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Archive (band)
Encyclopedia
Archive is a musical group based in London
, England, whose music spans electronic
, trip-hop, avant-garde
, post-rock
and progressive rock
. Over their sixteen-year history, the band has released eight studio albums and enjoyed established success throughout Europe, while remaining little-known in their native Britain.
act, Genaside II
. Together with the female singer Roya Arab
and the young rapper Rosko John, the band released their first album "Londinium" on Island Records
in 1996, a mix of dark trip hop
(in a similar vein to Massive Attack
), electronica
and, naturally, their breakbeat and hardcore roots, but with the unequivocal match of string arrangements and almost baroque and classically influenced songwriting. The album received moderate critical acclaim, but due to artistic differences, the band split up later that year. In Q magazine, Peter Gabriel was quoted as saying, "Londinium was one of my most favourite albums of the year."
In 1997, Keeler and Griffiths continued Archive with another female singer, (Suzanne Wooder). In 1999, Archive released their second studio album entitled, "Take My Head", a mix of pop and symphonic trip-hop, far more melodic than its predecessor. Due to differences of musical taste with an undisclosed number of producers that Darius and Dan tried to work with on this particular album, the band have described this album as their least favourite of their albums.
In the year 2000 to 2001, Darius and Dan began demo-ing new tracks for further studio production. After establishing a new sound to work with, the boys placed an advert in Mojo magazine, looking for a new lead singer. Craig Walker answered the advert and immediately began working with the band and singing on the tune that Darius wrote, entitled, "Again." Between 2002 and 2005, the band released three studio albums with Walker to further growing popularity and critical acclaim, including an advancement in an already established following in France
and Poland
. "You All Look The Same To Me" (2002), "Noise" (2004), and "Michel Vaillant" were albums that marked a turning point of the Archive sound that gradually turned away from their roots in Electronica
and Trip-Hop and towards more of a psychedelic and progressive style. One of the three composed albums was the soundtrack to the French film Michel Vaillant
, released in November 2003.
Archive began their European tour in November 2004 without Walker, posting on their website that Walker would not be joining the band as he has left Archive due to personal differences.
In autumn of 2004, Archive announced that Dave Pen (BirdPen) would replace Walker on the Noise tour. During this same tour, Keeler and Griffiths met the singer Pollard Berrier (formally of the band Bauchklang) at one of their shows in Vienna, Austria. Pollard had given Darius a Demo CD of his own written material, with the intention of starting another project with Dan and Darius. Because of the latter circumstances, the three began writing and rehearsing together, and were recording in Southside Studios, London
, by September 2005.
A new modern era for Archive had begun with Darius, Dan and Pollard all writing and co-writing seven tracks and Dave Pen co-writing three, on the album, "Lights." Maria Q sang on three (including backing) tracks. From this point on, Archive was no longer a "front-man-band," but a "collective" of individual artists contributing to what is now an established sound. The album "Lights" was released in May 2006 and received high critical acclaim in France, Switzerland, Greece and Poland. Archive enjoyed predominantly sold-out gigs on their "Lights" Tour, as well as high acclaim at festivals around Europe.
In May 2009, Archive came back in full force, releasing their most acclaimed album to date, "Controlling Crowds I-III." "Controlling Crowds" reached number one in the French charts for a week, number one in Greece, number two in Switzerland and number 5 in Luxembourg. The single, "Bullets," was their most acclaimed single to date and reached the charts in Greece, Poland, Switzerland, France, and Germany. The biggest surprise of this album was the readmission of one of the original members, Rosko John, who adds an unforeseen depth to the seventh studio album.
In September 2009, they released a follow-up album, "Controlling Crowds: Part IV," along with the single, "Empty Bottle."
Archive continues to tour on the "Controlling Crowds" tour, having already sold out some fifty concerts from September 2009 - February 2010, and will continue to tour extensively for the 2010 Summer Festival Season.
In 2010 Darius Keeler and Danny Griffiths produced 3 songs for French singer Mylène Farmer
. The tracks are Leila, Light me up and Diabolique mon ange and are part of her 8th album Bleu Noir
, released on 6 December 2010.
Archive are currently working on their forthcoming eighth studio album (not including Michel Vaillant) in London and Paris, with a release date of "To Be Decided." Though whispers of a 2012 release have not been discredited, the possibilities are intriguing, considering Archive is with new management and has finished and completed its deal with Warner Music. Their home of the UK may have an official release at last.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England, whose music spans electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, trip-hop, avant-garde
Avant-garde music
Avant-garde music is a term used to characterize music which is thought to be ahead of its time, i.e. containing innovative elements or fusing different genres....
, post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
and progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
. Over their sixteen-year history, the band has released eight studio albums and enjoyed established success throughout Europe, while remaining little-known in their native Britain.
