Bastille

Bastille is the top-selling debut act of 2013 in the U.K. and will be introduced in the U.S. with a four-song EP, entitled Haunt, dropping May 28th via Virgin Records. "Pompeii," the first single from Haunt and it will impact Alternative radio early this summer. The accompanying video, directed by Jesse John Jenkins (The Vaccines, Peace) in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, already has more than 20 million views.

Dan Smith, the creative force behind Bastille, spent much of his childhood dreaming of being a film editor, a writer or a journalist - any profession in which he could tell a story. His forte turned out to be music, although his compositions are heavily influenced by the work of such directors as Dario Argento, David Lynch and Terrence Malick. An early D.I.Y video for his song "Flaws," piecing together footage from Malick's classic 1973 film Badlands, struck a chord with YouTube viewers from all over the world, who posted a huge amount of cover versions. To complete Bastille's lineup, Smith brought aboard three friends: Chris Wood, Will Farquarson and Kyle Simmons. After playing and touring together for more than two years, they exhibit an uncommon unity. While each has their main role in Bastille, they effortlessly trade places on vocals, keyboards and percussion, creating a musical tapestry interlaced with texture and experimentation.

"Smith and Bastille really deliver," said BBC Music, while Q tapped "Overjoyed" as its "Track of the Day," noting: "[Bastille's] bewitching mixture of softly delivered vocals and glitchy tracks creates an impressive atmosphere." "Like the metaphysical cinema it is influenced by, the soundscapes of Bastille are ambitious in scope yet veiled with a distinct intimacy," observed the Independent.

The band will perform at a special Monday night Pop Scene in San Francisco on July 22nd and at Los Angeles' legendary Troubadour on July 23rd. Bastille will return to the U.S. for a fall tour after its European festival dates, which include Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, Reading, Leeds, T in the Park and more. Bastille's fall 2012 U.K. run sold out the day it went on sale and the group has opened for such artists as Two Door Cinema Club, Foster The People and Muse. Bad Blood, the band's full-length debut, recently entered the U.K. albums chart at No. 1.

« back to Alternative Artist Info