Following his recent cinematic, brooding cover version of ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’, drummer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Nick D’Virgilio has released the energetic, uptempo ‘In My Bones’ as the latest single to be issued from his brand new solo album,

A 20 minute ‘making of’ the album documentary has also been made available that describes its recording process and includes footage from both Abbey Road Studios in London and Sweetwater Sound in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Befitting his reputation as one of the world’s leading drummers, ‘Invisible’ features a different kit on every song and D’Virgilio will be making videos available for all of them. Explaining the thinking behind this, he states: “I wanted people to see and hear the kits away from the songs. Showing all of those amazing instruments, what they are made of and the stories behind them. The manufacturers put so much thought and effort into their instruments and they said yes to my project. I am beyond blessed and want to show whoever takes the time to watch the videos why I chose what I chose and how it fits the song. Maybe helping them find ways to choose the right gear for their next project. I think many amateur drummers go into recording with the mindset of ‘these are my drums and that’s it.’ Even if you only have one drum kit you can still sculpt the sound to the song you are working on. Changing drum heads, using different dampening techniques and different kinds of sticks can radically change the sound of the kit. All of the other players in a band sculpt their sound to fit the song. Drummers can do absolutely the same.”

‘Invisible’ is the second solo album by the California born but Indiana based D’Virgilio and comes almost two decades after his debut solo record. A concept work about a man seeking the meaning of his life, he is keen to establish that “this is not your typical drummer record,” adding that “‘Invisible’ is a rock album with various musical flavours thrown in because the songs were formed with the story in mind.”

With the recording process split between the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London (including full string and brass sections) and the world class Sweetwater Studios in Fort Wayne, Indiana, ‘Invisible’ boasts star turns from luminaries such as guitarists Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) and Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), bassists Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Steve Hackett), plus keyboard players Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Jem Godfrey (Frost*).

D’Virgilio’s only previous solo offering, ‘Karma’ (2001), had appeared midway through his tenure with US progressive rock titans Spock’s Beard, with whom he started out as drummer upon their inception in the early 1990’s before taking on additional lead singer and live frontman duties in 2002 for four studio albums prior to his departure in 2011. At the time, this was partly in order to continue touring as drummer, singer and assistant bandleader with Cirque du Soleil, with whom he played over 1400 shows over a five year period until 2014. He has been the drummer with the award winning UK band Big Big Train since 2007 and performed with world renowned acts such as Genesis (appearing on the ‘Calling All Stations’ album) and Tears For Fears (with whom he toured for over a decade). He has also spent the last few years as the face of the drum division of world leading music technology and instrument retailer Sweetwater Sound.

“Bold statements that also contain a high degree of subtlety in their intricate instrumental and vocal arrangements. Compelling”
PROG
“D’Virgilio can sing, he can write and he sure can drum. Plus he’s been able to round up a top-notch cast of musicians and persuade them to serve the album rather than themselves 8/10”
CLASSIC ROCK
“A really interesting and attention-grabbing collection. ‘Invisible’ is a doozy” FIREWORKS
“An intriguing album, full of melody and interesting musical diversions ****”
GET READY TO ROCK!
“A beautifully produced record with a thoughtfully laid out and precise mix”
RED GUITAR MUSIC