Nerina Pallot

Nerina Pallot

Nerina Pallot is a London-born British singer-songwriter whose work spans pop, alternative rock, indie rock and piano rock. She is classically trained in singing and piano, and she is known for writing and recording her own material.

Early life and education

Born in London, Pallot spends much of her childhood on the island of Jersey. Her mother is from India and her father is from Jersey. She also spends time living in India during her early years. She wins a scholarship to Wellington College in England, and later says that this period helps shape the writing of Everybody’s Gone to War, a song linked to the involvement of school friends in the Iraq War.

Career beginnings

Before establishing herself as a recording artist, Pallot works in a series of music-industry jobs. One of these is as a personal assistant to Andrew King, a music executive associated with Pink Floyd’s early management. She later signs to Polydor in her mid-20s and releases her debut album, Dear Frustrated Superstar, in 2001. The album contains self-written songs, but its singles and album do not achieve major sales success, and she is dropped by the label.

Return to study and breakthrough

After leaving Polydor, Pallot returns to university to study English and considers becoming a teacher. During this period she resumes writing songs, including Idaho and Mr. King. These tracks, along with Everybody’s Gone to War, form part of her second album, Fires. The album is financed partly by her publishers Chrysalis and partly by remortgaging her home. It is first issued on her own label, Idaho, and later re-released on 14th Floor, the Warner-associated label that signs her after her growing live following and support from media including the BBC.

Touring and wider recognition

Pallot builds an audience through extensive touring in the UK and Europe, supporting acts including Missy Higgins, Sheryl Crow, James Blunt, Suzanne Vega, Joseph Arthur and Ray LaMontagne. She also develops a strong online following through MySpace. During this period she appears at music festivals, promotional events and charity events. Everybody’s Gone to War is released as a single, and Sophia follows as a remixed single.

Awards and later releases

In 2007 Pallot is nominated for a Brit Award in the Best British Female category. That same year she marries music video producer Andrew Chatterley. Under the name The Chatterleys, she and Chatterley are also identified as members. In 2009 she releases The Graduate on her own label; the album title refers to her graduation from university with a first-class honours degree in English Literature, and only her own compositions make the final tracklist. In 2010 she and Chatterley write the title track and third single Better Than Today for Kylie Minogue’s album Aphrodite.

Later work

Pallot signs to Geffen Records and releases Year of the Wolf in 2011. The album title comes from her son, Wolfie, and the lead single Put Your Hands Up is originally written for Kylie Minogue.