- Brite Futures
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Brite Futures 
Brite FuturesBackground information Origin Seattle, Washington, USA Genres Indie rock
ElectronicaYears active 2005–present Labels Warner Brothers Records Website Official website Members Shaun Libman
Luke Smith
David Price
Claire EnglandPast members Liam Downey, Jr. Brite Futures (formerly known as Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, oftentimes shortened to NPSH) is an American indie rock/electronica band from Seattle, Washington. The group released its debut album in July 2008. Their former name is a reference to actress Natalie Portman's physical appearance in the film V for Vendetta.
Contents
History
Formation
The band was formed by Luke Smith and Shaun Libman, who met while attending The Center School, an arts-based college preparatory school in Seattle.[1][2] Their early work was centered around keyboards and drum machines, the only instruments that the pair knew how to play at the time.[3] Their decision to start Natalie Portman's Shaved Head was made in the food court of the Center House, in 2005.[1][3] The name of the band is a reference to Natalie Portman's physical appearance in the film V for Vendetta.[1][4] Smith and Libman's first written songs for Natalie Portman's Shaved Head were about "fruit snacks and partying".[2] The band claimed one of the reasons they formed the band was to get girlfriends.[2]
The group expanded to a four piece before playing their first major gig, at the grand opening of the 826 Seattle writing center and Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company.[5] They invited their friends David Price and Claire England to the band, and later recruited Liam Downey, Jr. from another band that they found on MySpace.[2] Smith typically writes the band's music, and then writes lyrics with Libman afterwards.[3] The band would place Natalie Portman on the guest list of all of their shows, but the actress has not yet attended any performances.[1] Portman was, however, aware of the band's name and existence. England's sister, a New York City resident, met the actress once, and relayed to her the history and story of the band. Signing an autograph for them, she said in response to the story, "Oh, that's cool".[1][6]
Glistening Pleasure, 2008-present
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head's debut album, Glistening Pleasure, was released on Team Swam Records on July 15, 2008.[7] The release party for the album was held at Easy Street Records in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, where Liam's good friend Benjamin Bucy was mugged for a copy of the album.[6] The group have toured internationally with CSS, Matt & Kim, and The Go! Team[8] and supported Lily Allen on her North American tour of her second album.[9] Natalie Portman's Shaved Head had then begun work on their next album.[2]
Keely Weiss of Aced magazine described their music on Glistening Pleasure as reminiscent of Devo and an "unstoppable electronica/techno/funk/punk fusion".[10] Their music has been described by Amy Atkins as evoking the sounds of 1980s music, and as "addictive dancey electro-pop".[3] Michael Roberts of Westword called their sound "knowingly dorky party music" with "so many winks the average optometrist may suspect a serious vision issue."[4] According to Smith, "We try to pack in as many melodies as possible and change it up a lot, as opposed to a straight repetitive style."[11]
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head signed to Warner Bros. Records late 2009 and digitally released their EP "Meet Hot Singles" with newer, improved versions of some songs off of Glistening Pleasure. Since the album was taken off the market, it was said that they would release it sometime early 2010.[12]
On June 17, 2010, the band announced that their band name would now be Brite Futures, and posted their new single "Dog Eared Summer" on their website for free download.[13] As for the name change, they have stated the following:
"We chose our band name on a whim when we were still in high school, and 'Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head' has seen us through an unexpectedly amazing four years...But now it is summer once again, and time for a change. Also, it has recently come to our attention that our muse Ms. Portman is not so keen on us using her name in ours...so we feel it is time to move forward with a new name. We are Brite Futures." [14]
After much anticipation, Brite Futures' rerelease of Glistening Pleasure, entitled Glistening Pleasure 2.0 (referring to Justin Bieber's "My World 2.0",) is up for sale on Amazon and iTunes as of July 15, 2010, making both albums have an exact two-year gap between their release dates. Three of the tracks on Glistening Pleasure (being 'Beard Lust', 'Mouth Full of Bones', and 'The Malibu Highlife') did not make it to the 2.0 version. However, 'Dog Eared Summer' and a brand new song called 'My Funk' were introduced on the album.
