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Adrian Utley
British guitarist

Adrian Francis Utley (born 27 April 1957) is an English musician, record producer, and a member of the band Portishead.

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Career

Born in Northampton,2 Utley moved to Bristol in the mid 1980s, and heavily into jazz, played guitar with Big John Patton's touring band and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.3 He built up a collection of vintage instruments and studio equipment, and moved into production and film work.4

Portishead formed in 1990 with the first album Dummy released in 1994 followed by Portishead in 1997.5 Third was released in April 2008.6 During Portishead's hiatus between the second and third albums, Utley's production work included Beth Gibbons and Rustin' Man's Out of Season and he worked with fellow Portishead member Geoff Barrow as the Jimi Entley Sound and Fuzzface.7

During his career, Utley has recorded with artists as diverse as Marilyn Manson, Jeff Beck, Torres, Perfume Genius, Alain Bashung8 and Marianne Faithfull,9 and his film work includes Sound by Nic Roeg and Spiders from Mars with David Attenborough.1011

In 2009, he was part of the jazz collective Stonephace, releasing a self-titled album.12 In 2010, he composed a new soundtrack for silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc with Will Gregory (of Goldfrapp), performed by a 23 piece orchestra conducted by Charles Hazlewood.131415 In 2012, he was commissioned by the National Trust to produce "Sonic Journey," a piece of music inspired by walking among the trees at Croft Castle.1617 In 2013, he performed Terry Riley's "In C" with an ensemble including a bass clarinet, four organs (played by Hazlewood), and 19 guitars (including John Parish), the performance released on CD later that year.1819202122

In April 2018 he featured in an episode of series 45 of the BBC Radio 4 programme Great Lives, speaking in praise of Miles Davis.23

