Cedric Noel
Cedric Noel (born August 21, 1992) is a multi-ethnic, multinational, multi-instrumental singer-songwriter residing in Canada. His sound has been characterized as ranging from "emotionally driven indie-rock, ambient synth music, and romantic electro-pop" [1] to "soul" or "gentle folk" but is ultimately intended as a critique of genre limitations that aspires to "contribute to the reimagination of what is understood as ‘Black music’ and help remove the boundaries that term currently encompasses,” as Noel remarked in an interview.[2]
Cedric Noel | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Cedric Noel |
Born | August 21, 1992 |
Origin | Niamey, Niger. |
Genres | Soul, Conscious Soul, Indie Rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Drums, vocals, guitar, piano, keys, production et al. |
Years active | 2010-present |
Labels | Joyful Noise Recordings |
History
Adopted Nigerian son of Indian-of-origin Mozambican/Belgian parents, Noel has lived on every continent except Antarctica and his work draws on a wide variety of musical traditions as a result.[3]
Noel attended St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where he studied journalism.[4] Noel was a contributing writer for St. Thomas's student newspaper The Aquinian from 2010-2013 and his writing often focused on Fredericton's music and arts scenes.[5]
In October 2011, Noel formed Redwood Fields with Fredericton musicians Brendan Magee (keys) and Bruce Duval (drums), and in early 2012 added veteran Fredericton musician Heather Ogilvie to their lineup as a bassist.[6] Redwood Fields released their first full length album Accidentals in July 2013. The album was nominated for Pop Recording of the Year at the 2013 Music NB Awards, while the album's title track was nominated for SOCAN Song of the Year.[4]
Following the dissolution of Redwood Fields in 2014, Noel went on to form a new band, Sentimentals, with fellow St. Thomas University alumnus Will Pacey, and Cam "Terminal" Corey[7] and also began focusing on recording and releasing solo material. After a period of prolific collaboration with local musicians which resulted in a string of releases, Noel was named Grid City Magazine's 2015 Artist of the Year.[8] Noel relocated from Fredericton to Montreal in the fall of 2016.[9]
A long time singer and collaborator with numerous fellow musicians, bands and projects Noel released new solo work in 2020 on the LPs Patterning[10] and Nothing Forever, Everything.[2] In 2021, he joined US record label Joyful Noise Recordings[11] and the Canadian Forward Music Group[12] to release Hang Time[13] which has been greeted as an album of note by Stereogum and others.[14][13][15][16][17][18] Liam O'neill of Suuns plays drums on seven of the albums thirteen tracks.[19] "Much of the album deals with questions of friendship and allyship," writes Nikolas Sokai in Exclaim.[19]
References
- "Cedric Noel : Nighttime (Skin)". Aquarium Drunkard. July 31, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- "Cedric Noel and Common Holly Braid Their Voices Together on "Dove"". FLOOD. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- Joyful Noise Radio Hour - Episode 7, with Cedric Noel, retrieved November 10, 2021
- Byrne, Kayla. "Redwood Fields pushing for the big times". The Aquinian. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- "Cedric Noel, Author at The Aquinian". The Aquinian. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- O'Neil, Meghan. "Fredericton's Redwood Fields shakes it up". The Aquinian. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- McPhee, Emily. "Cedric Noel creates new band and sound". The Aquinian. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- "Artist of the Year - Cedric Noel". Grid City Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- Carter, Matt. "Sentimentals Debut New Songs". Grid City Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- "Cedric Noel – Patterning (Self-Released) – God Is In The TV". December 23, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- "Cedric Noel | Joyful Noise Recordings". www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- "Cedric Noel". Forward Music Group. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- "Cedric Noel Channels Malcolm X on New Single "Allies" | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- "Album Of The Week: IDLES 'CRAWLER'". Stereogum. November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- Key, Iain (November 11, 2021). "Cedric Noel: Hang Time - album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- "Cedric Noel annonce la sortie de son prochain album : Hang Time". Le Canal Auditif (in French). August 18, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- fortherabbitsmusic (November 11, 2021). "Get To Know – Cedric Noel". For The Rabbits. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- "Hear the Week's Best New Canadian Music: OMBIIGIZI, Jex Nwalor, Zenesoul | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "Cedric Noel Confidently Asks the Tough Questions on 'Hang Time' | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved November 19, 2021.