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BLANDILO

About Me

BLANDILO Merlin's Magic, Joannie's Intuition This duo is about to take you by surprise, not only by dint of their expertise and precision, but by a certain connection between Joannie Labelle and Merlin Ettore, the two percussionists who comprise this duo. Between them, they generate the humid passion of Latin, the electro-speak of the laptop, the rhythms of far shores beaten by hands on indigenous instruments, and the restless funk played by sticks on the western drumset. Between them, they've done internships in Cuba, pursued advanced percussion studies, devised multi-media presentations, and worked the drumset to frenetic heights. As you will see from Joannie and Merlin's first note, this is no thrown-together outfit. They've been active in the Montreal scene, adding finesse to their presentation. Expect great things from Blandilo.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 25/05/2006
Band Website: www.myspace.com/hybriddrum-www.myspace.com/obadrum
Band Members: JOANNIE LABELLE: percussions, vocal --------------------------------------
Joannie Labelle (est. 1985), as a rhythm worshipper has evolved through music since her youth. Percussion now fuels her everyday life.

1992: Joannie, age 7, starts piano lessons, and does folkloric dance.

2000: Joannie, age 15, discovers her first bongos.

2002: Joannie, age 17, studies percussion in college with Alain Labrosse.

2005: Joannie, age 20, comes back from studies in cuba, and follows a workshop at Berklee University (Boston).

2007: Joannie finishes her university studies in latin percussion, finishes her 3rd studio recording, and plans to go on her 4th trip to cuba.

Her latest project, furious percussion duo Blandilo, has been invited to appear at the Montreal Museum of Modern Art and at the Montreal Drumfest 2007. Their first album is scheduled for release in fall 2007.

Educators include Alain Labrosse, Afro-Cuban All Stars Rolando ''El nino" Salgado, latin percussion god Giovanni Hidalgo, Quebec percussion superstar Luc Boivin and Celine Dion percussionnist Paul Picard.

Recent clients include exclusive percussion workshop and special performances for the Cirque du Soleil, promotional performances for various companies such as Amarula, Boris, Molson and more, also performed with world music bands at the Francofolies de Montréal and the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal .

Joannie is officially endorsed by Meinl Percussion and Dream Gongs
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MERLIN ETTORE: drums, live electronics -----------------------------------------
Merlin Ettore (est. 1984), third generation percussionist, is a hybrid artist performing in a frenetic, jaw dropping yet clearly genetic style.
1986: Merlin, age 2, destroys his mother's kitchenware with makeshift drumsticks.
1996: Merlin, age 12, plays his first professional gig.
2006: Merlin, age 22, has released his first album, played his fourth canadian tour, and is planning his third european.
2007: Merlin's drumming wizardry puzzles and astonishes peers, audiences and collaborators.

His latest project, furious percussion duo Blandiloquentia, has been invited to appear at the Montreal Museum of Modern Art and at the Montreal Drumfest 2007. Their first album is scheduled for release in fall 2007.
Collaborators, on stage and in studio, include Quebec percussion superstar Luc Boivin, jazz legend Guy Nadon, Frank Zappa's keyboardist Don Preston, King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto, world renowned installation artists Dejode / Lacombe and sound architect Nick Bugayev.
Recent clients include a commission from the Montreal Museum of Archeology and History for the 2007 Port Symphonies, exclusive percussion workshop with the Cirque du Soleil executive, exclusive performance for Louis Vuitton Inc., conception and performance for McDonalds, Merlin has also worked extensively as a promoter and event producer.
Merlin is officially endorsed by Ableton Software, Yamaha Drums and Paiste cymbals. He divides his time between Montreal, Berlin and Milan.
Influences: PURCHASE THE "NEW EP" USING PAYPAL
contact us:
[email protected]
Sounds Like: BLANDILO just released their new EP on January 10th at the magnificent PLAZA THEATER in Montreal. They are now working on the full length album and should have a release date very soon. On January 11th BLANDILO moved out of Canada and is currently based in Berlin developing new horizons.
Catch them in concert in an European major city soon.
More info to come...
Record Label: Searching for...

My Blog

On Montreal Drumfest Website

Hi !You can find a really nice bio of BLANDILO on the Montreal Drumfest Website. Check it out:http://montrealdrumfest.com/EN/home_en.htmlhttp://montre aldrumfest.com/FR/home_fr.html
Posted by on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:31:00 GMT

Critique: Blandiloquentia au complexe Méduse

« Par un mercredi d'Octobre, l'équipe de Metaluniverse.net se rendait à la Salle Multi du complexe Méduse pour assister à un concert intime du groupe Estradasphere. Le groupe avait joué la veille à Mo...
Posted by on Sun, 17 Dec 2006 11:22:00 GMT