Credits

YearAlbumArtistDetailsRef.
1988RustKevin BrownArranger, guitar24
1993Crazy LegsJeff BeckRhythm guitar25
1994DummyPortisheadAs band memberProducer, composer, guitar, bass, Hammond organ, string arrangements, mixing26
1995ZanzibarFlanagan-Ingham QuartetProducer27
1997PortisheadPortisheadAs band memberProducer, composer, guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, theremin, string and horn arrangements, mixing28
1998Fantaisie militaireAlain BashungElectric guitars29
Roseland NYC LivePortisheadAs band memberProducer, composer, guitar, synthesizer, cabasa, orchestral arrangements30
1999Ultra-ObsceneBreakbeat EraGuitar on "Late Morning"31
ReloadTom JonesProducer, guitars, bass on "Motherless Child" (with Portishead)32
WarminsterHimself with Mount Vernon Arts LabProducer, instrumentation33
2000Textile LunchFlanagan-Ingham QuartetProducer34
Felt MountainGoldfrappBass, synthesiser35
American Psycho: Music from the Controversial Motion PictureVarious artistsProducer on "Trouble" by Daniel Ash36
2001It's a Wonderful LifeSparklehorseBass, guitar, Dictaphone37
2002Out of SeasonBeth Gibbons & Rustin ManProducer, guitars, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, engineering38
Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond ProjectDavid ArnoldGuitar on "The James Bond Theme" featuring LTJ Bukem39
HometimeAlison MoyetGuitar on two tracks40
Len Parrot's Memorial LiftBaxter DuryCo-composer of "Gingham Smalls 2", guitar, bass41
How Animals MoveJohn ParishGuitar, Dictaphone42
2003Black CherryGoldfrappGuitar, bass on "Train"43
The Golden Age of GrotesqueMarilyn MansonBass on "This Is the New Shit" (Goldfrapp Remix)44
AmorinoIsobel CampbellSynthesizer on "This Land Flows With Milk"45
McKayStephanie McKayGuitar, synthesizer46
Manipulating AgentKatalystGuitar47
2004BlottieHurleursGuitar, bass, melodica, clavinet48
2005The Invisible InvasionThe CoralProducer, engineering, mixing (with Geoff Barrow)49
Before the PoisonMarianne FaithfullGuitars, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, piano, sampling50
Once Upon a Little TimeJohn ParishGuitars51
Delirious / Theatre Of DreamsMarc AlmondGuitar on "Delirious (Demented, Deluded, Delirious)"52
Luxury ProblemsPatrick DuffProducer, bass, engineering53
2006SupernatureGoldfrappGuitar on "Ooh La La", guitar & bass on "Satin Chic"54
Monsieur Gainsbourg RevisitedVarious artistsPerformance and engineering on "Requiem for Anna" (with Portishead)55
2008Seventh TreeGoldfrappBass guitars on "Caravan Girl"56
Bugs in AmberGet the BlessingElectric guitar57
ThirdPortisheadAs band memberProducer, composer, guitars, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, ukulele, programming, engineering58
2009StonephaceStonephaceAs band member: electric guitar59
Bugs in AmberGet the BlessingGuitar, synthesizer60
2010HeligolandMassive AttackGuitar61
2011Street ClanInvisible SystemGuitar62
Happy SoupBaxter DuryGuitars63
2012The Haunted ManBat for LashesGuitar, additional synths on "Horses of the Sun"64
The PondThe PondMixing65
OC DCGet the BlessingGuitar66
2013In CAdrian Utley's Guitar OrchestraGuitar, mixing67
The VapourerSpiroMixing, producer, Moog68
2014Too BrightPerfume GeniusProducer, guitar, bass, synthesizers, handclaps, engineering, mixing69
Lope and AntilopeGet the BlessingGuitar, synthesizers70
OstinatoVersariProducer, guitar, synthesizers, piano, engineering71
Give My Love to LondonMarianne FaithfullGuitar72
Subterranean: New Designs on Bowie's BerlinDylan HoweGuitar, introduction73
Crows' BonesMartin GreenGuitar, bass, keyboard, percussion, mixing74
2015SprinterTorresGuitar, synthesizer, temple block75
2016ZooFrançoiz BreutProducer, instrumentation, mixing76
SirensJoe VolkGuitar on "Sirens", engineering77
2017Three FuturesTorresSynthesizer78
The Underside of PowerAlgiersProducer, guitar, synthesizers, drum machine79
Zone on NineBONZIEGuitar, bass, synthesizer, Swarmandal80
2018HunterAnna CalviSynthesizers, keyboards81
Arcadia (Music From The Motion Picture)Himself & Will GregoryGuitar, synthesizers82
2020EarthEOBGuitar83
Straight Songs of SorrowMark LaneganGuitar, synthesizers84
2021Planet (i)Squirrel FlowerGuitar, synthesizers, sitar85
ThirstierTorresSynthesizer86
2022Anywhere But HereSorryProducer87
No End In SightHimself & Luke ReynoldsExtended play88
2023Strange DancePhilip SelwayGuitar, bass, synthesizer89
  • Biography portal

References

  1. Jurek, Thom "Adrian Utley Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/biography ↩

  2. Mejia, Paula (2015) "In Search Of Intensity, Musicians Turn To Adrian Utley", NPR, 6 May 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2016 https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/05/06/404656687/in-search-of-intensity-musicians-turn-to-adrian-utley ↩

  3. Jurek, Thom "Adrian Utley Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/biography ↩

  4. "Portishead’s Adrian Utley shows off synth collection, taps up Andy Stott on film score", FACT, 19 September 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.factmag.com/2012/09/19/watch-portisheads-adrian-utley-give-a-fascinating-tour-of-his-synth-collection/ ↩

  5. Jurek, Thom "Adrian Utley Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/biography ↩

  6. Forrest, Peter (2008) "Adrian Utley: Recording Third", Sound on Sound, November 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.soundonsound.com/people/adrian-utley-recording-third ↩

