Celebrated NYC artist Charlie Nieland shares 'Win' (feat. spiritchild)', previewing new album
FOR FANS OF: Radiohead, PJ Harvey, Beach House, The National, Genesis, Arcade Fire, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, The War on Drugs
INFLUENCED BY: The Beatles, Yes, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, XTC, Cocteau Twins, Echo & The Bunnymen, U2, The Cure, MBV, The Flaming Lips, Interpol
FCC clean (no profanity)
ISRC code GBMJG2525516
'Win (feat. spiritchild)' https://youtu.be/r_xKYos2PpU
Bandcamp https://charlienieland.bandcamp.com/track/win-feat-spiritchild
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/2OyLAjNi0yMF0C8l5c5jWR
'Stories From The Borderlines' http://charlienieland.bandcamp.com/album/stories-from-the-borderlines
'The Ocean Understands' EP https://charlienieland.bandcamp.com/album/the-ocean-understands
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/4Qoq5PlUvOFw7RLwlpPgLF
'Redshift' video https://youtu.be/1ayazviYLBQ
'Drown' video https://youtu.be/7Hz_4261XeI
Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/charlienielandmusic
"A restless atmosphere that’s reinforced by brightly winding guitar lines, and Nieland’s heartfelt vocals as he sings socio-politically steeped lyrics” ~ Big Takeover Magazine
"Wraps itself around the listener like a comforting, yet undeniably challenging, embrace. A spectacular journey... This isn't just music; it's a thoughtful, brooding meditation that truly delivers a sense of optimism and a vision for a brighter tomorrow" ~ The Spill Magazine
"Musical deftness and sonic poise which may at first belie the poignancy of the message... balances shards of guitar noise, beguiling electronica and his imploring vocals" ~ Dancing About Architecture
Following his latest masterpiece - 'The Ocean Understands' EP, acclaimed NYC songwriter-producer Charlie Nieland has announced that his forthcoming album'Stories From The Borderlines', set for release on October 24. The first offering from this atmospheric and imaginative collection is 'Win (feat. spiritchild)'.
Defying expectations, 'Win' is a postpunk mini-epic that starts as a piano-led hymn, becomes an explosive jangling anthem and winds up with a spectacular turn by Staten Island-based activist / rapper spiritchild. This new music arrives on the trail of Nieland's recent 'The Ocean Understands' EP and videos for 'Redshift' and 'Drown', directed by multi-faceted NYC-based artist Hypnodoll.
"The material for 'Stories From The Borderlines' got its start in the NYC performance series The Bushwick Book Club in response to various literary sources. The lead single 'Win' is actually a song about surrender - “I just want you to win”, written as part of Bushwick Book Club’s residency for Banned Book Week at the Kurt Vonnegut Library and Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana," says Charlie Nieland.
"I was struck by the fearful response to the coming-of-age YA novel "All Boys Aren’t Blue" by the young, gay, African-American author George M. Johnson, which was the second most banned book in 2023. Book banning ultimately backfires. The act of hiding something from ourselves forces discovery. It begs us to honor what we don’t yet understand. Our fragile self-created identities - especially those formed in opposition to our adversaries - dissolve in the bright light of our interdependence. Our shared divinity. In a flash, the chorus woke me up in the middle of the night. “Go ahead and take my place. Take a look at my face. This is how it begins”.
Nieland's backstory is extensive, having written, performed and produced music for decades. He has written for and produced such artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie and Scissor Sisters, as well as scoring the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (with Glenn Close), Showtime's pilot episode of 'The L Word' and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'.
Charlie was awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie's 'Greatest Hits Sight & Sound' and achieved a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Position with Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced.
Presenting a visceral blend of post punk, glam, dream pop and progressive rock, the forthcoming album also involves an appearance by keyboardist Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams, Nada Surf, Polyvox). Atmospheric, with sweeping melodies and restless rhythms, these unique soundscapes promise an immersive journey, showcasing Nieland's continued evolution as an artist and producer.
After 20 years with dreampop band Her Vanished Grace, Nieland established himself as a solo artist rich on nuanced songwriting and sonic exploration, releasing 'Ice Age' (2014), followed by 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016) and ‘Divisions' album (2021). Half of the literature-inspired duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang, he also produces and co-hosts the 'An Embarrassment of Prog' podcast.
'Win (feat. spiritchild)' is available from digital music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where Nieland's latest EP 'The Ocean Understands' EP can also be found. The full 'Stories From The Borderlines' album, out on October 24, can now be pre-ordered.
SINGLE CREDITS
'Win (feat. spiritchild)' written by Charlie Nieland and spiritchild
Recorded at Saturation Point Studios (Brooklyn, NY) from January 2023 to April 2025
Charlie Nieland - vocals, electric guitars, bass, piano, electric piano, virtual mellotrons and string machines, percussion
spiritchild - vocals
Billy Loose - drums
Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Charlie Nieland
Cover Art by Hypnodoll™
© 2025 Athame Music, xspiritmentaleyez
Video for 'Win (feat. spiritchild) by Charlie Nieland
Videos for 'Redshift' and 'Drown' by Hypnodoll™
Photography by Alice Teeple
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
ALBUM TRACK LIST
01. Cease To Turn
02. Brutalist Monuments
03. Win (feat. spiritchild)
04. Drown
05. Hypnotized
06. Back To Life
07. Redshift
08. Sentinel
09. Shame
10. Today
11. You Fell Down
Keep up with Charlie Nieland
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