Blinds

www.myspace.com/blindsband

Blinds is an alternative formation, founded and currently based in Munich, Germany, comprising Fabio Russo (lead vocals, guitar), Sandro Russo (guitars, vocals) and Christian Bachmann (violin, mandolin, synths and percussion).

The two brothers of Italian origin, Fabio and Sandro, look back on a long musical journey and stage experience. They started out in the late 90’s with their Alternative Rock four-piece Suez, with Sandro as the lead singer and his younger brother Fabio playing lead guitar. Appearances included the prestigious Rock Im Park / Rock Am Ring festivals and supporting 3 Doors Down, JJ72 and Rialto among others.

After restructurings, musical experiments and a new member in the rhythm section, the second phase of their career eventually takes them to London, England. One of the new demos evokes interest of British manager and Food Records co-founder, Andy Ross (Blur, Idlewild, Bluetones). In Autumn 2003 Ross encourages the guys to resettle to London, where they start recording demos at EMI studios, play Manchester ‘In The City’ and many renown venues of the London scene (Barfly, Bull & Gate, Dublin Castle, The Metro).

Fabio goes through a formative, creative period of his own in two and a half years on beat with the European metropolis. Besides his role with Suez he starts working on an intimate and private side-project with an old school friend who is working as a sound engineer at London’s Mayfair Studios.

After Ross retiring from the music business, both bassist and drummer head back home to continue their studies in Germany. Suez disband and at the beginning of 2006 both brothers go separate ways: Fabio is backtracked, Sandro remains in London for personal reasons.

Back home, Fabio proceeds working on his music with the help of old companions and in the current and following year calls attention as opening act for Kula Shaker, Boy Omega and Au Revoir Simone. The violinist and sound-fiddler Christian Bachmann, who has been enchanted by one of Fabio’s concerts, joins him enthusiastically by the end of 2007, and records the song ‘Modern Travelling’ in his own home-studio. When this and other demo recordings make their way to Sandro, he is surprised and yet enthralled of what he hears and is prompted to return.

This time Sandro gives precedence to his brother on the lead mic and complements the compositions with backing harmonies and acoustic guitars. The bitter-sweet, melancholic and folky songs, both inspired by contemporary British music as well as classic American tunesmiths like Neil Young, Ryan Adams, The Album Leaf and Why? now receive their polyphonic facets, melodically complemented and sustained by the violins of Christian Bachmann. Collectively, from now on they form the three-piece Blinds. Merely one microphone was running throughout the first acoustic rehearsals at Fabio’s flat, resulting in a stripped down acoustic track featured on the online EP ‘Modern Travelling’. A first sample that can be listened to and purchased from the band’s website.

The band is currently working on further recordings for their debut album, as well as thoroughly looking for the right scope to display samples of their talents live and on stage.