RJ Thompson

RJ Thompson (born 25 June 1985) is a British singer-songwriter.[2] Thompson came to prominence in 2014 after touring as support act for UK pianist Jools Holland,[3] performing at venues including the Royal Albert Hall.[4]

RJ Thompson
RJ Thompson – 2020
Background information
Born (1985-06-25) 25 June 1985.[1]
OriginBishop Auckland, England
GenresSinger-songwriter, Indie pop, Pop rock
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, filmmaker
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, piano, drums
Years active2003–present
Websiterjthompson.com

Biography

Early life and career beginnings (1985–2010)

RJ Thompson grew up in the North East of England.

He wrote his first song after witnessing a U2 concert at the MEN Arena in Manchester.[5] Following an open mic night at The Studio in Hartlepool in 2004, he was asked to open the show the following night for Live Aid organiser Midge Ure.[6] During this time period RJ was working on an album entitled Illogical Life which was released to the public in 2006. Whilst technically released via an indie label, RJ considers the album to be more like a collection of demos rather than a bonafide studio record, he explained on a recent radio interview with Radio Teesdale. In the same interview, RJ also explained that the collection of songs was originally released under his full name, but he shortened his artist name to RJ to avoid confusion with the Fairport Convention singer Richard Thompson.

Following the release of Illogical Life and the subsequent Acoustic Sessions EP, RJ spent the following three years touring Germany with Midge Ure and the UK with The Proclaimers, Sandi Thom and Gabriella Cilmi among others.

"A Better Life", "When I Get Old", and The Cognitive Rules EP (2011)

RJ released two singles in 2011 ("A Better Life" and "When I Get Old"), and both tracks were released on the EP The Cognitive Rules later that same year. The single "A Better Life" received airplay on BBC Radio 2,[7] while opening track "Fables" was featured on BBC Radio 6 Music[8]

The EP was something of a comeback for RJ, having spent the previous four years touring and not releasing music.[9] The EP was mastered by Geoff Pesche at Abbey Road Studios.[10]

"The Numbers" and House Upon The Hill (2014)

RJ returned in June 2014 with new single "The Numbers". The song had long been performed at RJ's live shows (evidence suggests that its first performance was mid 2012), but it was officially recorded and released as a single in 2014. The song received substantial airplay on BBC Radio 2.[11]

Later in 2014, Thompson revealed on social media that he would release a new EP entitled House Upon The Hill in November. The title track from the EP was featured as one of The Time's tracks of the week on 29 November 2014.[12] It has also received favourable reviews in Acoustic Magazine,[13] Narc Magazine[14] and The Crack magazine. The EP was mastered by Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios.[15]

The title track from the EP House Upon The Hill, has received airplay on dozens of UK radio stations, and has been playlisted on The Breeze network of stations (covering 15 different regions of the UK).[16] The track has also received some favourable reviews.[17]

"No Man's Land", one of the songs on the EP, was featured on the cover CD for UK music magazine Acoustic Magazine in January 2015.[18]

Live album release (2016)

RJ announced in June 2016 that his new live album (simply entitled ,,Live,,) would be released on 4 July 2016. The album consists of 10 live tracks.

"The Times They Are A-Changin'" (2017)

RJ released a cover version of the Bob Dylan song "The Times They Are A-Changin'" on 3 February 2017.[19]

Echo Chamber (2017) / Deluxe edition (2018)

RJ announced that a new album, ,,Echo Chamber, would be released on 17 November 2017.[20] The album, and singles from the album, received glowing coverage on influential music websites such as Subba Cultcha,[21] CelebMix,[22] Wonderland Magazine[23] and Clash Magazine.[24] A deluxe edition of the album was released in 2018 featuring bonus and live tracks.

Kids single (2020)

In January 2020, RJ announced that a new single, Kids, would be released on 5 February 2020.[25]

Short Film (expected 2020)

RJ has been known to conceptualise and direct many of his music videos, and he announced on social media in early 2020 that he is expanding his filmmaking with the production of his debut short film (title TBA), expected to be released in late 2020.

