BRAD PITT LIGHT ORCHESTRA (BalconyTV)

PRESENTED BY TOM MILLETT
BROUGHT TO YOU FROM THE MORGAN HOTEL IN TEMPLE BAR
Hailing from the west of Ireland, The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra has its origins as a group of college friends drawn together from the intertwining worlds of music, theatre, family.... and IT. After parting ways due to emigration and the like, The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra (BPLO) reformed when two members - Ann and David Blake - featured on The Ray D'Arcy Show's album 'Even Better Than The Real Thing Volume 2' with a haunting version of Hole in The Head by The Sugababes. The BPLO went on to produce two successful EPs, 'Fireside Chat' and 'Small Contradictions'.


With an ever-increasing fan base, the BPLO first caught the attention of both Paul McLoone and Alison Curtis of Today FM with their joyful winter single December. Since then, they have recorded two sessions for The McLoone Show while also enjoying strong airplay on other national radio shows - including those of Ryan Tubridy , Ray D'Arcy, Alison Curtis, Jenny Huston, Tom Dunne, Dave Couse, Dan Hegarty and on many Independent local radio stations as well as on BBC Northern Ireland. The BPLO released their eagerly awaited debut LP 'Lowering the Tone' on August 27 2010.


While the three lead vocalists- Blake siblings Ann, David and James- conjure distinct moods, it is the close sibling harmonies that sit at the heart of the BPLO's sound. Built around that glow is the formidable melodic instrumentation of the group and an irrepressible theatricality. The BPLO's music evokes the grandeur of Arcade Fire, the warmth of Crosby Stills & Nash, the wistfulness of Belle & Sebastian, the melodic sensibility of the Divine Comedy and a whiff of a Tom Waits carnival. Arresting musicality coupled with a dark, wry wit, they produce an unmissable vibrant, life-affirming, live experience. Regular performers at Irish festivals like the Electric Picnic and Flatlake, the BPLO comfortably traverse the literary, theatrical and music worlds.


Ann Blake- Vocals
David Blake- Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
James Blake- Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Stephen Childs- Violin, Viola
Tom Howley- Keyboards
Brian O'Grady- Double Bass, Electric Bass
Jamie O'Neill- Percussion, Mandolin
Nick Carswell- Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Clarinet, Fisher Price items
Boris Hunka and Diane Daly- Vibes and Violin respectively


The BPLO's influences include Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Goran Bregovic, Keith Jarrett, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, John Banville, John McGahern, Neil Hannon, Tom Zé, Elvis Costello, Paul Durcan, The Frames, The Strokes and Sufjan Stevens. This list of fine artists from varying talent streams may offer an explanation, for some, for the eclectic style of music produced by The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra.

http://www.bplo.org

Tune in again tomorrow!!!