Roddy Woomble (born 13 August 1976) is a Scottish singer, songwriter and writer. He is the lead vocalist of

indie rock Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the music they produc ...

band Idlewild, with whom he has recorded nine studio albums. Celebrated for his poetic lyrics and warm, baritone voice, In 2006, Woomble released his folk-influenced debut solo album, '' My Secret Is My Silence'', and has since released four subsequent studio albums: '' The Impossible Song & Other Songs'' (2011), ''Listen to Keep'' (2013), ''The Deluder'' (2017) and ''Lo! Soul'' (2021). In 2020 Woomble released the 'Everyday Sun' EP which featured largely spoken word pieces over minimal, ambient backing. He followed this sound and direction into 2021's 'Lo Soul' which he recorded at home during the pandemic. In 2007, Woomble curated a collaborative studio album between Scottish writers and musicians, entitled '' Ballads of the Book'', and recorded a collaborative album with folk musicians

Kris Drever Kris Drever (born 31 October 1978) is a Scottish contemporary folk musician and songwriter who came to prominence in 2006 with the release of his debut solo album, ''Black Water''. Drever is the vocalist and guitarist of the folk trio Lau with ...

and

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in 2008, called '' Before the Ruin''.

Musical career

Idlewild

Idlewild was formed in 1995 in Edinburgh by Woomble, Rod Jones, Colin Newton and Phil Scanlon. The band achieved critical and commercial success over nine albums and have toured worldwide. Their sound has moved from the punk rock of their earlier records, to the refined and thoughtful melodic rock of their latter albums. Their last album was 2019's 'Interview Music'. In 2020 they celebrated twenty five years as a band with a special UK tour and accompanying book titled 'In The Beginning There Were Answers; 25 years of Idlewild' which was written by Woomble.

Solo

In 2006, Woomble worked with several musicians including

Kate Rusby Kate Anna Rusby (born 4 December 1973) is an English folk singer-songwriter from Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. Sometimes called the "Barnsley Nightingale", she has headlined various British folk festivals, and is one of the be ...

, Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones and Dave Gow and Ailidh Lennon from Sons & Daughters on his debut solo album '' My Secret Is My Silence'', produced by

. The album was released in July 2006, and Woomble toured the United Kingdom in support of the album's release. ''My Secret Is My Silence'' reached number one in the UK Folk Charts. A year later, on 10 July 2007, ''My Secret Is My Silence'' was released in the US on 7–10 Music. Woomble's follow-up album, '' Before the Ruin'', written and recorded with

and

, was released on 15 September 2008 through Navigator Records. In 2009 Woomble re-located to the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Hebrides and began work on a new album entitled 'The Impossible Song & other songs'. It was released in 2011 and was recorded entirely at the An Tobar arts centre in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull and features a cast of musicians from the Scottish folk scene. The album was accompanied by extensive touring around the U.K. The country influenced 'Listen To Keep' followed in 2013, before Woomble concentrated again on Idlewild, returning attention back to his solo career with 2017's 'The Deluder', a darker and more introspective album. After the release of 2019's 'Interview Music' album with Idlewild, Woomble changed direction again with the 'Everyday Sun' EP (2020) and 'Lo! Soul' (2021) which both share a minimal, electronic sound.

Writings

Woomble has published two books - a collection of his lyrics and poems entitled 'Instrumentals' (2016) and a retrospective book about Idlewild 'In The Beginning There Were Answers' (2020). He has also written columns and articles for a selection of publications including The Sunday Herald, The List, The Idler magazine and TGO.

Personal life

Woomble moved frequently during his childhood, living in Scotland, France, England and the United States. After Idlewild's initial success he lived in London, then New York City before relocating back to Glasgow in 2005. Since 2009 he has lived on the Isle of Mull.

Discography

Studio albums *'' My Secret Is My Silence'' (2006) *'' Before the Ruin'' (2008) (with

and

) *'' The Impossible Song & Other Songs'' (2011) *''Listen to Keep'' (2013) *''The Deluder'' (2017) *''Lo! Soul'' (2021) EPs *''Everyday Sun'' (2020) Live albums *'' Live at Kings Place'' (2014) (as Roddy Woomble & Band)

References

External links

Roddy Woomble official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woomble, Roddy 1976 births Living people 21st-century Scottish male singers Scottish songwriters People from Irvine, North Ayrshire 20th-century Scottish male singers British male songwriters