View source for Nizlopi

{{short description|British folk and alternative duo}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See WP:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name                = Nizlopi
| background          = group_or_band
| image_size          =
| caption             =
| origin              = [[Royal Leamington Spa]], [[Warwickshire]], England
| genre               = [[Folk music|Folk]], [[Hip hop music|hip hop]]
| years_active        = 2003–2020
| label               = FDM Records<ref name=dcogs/>
| associated_acts     =
| website             = [http://www.nizlopi.com Nizlopi.com]
| past_members     = Luke Concannon<br>John Parker
}}
'''Nizlopi''' {{IPAc-en|n|ɪ|z|ˈ|l|ɒ|p|i}} were an English [[Folk music|folk]] and alternative duo formed in [[Leamington Spa]], Warwickshire, by Luke Concannon on vocals, guitar,<ref name=dcogs/> and [[bodhrán]], and John Parker on [[double bass]], [[human beatbox]],<ref name=dcogs/> and backing vocals.
==History==
===Formation===
The duo grew up in [[Leamington Spa]], [[Warwickshire]], England<ref name=Last/> and attended [[Trinity Catholic School]] together.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nizlopi's new sound|url=http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local-news/nizlopi-s-new-sound-1-1045632|date=4 September 2006 |work=Leamington Courier}}</ref> They formed a band and would make up the reason for the name including naming it after a [[Hungary|Hungarian]] girl on whom Concannon had a crush at school.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090821123653/http://www.virtualfestivals.com/latest/interviews/2749/-/Nizlopi--O2-Wireless-Interview Nizlopi - O2 Wireless Interview] Retrieved 14 August 2009</ref> They started out performing throughout England, building a small but loyal fan base. Future musical artist and performer [[Ed Sheeran]] was their [[guitar technician]] at many of their early shows and has stated they were a major influence on his musical style, favouring an acoustic guitar to more lush efforts.<ref name="BBC One-Hit Wonders">{{cite episode| title= One-Hit Wonders at the BBC| series= One-Hit Wonders at the BBC | credits= Producer: Tamsin Curry| network= BBC| station= [[BBC Four]]| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05r7nxx | airdate= 17 April 2015| access-date= 26 June 2017 }}</ref>
===''Half These Songs Are About You'' (2003–2006)===
In early 2004, they released their first album ''[[Half These Songs Are About You]]'' with FDM Records. In 2007, they received an [[Impala Platinum]] award recognizing sales of the album in [[Europe]].  It was produced by [[Gavin Monaghan]], also known for his work with [[Scott Matthews]] and [[Robert Plant]]. Their first release, "[[JCB (song)|JCB]]", is their most successful song.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} The song is about Luke's [[dyslexia]] at school, from which he sought escape by accompanying his father to work. Released as a single in June 2005, it reached number 160 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].  The single was re-released in the UK in December that year. It reached number one on 18 December 2005, selling more than double the copies of their closest competitor, [[Westlife]]. It eventually won the duo an [[Independent Music Companies Association|Impala]] Platinum award recognizing sales of over 500,000 copies of the song across Europe in 2007.<ref name="Music Industry News Network">{{cite web |url= http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=100994|title= IMPALA Announces New Award Winners For Independent Music Companies |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= 17 June 2007 |website= mi2n.com |publisher= Music Industry News Network (MI2N)| access-date=  29 June 2017 }}</ref> [[Dermot O'Leary]] gave the track extensive airplay on his [[BBC Radio 2]] show. Some bookmakers put it in the running for [[Christmas number one single|Christmas number one]] but the winner of ''[[The X Factor (UK series 2)|The X Factor]]'', [[Shayne Ward]]'s début single, "[[That's My Goal]]" won that honour.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} The music video received widespread airplay, mainly on the [[VH1]] music television channel. The video was an animation,<ref name="BBC One-Hit Wonders"/> made by [[Laith Bahrani]] (aka Monkeehub) who also animated an unofficial video for an acoustic version of "[[Creep (Radiohead song)|Creep]]" by [[Radiohead]].{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
Their follow-up single, "Girls," was released on 3 April 2006. The band have described the song's music video on radio interviews as "Tim Burton-esque." Karni & Saul of Flynn Productions directed the video, which was the first video in which the band appeared.  Like "JCB", it was first released on the Internet. Limited radio play meant the song did not chart in the UK top 40.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
===The ''ExtraOrdinary'' EP (2006)===
