Bruce Driscoll

Infobox musical artist
Name = Bruce Driscoll


Img_capt = Bruce Driscoll playing in Krakow.
Born = Birth date and age|1983|06|13|mf=y
Origin = New York, NY Belém, Brazil Grand Rapids, MI
Instrument = Guitar, Multi-instrumentalist
Genre = Pop, Indie rock, Alternative rock, Dance
Occupation = Music Producer, Songwriter, Engineer, Guitarist
Years_active = 2000–Present
Associated_acts = Astaire Blondfire Brookville The Saturday Club Bruce Driscoll is a Brazilian/American record producer, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. He first gained notoriety as one half of the indie pop band Astaire (now Blondfire). Co-writing/Producing/Self-releasing songs with his sister, Erica, the duo quickly became iTunes darlings. Featured first as the Free Single of the Week and then having their own iTunes Exclusive Acoustic EP (2005).

As a songwriter and producer he records material under the alias, the King of Nowhere. He is a frequent collaborator with Andy Chase (Ivy). Playing guitar in Chase's band Brookville and keyboards in Ivy. Driscoll is also a member and lead vocalist for the alternative rock group, the Saturday Club. [Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8840146] [Source: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=ASTAIRE&sql=11:0bfuxqtaldhe~T1] [ Source: http://burnthebowery.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html]

Biography

Early Life and Career

Bruce Driscoll was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He started playing piano at an early age then picked up the guitar when he was fifteen, inspired by the sound of Johnny Marr and George Harrison. Taking quickly to the instrument, he began accompanying his two sisters, Monica and Erica, in a band called Nectar. In order to free himself to tour with the group he withdrew from traditional high school and completed an independent study program through the University of Missouri.

The siblings embarked on a national tour and eventually landed a development deal with EMI Publishing when Bruce was only 17. Soon after they showcased for many of the US Major Labels, including Warner Bros. Records, Maverick, and Capitol. In 2002 they won Runner Up in the Pop Category for the UK songwriting Contest with the song Life Out Loud. Later that year the siblings disbanded over creative differences. [Source: http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/2008/05/pop-dee-lite-interview-with-blondfire.html]

Astaire

In 2003 Bruce and Erica began recording songs in their parents' basement which would turn out to be early Astaire demos. The songs took a stylistically more left of center pop sound. The demos were sent to Andy Chase of Ivy who loved the songs and wanted to produce the duo at his studio, Stratosphere Sound, in New York. After working with Chase in the studio the siblings relocated to New York and released their first EP, Don't Whisper Lies, on their own label.

The band toured with Ivy, Stars, and Robbers On High Street in 2005. That year also saw a major film placement for them in the Jennifer Lopez comedy Monster In Law with the song L-L-Love. In the middle of the tour lawyers for the Fred Astaire Estate threatened to sue if the duo didn't change their name. Lacking the money to afford legal fees they changed their name to Blondfire. [Source: http://www.myspace.com/astaire]

Blondfire

The duo continued on as Blondfire signing a Major Record Deal with EMI UK in October of 2006. Shortly thereafter EMI was bought out by Terra Firma and went through massive internal changes. Bruce and Erica left the label in mid 2007 and self-released their debut album, My Someday, in April of 2008. [Source: http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2807&Itemid=9]

The Saturday Club

Driscoll formed the Saturday Club with bassist Aric Gillis in late 2005. Their sound is a more guitar-driven, ambient, rock sound. They have re-mixed songs for Unfiltered Records band the Postmarks as well as Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers. The Saturday Club is currently producing their debut album with Starflyer 59's Jason Martin. [Source: http://www.myspace.com/thesaturdayclub]

Discography

* 2004 - Astaire - Don't Whisper Lies EP - Producer, Drums, Bass, Keyboards, Programming, Guitar, Vocals, Group Member
* 2005 - Various Artists - Auralgasms: Bliss Of Life - Producer, Performer
* 2005 - Blondfire - Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) EP - Guitar, Producer
* 2005 - Blondfire - Holiday EP - Guitar, Piano, Producer
* 2005 - Monster In Law (Original Soundtrack) -Producer, Guitar
* 2006 - Brookville (band) - Life In The Shade - Synthesizer, Bass, Guitar, Theremin, Vocals, Producer, Engineer, Drum Programming
* 2006 - Monica Da Silva - Miles From Nowhere - Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards
* 2006 - The Postmarks - Remixes - Remixer
* 2007 - The Voyces - Kissing Like It's Love - Engineer
* 2008 - Blondfire - My Someday LP - Producer, Mixing, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

[Source: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=BRUCE|DRISCOLL&sql=11:hbfixqtaldke~T4]

External Links

* [http://www.blondfire.com Official Blondfire website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/blondfire Blondfire Myspace site]
* [http://www.thekingofnowhere.com The King of Nowhere site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thesaturdayclub Saturday Club Myspace site]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=BRUCE|DRISCOLL&sql=11:hbfixqtaldke~T4 Bruce Driscoll on All Music Guide]
* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8840146/ MSNBC's "Independent Study" profile]
* [http://www.brookville.com Brookville Myspace site]