees 7" Hooton Tennis Club Heavenly Recordings Producer
2016 Midnight Control 7" Milburn VAM Records Producer
2016 Time Album Milburn Count to Ten Producer
2018 Our Girl 7" Our Girl Cannibal Hymns Producer
2018 Stranger Today Album Our Girl Cannibal Hymns Producer
2020 The Trappers Pelts 7" Yard Act Turntable Kitchen Engineer
2020 Everyday Nothing Album Brooke Bentham Allpoints Producer
2022 Dear Scott Album Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band Modern Sky UK Producer
2022 Heaven Knows Magnolia Album By The Sea Dell'Orso Records Producer
2023 100% Endurance 7" Yard Act & Elton John ZEN FC / Island Arranged by (Strings)
2024 Between the Moon and the Milkman Album Amelia Coburn Shoebox Records Producer
2024 Peachy Album The Rhythm Method Moshi Moshi Records Producer
2024 Sunseeker Album Saint Saviour VLF Records Producer
2024 Loophole Album Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band Modern Sky / Virgin Producer
2024 There’s A Big Star Outside Album Swim Deep Submarine Cat Producer

Scores

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Year Title Director Notes
2009 Leave Taking Laurence Easeman Short film
2010 It's Natural to Be Afraid Justin Doherty Short film
2011 Bed James Lees Short film
2012 Piggy Kieron Hawkes

References

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  1. ^ Ryder-Jones, Bill (7 November 2011). "Bill Ryder-Jones – If ... (exclusive album stream)". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  2. ^ "The Coral Lose Guitarist". NME.com. IPC Media. 1 July 2005. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  3. ^ "The Coral Lose Band Member". NME.com. IPC Media. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  4. ^ "An interview with Bill Ryder-Jones". from the indies to the andies in my undies. wordpress.com. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  5. ^ Laurence Easeman (director) (2009). Leave Taking (Motion picture). UK: Lion Eyes. Event occurs at 13:46. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones – A Leave Taking Soundtrack". dominopublishingco.com. Domino Publishing. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Former Coral man Bill Ryder-Jones releases free four-track EP". NME.com. IPC Media. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  8. ^ Adeline Mai (director) (12 July 2011). Bill Ryder-Jones – A Leave Taking (Music video). UK: Domino Records. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones". IMDb.com. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones 'If...'". dominopublishingco.com. Domino Publishing. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  11. ^ "If on a Winter's Night a Traveller". LeitherMagazine.com. Leither Magazine. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  12. ^ Ryder, Bill (7 November 2011). "Bill Ryder-Jones – If ... (exclusive album stream) | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  13. ^ a b "Bill Ryder-Jones – biog" (doc) (Press release). Double Six Recordings. 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.[dead link] Alt URL
  14. ^ "If... Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  15. ^ a b "Former guitarist in The Coral Bill Ryder-Jones to play The Portland Arms in Cambridge". Cambridge News. Local World. Retrieved 28 August 2015.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ a b Davies, Dean Mayo. "BILL RYDER-JONES: ALL HE DID IS BE HIMSELF". Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  17. ^ Dale, Mark. "Bill Ryder-Jones interview: Liverpool is a hell of a lot more progressive". Skiddle. Skiddle Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  18. ^ Faulkner, Dave (14 November 2015). "Bill Ryder-Jones' West Kirby County Primary". The Saturday Paper. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  19. ^ a b "BBC Radio 6Music News on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones Timeline Photos 26 August 2015". Facebook. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  21. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones on Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  22. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones on Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  23. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones: Yawn review – emotion, elation and effortless intimacy". The Guardian. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  24. ^ "Official Charts Bill Ryder-Jones Albums". Official Charts. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  25. ^ Duran, Anagricel (20 September 2023). "Bill Ryder-Jones shares new single 'This Can't Go On' and announces LP Iechyd Da". NME. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Iechyd Da by Bill Ryder-Jones Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones – Iechyd Da". Mojo. February 2024. p. 87.
  28. ^ Simpson, Dave (4 January 2024). "Bill Ryder-Jones: Iechyd Da review – Coral co-founder's songs of heartache and hope". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  29. ^ Barton, Laura (22 December 2023). "Bill Ryder-Jones – Iechyd Da". Uncut. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Iechyd Da my new album is out on the 12th of January, you can listen to (or watch James Slater's beautiful video for) This Can't Go On and pre-order a few different versions of the record now". 19 March 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  31. ^ "See you there x". 7 February 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Excited to announce a new show, playing Iechyd Da top to bottom for the first time at Barbican Centre". 18 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  33. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones Discography". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  34. ^ "Graham Coxon, Paloma Faith and Bill Ryder-Jones' Converse song out next month". NME.com. IPC Media. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  35. ^ "The Wytches". Partisan Records. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  36. ^ "Hooton Tennis Club // Heavenly Recordings". Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  37. ^ "Our Girl – Stranger Today". DIY Mag. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  38. ^ "Brooke Bentham: Everyday Nothing". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  39. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2022". Mojo. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  40. ^ "Saint Saviour announces her fourth studio album, Sunseeker". The Line of Best Fit.
  41. ^ "Michael Head announces new album". Sun 13. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Swim Deep announce new album 'There's A Big Star Outside', produced by Bill Ryder-Jones". NME. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Bill Ryder-Jones | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  44. ^ Duran, Anagricel (20 September 2023). "Bill Ryder-Jones shares new single 'This Can't Go On' and announces LP 'Iechyd Da'". NME. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
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