Biography
Alternative folk duo Nizlopi rank among the decade’s clearest one-hit phenomena, climbing from total anonymity to claim a chart-topping single propelled by an animated clip that spread rapidly online before vanishing from the rankings forever. Luke Concannon, who handles vocals, guitar, and bodhran, first joined forces with John Parker on double bass and human beatbox when both were thirteen and attending Trinity Catholic Technology College in Leamington Spa, England. The pair took their name from a Hungarian girl on whom Concannon had developed an early infatuation. Their 2004 debut album, Half These Songs Are About You, mixed jazz, Celtic folk, and hip-hop under the guidance of producer Gavin Monaghan, known for his work with Robert Plant. Although “The JCB Song” initially reached only number 160, a re-release at the close of 2005 carried it to the summit after Monkeehub supplied its endearing animated video, which circulated as an online phenomenon. The track recounted Concannon’s childhood memory of riding his father’s mechanical digger to avoid school bullies, moved half a million copies, and finished just behind Shayne Ward’s debut single, the Christmas number-one release by the X-Factor winner. The following year they issued the acoustic EP ExtraOrdinary. After opening for Jamie Cullum and Christina Aguilera, the duo returned in 2008 with Make It Happen, recorded under Phil Brown, veteran of sessions with Bob Marley, and featuring the single “Start Beginnings” plus a guest appearance by poet Benjamin Zephaniah. In early 2010 Concannon and Parker posted a notice on the group’s official site declaring their decision to disband and pursue separate careers.
Albums