History
The collective of Archive was originally formed by Darius Keeler and Danny Griffiths in 1994 from the ashes of the UK breakbeatBreakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
act, Genaside II
Genaside II
Genaside II was a British electronic group active in the 1990s and early 2000s. Their music started as rave, developing into jungle, breakbeat and bigbeat. Its main member was Kris Ogden, though some other members went on to form the band Archive. Their 1991 song Narra Mine provided a sample for...
. Together with the female singer Roya Arab
Roya Arab
Roya Arab is a UK based Iranian musician and archaeologist. She was born in Tehran/Iran in 1967, and fled her country with her parents and siblings during the 1979 revolution of Iran....
and the young rapper Rosko John, the band released their first album "Londinium" on Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
in 1996, a mix of dark trip hop
Trip hop
Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
(in a similar vein to Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
), electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and, naturally, their breakbeat and hardcore roots, but with the unequivocal match of string arrangements and almost baroque and classically influenced songwriting. The album received moderate critical acclaim, but due to artistic differences, the band split up later that year. In Q magazine, Peter Gabriel was quoted as saying, "Londinium was one of my most favourite albums of the year."
In 1997, Keeler and Griffiths continued Archive with another female singer, (Suzanne Wooder). In 1999, Archive released their second studio album entitled, "Take My Head", a mix of pop and symphonic trip-hop, far more melodic than its predecessor. Due to differences of musical taste with an undisclosed number of producers that Darius and Dan tried to work with on this particular album, the band have described this album as their least favourite of their albums.
In the year 2000 to 2001, Darius and Dan began demo-ing new tracks for further studio production. After establishing a new sound to work with, the boys placed an advert in Mojo magazine, looking for a new lead singer. Craig Walker answered the advert and immediately began working with the band and singing on the tune that Darius wrote, entitled, "Again." Between 2002 and 2005, the band released three studio albums with Walker to further growing popularity and critical acclaim, including an advancement in an already established following in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. "You All Look The Same To Me" (2002), "Noise" (2004), and "Michel Vaillant" were albums that marked a turning point of the Archive sound that gradually turned away from their roots in Electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and Trip-Hop and towards more of a psychedelic and progressive style. One of the three composed albums was the soundtrack to the French film Michel Vaillant
Michel Vaillant (film)
Michel Vaillant is a 2003 French movie starring Sagamore Stévenin and Diane Kruger. It depicts events around the 24 hours of Le Mans race, based largely on a comic about the Michel Vaillant character....
, released in November 2003.
Archive began their European tour in November 2004 without Walker, posting on their website that Walker would not be joining the band as he has left Archive due to personal differences.
In autumn of 2004, Archive announced that Dave Pen (BirdPen) would replace Walker on the Noise tour. During this same tour, Keeler and Griffiths met the singer Pollard Berrier (formally of the band Bauchklang) at one of their shows in Vienna, Austria. Pollard had given Darius a Demo CD of his own written material, with the intention of starting another project with Dan and Darius. Because of the latter circumstances, the three began writing and rehearsing together, and were recording in Southside Studios, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, by September 2005.
A new modern era for Archive had begun with Darius, Dan and Pollard all writing and co-writing seven tracks and Dave Pen co-writing three, on the album, "Lights." Maria Q sang on three (including backing) tracks. From this point on, Archive was no longer a "front-man-band," but a "collective" of individual artists contributing to what is now an established sound. The album "Lights" was released in May 2006 and received high critical acclaim in France, Switzerland, Greece and Poland. Archive enjoyed predominantly sold-out gigs on their "Lights" Tour, as well as high acclaim at festivals around Europe.
In May 2009, Archive came back in full force, releasing their most acclaimed album to date, "Controlling Crowds I-III." "Controlling Crowds" reached number one in the French charts for a week, number one in Greece, number two in Switzerland and number 5 in Luxembourg. The single, "Bullets," was their most acclaimed single to date and reached the charts in Greece, Poland, Switzerland, France, and Germany. The biggest surprise of this album was the readmission of one of the original members, Rosko John, who adds an unforeseen depth to the seventh studio album.
In September 2009, they released a follow-up album, "Controlling Crowds: Part IV," along with the single, "Empty Bottle."
Archive continues to tour on the "Controlling Crowds" tour, having already sold out some fifty concerts from September 2009 - February 2010, and will continue to tour extensively for the 2010 Summer Festival Season.
In 2010 Darius Keeler and Danny Griffiths produced 3 songs for French singer Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer, , born Marie-Hélène Jeanne Gautier, , , is a French singer, songwriter, occasional actress and author....
. The tracks are Leila, Light me up and Diabolique mon ange and are part of her 8th album Bleu Noir
Bleu Noir
-Formats:* CD - Jewel box* CD - Digisleeve Limited Edition with 24 page insert* Double Vinyl LP* Collector's edition box: CD, pen, bottle of ink, and individual sheets of pictures & lyrics.-Release history:-Peak positions:-Year-end charts:...
, released on 6 December 2010.
Archive are currently working on their forthcoming eighth studio album (not including Michel Vaillant) in London and Paris, with a release date of "To Be Decided." Though whispers of a 2012 release have not been discredited, the possibilities are intriguing, considering Archive is with new management and has finished and completed its deal with Warner Music. Their home of the UK may have an official release at last.
