RJ Thompson is a singer songwriter from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.
RJ began his music career at the age of 15, performing at gigs and open mics around the North East of England. After seeing U2′s live show at Manchester Evening News Arena in 2001, he picked up his guitar and wrote his first song… a simple heartfelt song called Angel In The Undergrowth, which eventually made it’s way onto his debut album Hidden Daylight in 2003.
Following tours supporting Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, Duke Special, and headline tours throughout the UK, he went back into the studio in 2005 to record the follow up album Illogical Life. The 11 track album delved into the more extravagent and theatrical side of RJ’s music. The album featured the single “Green Eyed”, the Queen-esque “Jester”, and the epic “Guards & Gunmen”. The latter focused on his grandfather’s experience in World War II. “I remembered hearing all these stories growing up, and trying to put them to words, but I had never truly written a storytelling song until Guards & Gunmen came along” said RJ at the time.
The album was quickly followed by 2007′s Acoustic Sessions EP which pushed his career onto the next level. Three years of touring followed, supporting the likes of Gabriella Cilmi, Sandi Thom, The Proclaimers, John Mayall, Midge Ure (UK & German tours), Ultravox, Madeleine Peyroux, Deacon Blue, John Martyn, Joe Brooks, Gabrielle Aplin, David Ford, and Cara Dillon.
RJ’s new EP “The Cognitive Rules” was recorded at Trinity Heights Studios in Newcastle, and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London, which RJ and his band were undoubtebly excited about! “It was great. We worked with an engineer called Geoff Pesche who has had a hand in some of the most popular recordings of the last 10 years (from Coldplay to Gorillaz to Kylie). It’s not every day you get the chance to work with people like that, in a place so renowned, so it was a great experience”.
Endorsements:
RJ is proudly endorsed by world renowned Fender Guitars, Taylor Guitars, and Roland UK.
“It’s an honour to be associated with them. Taylor were the ones who initially took a chance on me which I’ll be forever grateful for, and that led on to Fender and Roland getting involved”.
