Joe Nolan

Joe Nolan is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose work combines folk, indie folk, indie and reggae influences. He is also associated with the Jolly Label. His songs are known for detailed, intimate lyrics, and his material ranges across acoustic ballads, electric guitar-based songs, soul-influenced pieces, and rock arrangements.

Background and early development

Nolan begins on saxophone at the age of nine and is writing original songs by the time he is sixteen, while playing in a high school rock band. He first releases two cassette projects, then records the early 7-inch single featuring “Brown-Eyed Boy” and “Shipwreck Song” for Aardvark Records. Those songs later appear on his debut CD, Plain Jane.

He moves to Nashville in 1992, signs a publishing agreement with Black and White Music, and starts working with Pat Flynn of New Grass Revival. The pair co-produce Plain Jane, which is shaped as an all-acoustic set with a contemporary approach to folk-influenced songwriting rather than a retro imitation.

Recordings and recognition

Plain Jane brings Nolan attention as a songwriter, with strong college radio support and recognition in a number of music industry contexts. He is named “One to Watch” by the internationally syndicated programme Acoustic Cafe, and the USA Songwriting Competition invites him to showcase at several music events, including the Atlantis Music Conference in Atlanta, Song Circle in Los Angeles, and the Nashville New Music Conference. The album is also listed in Performing Songwriter’s “DIY Top 12 Picks”, and Nolan receives an Artist’s Spotlight from the International Acoustic Music Awards.

He establishes an online presence in 1999 and has several songs in the top 40 on MP3.com. “San Francisco Girl” reaches No. 5 and is later used in a feature on Late Night with David Letterman. He wins the Grand Prize in MP3.com’s Summer of Love contest with Plain Jane.

Further releases

His next release, King, moves from the acoustic feel of Plain Jane toward a more intense, electric sound. It draws on rockabilly, rhythm and blues and jazz, while his lyrics shift from story-song writing toward a more impressionistic style. “Get Behind Me Satan” is later featured in the independent film Masselin House in 2003. King is also issued as an internet-only release.

Blue Turns Black follows and is described through its range of solo-acoustic ballads, horn-led soul, pop and rock material. “The First to Know” is featured in the independent film For Women Only, which screens at the Asheville Film Festival and the da Vinci Film Festival. In 2004, Nolan signs a publishing administration deal with Erik Steigen at 2850 Music in Santa Monica.

Goodbye Cinderella and later activity

In December 2010, Nolan travels to Nashville to record his third album Goodbye Cinderella with producer Colin Linden. The album features 10 new compositions and is recorded by John Whynot. The session also includes Spooner Oldham on keyboards, Charlie McCoy on harmonica, Dave Roe on acoustic bass, Chris Donahue on electric bass, Bryan Owings on drums, and Linden on electric guitars and vocals, with Whynot also adding keyboards on some tracks.

The record leads to distribution in Europe and a plan for European touring. Nolan is also nominated in the Best New/Emerging Artist category at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and he has previously won the CBC Radio Galaxy Rising Star Award. He performs with artists including Todd Snider, Colin Linden, Sam Baker, Gurf Morlix, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women, Mathew Barber, Oh Susanna and Peter Asher.

Other work

Alongside music, Nolan is a published poet, an award-winning actor, and a writer on visual art and music. He also writes the blog Insomnia.