Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner (born January 11, 1985) is an English singer… Read Full Bio ↴Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner (born January 11, 1985) is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Reigate, Surrey, UK. Known for his rhythmic guitar playing, Faulkner came to prominence in 2007, with the release of his debut studio album, Hand Built by Robots. The album was certified double platinum in the United Kingdom, and yielded the singles, Dream Catch Me, I Need Something and Teardrop. Following an accident, which resulted in his right wrist shattering, Faulkner released his second studio album, Rebuilt by Humans in 2009 (so called because he broke his hand whilst taking family and friends skiing, though he himself was not skiing he fell and broke his hand. His father flew some of the best surgeons in the world to come and repair it so was literally "Rebuilt by Humans")
Faulkner began playing guitar at the age of 11-12 with session guitarist Bob "crazy guy" Cranham and also attended the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, where he spent 2 years gaining both diploma and the higher diploma award under the tutelage of Eric Roche.
His first band was a Green Day cover band, in which he played bass guitar. His experience on the stage grew as he formed Half a Guy, a funk rock group with a quirky edge, with fellow band mates Matt Buchanan, Dave Elvy and Nicola Crawshaw. Half a Guy recorded two demo CDs and managed 2 years before splitting. He then spent time recording and gigging under the name Newton Battenberg Faulkner, where he played the Lapagestock festival on the 11th June 2005.
Recent appearances on BBC Radio 2 as well as a publishing deal with Peermusic UK compelled the Independent on Sunday to tell its readers to "Watch this face". Faulkner performed at the 2006 South by Southwest music festival and at Guilfest 2007.
In 2006 he had a support slot for Steve Forbert at The Spitz in London, England.
Newton has recently been signed by [labelSony BMG records and on the 30th of July 2007 he released his debut album Hand Built By Robots. He supported James Morrison on his February UK tour as well as Paolo Nutini on his UK tour in April, and also John Mayer on his September dates in the United Kingdom. He also supported The John Butler Trio on a number of European dates.
In June 2007 Newton's second single Dream Catch Me was selected Jo Whiley's 'Pet Sound' on her daily Radio 1 show. This gave the track much exposure and was highly commented on by listeners to Jo's show.
Newton appeared twice at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2007 - once on the Friday on the Acoustic Stage and once on the Sunday on the Leftfield Stage. He appeared at V Festival 2007 in August where he played in the Virgin Mobile Sessions Tent - a venue much too small as people overflowed outside. He also appeared at the Connect Music Festival at the end of August 2007 on the Guitars and Other Machines stage
On July 29, Dream Catch Me entered the UK Singles Chart at number 16. The following week it had risen to number 7 with Hand Built By Robots entering the album charts at number 3. The song rose to #8 on 12 August, the album to number 1 on 26 August.
Eric Roche is undoubtedly one of Newton's biggest influences, both from a stylistic point of view (vis a vis the percussive use of the guitar's body) and through the use of tapping, uncommon tunings and inventive chord changes, such as in I Need Something and Ageing Superhero, from his debut album. This method of playing also shows heavily in the work of Jon Gomm and Pete Wailes, although with a slightly different feel in both.
Faulkner began playing guitar at the age of 11-12 with session guitarist Bob "crazy guy" Cranham and also attended the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, where he spent 2 years gaining both diploma and the higher diploma award under the tutelage of Eric Roche.
His first band was a Green Day cover band, in which he played bass guitar. His experience on the stage grew as he formed Half a Guy, a funk rock group with a quirky edge, with fellow band mates Matt Buchanan, Dave Elvy and Nicola Crawshaw. Half a Guy recorded two demo CDs and managed 2 years before splitting. He then spent time recording and gigging under the name Newton Battenberg Faulkner, where he played the Lapagestock festival on the 11th June 2005.
Recent appearances on BBC Radio 2 as well as a publishing deal with Peermusic UK compelled the Independent on Sunday to tell its readers to "Watch this face". Faulkner performed at the 2006 South by Southwest music festival and at Guilfest 2007.
In 2006 he had a support slot for Steve Forbert at The Spitz in London, England.
Newton has recently been signed by [labelSony BMG records and on the 30th of July 2007 he released his debut album Hand Built By Robots. He supported James Morrison on his February UK tour as well as Paolo Nutini on his UK tour in April, and also John Mayer on his September dates in the United Kingdom. He also supported The John Butler Trio on a number of European dates.
In June 2007 Newton's second single Dream Catch Me was selected Jo Whiley's 'Pet Sound' on her daily Radio 1 show. This gave the track much exposure and was highly commented on by listeners to Jo's show.
