With melodic, baritoned anguished that falls somewhere in the neighborhood of
Scott Walker,
Pulp touring guitarist and former
Longpigs member
Richard Hawley began his solo career with his self-titled debut in 2001.
Hawley was raised in Sheffield, England, as the son of a steelworker and grew up listening to folks such as
Roy Orbison and
Elvis Presley. He learned guitar at an early age from his father and uncle. During the '90s he built up a reputation as an ace guitarist and, besides his stints in
Pulp and
Longpigs, did session work for U.K. artists such as
Robbie Williams,
Beth Orton, and
All Saints. He released his self-titled debut in April 2001.
Hawley's sophomore effort,
Late Night Final, which cloaked his sweet baritone and heartworn songs in lush arrangements, followed in 2002 on Bar-None Records.
Hawley toured behind the album, opening for the likes of
Coldplay and
Pulp. Also in 2002,
Hawley and
Pulp leader
Jarvis Cocker recorded a track for the tribute album
Total Lee! The Songs of Lee Hazlewood. The next year,
Hawley returned with the personal
Lowedges, which was named for a place just outside his native Sheffield. In September 2005,
Hawley released his first album for Mute, the bittersweet
Cole's Corner. He followed it in 2007 with
Lady's Bridge. ~ Erik Hage, All Music Guide
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