Current lineup
- Darius Keeler - songwriting, synthesizer, piano, programming, arrangements
- Danny Griffiths - songwriting, synthesizer, samples, programming, arrangements
- Pollard Berrier - songwriting, vocals, guitar, programming, arrangements
- Dave Pen - songwriting, vocals, guitar
- Maria Q - vocals
- Rosko John - songwriting, vocals, MC
- Steve Harris - guitar, backing vocals
- Jonathan NoyceJonathan NoyceJonathan Mark Thomas Noyce is an English musician. He is a bass guitarist primarily known as a member of British rock group Jethro Tull, with whom he toured and recorded as a member from 1995 until 2007....
- bass - Steve ("the menace") Davis - bass
- Smiley/ Steve BarnardSteve BarnardSteve "Smiley" Barnard is an English drummer.Having previously drummed for Robbie Williams on the Life Thru a Lens album and tours, Barnard joined Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros after Jed Lynch left...
- drums - Tom Brazelle - harmonica
Former members
- Craig Walker - vocals, guitar
- Matheu Martin - drums
- Suzanne Wooder - vocals
- Roya ArabRoya ArabRoya Arab is a UK based Iranian musician and archaeologist. She was born in Tehran/Iran in 1967, and fled her country with her parents and siblings during the 1979 revolution of Iran....
- vocals - Lee Pomeroy - bass
Studio albums
- LondiniumLondinium (album)Londinium is the debut album by London-based trip hop band Archive. The title is taken from the Roman name for London. Roya Arab is the principal vocalist throughout the album, and Rosko John provides rapping....
(1996) - Take My HeadTake My HeadTake My Head is the second studio album by the London-based band Archive. This album is a collaboration of Danny Griffiths and Darius Keeler together with singer Suzanne Wooder.- Track listing :# "You Make Me Feel" – 4:06...
(1999) - You All Look the Same to MeYou All Look The Same To MeYou All Look the Same to Me is Archive's third studio album. In this album Archive used Craig Walker for vocals and gradually turned away from their roots in electronica and trip hop and towards more psychedelic and progressive style of bands such as Pink Floyd, Mogwai and The Secret Machines...
(2002) - Noise (2004)
- LightsLights (Archive album)Lights is the fifth album by British trip-hop progressive and alternative group Archive, released in 2006.-Track listing: # "Sane" - 4:26# "Sit Back Down" - 6:36# "Veins" - 4:01# "System" - 4:01# "Fold" - 4:37# "Lights" - 18:28...
(2006) - Controlling CrowdsControlling CrowdsControlling Crowds is the sixth studio album by British trip-hop progressive and alternative group Archive. It was released worldwide on March 30, 2009.- Track listing :CD 1 :# "Controlling Crowds" # "Bullets"...
[Part I-III] (2009) - Controlling Crowds – Part IVControlling Crowds – Part IVControlling Crowds – Part IV is the 7th album of the London based trip-hop progressive and alternative band Archive. It was released worldwide on October 19, 2009.This is the sequel of Controlling Crowds which contains parts I to III...
(2009)
Soundtracks
- Michel Vaillant by Archive (soundtrack from Michel VaillantMichel Vaillant (film)Michel Vaillant is a 2003 French movie starring Sagamore Stévenin and Diane Kruger. It depicts events around the 24 hours of Le Mans race, based largely on a comic about the Michel Vaillant character....
) (2003)
Live albums
- Live at Paris/France Inter (2002)
- Unplugged (2005)
- Live for 3 nights at Le Nuits Botanique Festival - Brussels May 2005 (2005, promo)
- Live at the Zenith (2007)
- Live at La Géode (only sold by French FNAC) (2010)
- Live 2010 Ancienne Belgique, Brussels 17th January 2010 (only sold by ConcertLive.com) (2010)
- Live 2010 Le Zenith, Paris 23rd January 2010 (only sold by ConcertLive.com) (2010)
Live DVD
- Live at the Zenith (deluxe package) (2007)
- Live in Athens (sold at PledgeMusic.com) (2011)
Singles
- Londinium (1996)
- So Few Words (1996)
- You Make Me Feel (1999) — UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#160 - The Way You Love Me (1999)
- Take My Head (1999, promo)
- Cloud in the Sky (2000)
- Again (2001/2002) — UK #159
- Numb (2002) — UK #127
- Goodbye (2002, promo)
- Men Like You/Meon (2003)
- Friend (2003)
- Get Out (2004)
- Fuck U (2004, promo)
- Sleep (2004, promo)
- Live at the Ancienne Belgique — "Pulse"/"Numb" (2005, promo)
- System (2006, promo)
- Fold (2006, promo)
- Sane (2006, promo)
- Bullets (2009)
- Kings of Speed (2009, promo)
- The Empty Bottle (2009)
- Lines (2009, promo)