Bruce Driscoll

Bruce Driscoll

Bruce Driscoll performing at the Sunset Marquis.
Background information
Born Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Genres Pop, indie rock, alternative rock, dance
Occupation(s) Music producer, songwriter, engineer, guitarist, film composer
Instruments Guitar, multi-instrumentalist
Years active 2000–present
Associated acts Blondfire, Freedom Fry
Website www.brucedriscoll.com

Bruce Driscoll is a Brazilian/American record producer, songwriter, guitarist, film composer[1] 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.

In 2011 he formed the band Freedom Fry with Parisian singer Marie Seyrat.[2][3][4][5]

Biography

Early Life and Career

Bruce Driscoll was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He started playing piano and drums at an early age then picked up the guitar when he was fifteen, inspired by the sound of guitarists 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.[6]

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.[7]

Personal life

In 2011 Driscoll relocated to Los Angeles, CA from New York. In 2013 he and Freedom Fry bandmate, Marie Seyrat, were married.[8]

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. In the middle of the tour lawyers for the Fred Astaire Estate threatened to sue if the duo did not change their name. Lacking the money to afford legal fees they changed their name to Blondfire.[9]

Throughout his career Bruce has continued to collaborate with Andy Chase. First playing keyboards in Ivy, guitar in Chase's band Brookville, and then co-writing and producing tracks for his band, Camera2.[10]

Blondfire

The duo continued on as Blondfire signing a Major Record Deal with EMI UK in October 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 2008.[11]

In September 2012 following the viral internet and radio success of their song, Where The Kids Are, Blondfire signed to Warner Bros. Records and Primary Wave Publishing and began mixing of their full length LP, Young Heart, with mixer Wally Gagel.[12][13][14][15]

Sleepy Rebels

Sleepy Rebels was formed after several of the songs Bruce had written with TV & ad composer Jeremy Adelman were used in commercials. Erica also joined the group and collaborated with them over the course of three albums, World Record, Yellow Tree and the Christmas themed album, Bah Humbug. Sleepy Rebel's music has been used in ads for J. C. Penney, VW, Tide and others.[16][17][18][19]

Freedom Fry

In April 2011 Driscoll met Parisian born Marie Seyrat during pre-production on Blondfire's Where The Kids Are video.[20] Seyrat, the stylist on the video, played him a cover of her singing a song in French over a ukulele. Entranced by Seyrat's whispery voice, Driscoll asked her if she'd be interested in writing some songs together. The following August they formed the duo Freedom Fry and released the Let The Games Begin EP.[21][22]

Their song Rolling Down was featured in the premiere episode of Bones, during the birth of baby Christine.[23][24] And their single, Earthquake, was named as single-of-the-week by well respected French magazine, Les Inrockuptibles.[25]

Discography

[26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44]

Filmography

[45] [46] [47]

References

  1. ↑ Source: http://mintemafrumos.ro
  2. ↑ Source: http://www.bitcandy.com/newFinds/newFindDedicated/newfindsfreedomfry/
  3. ↑ Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8840146
  4. ↑ Source: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p676177
  5. ↑ Source: http://burnthebowery.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html
  6. ↑ Source: http://trendland.com/blondfire-where-the-kids-are/#
  7. ↑ Source: http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/2008/05/pop-dee-lite-interview-with-blondfire.html
  8. ↑ Source: http://www.alt987fm.com/onair/artist-in-residence-52463/introducing-julys-artist-in-residence-freedom-fry-12522133/
  9. ↑ Source: https://www.myspace.com/astaire
  10. ↑ Source: http://musicthatstartsyourday.com/camera2-how-does-it-feel/
  11. ↑ Source: http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2807&Itemid=9
  12. ↑ http://www.primarywavemusic.com/artist/OTc3My05NTdhNmU/
  13. ↑ http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2012/01/17/interview-blondfires-kindred-spirit-breaks-through-with-flavorful-indie-pop/
  14. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-chattman/blondfire-interview_b_1833664.html
  15. ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/song-premiere-blondfire-waves-20120817
  16. ↑ Source: http://uncoveredsoundreflections.blogspot.com/2011/04/sleepy-rebels-magic-girl_2362.html
  17. ↑ Source: http://popwreckoning.com/2011/05/18/sleepy-rebels-yellow-tree/
  18. ↑ Source: http://kevinrong.blogspot.com/2011/02/sleepy-rebels-performer-in-some-vaguely.html
  19. ↑ Source: http://www.cmj.com/news/video-sleepy-rebels-peers-through-the-looking-glass/
  20. ↑ http://www.myoldkentuckyblog.com/?p=32936
  21. ↑ http://iheardin.com/2012/01/24/music-freedom-fry-let-the-games-begin/#.UCXS2Hgvowc
  22. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-the-games-begin-ep/id459132886
  23. ↑ http://www.tv-links.eu/tv-shows/Bones_124/season_7/episode_7/
  24. ↑ http://www.wetpaint.com/bones/articles/bones-music-what-song-was-playing-when-brennan-gave-booth-to-her-baby
  25. ↑ http://popstereo.blogspot.com/2012/07/freedom-fry-are-tasty.html
  26. ↑ Source: http://rockmeeting.com/index.php/pop-rock/cd-reviews/1894-tamar-kaprelian-sinner-or-a-saint
  27. ↑ Source: http://www.stubbyschristmas.com/6/post/2010/12/sleepy-rebels.html
  28. ↑ Source: http://uncoveredsoundreflections.blogspot.com/2011/04/sleepy-rebels-magic-girl_2362.html
  29. ↑ Source: http://www.heavemedia.com/2011/05/17/sleepy-rebels-yellow-tree-review/
  30. ↑ Source: http://www.allmusic.com/album/lana-mir-mw0002016721/credits
  31. ↑ Source: http://kickkicksnare.com/2012/11/28/camera2-just-about-made-it/
  32. ↑ Source: http://lifeandtimes.com/blondfire-discusses-new-record-80s-influences-and-sibling-artistry
  33. ↑ Source: http://www.therecordstache.com/2012/11/freedom-fry-dark-christmas.html
  34. ↑ Source: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p676384
  35. ↑ Source: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-the-games-begin-ep/id459132886
  36. ↑ Source: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/where-the-kids-are-single/id474958718
  37. ↑ Source: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/earthquake-single/id499891560
  38. ↑ Source: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/walking-with-giants-single/id520961925
  39. ↑ Source: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/outlaws-single/id516640322
  40. ↑ Source: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/summer-in-the-city-single/id543627469
  41. ↑ Source: http://www.allmusic.com/album/true-mw0002563657/credits
  42. ↑ Source: http://www.hillydilly.com/2014/07/freedom-fry-the-wilder-mile/
  43. ↑ Source: http://www.buzzbands.la/2014/09/25/video-premiere-freedom-fry-home/
  44. ↑ Source: http://www.allmusic.com/album/young-heart-mw0002610349
  45. ↑ Source: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4774822/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
  46. ↑ Source: http://leveritt.com/girder/?series=63&redirect=true&CFID=49474721&CFTOKEN=3f73396675ef3fc6-C8A95E9B-000F-7999-877BF25A775C54D9
  47. ↑ Source: http://www.startingfromscratchmovie.com

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