"Unhung" by Nel Unlit (featuring Tom Joshua and Gina Walters) one of the imaginings based on the "Sandman" graphic novel series

AP Track Review

When you listen to the song Unhung by Nel Unlit (featuring Tom Joshua and Gina Walters) it feels like a musical stage play and for good reason. It is one of the tracks, one of the stories from their debut album "Wake for the Dreaming" which tells a larger story. The concept album is a rock-opera based on World's End from Neil Gaiman's more than epic "Sandman" graphic novel series that is a twist of dark fantasy, horror and black comedy. 

Nel Unlit is a creative collective of nine songwriters, storytellers and musicians with origins from the Northeast of England and Northern Ireland and this project idea materialized 7 years ago. The band formed in 2016 largely from past and present members of Sullivan and Gold, Dressed Like Wolves, Pellethead, General Sherman and Hold Music and began making music in the attic of musical institution Westgarth Social Club.

“Our hero crashes his car and becomes lost” explains lyricist Jon Horner, “before discovering a mysterious Inn. Here, he is told stories by peculiar guests, tales of wily hangmen, Christ like child presidents and more. It is these stories that make up the rest of the album.”

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Robb Donker







THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM -  PRESS NOTES:

Nel Unlit have announced the release of their debut album “Wake for the Dreaming”, a rock-opera based on Worlds’ End from Neil Gaiman’s epic “Sandman” graphic novel series.

The album has been produced and mixed by the band with the help of Peter Brewis of Mercury Prize nominated Field Music and will be released on February 14th 2020 on Butterfly Effect (vinyl) and Spooker Rekkids with single Dream’s Theme preceding it on January 17th 2020. The album features a cast of singers, each playing a role within the story, including, Tom Joshua, Our Krypton Son, Dressed Like Wolves and Before Breakfast.

Nel Unlit are a group of nine songwriters, storytellers and musicians who have their roots all over the North East of England and Northern Ireland. The multi-instrumental nine piece, have developed an expansive live show, complete with violin, cello, saxophone, clarinet, accordion, field recordings and two drummers and have played extensively throughout the UK including festivals, Hardwick Live, Tipping Point, Twisterella and Stockton Calling.

Singles “Fireflies” and “Apple” earned the band critical acclaim, radio play on BBC Radio 6, track of the week on BBC Tees and comparisons to Nick Drake, Richard Dawson, Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver.