Balu Brigada
Balu Brigada is a New Zealand alt-pop band originally from Auckland. The act, formed in 2016 with four members, is led by multi-instrumentalist brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley. It has released two extended plays — I Should Be Home (2022), and Find A Way (2023) — and the compilation BALU (2024). In 2024, Balu Brigada supported Twenty One Pilots on the U.S. and Australia & New Zealand legs of the Clancy World Tour.
History
[edit]Balu Brigada was formed in 2016,[1] with four members. Henry Beasley was the lead singer and guitarist, his older brother Charles was the drummer, his younger brother Pierre was on keyboards and their childhood friend, Guy Harrison, was on bass.[2] Sometimes, Pierre was not allowed to play in certain venues since he was only 15. Their first two singles were "Weekend" and "Ricochet".[3] They started focusing more on writing and production after Pierre came of age.[1] Charles Beasley and Harrison left over the next several years,[4] leading Henry and Pierre Beasley to adopt multi-instrumentalist and dual vocalist roles.[2][5] In 2022, Balu Brigada signed with Warner Music Australia and Atlantic Records in their first deal as joint partners. They released the EP I Should Be Home, about issues “messy break-ups to drunken epiphanies" navigated by an inexperienced "20-something".[5] Originally from Auckland,[6] the group relocated to New York City.[7]
In July 2023, Balu Brigada released its breakthrough EP Find A Way. It included viral songs "Designer" and "2Good". Spanning multiple genres, the six-track record has been described by the band as "about tripping up on all the subtleties of the dating game". It spurred them back to New Zealand and Australia to tour.[7]
Early in 2024, Balu Brigada opened for Twenty One Pilots on the U.S. leg of the Clancy World Tour. The four-piece returned for the Australia and New Zealand leg. The New Zealand Herald's reviewer was appreciative of their Auckland performance, writing that their "catchy alt-pop riffs and endearing charm no doubt earned them plenty more fans in their hometown."[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Balu Brigada on their new EP 'I Should Be Home'". Hype Medium. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Balu Brigada - The Brothers Beasley". Radio New Zealand Music. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ Bell, Jean (2017). "Fresh Talent: Balu Brigada". NZ Musician. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ Bell, Hartung (2017). "Balu Brigada: Hitting Number One". NZ Musician. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ a b Kelly, Vivienne (23 September 2022). "Warner Music and Atlantic Records Sign Balu Brigada". The Music Network. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ a b Hageman, Mitchell (17 November 2024). "Twenty One Pilots Auckland show review: Band bring backflips and brilliance to Spark Arena". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ a b Lochrie, Conor (7 June 2024). "Balu Brigada Battle the Dating Game on New Single 'So Cold'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 22 November 2024.