Iain Archer
Genre: Acoustic Pop/Rock
Location: London, England

Iain Archer promotional photos. More Photos...

Acoustic singer/songwriter, Iain Archer, has acquired a following of loyal fans since the release of his debut CD "Playing Dead" in 1994. He's currently gigging and demoing songs for a new album which should seal his move to mainstream success on the wave of what NME has dubbed the New Acoustic Movement. Iain is credited with "guitar and dobro" on Juliet Turner's Let's Hear It For Pizza, available here at gallerylounge.com.

Iain Archer was born in Bangor, County Down into a musical family (brother Paul is lead singer of acclaimed group The Ghears). He began his career playing in a succession of bands around Northern Ireland, including the almost-legendary "Dorothy Fields" who split up on the day of their first major record company showcase (very rock'n'roll!). After making his way to Glasgow, he signed for local label Sticky Music, and recorded his debut album Playing Dead in 1994.

It was in the summer of that year, with appearances at events such as the Greenbelt Festival, that the music world began to sit up and take notice as he quickly won an army of loyal fans. The stage seemed set for Iain's breakthrough, as he appeared alongside such artists as Martyn Joseph, Tom Robinson, and Nils Lofgren. As his reputation grew, Guitarist Magazine ran a feature on him, and on one notable occasion even Eric Clapton turned out to hear Iain play!

Unfortunately, lack of publicity for live gigs and recordings held back his progression from cult to mainstream success, and although his debut single Wishing became Record of the Week on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show, the record didn't make a great impact on the UK Chart.

Two years later, Iain's second Sticky Music album Crazy Bird was released - an even more intimate offering than the debut, with arrangements stripped right down to acoustic guitar and voice much of the time, as on the outstanding title track. But as if to signal his intention not to be pigeonholed into the folk genre, Iain began to appear on stage more often with his electric guitar (looking uncannily like Rory Gallacher too!)

1997 saw the culmination of this change of direction, bringing the release of the independent mini-album Revelation Bell, recorded at the ICC Studios in Eastbourne with Iain co-producing for the first time. The CD remains his most controversial work to date, with fans' opinions sharply divided as to its merits. It is now available in limited quantities via mail order from his website.

For the next couple of years Iain's attention was largely directed towards writing and showcasing material for a collaborative project, Brew, with singer/songwriter Dee Ellington. Critical acclaim followed rapidly, as did serious interest from major publishers including Virgin in the UK and Dreamworks in the US. But seemingly once more on the brink of success, the record companies' insatiable need for ever more commercial pop led the partnership to dissolve around the end of 1999, and Iain returned to his solo career.

The intervening years appear to have revitalised his writing, with new songs of a more blues/roots nature proving highly popular among audiences. A new album is planned, but recording schedules and release dates haven't been fixed thus far. 2000 has also proved a momentous year for Iain on a personal level, as he married long-time partner on and off stage, Miriam Kaufmann.