Newton appeared twice at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2007 - once on the Friday on the Acoustic Stage and once on the Sunday on the Leftfield Stage. He appeared at V Festival 2007 in August where he played in the Virgin Mobile Sessions Tent - a venue much too small as people overflowed outside. He also appeared at the Connect Music Festival at the end of August 2007 on the Guitars and Other Machines stage
On July 29, Dream Catch Me entered the UK Singles Chart at number 16. The following week it had risen to number 7 with Hand Built By Robots entering the album charts at number 3. The song rose to #8 on 12 August, the album to number 1 on 26 August.
Eric Roche is undoubtedly one of Newton's biggest influences, both from a stylistic point of view (vis a vis the percussive use of the guitar's body) and through the use of tapping, uncommon tunings and inventive chord changes, such as in I Need Something and Ageing Superhero, from his debut album. This method of playing also shows heavily in the work of Jon Gomm and Pete Wailes, although with a slightly different feel in both.
Against the Grain )
Newton Faulkner Lyrics
I have tried but it's hard to fight it
I can't just watch as it falls apart
If we could break the mold
Make it in from the cold
Lose your mind, never lose your heart
And I don't mind working hard for it
I'll bend the hands 'til the space appears
I'll move the pieces until we all fit
From near to far and from far to near
And I know
That I'm going against the grain
And I know this makes no sense
The changes I've tried to make
They make no difference
But I know that I'll try again
Although it's so hard
Hard
Hard
Given time it'll finally focus
And in a moment that's been and gone
And in the afterglow
From my head to my soul
I can see all I have ignored
And I don't mind working hard for it
I'll bend the hands 'til the space appears
I'll move the pieces until we all fit
From near to far and from far to near
And I know
That I'm going against the grain
And I know this makes no sense
The changes I've tried to make
They make no difference
But I know that I'll try again
Although it's so hard
Hard
Hard
If life's so short then we're wasting time
Love is the last thing on our minds
It's so simple but so hard to see
And you are not alone in this
Sense of loss and loneliness
Take your shoes off run towards the sea
And I know
That I'm going against the grain
And I know this makes no sense
The changes I've tried to make
They make no difference
But I know that I'll try again
Although it's so hard
Hard
Hard
I know the sun will keep on shining down
As long as you're around
I can't just watch as it falls apart
If we could break the mold
Make it in from the cold
Lose your mind, never lose your heart
And I don't mind working hard for it
I'll bend the hands 'til the space appears
I'll move the pieces until we all fit
From near to far and from far to near
And I know
And I know this makes no sense
The changes I've tried to make
They make no difference
But I know that I'll try again
Although it's so hard
Hard
Hard
Given time it'll finally focus
And in a moment that's been and gone
And in the afterglow
From my head to my soul
I can see all I have ignored
And I don't mind working hard for it
I'll bend the hands 'til the space appears
I'll move the pieces until we all fit
From near to far and from far to near
And I know
That I'm going against the grain
And I know this makes no sense
The changes I've tried to make
They make no difference
But I know that I'll try again
Although it's so hard
Hard
Hard
If life's so short then we're wasting time
Love is the last thing on our minds
It's so simple but so hard to see
And you are not alone in this
Sense of loss and loneliness
Take your shoes off run towards the sea
And I know
That I'm going against the grain
And I know this makes no sense
The changes I've tried to make
They make no difference
But I know that I'll try again
Although it's so hard
Hard
Hard
I know the sun will keep on shining down
As long as you're around
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEWTON FAULKNER, SAM FARRAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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zed42able
I often wonder if artists know how much their work helps get people through their lives. Because they do. Artists like Newton Faulkner, Ben Howard and Keaton Henson (amongst the many i could put here) should be far more publicised than the rubbish currently on the radio/television.
OneDude94
Especially Henson, sadly, to this day still fairly unknown
most def
I love Newtons voice. It's so peaceful yet strong and powerful. Truly stunning
brayshay
500 characters isn't enough space for me to accurately express what a MASSIVE influence The Newt has had on my life over the last 6 years. You kept me positive and gave me strength when I needed it. You inspired me to be a better guitar player and a better person. And above all you restored my faith in humanity. Why you are so underrated is beyond my comprehension but one day I know you will get the recognition your unbelievable talent deserves. Until that day.. We're not giving up yet. :)
Thomas Lloyd
Great, relaxing, as usual ! And finally it puts a smile on my face, I love your music!
Frosted
Never has a song made me ball my eyes out.
Oliver Barrett
Absolutely beautiful.
Brigham
Wow, that was just beautiful
clairewellness
Truly beautiful...
hanzi31
Love it :)