William Orbit, Metallica, Mozart, Pink Floyd, Tchaikovsky, Prince, Santana, Free, Kate Bush, The Killers, The Feeling, Primal Scream, Joe Satriani, John Williams, Stevie Vai.
Sounds Like
FUSE announced as the new face of international music-video channel >> C MUSIC TV
FUSE Debut Video 'GLORIOUS'
FUSE's video receives global playlisting on C Music TV
FUSE LIVE
FUSE launch Share A Stage for CLIC Sargent (UK's largest children's cancer charity)
After graduating from the RCM Ben Lee played violin sessions with a wide range of artists as well as putting together his own bands to experiment and develop his eclectic sound.
Unbeknown to Ben, running in parallel was an emerging electric violinist, Linzi Stoppard, with an unequalled ambition to broaden the instrument’s appeal and make it accessible to a more mainstream audience.
Linzi was looking for a collaborator to help bring her vision and sound to life. Her manager (and husband) Will put the word out to a few of his old music clients and was quickly directed to one of Ben’s bands who had played a session for a producer Will used to manage.
The violinists met and the bond was instant - not only did Linzi and Ben share a limitless imagination, their musicianship and look complimented each other as well. Ben’s portable studio was another crucial element Will needed to realise their potential - they could record their ideas and sessions anywhere and at any time. In the autumn of 2007 FUSE, the electric violin duo was formed and they got to work immediately.
When Linzi and Ben started on their new and modern sound, the key was not to be afraid to take inspiration from their classical roots while combining it with modern well known melodies. They weren’t satisfied with being just another cross-over strings act; they wanted and believed it was possible to narrow the gap between the classical and pop audiences, young and old.
In late 2007 their unique approach and position was noticed by children’s charity CLIC Sargent who was looking for a contemporary act, but one with ties to classical music, to support and front their “Practice-A-Thon” campaign in 2008. FUSE ticked all the right boxes.
The campaign aims to inspire kids to pick up an instrument and practice. 25% of the money raised goes back to the participants' schools and 75% to CLIC Sargent.
To promote the “Practice-A-thon” campaign FUSE are launching “Share A Stage” – young people aged from 13-24 can submit a video on Youtube of themselves or their band performing and a judging panel will decide on a winner. The lucky victor will play live with FUSE at Glastonbury 2008.
FUSE are currently in the studio recording their debut album.
BACKGROUND INFO...
Linzi Stoppard:
Linzi Stoppard is an electric violinist; who pushes the boundaries of musical convention with her passionate, live sets of rock, chill, dance and contemporary melodies.
Linzi started playing the violin when she was 4 years old. At the age of 8 she won a place at the prestigious Suzuki violin school. And at the age of 11 Linzi won a music scholarship.
Her musical success began in her late teens when she was spotted at a session by two music producers. Linzi was approached to front the cult American group “Tattoo of Pain", a spin off of "Lords of Acid". So she moved to Belgium and spent a year recording a rock album "Vengeance is Mine" (vocals/electric violin) which resulted in record deals around the world including EMI Europe, Avex Trax Japan, and Never Records USA.
After this success Linzi was signed to EMI Belgium and formed Babe Instinct and recorded "Disco Babes From Outer Space" which reached 21in the UK charts and was a hit across Europe.
Riding high on the success of Disco Babes she then recorded their second single "Fade To Grey" - a huge club hit in the UK and across Europe which lead to it being one of the most licensed tracks that year on compilations such as Ministry Of Sound and The Clubbers Guide.
Next Linzi decided to concentrate more on her live performance and set about putting together a set that was ever challenging and always inventive. Linzi has since transfixed audiences the world over with passionate and mesmerising performances. With a sound ranging from the more chilled tracks (aka Enigma) to the vibrant rockier sound (aka Hendrix); her performance is a show in its own right and definitely not CLASSICAL!
Married to Will Stoppard, son of Dr. Miriam the UK’s no.1 family health expert and author and the multi-award winning playwright, Sir Tom (Coast of Utopia – a record breaking 7 Tonys, Rock ‘n’ Roll currently on Broadway, Academy Award for Best Screenplay for ‘Shakespeare In Love’). Linzi brings another dimension to an already hugely successful and creative family.
Linzi has recently performed her sassy music set at exclusive events around the world - appearances include:
Prince Albert of Monaco, Formula 1 Grand Prix, Oman Royal Family, Blush Ball -performing with Dita Von Teese, Prince William, SKY ONE Breathing Life Awards, BAFTA, Boodles Stoke Park, Echelon Club LA, Cartier, Cannes Film Fest, AUDI, World Casino Awards, Playboy, Ivana Trump, Graff Diamonds, PUMA, Amnesty International, Intercontinental Hotels, “Best of British” tour (LA, London, Moscow, Dubai & New York, LINKS of London)…and more.
Linzi has also landed her first Hollywood feature film role.
Ben Lee:
Violinist Ben Lee began playing at the age of 5. He soon developed a sense of harmony and improvisation through playing with his singer-songwriter father, later using this partnership to earn pocket money playing in clubs and pubs in his early teenage years.
During his school years, Ben was awarded a scholarship by the East Sussex Academy of Music, later winning a place to study at the Royal College of Music with Prof. Rodney Friend, where he also studied arrangement and film music composition.
Since graduating, Ben has been busy as an acoustic/electric violinist, composer/arranger and session musician touring with McFly, Natasha Marsh, “War of the Worlds” and Mercury award nominee Lou Rhodes (lamb). Ben was orchestral leader of the Paul Potts 2008 UK tour. He was the support act (“bensquared”) for Amici Forever’s 2006 UK tour selling over 1000 of his own CDs and is the leader of the Heritage Orchestra.
His violin playing can be heard on the soundtracks of a number of documentaries for National Geographic, The Discovery Channel and the BBC, as well as many TV adverts including the December 07 MacMillan Cancer campaign.
Ben also recently arranged and recorded strings for the Arctic Monkeys album, “Favourite Worst Nightmare”, and “This Time” by Mel C. He has recorded music videos with Lucie Silvas and Tom Baxter, appeared with Gorillaz, Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse at the Brit Awards and played at the Isle of Wight, Big Chill and V festivals with urban dance act “Grime Allstars”.
He appeared as the violin playing lover of Tchaikovsky in the January BBC drama documentary “Tchaikovsky”.
Thanks very much for finding a bit of room in here for me and my banjo and things. It's lovely to meet you.
By the way if you'd like to go on my mailing list, whence I shall most likely harass you with flyers, information and amusing anecdotes, please put your email address in the little box on my page...
Thank you ever so much for the request. It's great to be friends, isn't it? Love from Davy Lawrence and Enormous. Xx (Free Enormous EP at www. enormousreloaded. com)
howdy ho mofo! thanks for the add. hope u like our tunes. YASHIN have been announcing sum new tour dates so drop us a cheeky wee comment if u think u can make it to any of these shows. Also, new T-Shirts in stock and new tune up. thanks again. Dave(Y)ashin luv luv
hey there thanks so much for the add mate i appreciate it heaps, hey if you get a chance to chuck a banner up or place me in your top friends, every little bit helps, though trust me your friend request is lovely enough!!!!! keep rocking and always spread the love :)
Cheers xooxox Renee
P.s ...just in case your keen to buy the tracks, itunes is now up and running :)
