Newton Faulkner is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Reigate, United Kingdom, born in 1985. He is known for rhythmic acoustic guitar playing and works across singer-songwriter, alternative rock, indie rock and rock, with folk and acoustic elements also associated with his music.

Career

Faulkner begins playing guitar at the age of 11 or 12, initially working with session guitarist Bob Cranham. He later studies at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, where he spends two years and earns both a diploma and a higher diploma under Eric Roche.

Before launching his solo career, he plays bass in a Green Day cover band. He then forms Half a Guy, a funk rock group with a quirky edge, alongside Matt Buchanan, Dave Elvy and Nicola Crawshaw. The group records two demo CDs and lasts for about two years before splitting.

After this, he records and performs under the name Newton Battenberg Faulkner. He appears at Lapagestock in 2005, performs at South by Southwest in 2006, and plays Guilfest in 2007. He also supports Steve Forbert at The Spitz in London in 2006.

Breakthrough and releases

Faulkner comes to wider attention in 2007 with his debut studio album Hand Built by Robots, released on Sony BMG. The album is certified double platinum in the United Kingdom and includes the singles Dream Catch Me, I Need Something and Teardrop.

Dream Catch Me reaches number 16 on the UK Singles Chart before climbing to number 7, while Hand Built by Robots reaches number 3 on the album chart and later number 1. The track also receives repeated airplay through Jo Whiley’s Radio 1 show, where it is selected as a “Pet Sound”.

He follows his debut with Rebuilt by Humans in 2009, a title that reflects the injury he suffers when he breaks his hand after falling while taking family and friends skiing. Following the accident, he undergoes surgery on his wrist and hand.

Live work and touring

Faulkner appears twice at Glastonbury Festival in 2007, playing the Acoustic Stage on the Friday and the Leftfield Stage on the Sunday. He also performs at V Festival 2007 in the Virgin Mobile Sessions Tent, where the crowd overflows outside, and appears at the Connect Music Festival later that summer on the Guitars and Other Machines stage.

He supports James Morrison on a February UK tour, Paolo Nutini on a UK tour in April, John Mayer on UK dates in September, and The John Butler Trio on several European dates.

Style and influences

Faulkner is associated with percussive guitar techniques, including body percussion, tapping, unusual tunings and inventive chord changes. Eric Roche is a major influence on his playing style, and this approach also appears in songs such as I Need Something and Ageing Superhero.

Other recognition

He receives attention from BBC Radio 2 and secures a publishing deal with Peermusic UK, prompting early media interest in his work.