Brian Briggs

Biography

Brian Briggs is a British musician and ornithologist best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter of the indie-folk band Stornoway. Born in the late 1970s, Briggs grew up with a deep appreciation for nature, which later became a defining element of his music. He studied Biological Sciences at Worcester College, Oxford, graduating in 2001, and pursued a doctorate in wildfowl conservation at Wolfson College. It was during his time at Oxford that he met Jon Ouin, with whom he would form Stornoway in 2006.

Stornoway quickly gained recognition for their melodic, nature-inspired sound, blending folk, pop, and indie influences. The band released their debut album, 'Beachcomber's Windowsill,' in 2010, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 14 and won Album of the Year at the XFM New Music Awards. Briggs's songwriting is characterized by vivid imagery drawn from his experiences in the natural world, often incorporating birdsong and environmental themes. After three albums and extensive touring, Stornoway went on hiatus in 2017, prompting Briggs to focus on his parallel career in wildlife conservation as a senior reserve warden in Wales. The band reunited in 2022, releasing a fourth album, 'Dig the Mountain,' in 2023.

Briggs's dual passions for music and ecology have made him a unique figure in the British music scene, celebrated for his ability to bridge scientific insight and artistic expression. His legacy lies in both his contributions to indie-folk music and his advocacy for wildlife conservation, inspiring audiences to appreciate the beauty of the natural world through song.

Fun Facts

• Brian Briggs holds a doctorate (DPhil) in wildfowl conservation and has worked as a senior reserve warden at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in Llanelli, Wales.
• Stornoway was the first unsigned band to appear on 'Later... with Jools Holland' in 2009.
• Briggs often incorporates actual birdsong into Stornoway's music and live performances, sometimes teaching audiences how to identify birds by their calls.
• He wrote much of Stornoway's third album, 'Bonxie,' in a camper van named 'Bertie' on the Gower Peninsula, which became both a songwriting retreat and a running anecdote due to its distinctive smell and weathered appearance.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Derek Briggs - Brian's father, a respected professor of palaeontology, provided early scientific inspiration and introduced Stornoway at a Yale performance. (Yale Peabody Museum concert introduction) [Childhood–2010s]

Key Collaborators

• Jon Ouin - Co-founder and multi-instrumentalist in Stornoway; primary songwriting and arranging partner. (All Stornoway albums) [2006–present]
• Oli Steadman - Bassist and founding member of Stornoway. (All Stornoway albums) [2006–present]
• Rob Steadman - Drummer and band member in Stornoway. (All Stornoway albums) [2006–present]
• Charlotte (multi-instrumentalist) - Performs with Stornoway, playing flute, violin, saxophone, and more. (Live performances, 'Dig the Mountain') [2022–present]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging UK indie-folk artists - Stornoway's blend of folk and nature themes has inspired a new generation of environmentally conscious musicians. (Not specifically documented) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Look Around the Corner (Combat Zone)
2. Aeo 1 (Brian Damage)
3. Aeo 2 (Brian Damage)
4. See You on the Other Side (Brian Damage)
5. Lookin' Out (Brian Damage)
6. Aeo 1 (Concentration Mix)
7. Aeo 2
8. Spy vs. Spy (Brian Damage)
9. Spy Vs. Spy (Eighties)
10. Lookin’ Out (Soft Rock for Relaxing)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia