Nigel House for Matthew E. White

Matthew E. White record

Matthew E. White

How and when did you first hear of your nominee, Matthew E. White, and do you have any specific methods for finding new music?

The first I heard of M E W was a rave review (in No Depression I think) with a link to a video. This was September last year. It stood out as being something right up my street.

What was it about Matthew E. White’s music that first intrigued you, and what in your opinion makes a musician exciting to a listener?

I loved the combination of the old and the new: he references soul, country, New Orleans, Van Morrison, Al Green. Harry Nilsson, but he has added something new and contemporary to all these styles.

Have your years working at the Rough Trade shop swayed your taste in music, or has it changed the way you interact with and enjoy music in any sense?

I loved music when I started at RT in 1981 and I love it just as much now – I get home and put something on the deck straight away. I still work behind the counter and there is nothing I love more than selling great music to customers old and new, young and old.

What song by Matthew E. White distinctly stands out to you?

My favourite on the album is Big Love.

Tell us why you chose Matthew E. White as your nominee.

What really swung it for me was the Certificate of Authenticity that came with the original US vinyl copies.

ROUGH TRADE LOGO

Nigel House is a director of Rough Trade Retail. Rough Trade has been an independent purveyor of great music since 1976. Nigel has been working behind the counter at Rough Trade since 1982. Nigel says “I still love listening to new bands, going out to see bands, discussing music and selling music to our customers.”

Rough Trade has two stores in London and is opening its first US location in Williamsburg, New York this fall.

Nominator/Nominee