Kevin Andrew Brolly: Clarinet, Keys, Melodica, Drum.
Philip Rodney Hague: Drums.
Sarah Joanne Hayes: Piano, Flute, Singing.
Joseph Delaney Rattray: Upright Bass.
Russell Gordon Skene: Guitars, Singing.
Influences
Elbow
The Dears
Tom Waits
Arcade Fire
Low
Bright Eyes
Bon Iver
Nick Cave
Midlake
Jeff
Fence Records
Sufjan Stevens
The Boss
Beirut
Iron & Wine
Soundtracks
Rufus Wainwright
Animal Collective
Radiohead
The Brother Louis Collective is a stunning new group born in 2006 out of early student days in Glasgow and gathered round the precocious talent of the young foot-stamping, faintly maniacal singer/song-writer Louis Abbott, 21, influences Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elbow, Low, Midlake, the Fence folks, Bright Eyes … BLC adds clarinet, flute, double bass and two jaw-dropping voices to the usual indie line-up to smash through their joyous, heart-filled, orchestral and beautifully eccentric and well crafted songs. Louis is proud to be Scottish and his accent is to the fore in his singing, contrasting magically with the Northumbrian tones of Sarah Hayes.
Their sets go from simple voice and guitar compositions (B side of debut single 'these barren years'), through stomping Wilco-esque tunes to riotous cacophonies of white noise; their songs about alienation within relationships and youth itself are sung and screamed with utter abandon while the band work themselves into a furious frenzy…
“A thrilling, cathartic experience” Sub City Radio.
Fyfe Dangerfield of the Guillemots has supported and lauded this exceptional band since their formation, personally asking for them to open for the Guillemots in Glasgow and Edinburgh on their 2007 Scottish tours - and it's easy to see why.
With the King Tut’s “Your Sound” artist of the month award, a stonking four track demo, a Connect festival appearance and an acclaimed December “Live at the Mill” headline slot at Oran Mor in Glasgow and The Caves in Edinburgh under their belts, 2008 has been a year of quiet, confident progression for BLC, whose 5 piece line up is augmented live by Gordon from Make Model on guitar and vocals.
In 2009 the band are to record their first album under the guidance of Robin, Jo and Jim at Lo-Five Management (Trashcan Sinatras, Jo Mango, Ben TD, El Dog). Enjoy this taster!
“(their) brooding, heartfelt folk leanings are bolstered by a soundtrack of colourful orchestration, including flute, strings and double bass - a rich concoction that has caught the attention of more than a few unsuspecting ears.” The List
"(the collective) are surely destined for a larger stage." ***** Sunday Mail
"The ‘Collective did not so much ‘take to the stage’ as colonise it and
build a mini empire of sound for the awestruck concert goers...surely one of the truest new talents in Scotland today."**** New Found Sound
“This works well when the band are singing open-hearted love songs and impressively conjuring a balance of nostalgia and innocence-breaking violence during ‘Subbuteo’” The Scotsman
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