An EP containing six songs and titled ''[[ExtraOrdinary (EP)|ExtraOrdinary]]'', was released on 4 September 2006. The six tracks included two that had been released before — "Helen" and "Yesterday" - which were previously released on the "JCB" and "Girls" EPs respectively. The record is an attempt to strip down the orchestral production of their early work to represent the duo's vibrant live sound.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
The EP contained the track "Homage To Young Men," a [[spoken-word]] piece written and performed by [[Alastair McIntosh]]. McIntosh was inspired to write this piece after working with Concannon and performed live twice with the band. The band have likened Alastair's performances to "..the howlings of a wild animal". McIntosh is well known for his contributions to the Scottish version of 'Thought for the Day' and has been dubbed "The Rapping Reverend".{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
===''Make It Happen'' (2007–2010)===
The second album, titled "[[Make It Happen (Nizlopi album)|Make It Happen]]," was released on 31 March 2008. The album was recorded with producer Phil Brown who had formerly produced artists such as [[Bob Marley]]. The album was recorded on 2-inch tape, a traditional style of recording said to create a more 'raw' sound that is popular with musicians preceding the era of digital recording technology. The album included guest appearances by [[Martyn Barker]] (percussion/drums), Andy Simms (piano), Jonnie Fielding (violin), Jack Hobbs (vocal/scratching), Rory Simmons (trumpet), Kadially Kouyaté ([[Kora (instrument)|kora]] & Senegalese vocals), [[Rory McLeod (singer-songwriter)|Rory McLeod]] (harmonica), The Individuals Dedicated to the Ministry of Christ choir and a contribution by the poet [[Benjamin Zephaniah]].<ref name="Discogs">{{cite web |url= https://www.discogs.com/Nizlopi-Make-It-Happen/release/4620903|title= Nizlopi – Make It Happen| author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher=[[Discogs]]| access-date= 26 June 2017 }}</ref>
Nizlopi performed at the [[Glastonbury Festival]] in 2005, 2007 and 2008.
The release was preceded on 17 March 2008 by a digital single, "Start Beginning". In November of that year they completed a tour entitled "Last Nights on Tour." Afterwards they announced using both their official website and on [[social media]] website [[Myspace]] that they would be taking the year 2009 off and would meet while travelling in [[Cuba]] to discuss the band's future.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
===Sporadic appearances (2010–2020)===
Despite splitting twice during a 10-year spell, the band have always come back together for one-off gigs and festival appearances.
The band members confirmed that they split on 10 February 2010,<ref name=":0">[http://www.nizlopi.com/news/index.html Nizlopi official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326085114/http://www.nizlopi.com/news/index.html |date=26 March 2009 }}, retrieved 16 September 2011.{{primary-inline|date=May 2017}}</ref> when an e-mail was sent out to all [[Electronic mailing list|mailing list]] subscribers confirming that the band had split up after being together for 7 years, with Concannon stating:
: "And that after many wild meanderings and much confusion I feel I must go on, on my own from here. That my dream is now to do another project, not Nizlopi, and to build a new life. So, this is good bye from Nizlopi. We are no more! Wow, there you go I said it. Scary as {{nowrap|it is.}}" &ndash;Luke Concannon<ref>[http://www.nizlopi.com/news/index.html Nizlopi official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326085114/http://www.nizlopi.com/news/index.html |date=26 March 2009 }} Retrieved 10 February 2010 {{primary-inline|date=May 2017}}</ref>
Concannon announced that he was working on a solo album and had planned to set up his own website by 2011 via the band's mailing list and previewed new material on Touch FM's 'First Break Show'.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7kYR_CLaaE First Break Show on YouTube]. Accessed 2 October 2010.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N55c_4I5Rt4 First Break Show on YouTube]. Accessed 2 October 2010.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjVmIdg_1gc First Break Show on YouTube]. Accessed 2 October 2010.</ref> He had also been taking part in song-writing workshops.<ref>[http://www.warwickwords.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=236:if-you-can-rhyme-you-can-grime&catid=36:workshops&Itemid=79 Warwick Records]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Accessed 2 October 2010.</ref>
The split ended with an announcement on their website in late 2011 "Luke and John got back together" to headline a one-off charity concert at the [[Union Chapel, Islington|Union Chapel]] in London on 22 November 2011.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} They have since been playing live shows sporadically.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
Despite the numerous splits, Nizlopi have continued to perform sporadically at numerous gigs across the UK.
