Nell Bryden

Nell Bryden is a singer songwriter from New York whose graceful blend of blues, country / modern Dixie and jazz has made waves on both sides of the Atlantic. Raised by her classical singer mother and her impressionist painter father Nell was constantly surrounded by music, art and creativity. Studying the piano aged 4 and the cello at 9 her interest and fascination with music began at an early age and it wasn’t long before her musical gift began to shine. Deeply inspired by her travels in Australia Nell began writing her first songs when she was 18 drawing influences from Ryan Adams and Bob Dylan through to soul divas such as Nina Simone and Bonnie Raitt. On returning to America she studied English at Wellesley College and formed her first band which acquired a loyal following on the Boston music scene. Nell continued to work relentlessly, honing her songwriting skills and taking her live show on the road across America. Heading for New York she began a series of monthly residencies on the club circuit which received critical acclaim in Village Voice, Time Out New York and AM New York and in January 2004 she released her first EP ‘The Nell Bryden EP’. A consummate travelling musician and free musical spirit, Nell expanded her musical heritage heading for Europe and over the last two years has played over 350 shows including four tours of the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Germany. She has also supported KT Tunstall and lined up opening slots for the Counting Crows on her UK tour this July. Besides music, Nell’s other great passion is fashion. Having scoured every thrift store in New York she has amassed an impressive collection of vintage dresses and gowns over the years and always prefers to be over-dressed than under-dressed. She also likes to escape the busy life on the road by immersing herself in a good novel. “It’s always been a way that I have escaped for peace and quiet. Someday when I’ve slowed down enough to officially collect my thoughts, I’d like to write fiction. The performer’s life appeals to me, but a solitary writer’s existence is just as seductive.” Her dream is to live in a West Village townhouse, with a small recording studio in the basement where she can practice and write music all day…. A reverie she describes as “Perfection!”