On September 13, 2010 Liam Downey Jr. announced that he amicably split from Brite Futures. Band, and "Feels really good to be doing it on his own again, on a more intimate level with his music and himself." His statement revealed his departure was based on "private and personal reasons, and the physical damage I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love." He also announced that he will be returning to his birth name. Liam MCclelland Downey currently plays drums for local Seattle bands "Total Shit" and "So Pitted," also he does lead vocals as well as play drums in his lifelong band the Fabulous Downey Brothers.
Members
- Shaun Libman - vocals, maracas, shakers, tambourine, claps
- Luke Smith - vocals, guitar, keyboard, drum programming, claps
- David Price - keyboard, guitar, vocals, claps
- Claire England - bass keyboard, vocals, claps
Discography
- Glistening Pleasure (2008)
- Meet Hot Singles EP (2009)
- Glistening Pleasure 2.0 (2010)
- Dark Past (2011)
References
- ^ a b c d e Liu, Marian (2008-07-23). "Natalie Portman's Shaved Head: a name, band that are hard to forget". Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2008066882_natalieportman23.html. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ a b c d e Tan, Melissa. "Natalie Portman's Shaved Head". Groove Effect. http://www.grooveeffect.com/art-music/081408-natalie-portmans-shaved-head.php. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ a b c d Atkins, Amy (2008-08-13). "NATALIE PORTMAN'S SHAVED HEAD, AUG. 19, NEUROLUX". Boise Weekly. http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A316492. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ a b Roberts, Michael (2008-08-12). "Natalie Portman's Shaved Head". Westword. http://www.westword.com/2008-08-14/music/natalie-portman-s-shaved-head. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ True, Chris. "Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (biography)". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p1060270. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ a b Fitzmaurice, Larry (2008-07-23). "Behind the Scenes at Download 2008 San Francisco: Natalie Portman's Shaved Head". Spin Magazine. http://www.spin.com/articles/behind-scenes-download-2008-san-francisco-natalie-portmans-shaved-head. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Sclafani, Tony (2008-07-15). "Natalie Portman's Shaved Head and Glistening Pleasure". Village Voice. http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-07-16/music/natalie-portman-s-shaved-head-and-glistening-pleasure/. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ Wheeler, Brad (2008-07-31). "SPUNKY SEATTLE CREW PROVES THERE'S A LOT IN A NAME". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FLAC.20080731.LISTINGSSTAND31%2F%2FTPStory%2FEntertainment&ord=61130936&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ Lee, Ann (2009-02-04). "Lily Allen finally allowed to gig in US". Metro UK. http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/music/article.html?Lily_Allen_finally_allowed_to_perform_in_US&in_article_id=519515&in_page_id=25. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Weiss, Keely (2008-08-13). "Behind the Scenes at Download 2008 San Francisco: Natalie Portman's Shaved Head". Aced Magazine. http://www.acedmagazine.com/content/view/1542/31/. Retrieved 2009-02-06.[dead link]
- ^ O'Neil, Luke (2008-08-08). "A sound that's turning heads". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/08/08/a_sound_thats_turning_heads/. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ http://www.guttersnipenews.com/2009/07/03/natalie-portmans-shaved-head-interview/
- ^ http://www.myspace.com/music/blog/2010/6/17/natalie-portmans-shaved-head-change-name-release-new-song-as-free-download
- ^ http://www.britefuturesforever.com/BFF/Yes.html
External links
- Brite Futures on Twitter
- Official website
- Natalie Portman's Shaved Head at Allmusic
- Natalie Portman's Shaved Head discography at MusicBrainz
- Video interview with Natalie Portman's Shaved Head on MyNorthwest.com [1]
Categories:- Musical groups from Washington (state)
- Musical quintets
- Musical groups established in 2005
- American indie rock groups
- Electronic music groups from Washington (state)
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