Butcher The Bar

Butcher the Bar originated as the solo outlet of U.K. indie folk songwriter Joel Nicholson before growing first into a duo and later into a five-piece ensemble over the course of its development. The project's sound shifted from intimate solo recordings toward richer, ensemble-driven compositions by the time III appeared in 2019.

Rotherham, U.K. singer/songwriter Joel Nicholson launched Butcher the Bar in 2007, shaping songs around carefully constructed melodies and understated vocals that echoed a more optimistic Elliott Smith. That same year he issued a 7" featuring the track "Get Away," which later appeared in an episode of the action-comedy series Chuck. The debut full-length Sleep at Your Own Speed followed in 2008, showcasing Nicholson on guitar, melodica, banjo, and accordion while exploring coming-of-age subjects. The 2011 follow-up For Each a Future Tethered incorporated horns, reeds, and piano to produce expansive arrangements comparable to those of Australian indie pop trio the Lucksmiths. As Nicholson promoted the releases through live performances, the project eventually incorporated a complete touring lineup. Between 2013 and 2015 the expanded Butcher the Bar worked intermittently on fresh material. The resulting album, III, finally emerged in 2019 via the Spanish label Bobo Integral.