AWARD-winning singer-songwriter Sam Nix says he is proud and excited about the forthcoming release of his first solo EP, entitled From the Stars Above.
The Romaldkirk-based 28-year-old, well known in the region for his soulful live performances, shortened his name and teamed up with renowned music producer Chris West – who has worked with Richard Ashcroft, Status Quo and When Rivers Meet – in December to put together the Americana-inspired EP.
Mr Nix, who won the Maddison Lyonnette award for his song-writing with three-piece band The Coated Ambassadors, said: “In terms of concept it was about two years’ work to get here, but some of the songs are about five years old.”
The EP, recorded at The Hub’s studio, on Shaw Bank, took two weeks to complete and will be released on all major platforms on March 31.
He added: “I was put in touch with Chris [West] about a year ago thanks to [promoter] Dave Palmer.
“Things took time to set up and get the ball rolling and before we went into the studio we wanted to know exactly what we were doing.”
He added: “I loved the time with Chris in the studio because we were bouncing things off each other and it was like a golden hour.
“I definitely learned a lot from him.
“It was great being able to do this in Teesdale, at The Hub, as the area is just filled with so many incredibly talented people and we were able to use local musicians and singers Paul Hughes and Moray Nellis on the tracks.”
He added: “I’m very excited to get the EP out there because I have not had something that lets people know what I can do.”
The title of the EP derives from the lyrics of his song Treading Underwater, a riff on how he is often stimulated in his writing by the night sky.
Mr Nix said: “Initially I was inspired by country music, but it’s more Americana with my own style.
“I’m really proud of it and I wanted to show the range of my songwriting and I think I have done that.”
A single from the EP, She Is, was released on all platforms this week to give a taste before the full four-track release at the end of the month.
Anyone wanting to catch a live performance of his latest work will be able to see him perform later this month when he provides support for cult singer-songwriter John Otway’s Big Band 5000 tour.
He said: “I’m doing two dates for John Otway. There is one in Hexham on March 18 and the next is a bit nearer to home at The Witham, Barnard Castle, on March 19.”
