Butcher the Bar

Butcher the Bar is the nom de plume of indie folk singer/songwriter Joel Nicholson. Based in Rotherham, United Kingdom, his thoughtfully crafted melodies are augmented by his gentle vocals, reminiscent of a more hopeful Elliott Smith. He began writing songs for Butcher the Bar in 2007, debuting that year with a 7" including the song "Get Away," later featured in an episode of the action-comedy TV series Chuck. Full-length debut Sleep at Your Own Speed followed in 2008, finding Nicholson on guitar, melodica, banjo, and accordion to address coming-of-age themes. For sophomore recording For Each a Future Tethered, released in 2011, the addition of horns, reeds, and piano culminated in lush arrangements in the vein of Australian indie pop trio the Lucksmiths.