Yorkshire author, poet, puppeteer & magician!
Nick Toczek is a British writer, performer and self-confessed motormouth!
Photo by John Bolloten
Born in Yorkshire in 1950, he’s been writing since he was a child, began getting his poetry published in his mid-teens, did his first public readings when he was nineteen, and had his first collection of poetry published when he was twenty-one.
Since then, he’s done more than fifty thousand performances and presentations, has worked in more than forty countries, has published more than forty books, and has never had a ‘proper job’.
In November 2023, Nick was awarded with an Outstanding Contribution to Something or Other Award at the University of Bradford.
As you’ll find out if you explore this website, he’s a music journalist, professional magician, political writer and researcher, creative writing tutor – especially in schools, radio DJ with his own weekly show, rock lyricist and vocalist, puppeteer, stand-up comedian, librettist and more. Basically, he does his hobbies for a living. Surely that’s cool.
There are no statues to him, so this website will have to do instead. With luck, you’ll find it interesting.
The Wool City Rocker!
THE WOOL CITY ROCKER fanzine ran for just three years. Over its fourteen published issues, it expanded from being the voice of the vibrant and varied Bradford independent music scene at the juncture between punk and new wave, to being the essential guide to the northern rock scene across Yorkshire and Lancashire. As such, it became a seminal northern zine.
From his home in Bradford, the 'wool city', Nick hand-drew or closely typed his own writings and those of a host of talented contributors, painstakingly laying out each issue by hand. Hot off the press, these fanzines were eagerly consumed by local gig-goers and musicians.
Nick's Blog
New Releases
The Columbus Memoirs: Nick Toczek & Signia Alpha - colour vinyl, CD and book!
The new vinyl album from Nick Toczek & Signia Alpha was released on June 4, 2022. It consists of ten brand new songs including Dignity which was released as a single in January 2022 and Another Shoreline, the album’s second single. The music ranges from guitar-driven new wave indie-rock to Zappa-tinged jazz grooves.
Paul Gray (The Damned, Eddie & The Hot Rods, UFO, etc) contributes his distinctive bass to four of the ten tracks. Added to this soundscape are the powerful lyrics of performer-poet and storyteller Nick Toczek.
Walking The Tightrope: LP by Nick Toczek & Signia Alpha - on transparent yellow vinyl!
The second collaboration between Nick and Signia Alpha. On yellow vinyl LP and download.
The 11 track vinyl record includes an inner sleeve, a lyric sheet and a postcardard.
£12.99 including P&P from the shop.
Death & Other Destinations: the second Bavariations album - on blood red Vinyl!
The second collaboration between Nick and Bavarian indie musician Thies Marsen. On vinyl LP and download.
The 10 track vinyl record includes a lyric inner sleeve and a Download Card.
£15.99 including P&P from the shop.
Hans and Fritz Toczek. Based on research by Hans’ oldest son, the Bradford writer and performer Nick Toczek. The project was organised by Nigel Grizzard, filmed and edited by Danny Hardaker, and funded by Bradford Council.
Tvins is a short (nine-minute) film about how the second world war impacted on the lives of two German Jewish teenagers.
TVINS
Corona Diary Volume 1: Pandemic Poems and Lockdown Lyrics
The new book of poetry by Nick Toczek, published by Mutiny 2000 Publications.
From mid-March 2020, Nick Toczek, wrote one poem per day about living through the Covid-19 pandemic.
138 pages.
£7.99 including P&P from the shop.
Voices In My Head
The new book of poetry by Nick Toczek, published by Caboodle Books, 2020.
Nick's first collection of poetry for adults in 22 years. With a cover illustrated by Joseph Witchall.
80 pages.
£7.00 including P&P from the shop.
Shooting The Messenger vinyl LP
The debut album by by Nick Toczek and Signia Alpha! Available to download or buy on Limited Edition Purple Vinyl LP and CD from the shop.
The Bavariations Album
The first album by Nick Toczek and Thies Marsen is available to download from all the usual streaming services or to buy on CD from the shop. Released in 2019.
Catch Nick Toczek Live!
Venue: The Lobby 1867, Unity Hall, Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1EP
Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax
Date: November 13, 2024
Event: Getting Gobby In The Lobby!
Spoken word night with Nick Toczek, Rose Condo and Tom Priestley.
