Godfrey (musician)

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Godfrey Thomson
Thomson at Red Rocks Amphitheatre September 2014
Thomson at Red Rocks Amphitheatre September 2014
Background information
Birth nameGodfrey James Thomson
OriginUnited States
GenresAlt-rockindie popalt-dance
Occupation(s)Record producer • singer • songwriter • audio engineer
Instrument(s)Guitars • piano • keyboardsprogramming • vocals
Years active2000–present
LabelsAtlantic RecordsUniversal Music Publishing Group
Websitegodfreymusic.com

Godfrey James Thomson, better known as Godfrey, is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist and record producer based in Austin, Texas.[1][2][3] He co-founded the alternative rock band, Saints of Valory, in 2008 where he is the lead guitarist and vocalist.[4][3] With Saints of Valory, he has released 2 singles, 4 EPs and 1 full-length album. They were previously signed to Atlantic Records and Universal Music Publishing Group.[5][6] Godfrey collaborated with Nitty Scott and released "Sugar Puss" his first single as a solo artist on March 27, 2020.[7]

Biography[edit]

Early life[edit]

Godfrey Thomson voice acting • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Godfrey was born to American parents and moved to Brazil at 1 year of age. As a young child, he began performing and playing guitar in public. At the age of nine, Godfrey began recording vocals and voice acting in English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. At the age of 15, he moved to Los Angeles, CA with his family. During his teen years, Godfrey moved to Tokyo, Japan with a friend to pursue a career in audio/video engineering and music production.[8][9]

Career[edit]

Godfrey returned to the US in his early 20's and began working as a record producer and audio engineer. In the early 2000s, he relocated to Mexico City where he built an audio recording studio and continued his record producing career.[8] In 2008, Godfrey moved back to the United States and began composing music for television and film. He composed hard rock and alt-rock soundtracks for NBC Sports Channel and Outdoor Channel as well as for shows such as Cars.TV and The American Athlete.[9]

In 2008, Godfrey and his childhood friend Gavin Jasper formed the alternative rock band, Saints of Valory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[3][10] Gerard Labou also visited Brazil and joined the band as the drummer.[8][3] The band self-released their first EP, "The Bright Lights", in 2010.[8] Saint of Valory was named one of Billboard's Top Unsigned Artists in 2012.[11] Between 2010 and 2018, Godfrey's musical career continued as the co-founder and the lead guitarist of Saints Of Valory who were signed to Atlantic Records in 2012.[8] They subsequently signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group in 2014.[12][8] During these times, Godfrey was voted top 10 guitarists in Austin, Texas for 2010–2011.[13]

Thomson at audio engineering school • Tokyo, Japan

Godfrey's notable performances with Saints of Valory include supporting The Rolling Stones, One Republic at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Imagine Dragons, Fitz and The Tantrums, AWOL Nation, Coachella Music Festival, Austin City Limits, Rock in Rio Brazil and Rock in Rio USA.[14][3][15][16]

In March 2020, Godfrey released his first single as a solo artist called, "Sugar Puss" featuring Nitty Scott. The single received positive reviews at multiple music websites.[17] On May 15, 2020, Godfrey released a second single, "Let Me." along with the instrumental version.[18] He wrote his third single following the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protesting, "Hard Look (Mirror And Me)" was released on Juneteenth 2020.[19]

Godfrey Thomson supporting The Rolling Stones at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway • 4th of July, 2015

Discography[edit]

As a solo artist
Singles Year
"Sugar Puss (feat. Nitty Scott) [Raucous Mix]" 2020
"Let Me." 2020
"Hard Look (Mirror And Me)" 2020
With Saint of Valory
Title Year Type Notes
"The Bright Lights" 2010 Extended Play
"Providence" 2010 Single
"Kids EP" 2012 Extended Play
"Possibilities EP" 2013 Extended Play
"Neon Eyes" 2013 Single
"V" 2014 Extended Play
Bleeding Rainbows 2018 Album

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Battle of the Bands 2012 Southwest". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. ^ IMS,. "Saints of Valory Added as Second Special Guest to Open for The Rolling Stones". Indianapolismotorspeedway.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Everybody Seems To Love The Dreamy Saints of Valory". December 9, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "2015 Rock in Rio USA: Photos From the Festival". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Saints of Valory signs to Atlantic Records | Kings of A&R". kingsofar.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Beringer, Erica (June 23, 2015). "Saints of Valory added as 2nd opener for Rolling Stones' Indy show". ..Wishtv.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "GODFREY shares ‘Sugar Puss’ featuring Afro-Latinx rapper Nitty Scott". Grungecake.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Exclusive: Saints of Valory Untold Story". The Austinot. July 9, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Godfrey Information and Concert Dates Music Page 1". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  10. ^ Peterson, Tyler. "Saints of Valory to Play WHBPAC, 11/10". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  11. ^ "Saints of Valory Added to The Rolling Stones Bill – Indianapolis Indiana News". Naptown Buzz. June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  12. ^ [1] [dead link]
  13. ^ "Eric Johnson – Best Electric Guitar – Austin Music Awards – 2010 – Best Austin Musicians – The Austin Chronicle". Austinchronicle.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  14. ^ IMS,. "Saints of Valory Added as Second Special Guest to Open for The Rolling Stones". Indianapolismotorspeedway.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  15. ^ "Música da banda internacional Saints of Valory embala o romance de Dunat". Malhação 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Peru.com, Redacción (May 8, 2015). "Rock in Río: Saints of Valory abrió el esperado festival (FOTOS)". Peru.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  17. ^ Ulitski, Rob. "GODFREY – 'Sugar Puss' (ft. Nitty Scott) Alternative/ EDM Pastel Wasteland". pastelwasteland.com/. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  18. ^ "GODFREY Is Full Of Electro Energy On Let Me. – Neon Music – Digital Music Discovery & Showcase Platform". neonmusic.co.uk. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  19. ^ "GODFREY: "Hard Look" (Mirror and Me)". Gas Mask Magazine. Retrieved June 13, 2021.

External links[edit]