01Profile
A Nick J.D. Hodgson Photo
Nick J.D. Hodgson
Musician — Leeds
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Nick J.D. Hodgson, Leeds, UK.
Describe your style in three words?
Posh meets Becks
What's the best gig you've ever been to?
David Bowie at Leeds, Town & Country Club. He came on on his own and played 'Quicksand' on acoustic guitar.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Queen & The Beatles.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Mod mainly. When I was 18, myself and my friends were obsessed with mod culture and the 60s. When we started the band that would eventually become Kaiser Chiefs we were pretty much a mod band.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Jerry Seinfeld. Because I'm obsessed with the show Seinfeld and increasingly obsessed with Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. I see Seinfeld-isms everywhere and every day, and there's usually a quote to suit any situation. Fans of the show will know what I mean. He doesn't really like engaging with strangers so not sure how he'd feel about an hour with me though.
Of all the venues you've played, which is your favourite?
It’s got to be Elland Road, the Leeds United stadium. We played there in 2008, and it was a total dream come true. Very emotional, I could hardly sing the first two songs cos I was choked. 40,000 people in your hometown at the club that you support. I’m most grateful for that than anything else I've achieved in music.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Rod Temperton. Not fully unsung because a lot of people know him, but it's certainly not mainstream knowledge that he wrote some of the greatest songs ever including, 'Thriller', 'Boogie Nights', 'Rock With You' and 'Off The Wall'. AND he was from Cleethorpes!
Also Carol Kaye the unsung bassist who played on 'Pet Sounds', 'I’m A Believer' and 'These Boots Are Made For Walking' and many others.
Nick J.D. Hodgson is the former drummer and songwriter for Kaiser Chiefs. Since leaving the band in 2012, he has primarily worked as a songwriter and producer, working alongside an array of artists from Mark Ronson to Rat Boy.
Nick's debut solo album 'Tell Your Friends' will be released 26th January 2018.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Imagine' by John Lennon. There are three songs growing up that I played, paused and wrote down every lyric and un-paused. 'Imagine', 'Lola' by The Kinks and 'Live Forever' by Oasis.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I think the band that I loved all the way through my teen years is The Stone Roses and my all time favourite would have to be 'I Am The Resurrection'.
One record you would keep forever?
'Is This It' by The Strokes is the album that I can always put on whatever the situation or however I'm feeling. It’s just perfect. The exciting bits are the most exciting and the emotional bits are the most emotional.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“And if the homework brings you down,
then we’ll throw it on the fire
and take the car downtown”
'Kooks' by David Bowie.
A song you wished you had written?
'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' by Cyndi Lauper.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Territorial Pissings' by Nirvana, obviously!
A song people wouldn't expect you to like?
I love 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Wichita Lineman' by Glen Campbell (Carol Kaye on bass!)
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
LIFE are my favourite new-ish band. They're the best, go see them live. Dream Wife too.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Nick J.D. Hodgson, Leeds, UK.
Describe your style in three words?
Posh meets Becks
What's the best gig you've ever been to?
David Bowie at Leeds, Town & Country Club. He came on on his own and played 'Quicksand' on acoustic guitar.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Queen & The Beatles.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Mod mainly. When I was 18, myself and my friends were obsessed with mod culture and the 60s. When we started the band that would eventually become Kaiser Chiefs we were pretty much a mod band.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Jerry Seinfeld. Because I'm obsessed with the show Seinfeld and increasingly obsessed with Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. I see Seinfeld-isms everywhere and every day, and there's usually a quote to suit any situation. Fans of the show will know what I mean. He doesn't really like engaging with strangers so not sure how he'd feel about an hour with me though.
Of all the venues you've played, which is your favourite?
It’s got to be Elland Road, the Leeds United stadium. We played there in 2008, and it was a total dream come true. Very emotional, I could hardly sing the first two songs cos I was choked. 40,000 people in your hometown at the club that you support. I’m most grateful for that than anything else I've achieved in music.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Rod Temperton. Not fully unsung because a lot of people know him, but it's certainly not mainstream knowledge that he wrote some of the greatest songs ever including, 'Thriller', 'Boogie Nights', 'Rock With You' and 'Off The Wall'. AND he was from Cleethorpes!
Also Carol Kaye the unsung bassist who played on 'Pet Sounds', 'I’m A Believer' and 'These Boots Are Made For Walking' and many others.
Nick J.D. Hodgson is the former drummer and songwriter for Kaiser Chiefs. Since leaving the band in 2012, he has primarily worked as a songwriter and producer, working alongside an array of artists from Mark Ronson to Rat Boy.
Nick's debut solo album 'Tell Your Friends' will be released 26th January 2018.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Imagine' by John Lennon. There are three songs growing up that I played, paused and wrote down every lyric and un-paused. 'Imagine', 'Lola' by The Kinks and 'Live Forever' by Oasis.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I think the band that I loved all the way through my teen years is The Stone Roses and my all time favourite would have to be 'I Am The Resurrection'.
One record you would keep forever?
'Is This It' by The Strokes is the album that I can always put on whatever the situation or however I'm feeling. It’s just perfect. The exciting bits are the most exciting and the emotional bits are the most emotional.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“And if the homework brings you down,
then we’ll throw it on the fire
and take the car downtown”
'Kooks' by David Bowie.
A song you wished you had written?
'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' by Cyndi Lauper.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Territorial Pissings' by Nirvana, obviously!
A song people wouldn't expect you to like?
I love 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Wichita Lineman' by Glen Campbell (Carol Kaye on bass!)
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
LIFE are my favourite new-ish band. They're the best, go see them live. Dream Wife too.
Nick J.D. Hodgson | Suitable (2017)
Kaiser Chiefs | Little Shocks (2011)
Kaiser Chiefs | Ruby (2007)
Kasier Chiefs | Oh My God (2004)