They duo have also performed many charity events, music venues, festivals and intimate pub gigs, to much critical acclaim and support from audiences.
The band regularly post updates about their work and reunions gigs via their website and Facebook page.
They released a live album in 2014 titled "Nizlopi: Live in London" via [[iTunes]].
The band toured in May 2015 with the Get Radical tour for 10 dates across the UK.
They also performed at [[Glastonbury Festival]] and the [[Secret Garden Party]] festivals in 2015.
The duo hosted a songwriting residential in June 2019 in Birmingham, UK.
In March 2020, the band announced they have split, but did announce they will release a "Best Of" album at the end of the year.
Parker is now working as a freelance session double-bassist. Concannon is travelling and writing.
Concannon currently resides in [[Boston, Massachusetts]].
==Live shows==
On 14 October 2008, Nizlopi played an intimate version of "Answers" on a balcony overlooking Camden Lock for the music viral show [[BalconyTV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.balconytv.com/v/nizlopi--2 |title=NIZLOPI - Video Archive |publisher=Balcony TV |access-date=2012-04-18 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028015618/http://balconytv.com/v/nizlopi--2 |archive-date=28 October 2010 }}</ref>
The band played at Solfest in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/solfest/2008|title=Solfest 2008 - eFestivals.co.uk|website=Efestivals.co.uk}}</ref>
The duo also appeared at 'Lainfest'<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lainfest.co.uk/lineup.html |title=Line-up |access-date=31 March 2013 |archive-date=30 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430234858/http://www.lainfest.co.uk/lineup.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> in August 2013 and 'Barn on the Farm' in July 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392916_442916615790037_469958336_n.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 March 2013 |archive-date=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726173424/https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392916_442916615790037_469958336_n.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Details
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="UK">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/15990/nizlopi/|title=Nizlopi {{!}} full Official Chart History|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Half These Songs Are About You]]''
|
* Released: 16 August 2004
* Label: FDM Records
* Format: Digital download, CD
| 88
|
*[[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]]: Silver<ref name="BPI">{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|artist=Nizlopi|access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Make It Happen (Nizlopi album)|Make it Happen]]''
|
* Released: 31 March 2008
* Label: FDM Records
* Format: Digital download, CD
| —
|
|-
| colspan="22" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;"| "—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released.
|}
===Live albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Details
|-
! scope="row"| ''Live''
|
* Released: 20 October 2014
* Label: Self-released
* Format: Digital download
|-
|}
===Extended plays===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Details
|-
! scope="row"| ''ExtraOrdinary''
|
* Released: 4 September 2006
* Label: FDM Records
* Format: Digital download
|-
! scope="row"| ''Looking for Answers''
|
* Released: 25 May 2009
* Label: FDM Records
* Format: Digital download
|-
! scope="row"| ''Ltd Edition UpRise''
|
* Released: 2011
* Label: FDM Records
* Format: Digital download
|}
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title
! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="UK"/>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Nizlopi|title=Discography Nizlopi|website=australian-charts.com|access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[Irish Singles Chart|IRL]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Nizlopi|title=Discography Nizlopi|website=irish-charts.com|access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2005
! scope="row"| "Fine Story"
| — || — || —
|
| rowspan="3"| ''Half These Songs Are About You''
|-
! scope="row"| "[[JCB (song)|JCB]]"{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"JCB" was originally released in June 2005, when it entered the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 160. It was re-released on 12 December 2005 and peaked at number 1.}}
| 1 || 43 || 1
|
* BPI: Platinum<ref name=BPI/>
|-
| 2006
! scope="row"| "Girls"
| 91 || — || —
|
|-
| colspan="22" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;"| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released.
|}
==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}
==References==
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name="dcogs">
"Nizlopi Discography at Discogs", Discogs.com, 2009, web:
[http://www.discogs.com/artist/Nizlopi dcogs-Nizlopi].
</ref>
<ref name="Last">
"Nizlopi – Free listening", Last.FM, 2011, web:
[http://www.last.fm/music/Nizlopi Last-Nizlopi].
</ref>
}}
==External links==
*{{official website}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:English folk musical groups]]
[[Category:English hip hop groups]]
[[Category:English musical duos]]
[[Category:Folk music duos]]
[[Category:Hip hop duos]]
[[Category:British male musical duos]]
[[Category:Music in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2020]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2003]]
[[Category:Musicians from Leamington Spa]]