Present
Who shares the track
From his upcoming debut album
– Release Date: 24th April –
[Embargoed until release date]
FFO: MJ Lenderman, Brown Horse, John Cale, Sparklehorse
Label / Imprint: Foolproof Union Records
Format: Digital single
“(Nielsen) moved the crowds with his folksy Dylan-meets-Bright Eyes blend of strumming & singing”
The Guardian (live review)
“Henry Nielsen is talented & charismatic… his songs captivate with their sincerity & honesty” Indie Dock Music Blog
Ahead of the release of his debut album, mid-tier 1970s styled singer-songwriter Henry Nielsen shares the track The Beginning Of The End – a song about the cost of living life on your own terms.
Pulling influence from seventies artists like Jackson Browne & Neil Young & others, Henry contemporises the genre, bringing it into the modern-day with a lyrical slant towards isolation & anxiety.
With its lyric exploring a relationship of two unequal halves, The Beginning Of the End is a superb introduction to this most thoughtful & intimate of artists. “I’m sorry, I forgot. We’d agreed to meet halfway” sings Henry with an air of honest disclosure that echoes throughout his work, all supported by a warm & distinctly analogue instrumentation featuring lap-steel guitar & soft organ fills that hold it all in place.
There’s a long form video of Beginning Of The End too. Directed by Will Thomson & rapper / multimedia artist Lawrence Dodgson, it details the monotonous cycle of daily life for an isolated protagonist played by Lawrence. Filming POV style the video shows the characters’ pained reactions to trying to engage with others. From beginning to end to beginning again, he struggles to connect with the people in his life just like the protagonist in the song.
Although Henry’s not the first artist to pair classic songwriting with a homespun style, his wise-eye for exploring the inner lives of the characters in his songs, along with a folk-rock sound, are uniquely his own. Since releasing his debut EP Business Partner in late 2024 to critical acclaim, Henry has spent time refining his songwriting & developing his sound, resulting in the self-produced debut album Hollyhocks, from where The Beginning of The End is taken.
Growing up in North London, Henry took inspiration from Jackson Browne & John Cale, as well as artists from the Greenwich Village folk scene of the sixties like Michael Hurley & Karen Dalton, while more recently from Gillian Welch, MJ Lenderman & Brown Horse. Having played in many indie rock bands, Henry commenced work on his debut album, augmenting his guitar & vocals by bringing in Archie Owen on guitar & organ, Emmett Cruddas on bass & Lloyd Haines on drums.
On the live front, having performed at Brainchild Festival, & Strongroom Sessions, Henry will be celebrating the release of the album at MAP Studio Café in North London on May 24th. Be sure to follow on your preferred socials for future gig announcements & news updates.
Release Launch Party (album)
Sunday 24th May – MAP Studio Cafe – Kentish Town / London
Tickets | Map
Connect with Henry Nielsen
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Photo Credit: Willem Hampson
Photo Credit: Willem Hampson
Photo Credit: Real Sounds
Photo Credit: Willem Hampson