ABOUT THIRSTY
Thirsty is a band grounded in the classic rock format with thematic elements from arthouse, psychedelic and alternative music. Thirsty began as a songwriting collaboration between the late lamented Guy Bailey (the founder of The Quireboys) and a poet, Irina D.
The songs started with original lyrical and thematic material created by Irina which was set to music composed by Guy; and then recorded during all night sessions in his South London recording studio with the backing of some of England’s most accomplished rock musicians, including:
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Simon Hanson, drums (Death in Vegas, Squeeze)
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Chris Johnstone (The Quireboys)
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Lynne Jackaman, backing vocals (Saint Jude)
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Kristi Kimsey, backing vocals (singer, songwriter)
The project gained significant momentum with the support and guidance of legendary Rolling Stones’ producer, Chris Kimsey, whose unique gifts and sensibilities helped to shape each of the tracks into a complete and finished body of work. Thirsty released their eponymous debut album in 2015, their second album 'Albatross' in 2016 and their third release 'Nomad' on 31 August 2018 and are currently working on their fourth album.
Working within the strict formulaic structure of the classic three minute pop song, each of the ten tracks on the album tells a complex life story or gives a vivid picture of a human condition using incisive lyrics and empathetic vocal and musical accompaniment. For example:
"God Bless America" is the life story of Rosemary Kennedy, sister of JFK. She was presented to the Royal Family in England as a beautiful debutante but was later lobotomised on her father’s insistence in an attempt to remedy certain perceived learning and behavioural issues. Fully conscious throughout the process, she was asked by the doctors to sing "God Bless America". When the music stopped, so did they.
"Donnie to Sonny" tells the true story of the enduring friendship between pigeon fancying mafioso Sonny Black and undercover FBI agent Joe Pistone (aka Donnie Brasco).
THIRSTY AND THE THREE MINUTE RULE
All pop/rock music comes from the classic “throwaway” 45 RPM Singles released during the 1950s by American artists such as Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and, of course, Elvis Presley. In the 60th, this format was adopted by the Beatles and the Rollings Stones. And the disposable pop/rock song was expanded so as to be consciously an art form by Andy Warhol; The Velvet Underground; Lou Reed; Bowie; Dylan and early Pink Floyd.
Thirsty firmly believe in the enduring immediacy and power of the three minute formula. As with many of the best art forms. Thirsty believe that working within the disciplines of a simple but strict formulaic structure is not limiting but provides the best artists with the opportunity to be most creative.
Less is more.
