Nicholas Thorburn

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Nicholas Thorburn
Nick Thorburn performing with Islands in Stockholm, 2012.
Background information
Also known asNick Diamonds
Born (1981-11-27) 27 November 1981 (age 42)
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
GenresIndie rock, alternative rock, indie pop, lo-fi, electronica, alternative hip hop, hip hop, rock, art rock
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, drum machine, percussion, echoplex, recorder, glockenspiel, accordion
Years active2002–present
LabelsRough Trade, ANTI-, Manqué

Nicholas Thorburn (born 27 November 1981), also known by his stage name Nick Diamonds, 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.

History[edit]

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][4] Thorburn has gone by the stage name "Nick Diamonds."[1][5]

His vocals have been noted as a distinguishing feature of The Unicorns and Islands.[6][7] His production technique involves dark personification over enjoyable music, though he is "usually wary of composing dance tracks."[8] This contrast is observed in his live performance as well.[9]

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.[10] He guest performed on Les Savy Fav's 2007 album Let's Stay Friends.[11] Reefer, his collaborative album with producer Daddy Kev as Reefer, was released on Alpha Pup Records in 2008.[12]

Thorburn has made an album with Honus Honus (also known as 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."[13][14] 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.[15]

He released the solo album, I Am an Attic, on his Bandcamp page in 2011.[16] Thorburn was featured on the 2012 El-P album Cancer 4 Cure, singing the chorus of the track "Stay Down".[17] In 2014, Thorburn composed the theme music and score for the critically acclaimed podcast Serial.[18] In 2015, he released a second solo album titled City of Quartz.[19]

Discography[edit]

See also: Islands discography and The Unicorns discography

Albums[edit]

Guest appearances[edit]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Notes
2012 Only the Young composer
2013 Everyday Is Like Sunday actor
2013 Bitch actor
2013 Drunk History television series; extra[21]
2014 Lennon or McCartney in interview clip
2015 Diamond Tongues actor
2015 That Dog director, writer
2016 Golden Vanity composer
2017 Sundowners Nick; also composer
2019 The Ripper (Huluween short) actor

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Van Evra, Jennifer (3 November 2006). "One man's Islands". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. 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. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
  3. ^ "Nicholas Thorburn Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 December 2011.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Home is where the broken heart is for Islands’ Nick Thorburn | National Post
  5. ^ Carew, Anthony (10 December 2004). "Horned wonder". The Age. Melbourne. theage.com.au. ISSN 0312-6307. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
  6. ^ Jordan Hickey (11 April 2006). "Islands worth a visit". The Maneater. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
  7. ^ Jim Withington (12 July 2007). "Up & Coming". The Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
  8. ^ Ben Breier (5 October 2005). "Islands: All metaphorical, not at all tropical". University Wire. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Sum 41, The Arcade Fire And Beck Collaborate On Anti-Halloween Single". Chart. Toronto. chartattack.com. 22 August 2005. ISSN 1198-7235. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2007.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ Katie Hasty (21 August 2007). "Les Savy Fav Thinks Big On First Album Since '01". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
  12. ^ Grandy, Eric (23 October 2008). "Album Review – Reefer: Reefer". The Stranger.
  13. ^ Weiss, Evan (20 October 2009). "Music: "Vapours" by Islands". The Arts Section (blog). Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  14. ^ Charlesworth, Jenny (29 December 2009). "Islands and Man Man Join Forces for 'Doom-Wop' Project". Spinner. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  15. ^ Michaels, Sean (2 December 2010). "Michael Cera joins real-life indie band". The Guardian. London. guardian.co.uk. ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878.
  16. ^ Bevan, David (26 August 2011). "Nick Diamonds: I Am an Attic". Pitchfork Media.
  17. ^ Weiss, Sam (15 October 2012). "Video: El-P f/ Nick Diamonds "Stay Down"". Complex.
  18. ^ "Serial Podcast Website".
  19. ^ "Nick Diamonds: City of Quartz Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  20. ^ "The Sting, by Nick Diamonds". Nick Diamonds. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  21. ^ Bell, Mike (25 March 2014). "Islands still floating closely, optimistically towards mainstream success". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 11 November 2016.

External links[edit]

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