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.
Soon
Newton Faulkner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little change in the weather
Break through the sun
The darker the night
The brighter you burn
And when it comes, you will know
The weight will fall from your bones
Soon, soon
It's coming
Soon, soon
For once in your life
It's gonna be alright
It's coming
Won't ever tire, won't let you crack
I've taken the pressure, won't stop pushing back
Don't know where you are
But know where you're from
And when it comes, let it go
Don't waste your time breaking code
It's coming
Soon, soon
It's coming
Soon, soon
For once in your life
It's gonna be alright
Whatever keeps you alive
Don't question why
Oh no no
We can't give up
And we can't get in
The signs of the rhythm
Getting under your skin
The love that falls
Between the cracks
Is broken but we'll get it back
Soon
It's coming
Soon, soon
It's coming
Soon, soon
For once in your life
It's gonna be alright
Whatever keeps you alive
Don't question why
Now I understand
Now I understand
Stop looking for a rainy day
You'll never find
one
You'll never find one
The song "Soon" by Newton Faulkner speaks about hope and perseverance during difficult times. Faulkner begins by saying that although the day may be different, the weather is still the same. He then goes on to encourage listeners to push through dark times even when the weight of one’s problems feels heavy, and transition to a brighter future where everything will be alright. Faulkner also emphasizes that one should not waste time trying to break a code. Instead, they should wait for a change to come and then let go of their problems, allowing the weight to fall from their bones.
Faulkner then goes on to say that he will not let his listener crack or tire, and he has taken the pressure of helping them push back. Although he is not sure where the listener currently is, he encourages them to know where they are from. The song further encourages people to never give up even when there are obvious signs that one should. Titled soon, the chorus in the song emphasizes that good times and great things will come soon, and listeners should never stop hoping for better days.
Line by Line Meaning
Today will be different, that day is gone
Things will change from today and the past will not affect it
Little change in the weather
The environment may not change much
Break through the sun
Keep striving towards better days and brighter moments
The darker the night
The tougher the times
The brighter you burn
The more impactful you can be
And when it comes, you will know
You will feel it in your bones when change arrives
The weight will fall from your bones
You will feel relieved and light
It's coming
Change is on the horizon
Soon, soon
It's almost here
For once in your life
This is a rare occurrence
It's gonna be alright
Things will work out in a positive way
Won't ever tire, won't let you crack
No matter how tough it gets, keep pushing forward
I've taken the pressure, won't stop pushing back
I have experienced the same challenges and will help you through them
Don't know where you are
I am unaware of your current location or status
But know where you're from
I am aware of your roots and history
And when it comes, let it go
When change arrives, be open to it and don't resist
Don't waste your time breaking code
Don't try to figure out something complicated or impossible
Whatever keeps you alive
Whatever motivates or drives you forward
Don't question why
Don't overthink or doubt yourself
Oh no no
Expressing a feeling of discomfort or disbelief
We can't give up
We can't quit or abandon our efforts
And we can't get in
Don't interfere or cause problems
The signs of the rhythm
The indications of the beat or pattern
Getting under your skin
Influencing or affecting you strongly
The love that falls
The affection that deteriorates over time
Between the cracks
In the areas overlooked or neglected
Is broken but we'll get it back
It may be damaged, but we'll repair and restore it
Now I understand
I have a new comprehension or insight
Stop looking for a rainy day
Don't keep searching for a negative occurrence or situation
You'll never find it this way
You won't achieve happiness by focusing on negativity
Contributed by Oliver A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.