Florence and the Machine

by itemvn  |  January 05, 2011 [Edit]

Florence and the Machine (stylised as Florence + the Machine) is the recording name of English indie rock artist Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music for her voice. Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul. The band's music has received praise across the music media before they gained mainstream success, especially from the BBC who played a large part in Florence and the Machine's rise to prominence by promoting her as part of BBC Introducing.

The band's debut album, Lungs, was released on 6 July 2009, and held the number-two position for its first five weeks in the UK Albums Chart. On 17 January 2010, the album reached the top position, having remained on the chart for twenty-eight consecutive weeks up until that point. The album has been within the top forty in the United Kingdom for sixty-five consecutive weeks, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2009 and 2010 so far. At the 2010 BRIT Awards, Lungs won the Mastercard British Album award. Florence and the Machine performed at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Concert. It has recently been announced that the band have been nominated for Best New Artist at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

The Machine is the name attributed to Welch's backing band, composed mostly of session musicians, who differ depending on Welch's requirements when performing. Originally however it arose from her teenage collaboration with Isabella "Machine" Summers. Welch and Summers performed together for a time under the name Florence Robot/Isa Machine. Later, this was shortened to Florence and the Machine as it was felt to be too cumbersome. Welch continued using this name for her band even when Summers parted company with her for a time, although Summers later returned to become her regular keyboard player.

Like most solo singers, Welch relies on a regular line up of musicians to support her in live shows. The current line up includes session musicians Robert Ackroyd on guitar, Chris Hayden on drums, Isabella Summers on keyboard, Mark Saunders on bass and Tom Monger on harp. In the past Welch has praised the Machine for understanding her creative process, claiming "I've worked with most of them for a long time and they know my style, know the way I write, they know what I want.”

Florence and the Machine released its debut album Lungs in the United Kingdom on 6 July 2009. The album was officially launched with a set at the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley, South East London. The album has peaked at the number 1 position in the UK and the number 13 position in Europe. As of 6 August 2009 the album had sold over 100,000 copies in the UK and by 10 August it had been at the number 2 position for five consecutive weeks. Following its 25 July 2009 release for download in the United States the album debuted at the number 17 position on the Billboard "Heatseekers" chart.