A SKIN TOO FEW
The Days of Nick Drake

"I always say that Nick was born with a skin too few,” says Gabrielle Drake about her brother, the English singer-songwriter Nick Drake (1948-1974). A successful theatre actress in her own right, Gabrielle appears in "A Skin Too Few" as one of the few people who shared Nick's early life, witnessed the effect he had on those around him, and knew, as well as anyone could, the enigma that was Nick Drake.

In the autumn of 1974, Nick Drake died silently and unobtrusively. It remains unclear whether his death was self-determined or unintentional. There were only 26 years between his birth and death: a time span that for many is far too short to develop a talent or realize an ambition or dream. In that short span, however, Nick Drake, with his subtle songs, managed to capture time, beauty, loss, and wistful desires with precision.

Towards the end of his life, Drake appeared to long for the vindication that comes with commercial success yet seemed incapable of compromising himself to the pursuit of recognition. His shyness made interviews difficult and live performances became increasingly rare.

Ultimately, Nick Drake left behind a mere three studio albums which are rediscovered generation after generation and his music is more popular than ever. Given the subtle nature of his talents, his posthumous success becomes all the more ironic.

Drake began to enter the public consciousness in the mid-1980s when musicians such as REM’s Peter Buck and Robert Smith of the Cure cited him as an influence. In 2000, Drake infiltrated mass culture when Volkswagen licensed the title track of Pink Moon for a commercial advertising the VW Bug. The commercial led to a number five placing for Pink Moon in Amazon.com's sales chart and is continually cited as one of the most effective marriages of art and commerce.

Today, contemporary musicians including Snow Patrol, Keane, Jack Johnson, Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Badly Drawn Boy, Jose Gonzalez and many, many others cite Drake as an influence. In 2004, nearly 30 years after his death, Drake gained his first chart placing when two singles ("Magic" and "River Man") released to coincide with the compilation album Made to Love Magic, made the middle reaches of the UK charts. In support of the album the BBC aired a radio documentary about Drake, narrated by Brad Pitt.

The resurrection of Nick Drake's music continues in 2007 with the forthcoming releases of Family Tree and the updated Fruit Tree Box Set, including "Skin Too Few" on DVD.

Directed by: Jeroen Berkvens Genre: Documentary Runtime: 48 mins Color: Color Year: 2000 (limited screening since)

Credited Cast: Joe Boyd, Gabrielle Drake, Paul Weller, Robert Kirby

“A Skin Too Few” screens at SXSW Music Festival, AUSTIN, TX MARCH 17, 2007