Nick Carswell & The Elective Orchestra profile picture

Nick Carswell & The Elective Orchestra

About Me

I'm not sure that I've done something wrong here. I've been doing just as I was told; pray and hope and plan for the future. I hope that I don't die before I'm old

space - time - fear - travel - confusion - love - commitment.

just some of the things that cause Nick to pick up a guitar or sit at a piano and write songs

Nick was playing piano before his feet could reach the pedals. Guitar followed as did the voice he was looking for. His music searches for reason in a mixed up world. If there is none, well, we should probably just try to enjoy the mess.

Hello, my name is Nick Carswell. I play music with a lovely bunch of people called the Elective Orchestra. The whole 'Elective' thing is about choice, from the profound question of free will , to the choice; "will I get out of bed this morning?" - sometimes not as straightforward as it sounds!
Anyway, we've been making music as a band for just about a year now - though I've been writing and playing for quite a bit longer. We're slowly but surely working on our debut album. I mean, what's the rush, right?
Please feel free to listen to our music here, watch some videos, and leave a comment to say hi. For day-to-day randomness, you can check out my blog PlayTheF**kingNote , but anything regarding our own music will be posted here. Thanks for visiting and keep the faith!

Some nice things that have been said about us:
“In a world becoming increasingly weary of the woe-is-me singer/songwriter genre, it's refreshing to uncover somebody like Carswell who is prepared to think, write and play outside the box. His use of a string section brings a level of sublimity to his top-notch songwriting, and whereas too many songwriters are one-trick ponies, Carswell injects all his work with appropriate degrees of soul and passion.”
Hot Press Magazine

“Emotive and intelligent lyrics combined with beautiful and creative musicianship.”
Limerick Event Guide

“Nick is a first class songwriter and interprets each and every song with soul, feeling and passion . . . wonderful, heart-achingly good songs.”
MusicReveiw.com

“A mix between Nick Drake and Randy Newman . . . a really gifted young songwriter.”
Alan Jacques, Limerick’s Live 95FM

“He’s very good”
Liam Gallagher

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/13/2006
Band Members:

Nick Carswell [vocals, guitar, piano] Sian Murray [vocals] Dee Cussen [cello] Kate Cussen [violin, viola] Bart Kiely [drums, percussion]
On record: Simon Carswell [piano] Matthew Magee [bass] Simon Fine [drums]



Influences: Running On Empty - video directed by Sean Murray
The Beatles, Elvis, driving, Sinatra, The Doors, the southern sky, Oasis, The Kinks, bowls of cereal, Damien Rice, Radiohead, Air, surfing, Pink Floyd, Sigur Ros, television, Gershwin, cool pants, The Frames, Wilco, the frigging internet, David Bowie, Elton John, loneliness, Van Morrison, Tom Waits, Chilli Peppers, Sufjan Stevens, Simple Kid, Donal Dineen.

Art requires philosophy, just as philosophy requires art. Otherwise what would become of beauty? Paul Gauguin

Actually I don't remember being born, it must have happened during one of my black outs. Jim Morrison

'Waking Up (Is Hard To Do)' Live at éistmusic introduces . . .

Sounds Like: standing on a planet that's slowly spinning on its own axis while simultaneously rotating around a star. while listening to music
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

no fupping swearing

By some way of explanation for my ridiculous "F you, F your F-ing wife!" comment at the gig on Friday. We're going to bring an Inappropriate Father Ted Quote alarm to gigs in future, for when the onst...
Posted by on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:28:00 GMT

too close to the sea

Hey,So I'm just at some late night recording, nothing special, a few guitar overdubs. I get this low rumble on the mic that I can't seem to get rid of. Thought it was the computer or the storage heate...
Posted by on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:10:00 GMT

on the road (part 2)

After a prolonged rest period, we're finally able to look back at the remainder of our first Irish tour. We played ten dates over March and April, up to a festival in a field in Limerick on Good Frida...
Posted by on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:29:00 GMT

some write-ups

Click on the links to read full articles . . . Eoin Butler's single review in The Ticket/The Irish TimesNICK CARSWELL & THE ELECTIVE ORCHESTRAWhen Im Not Around Silly Goose Records ***Theres a momen...
Posted by on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:25:00 GMT

on the road (part1)

howdy!so, our debut single is airborne (launched). once more now, with feeling: it's called When I'm Not Around and to get your hands on a digital copy, simply txt "music 2708" to 57501. once you do t...
Posted by on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:26:00 GMT

JD, Galway, Ireland

Hey there,Just a quick line to report on last week's happenings . . . Thursday was busy and fun for The Elective Orchestra. First, we ventured out to the studios of Spin South West to join John and Mu...
Posted by on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:18:00 GMT

When I'm Not Around Spin South West . . .

This afternoon we popped into the studios of Spin South West here in Limerick for a song and a bit of a chat (about Garth Brooks among other things!).I uploaded it into the player, so have a listen.We...
Posted by on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:34:00 GMT

Famine vs Feast: Tour Dates!

Elective Tour March/April 09 Kicks off tomorrow!And where else to start but the lovely Carraroe, Co.Galway? (An Cheathrú Rua I'm reliably informed)Throughout March and April, some very nice people are...
Posted by on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:17:00 GMT

a blog

Sheesh! It's been too long, too long my friends! Let's catch up; firstly however, you need to press play on this video and wait a moment for its eerie whistle to seep into your bones. The Wind of Chan...
Posted by on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:57:00 GMT

new song - sshh!

I secretly uploaded a new song and didn't even tell anyone. Mu-hahahaha!! (its only a demo, mind)
Posted by on Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:40:00 GMT