The Columbus Memoirs - available now!
Our third album as Nick Toczek & Signia Alpha, The Columbus Memoirs, has evolved into a multi-faceted project which includes a vinyl...
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’.
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 Columbus Memoirs
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 which will be 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.
The Year The World Stood Still: Corona Diary Volume 2
COMING SOON!
The second book of Corona Virus poetry by Nick Toczek, published by Mutiny 2000 Publications
Nick's Blog
New Releases
Dignity: the new single from Nick Toczek & Signia Alpha - stream or free download!
Dignity is the first track to be taken from The Columbus Memoirs, the third album from Nick Toczek & Signia Alpha, which is due for release in June 2022.
Dignity is the album’s closing track. The lyric tackles, head-on, the utter inhumanity of our heartless mistreatment of refugees and other migrants.
Message meets musicianship. This isn’t pigeon-holed pop. Nick doesn’t sing. Signia Alpha don’t simply fit neatly into the slot of some category. Why would they? It’s not what they’re about.
Walking The Tightrope: the new LP from 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!
Event: High Five Spoken Word Featuring: Nick Toczek & David Holmes
Venue: Industry Barista Haworth BD22 8NQ
Date: Wednesday 27 April 2022.
Time: 7 - 10 p.m.
High Five Spoken Word brings you an eclectic mix of open mic poetry featuring special guests Nick Toczek & David Holmes.
As always there’ll be a poet of the month initiative whereby the best open mic’er of the night will win a trophy and certificate signed by myself, topic in a tin and a raffle.
Jo & Nessa will be manning the bar as always keeping us well refreshed with hot and cold beverages and snacks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
David & Nick’s poetry is fresh, raw and edgy and tells stories of life and observation in a unique way. Don’t miss their spoken word as it will inspire you to want to pick up a pen and write.