  7. Jurek, Thom "Adrian Utley Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/biography ↩

  8. "Il y a vingt ans, Bashung publiait "Fantaisie militaire" - les Inrocks". Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180331174832/https://mobile.lesinrocks.com/2018/01/06/musique/il-y-vingt-ans-bashung-publiait-fantaisie-militaire-111028768/ ↩

  9. Mejia, Paula (2015) "In Search Of Intensity, Musicians Turn To Adrian Utley", NPR, 6 May 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2016 https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/05/06/404656687/in-search-of-intensity-musicians-turn-to-adrian-utley ↩

  10. Fiegel, Eddi (2001) "Ears Wide Open", The Guardian, 28 February 2001. Retrieved 1 January 2017 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/feb/28/artsfeatures ↩

  11. "Adrian Utley", British Film Institute. Retrieved 1 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170101163657/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb56f07e1 ↩

  12. Jurek, Thom "Adrian Utley Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/biography ↩

  13. Rogers, Jude (2010) "The Passion of Joan of Arc/Utley/Gregory, Colston Hall, Bristol", The Guardian, 11 May 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2016 https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/11/passion-of-joan-of-arc-utley-gregory ↩

  14. Schultz, Christopher (2011) "Portishead, Goldfrapp Members Premiere Hypnotic ‘Joan of Arc’ Soundtrack", Spin, 31 October 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.spin.com/2011/10/portishead-goldfrapp-members-premiere-hypnotic-joan-arc-soundtrack/ ↩

  15. Alleva, Daniel Michael (2011) "Adrian Utley & Will Gregory: Goldenhead", The Aquarian Weekly, 26 October 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2017 http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/10/26/adrian-utley-will-gregory-goldenhead/ ↩

  16. Morris, Steven (2012) "Portishead's Adrian Utley soundtracks stroll among ancient trees", The Guardian, 16 October 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2016 https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/16/portishead-adrian-utley-stroll-trees ↩

  17. "Portishead's Adrian Utley commissioned for Sonic Journeys", The Wire, 14 June 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2017 http://www.thewire.co.uk/news/19172/portishead_s-adrian-utley-commissioned-for-sonic-journeys ↩

  18. Jurek, Thom "Adrian Utley Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/biography ↩

  19. Mejia, Paula (2015) "In Search Of Intensity, Musicians Turn To Adrian Utley", NPR, 6 May 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2016 https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/05/06/404656687/in-search-of-intensity-musicians-turn-to-adrian-utley ↩

  20. Murray, Robin (2013) "Organised Chaos: Adrian Utley", Clash, 24 October 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.clashmusic.com/features/organised-chaos-adrian-utley ↩

  21. Tuffrey, Laurie (2013) "LISTEN: Stream Adrian Utley's In C In Full", The Quietus, 10 October 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://thequietus.com/articles/13569-adrian-utley-portishead-guitar-orchestra-album-stream ↩

  22. "Adrian Utley records Terry Riley's In C for electric guitars", The Wire, 6 August 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2016 http://www.thewire.co.uk/news/26059/adrian-utley-records-terry-riley_s-inc ↩

  23. "Adrian Utley of Portishead on Miles Davis". BBC. Retrieved 23 May 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09z4k9z ↩

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  25. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  26. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  27. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  28. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  29. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  30. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  31. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  32. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  33. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  34. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  35. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  36. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  37. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  38. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  39. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  40. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  41. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  42. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  43. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  44. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  45. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  46. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  47. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  48. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  49. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  50. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  51. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  52. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  53. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  54. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  55. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  56. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  57. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  58. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  59. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  60. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  61. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  62. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  63. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  64. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  65. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  66. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  67. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  68. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  69. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

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  71. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  72. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  73. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  74. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  75. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  76. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

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  79. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  80. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

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  82. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  83. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  84. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  85. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  86. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  87. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  88. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩

  89. "Adrian Utley". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-utley-mn0000928156/credits ↩