Newton Faulkner at the Leeds Beckett Students' Union, Leeds

Newton Faulkner

The famous dreadlocks are probably the easiest signifier for Newton Faulkner. That might have been the point, as pretty much everything else about the Surrey-born singer songwriter is more difficult to define. Faulkner possesses a pop sensibility that allows him to sit easily alongside the likes of Jack Johnson and Paolo Nutini, but with a technical virtuosity that feels part of something else entirely.

Faulkner studied guitar at the acclaimed Academy Of Contemporary Music in Guildford, forming the funk rock band Half A Guy after graduating. The band was short lived, Faulkner striking out as a solo artist with gigs at West London’s famous Troubadour Club. Faulkner’s talent was quickly recognised and he graduated to gigs at SXSW and Glastonbury and eventually a deal with Sony Music.

His debut album, Hand Built By Robots, arrived in 2007. Regular airplay from Jo Whiley and support slots with the likes of John Mayer, Paolo Nutini and James Morrison helped the record to the No.1 spot in the UK album charts.

A wrist injury slightly delayed Faulkner’s second album, Rebuilt By Humans, the title both a reversal of his debut and a tribute to the surgeons responsible for his recovery. Released in 2009, the album found Faulkner occasionally delving into more fleshed-out arrangements. It took him three years to return with a third album, during which time his “ginger guy with a guitar” crown had been stolen by Ed Sheeran. Despite the lengthy absence, Write It On Your Skin went to No.1 in the UK album charts.

For his fourth album, Faulkner set up camp at home and live-streamed the recording sessions over the course of five weeks. Studio Zoo was released in 2013, followed by Human Love in 2015 and Hit The Ground Running in 2017.

Faulkner rounded out the decade with a greatest hits collection: The Very Best Of Newton Faulkner… So Far. Alongside hits from his six studio albums, the collection also featured a new single, Wish I Could Wake Up.

In March 2021, Faulkner announced 2021 UK tour dates kicking off in Glasgow on 11 October.