Blondfire
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| Blondfire | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York, NY |
| Genres | Pop, electronica, alternative rock, dance |
| Years active | 2004–present |
Blondfire is an indie pop band from New York City composed of the brother-and-sister duo Bruce and Erica Driscoll.
Contents |
[edit] Childhood
The Driscolls were born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan,[1] to an American father and a Brazilian mother. They spent many summers in northern Brazil, and are citizens of both countries. Both Erica and Bruce cite Antonio Carlos Jobim, Caetano Veloso, and Astrud Gilberto as musicians that they listened to often while growing up.[2] In high school, Erica, Bruce, and their older sister Monica formed the band Nectar, and forwent classes to tour nationally. The siblings disbanded after the publishing company EMI, with whom they had a development deal, pressured them to record more mainstream songs. .[3]
[edit] Astaire
Erica and Bruce formed Astaire and toured locally behind songs recorded in the basement of their parents' home. During this time, the siblings were featured in many music and fashion publications, such as z!nk, America, YRB, College Music Journal, and Entertainment Weekly.[4] Two of their songs, "Maximum Speed" and "Today", appeared on the DVDs of the fifth and sixth seasons of the Dawson's Creek. The Driscolls relocated to New York City and recorded "Weightless" with Ivy's Andy Chase.[5] They released their first EP, Don't Whisper Lies,[3] on their own record label, Wax Divine. Arranger Zé Luis Oliveira is all class with his strings, flute and percussion arrangements on "Don't Whisper Lies," further complementing Bruce and Erica's vocal collaboration.[6] The collection received moderate critical acclaim, earning a 4.5 star review from Allmusic.[7]
The EP's single, "L-L-Love", was featured in the films, Monster-in-Law and Mozart and the Whale and the band embarked on a national tour with Ivy, Robbers on High Street, and Stars.[8][9]
[edit] Blondfire
In the middle of the tour, the Driscolls were contacted by the representatives of the estate of Fred Astaire, asking the band to stop using the name immediately. Facing an expensive legal fees, the siblings changed the band's name to Blondfire.[9] They announced the name change with the release of a new iTunes-exclusive acoustic live EP. It featured "L-L-Love" from Don't Whisper Lies, and three new songs, "Paper Doll", "Running Back", and "Fade to Pale".
In October 2006, Blondfire signed a record deal with EMI Records UK. In a March 2008 interview, Bruce Driscoll stated that the band had left the label. A full-length self-produced album was released on their own label, Tender Tender Rush,[10] in April 2008.[11]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- My Someday (2008, Tender Tender Rush)
[edit] Singles and EPs
- "Pretty Young Thing" (2008, Tender Tender Rush)
[edit] Compilation appearances
- Monster-in-Law soundtrack (2005, New Line) (song: "L-L-Love" (as Astaire))
[edit] References
- ^ "Brother-Sister Band Astaire Fighting For Attention", BMI.com, September 26, 2004.
- ^ "Sibling duo keeps rhythm all in the family", Emily Zemler, The Eagle, September 8, 2004.
- ^ a b Astaire at Allmusic
- ^ [1], Entertainment Weekly, October 01, 2004.
- ^ [2], Boston Globe, April 29, 2005
- ^ [3], Allmusic
- ^ [4], Allmusic
- ^ blondfire.com
- ^ a b "Blondfire ambition", Jim Ray, MSNBC.com, August 5, 2005.
- ^ "Pretty Young Things", Valerie Gonzalez, The Rapt
- ^ [5] Ralph Peer
