RJ Thompson is a British singer-songwriter. Thompson came to prominence in 2014 after touring as support act for UK pianist Jools Holland, performing at venues including the Royal Albert Hall.
Biography
Early life and career beginnings (1985–2010)
RJ Thompson grew up in the North East of England. He wrote his first song after witnessing a U2 concert at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Following an open mic night at The Studio in Hartlepool in 2004, he was asked to open the show the following night for Live Aid organiser Midge Ure. During this time period RJ was working on an album entitled Illogical Life which was released to the public in 2006. Whilst technically released via an indie label, RJ considers the album to be more like a collection of demos rather than a bonafide studio record, he explained on a recent radio interview with Radio Teesdale. In the same interview, RJ also explained that the collection of songs was originally released under his full name, but he shortened his artist name to RJ to avoid confusion with the Fairport Convention singer Richard Thompson. Following the release of Illogical Life and the subsequent Acoustic Sessions EP, RJ spent the following 3 years touring Germany with Midge Ure and the UK with The Proclaimers, Sandi Thom and Gabriella Cilmi among others.
RJ released two singles in 2011, and both tracks were released on the EP The Cognitive Rules later that same year. The single A Better Life received airplay on BBC Radio 2, while opening track Fables was featured on BBC Radio 6 Music The EP was something of a comeback for RJ, having spent the previous 3–4 years touring and not releasing music. The EP was mastered by Geoff Pesche at Abbey Road Studios.
RJ returned in June 2014 with new single The Numbers. The song had long been performed at RJ's live shows, but it was officially recorded and released as a single in 2014. The song received substantial airplay on BBC Radio 2. Later in 2014 Thompson revealed on social media that he would release a new EP entitled House Upon The Hill in November. The title track from the EP was featured as one of The Time's tracks of the week on 29 November 2014. It has also received favourable reviews in Acoustic Magazine, Narc Magazine and The Crack Magazine. The EP was mastered by Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios. The title track from the EP House Upon The Hill has received airplay on dozens of UK radio stations, and has been playlisted on The Breeze network of stations. The track has also received some favourable reviews. No Man's Land, one of the songs on the EP, was featured on the cover CD for UK music magazine Acoustic Magazine in January 2015.
RJ announced that a new album, Echo Chamber would be released on 17 November 2017. The album, and singles from the album, received glowing coverage on influential music websites such as Subba Cultcha, CelebMix, Wonderland Magazine and Clash Magazine. A deluxe edition of the album was released in 2018 featuring bonus and live tracks.
Kids single (2020)
In January 2020, RJ announced that a new single, Kids, would be released on 5 February 2020.
Short Film (expected 2020)
RJ has been known to conceptualise and direct many of his music videos, and he announced on social media in early 2020 that he is expanding his filmmaking with the production of his debut short film, expected to be released in late 2020.
Tours
In addition to tours with Midge Ure, Gabriella Cilmi and The Proclaimers, RJ recently shared the stage with UK Number 1 artist Gabrielle Aplin at 3 shows. Thompson joined her onstage to perform duets of John Mayer's "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room" and Noah and the Whale's "LIFEGOESON". RJ also performed a duet of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" on stage with Sandi Thom at The Sage Gateshead in 2009. In 2014, RJ announced his biggest shows to date, touring as the support act to UK pianist Jools Holland throughout the year. Concerts would take place at Perth Concert Hall, Middlesbrough Town Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, London, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, O2 Apollo, Manchester, and Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 2015 saw RJ tour extensively, again with Jools Holland, and also throughout Europe with Joan Armatrading. 2017 and 2018 again saw RJ tour with Jools Holland.
RJ Thompson is endorsed by boutique amplifier company Two Rock Amplification alongside guitar superstars John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa and Matt Schofield. He is also featured on the website of Japanese Effects Pedal company Free The Tone. Thompson is also on the artist roster of Lowden Guitars.
