Thousand Hours
| Thousand Hours | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Paul Mansford |
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Electronic, blue-eyed soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, instrumentalist, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboard |
| Years active | 2012-present |
| Website |
www |
| Notable instruments | |
|
Nord keyboard Roland RC-300 loop station | |
Thousand Hours is a London, UK-based electromantic blue-eyed soul music project featuring Paul Mansford. Paul is a multifaceted singer, instrumentalist and songwriter whose energetic yet emotive performances employ live and looped vocals/EDM, beats/synths, and ambient Nord keyboard stylings.[1]
Influences
Thousand Hours' music has elements in common with artists such as James Blake, Daft Punk, Calvin Harris, SBTRKT, M83, Sam Sparro, Example and Allen Stone.[1]
History
Paul previously performed as frontman and lead vocalist for Total Movement, a London-based electropop project with his twin brother Alan (bass and vocals), Joe Dickenson (guitar and samples), and Will Calver (drums and triggers).[2] Their single "Show Them What You’re Made Of" (2010) was signed to German Clubland label Sound of Now, and their EP releases include Halo (2008) and Grace (2009).[3]
Thousand Hours’ executive producer is NYC and London-based multi-platinum songwriter Wayne Cohen (European Pop Idol, Eternal, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Curtis Stigers, Martin Sexton, Laura and the Tears).[4] The two met through a mutual friend with whom Wayne was co-writing. Wayne and Paul eventually began collaborating, working on songs and recordings via Skype. From there, Thousand Hours - initially a one-man band featuring looped beats, vocals, and synths - was born. “Electromantic,†the term used to describe the music, was born out of Paul and Wayne’s different interpretations of the project. NPR contributor Stephanie Coleman[5] deemed "electromantic" as "having no meaning and every meaning. It's a buzz word - people will make their own associations to the word electromantic."[1]
Discography
Thousand Hours’ debut album, Dark & Light, was released on March 22, 2013.[6]
All vocals by Paul Mansford and his loop pedal (London, UK) | Produced and mixed by Wayne Cohen (NYC) | Assistant Produced and Mixed by Max Graham | Some programming by Henry Steinway | Live keyboards by Paul | Recorded at Paul's house (London) and Stand Up Sound][7] (NYC) | Mixed at Stand Up Sound[7] (NYC)
Performances
Thousand Hours has performed at London venues such as The Regal Room[8] and The Bedford.[9] Thousand Hours' New York City debut in June 2013 included shows at Rockwood Music Hall, The Bowery Electric, The Bitter End, and ZirZamin, and as a featured performer at Sync Summit, a music industry showcase which took place at SoHo House, NYC.[10]
Fan reactions
"So much music coming out of one face!"[11] - Vin Goodwin (Host of "Vin's Night In" at The Bedford, London)
"..I am SO loving Dark & Light. 'Light Me Up' is rocking my world. So impressed by the production, Paul's emotion, and the writing. I would never have thunk I'd be so into something that doesn't have a banjo. :) " - NPR contributor Stephanie Coleman[5]
"I really like the songs and think he's a great writer" - David Ryan Jordan (ASCAP UK/Europe)[10][12]
"Fantastic set by Thousand Hours at The Bedford." - Emily Mann, fan[13]
References
- 1 2 3 Lara, Dean. "The Electromanticism of Thousand Hours". Flashwounds.com. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
- ↑ "Total Movement". Last.fm LTD.
- ↑ "Total Movement". Apple iTunes.
- ↑ "Wayne Cohen Discography". Discogs.
- 1 2 Coleman, Stephanie. "Audio My Darling". Stephanie Coleman. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ↑ "Dark & Light". Bandcamp.
- 1 2 "Stand Up Sound Studio". Stand Up Sound. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ↑ "Thousand Hours at The Regal Room". Nearify.
- ↑ "Thousand Hours at The Bedford". The Bedford.
- 1 2 "Thousand Hours". Sync Summit.
- ↑ "Thousand Hours Detonate live at the Regal Room, London".
- ↑ "David Ryan Jordan". City Showcase. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ↑ "About Thousand Hours". Stand Up Sound.