John Nellist- Vocals/ Acoustic Guitar/ Blues Harp.
Andy Turnbull- Slide Guitar/ Flamenco Guitar/ Vocals.
Dav Shiel- Cajon/ Drums/ Steel Pan/ Vocals.
Ed Blazey- Trumpet/ Percusion/ Vocals/ Bass.
Influences
Jimi Hendrix, Voice Of The Seven Woods, Booger Red, Gruff Rhys, Devendra Banhart, Vetiver, Bob Dylan, Aphrodities Child, The Oscar Rileys, The Chemical Brothers, The Cimematic Orchestra, The Beatles, Oasis, Erin Koray, Ananda Shankar, Francis Conway, Lone Pigeoen, The Aliens, Woods, MV & EE, Comets On Fire, Entrance, Howlin Rain, Jonny Cash, Jefferson Airplain, Sky Saxon and The Seeds, Akron Family, Love, The Grateful Dead + more!!!!!!!!!!!!
The musical partnership of John Nellist and Dav Shiel has been an ongoing journey since they first played together in Tired Earth (2001-03). They have continued to play together prolifically, resulting in their involvement with two successful bands, The Healing (2003- 05) and in The Booger Red Band, as well as John pursuing his solo career under the name ‘Major Dawson’.
Andy Turnbull, an old friend of John and Dav’s, had been studying the Flamenco guitar in Andalucía, Spain under the guidance of maestro José Luis Balao. On return, in November 2007 the trio had a number of jams creating a mish mash style of acoustic baggy folk, with flamenco, blues and psychedelia forming BALAO (taken respectivly from the name of Andy's maestro).
Ed Blazey was invited into the band after featuring on Trumpet for the Summerhill single and has added extra textures to Balao's colourful sounds since November 2008.
Balao are now currently recording their material and are available for live shows around the UK. Watch this space for more for information on future shows and the progress of the band.
La sociedad musical de John Nellist y de Dav Shiel ha sido un viaje en curso desde que primero jugaron juntos en la ‘Tierd Earth’ (2001-03). Han continuado jugando juntos prolífico, dando por resultado su implicación con dos vendas acertadas, ‘The Healing’ (2003 - 05) y en el grupo ‘Booger Red’, así como John que perseguía su carrera a solas bajo el nombre del ..Major Dawson'.
Andy Turnbull, viejo amigo de John y de Dav, había estudiando la guitarra flamenca en Andalucía, España con el maestro José Luis Balao. En vuelta, en noviembre de 2007 el trío tenía un número de ensayos el crear de un estilo acústico, con flamenco, de Blues y del psychedelia que formaban BALAO (tomado respectivamente del nombre del maestro de Andy).
Ed Blazey fue invitado en el grupo después de ofrecer en la trompeta para el Summerhill grabación y ha agregado texturas adicionales a los sonidos coloridos de Balao desde el noviembre de 2008.
“Pure light from the cosmic boogie dimension' - Devendra Banhart.
”it’s always enjoyable watching a truly masterful musician, but in Balao the talent is tripled” – Narc, November 2008.
“their sound is refreshing amid the current indie fads and the sheer skill of musicianship is astounding” – Narc, November 2008.
"Balao make the kind of music that sounds like it should echo down through the ages" - The Crack, December 2008.
"Balao are something of an anomaly" - Metro, november 2008.
NEW SUMMERHILL VIDEO
MY ONLY FACE
Available from PlayToWork Recordings on Limited 7" and download.
You can order your 7" from HMV now from this link:
I have a favour to ask.... Mark Radcliffe of Radio 2 has chosen my song ‘I will return, I promise’ as his pick for this weeks ‘pick a mix’ on the Radcliffe & Maconie show on radio 2. If I get enough votes my song will be played on Radio 2 for a whole week, and i’d really appreciate it if you could vote for it!
All it will take is two minutes of your time and I would be eternally greatful.
Cheers John, we proper enjoyed it....we were blown away watching youse, perfect setting, prefect crowd, initmate atmosphere, great sound, I could play gigs like that every night! :-)