Tours

In addition to tours with Midge Ure, Gabriella Cilmi and The Proclaimers, RJ recently shared the stage with UK Number 1 artist Gabrielle Aplin at 3 shows. Thompson joined her onstage to perform duets of John Mayer's "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room"[26] and Noah and the Whale's "LIFEGOESON" (both performances can be found on YouTube). RJ also performed a duet of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" on stage with Sandi Thom at The Sage Gateshead in 2009.[27]

In 2014, RJ announced his biggest shows to date, touring as the support act to UK pianist Jools Holland throughout the year. Concerts would take place at Perth Concert Hall (Scotland), Middlesbrough Town Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, London, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, O2 Apollo, Manchester,[28] and Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.[29]

2015 saw RJ tour extensively, again with Jools Holland, and also throughout Europe with Joan Armatrading.

2017 and 2018 again saw RJ tour with Jools Holland.

Discography
Main article: RJ Thompson discography

Endorsements and company relationships

RJ Thompson is endorsed by boutique amplifier company Two Rock Amplification alongside guitar superstars John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa and Matt Schofield.[30][31] He is also featured on the website of Japanese Effects Pedal company Free The Tone.[32]

Thompson is also on the artist roster of Lowden Guitars.

References
  1. "RJ Thompson – Biography". RJ Thompson Official Website.
  2. "RJ Thompson – Biography". RJ Thompson Official Website.
  3. "Jools Holland Tour – Winter 2014". Jools Holland Official Website.
  4. "Jools Holland Tour Support List Winter 2014" (PDF). Jools Holland Official Website. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2014.
  5. "Narc Magazine – RJ Thompson Interview". Narc Magazine.
  6. "RJ Thompson – Biography". RJ Thompson Official Website.
  7. "BBC Radio 2 – Listen Again". BBC Radio 2.
  8. "BBC Radio 6 Music – Listen Again". 6 Music.
  9. "RJ Thompson – Biography". RJ Thompson Official Website.
  10. "Geoff Pesche Discography – Abbey Road Studios". Abbey Road Studios.
  11. "Alex Lester Show – BBC Radio 2". BBC Radio 2.
  12. "The Times Tracks Of The Week". The Times Newspaper.
  13. "RJ Thompson talks Taylor Guitars, Jools Holland and House Upon The Hill". Acoustic Magazine.
  14. "Narc Magazine – RJ Thompson Interview". Narc Magazine.
  15. "Christian Wright Discography – Abbey Road Studios". Abbey Road Studios. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015.
  16. "The Breeze – Playlist Search". Breeze Radio. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014.
  17. "RJ Thompson House Upon The Hill Review – Josh Gill". Josh Gill.
  18. "RJ Thompson talks Taylor Guitars, Jools Holland and House Upon The Hill". Acoustic Magazine.
  19. "RJ Thompson Discography". RJ Thompson Online.
  20. "RJ Thompson Echo Chamber". RJ Thompson Online.
  21. "Subba Cultcha – RJ Thompson". Subba Cultcha.
  22. "CelebMix – RJ Thompson Echo Chamber". CelebMix.
  23. "Wonderland Magazine – RJ Thompson Echo Chamber". Wonderland Magazine.
  24. "Clash Magazine – RJ Thompson Skimming Stones". Clash Magazine.
  25. "RJ Thompson announces Kids single". RJ Thompson Facebook.
  26. "RJ Thompson & Gabrielle Aplin cover John Mayer". Gabrielle Aplin Official Website.
  27. "Picture of RJ Thompson & Sandi Thom on stage at The Sage Gateshead". Flickr.
  28. "O2 Apollo Manchester Listings". O2 Apollo Manchester.
  29. "Jools Holland Tour Support List Winter 2014" (PDF). Jools Holland Official Website. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2014.
  30. "Two Rock Amplification – RJ Thompson". Two Rock Amplification.
  31. "Two Rock Amplification – Artists". Two Rock Amplification.
  32. "Free The Tone – Artists". Free The Tone.
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