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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.
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