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Americana at The Apex...

Called "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of his generation" by The New York Times, Teddy Thompson is a native Englishman who has adopted New York City as his home.

Famously the son of singer-songwriters Richard and Linda Thompson, he emigrated to the States, barely out of his teens, to embark on a career of his own. He was heavily influenced by such artists as Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers.

Country music also had a big influence on his melodic and brooding songwriting. He says, “I was obsessed with country music when I was a kid, and it's definitely had a huge influence on the way I write songs. I was always attracted to songs that had a brilliant pun or a clever turn of phrase, but came from a dark, bitter place.”

He explained, “I first got into it when my dad used to take me and my sister on road trips to Scotland. The cassettes in the car were probably a compromise between what he wanted to listen to and what we kids would tolerate, but that’s where I first fell in love with Hank Williams and the Everly Brothers. The Everlys were more pop than country, I suppose, but they shared that quality of songwriting that really inspires me – short, sad, funny and heart-breaking songs that are really worked out and deeply personal”.

A commanding, charismatic live performer, Teddy Thompson will finally be able to perform tracks from his latest solo album, 2020’s ‘Heartbreaker Please’. Turning parting into such sweet sorrow, he combines his love of classic US rock and pop with the pain of a recent breakup to create ten emotionally eloquent tracks, united by his Orbison-esque vocals. “Thompson’s plain-spoken words tap into something universal and his singing is as heartfelt as ever. Having your heart broken rarely sounds so appealing.” Elmore Magazine.

Asked how he felt about touring at the moment, Teddy said; “I’m really keen to get in front of my audiences. I love that sense of living inside the songs and bringing them to life which you can only do when people are responding to your music live.”

Roseanne Reid, daughter of The Proclaimers’ Craig Reid, will open the show. A new voice in folk-roots music, Roseanne’s debut album (produced by Teddy), was listed among the Sunday Times’ top releases in 2019 and includes a guest appearance by one of her champions, Americana legend Steve Earle. Crafting a lyrical, soulful, blend of folk and Americana, she’s one of today’s most exciting new talents.

"Reid has clearly made members of folk-rock royalty sit up and take notice early in her career with her songs which are full of bluesy southern soulful stock, complemented by Reid’s husky voice and simple but effective guitar playing" - Americana UK.

Teddy Thompson & Roseanne Reid play at The Apex on Monday 31 January at 7.30pm. Ring the box office on 01284 758000 or see www.theapex.co.uk for more information or to book.