Birth name Gideon Marc Conn Name Gideon Conn Website GideonConn.com | Years active 1995–present Record label Skinny Dog Records | |
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Born 15 January 1980 (age 44)
Manchester, England ( 1980-01-15 ) Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician, artist Role Singer-songwriter · gideonconn.com Albums Hip Hop Original, I Want You Around (for This EP) Genres Acoustic music, Hip hop music, Smooth jazz, Folk music Similar People The Gene Dudley Group, scrimshire, Dele Sosimi, Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra, Milk Profiles | ||
Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano | ||
Gideon Conn (featuring Ed Sheeran) - Eccentric
Gideon Marc Conn (born 15 January 1980) is an English singer-songwriter. He is originally from Manchester but currently based in London. He tours extensively around the UK, having played at many UK festivals including Glastonbury Festival.
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Also an accomplished painter, drawer and sculptor, Conn sells his artwork and accepts commissions through his website and his official Facebook page. He has designed a range of clothing, created and sold by Yes No Maybe Clothing.
Early life
Conn began writing and playing music at the age of 15 when his friend taught him a handful of guitar chords; he began adding vocals to these chords and thus began his interest in composition. While completing his art degree in Manchester, he was known to play the piano in the main gallery of the university, as well as using the whole building as a studio for his sculptures.
He graduated in 2003 and continues to paint, draw and sculpt alongside his pursuit of music. He has had many exhibitions in both Manchester and in London. Having worked as a labourer for a year following his attending of university he decided to pursue a career as an artist and musician.
Music career
Conn's songwriting combines fingerpicking acoustic playing with jazz-inspired chord progressions and hip-hop rhythms. His vocal delivery encompasses singing, rapping and scatting. His music varies between a synth-laden modern sound and a more lo-fi production. He takes inspiration from a wide range of influences, primarily in soul and jazz music, and has expressed admiration for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Badly Drawn Boy, OutKast, Nat King Cole and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Conn self-released albums, EPs and singles. His first single I Want You Around came out on Mannequin Republic on 10" vinyl. His first full-length release was New Bop Sounds in March 2010.
The second full-length entitled Take It All was released in 2012, with a video for its lead single Fall Under Tokyo being filmed in Tokyo. It features Manchester-based soul singer Josephine on the track "Colours".
November 2013 saw the release of Highlights and Perceptions on 12-inch vinyl and digital download. The album is essentially two EPs; side A (Highlights) being made up of Donna Maciocia material, while Side B (Perceptions) comprises five tracks from Conn. The cover art was designed by both artists.
Conn has been played on XFM Radio and on BBC Radio 1 by Huw Stephens, and was the subject of a documentary called "Hitting Home: Good Luck Gideon" which was broadcast on Channel M. He was included on the 'A-Z Bestival' Compilation as the letter 'G'. With the likes of Scroobius Pip and Ed Sheeran as self-professed fans, he supported popular American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz on his 2008 UK Tour.
Band members
Gideon Conn – Vocals & Guitar
Nick Gosling – drums, percussion, beats
Joe "Enrique" Harrison – bass, guitar, keyboard, harmonica
Jon Donohue – guitar, pedals + fx, bass, keyboard
Wil Hesketh – decks + synth
JJ Lees – cornet, keyboard
Dan Hall – trombone