Fiona Brice
Encyclopedia
Fiona Brice is a composer
, orchestral arranger and violin
ist. She is known as sidewoman with the alternative rock
band Placebo
.
Brice writes orchestral arrangements for various artists and has toured & recorded with several major pop artists, including Placebo
, Kanye West
, Sugababes
, Boy George
, Westlife
, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Simply Red
. In addition, she conducts a solo career (with the latest album, The Separate, to be released in 2011) and works as a songwriter with other artists.
. Some years later, in December 2008, Brice joined Placebo for their singular live performance in Angkor Wat
. There, she played the violin
part on unique re-arrangements of several Placebo songs. In between, Brice also provided string arrangements in the studio recording of Battle For The Sun
.
As Placebo continued to tour in 2009, before and after the release of Battle For The Sun, Brice joined them, rendering live the violin sounds identified with the album. She is the first-ever female
Placebo member, either core or sideman.
and featured on their album "In the Cold Light of Morning (Beggars Banquet 1999). Around this time she also began performing with other London-based acts including Tram, Suzanne Rhatigan, Simon Breed, Menlo Park
, and Jack
. Michael J Sheehy's solo album "Sweet Blue Gene" was the first album to feature Fiona's string arrangements.
Brice then spent several years as a session violinist in London, appearing regularly on TV with numerous Top 40 Chart Acts including Kanye West
, Will Young
, Gorillaz
, Westlife
, Il Divo
, Sugarbabes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor
, Boy George
, Ian Brown
, Ronan Keating
. (Live from Abbey Road, Popworld, Top of the Pops, Strictly Come Dancing, This Morning, Parkinson) whilst still writing and performing with lesser known artists. More recently she has focussed on arranging and performing with more alternative-minded artists and singer/songwriters. Brice has a long-term connection with Bella Union Records and has written, toured and recorded with Simon Raymonde
several of their artists. Whilst being involved with Placebo she continues to work with other artists, notably Michael J Sheehy and Patrick Wolf, and writes original orchestral music.
Fiona appears in the following films:
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, orchestral arranger and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist. She is known as sidewoman with the alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
.
Brice writes orchestral arrangements for various artists and has toured & recorded with several major pop artists, including Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
, Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
, Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Simply Red
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
. In addition, she conducts a solo career (with the latest album, The Separate, to be released in 2011) and works as a songwriter with other artists.
Involvement with Placebo
Her first engagement with Placebo was in 2005, contributing the string arrangements on MedsMeds
Meds is the fifth studio album by British alternative rock band Placebo, released in 2006 on Virgin Records. It was released in most countries on 13 March 2006, although it was released three days earlier in Australia and New Zealand...
. Some years later, in December 2008, Brice joined Placebo for their singular live performance in Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu,...
. There, she played the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
part on unique re-arrangements of several Placebo songs. In between, Brice also provided string arrangements in the studio recording of Battle For The Sun
Battle for the Sun
Battle for the Sun is the sixth studio album by British alternative rock band Placebo, released in 2009 on Solitary Man Records, Vagrant Records, Universal Records, and PIAS Recordings.-Production and recording:...
.
As Placebo continued to tour in 2009, before and after the release of Battle For The Sun, Brice joined them, rendering live the violin sounds identified with the album. She is the first-ever female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
Placebo member, either core or sideman.
Biography
After graduating from Kings College and the Royal Academy of Music, London, Fiona started playing violin onstage with Dream City Film ClubDream City Film Club
Dream City Film Club were a North London rock band founded in July 1995.Their sound was difficult to categorize in that it encompassed tortured lovelorn balladry, avant-garde flourishes, Tin Pan Alley, straightforward rock and gospel yearnings in both lyrics and subject matter. Ultimately, Dream...
and featured on their album "In the Cold Light of Morning (Beggars Banquet 1999). Around this time she also began performing with other London-based acts including Tram, Suzanne Rhatigan, Simon Breed, Menlo Park
Menlo Park
Menlo Park may refer to:*Menlo Park, New Jersey, USA*Menlo Park, California, USA*Menlo Park, Pretoria, South Africa...
, and Jack
Jack (band)
Jack were a British alternative rock band formed in Cardiff, Wales, in 1992. Their orchestral pop was heavily influenced by artists such as Scott Walker and drew comparisons to Pulp, Tindersticks and The Divine Comedy...
. Michael J Sheehy's solo album "Sweet Blue Gene" was the first album to feature Fiona's string arrangements.
Brice then spent several years as a session violinist in London, appearing regularly on TV with numerous Top 40 Chart Acts including Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Will Young
Will Young
William Robert "Will" Young is a British singer-songwriter and actor who came to prominenceafter winning the 2002 inaugural series of the British music contest Pop Idol, making him the first winner of the now-worldwide Idols-format franchise...
, Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
, Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
, Il Divo
Il Divo
Il Divo is a multinational operatic pop vocal group created by music manager, executive, and reality TV star Simon Cowell. Formed in the United Kingdom, they are also signed to Cowell's record label, Syco Music...
, Sugarbabes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor is an English singer, songwriter, model and occasional DJ. She first came to prominence in the late 1990s, as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded, Ellis-Bextor went solo, achieving widespread success in the early 2000s...
, Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
, Ian Brown
Ian Brown
Ian George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
, Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and...
. (Live from Abbey Road, Popworld, Top of the Pops, Strictly Come Dancing, This Morning, Parkinson) whilst still writing and performing with lesser known artists. More recently she has focussed on arranging and performing with more alternative-minded artists and singer/songwriters. Brice has a long-term connection with Bella Union Records and has written, toured and recorded with Simon Raymonde
Simon Raymonde
Simon Philip Raymonde is an English musician and record producer. He is the son of the late arranger and composer, Ivor Raymonde.-Career:...
several of their artists. Whilst being involved with Placebo she continues to work with other artists, notably Michael J Sheehy and Patrick Wolf, and writes original orchestral music.
Fiona appears in the following films:
- The Making of Battle for the Sun: The Album PlaceboPlacebo (band)Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
documentary - Vashti Bunyan: From Here to Before documentary directed by Kieran Evans
- The Abbey Road Sessions Donavon FrankenreiterDonavon FrankenreiterDonavon Frankenreiter is an American musician and surfer. He is a long-time friend of Jack Johnson and his debut self-titled album was released in 2004 on Johnson's Brushfire Records through Universal Music and made the Australian ARIA Top-40 charts in April 2004.-Surfing career:He took up surfing...
- Kanye West - Late Orchestration Kanye WestKanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
live at Abbey Road - David Axelrod Live at the Royal Festival Hall
Discography
Orchestral arrangements include the following albums:- The Separate (2011) String Quartet album featuring Brian MolkoBrian MolkoBrian Molko is a songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the band Placebo. He is known in particular for his high-pitched vocals, androgynous appearance, and unique, Sonic Youth-influenced guitar style and tuning.-Early life:Born to an American father of French-Italian heritage and a Scottish...
, Ed HarcourtEd HarcourtEd Harcourt is an English singer-songwriter. To date, he has released five studio albums, two EPs, and thirteen singles. His debut album, Here Be Monsters, was nominated for the 2001 Mercury Prize...
, Martha WainwrightMartha WainwrightMartha Wainwright is a Canadian-American folk-rock singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of American folk singer and actor Loudon Wainwright III and Canadian folk singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle...
, Mark LaneganMark LaneganMark Lanegan is an American rock musician and songwriter. Lanegan began his music career in the 1980s, forming the grunge group Screaming Trees with Gary Lee Conner, Van Conner and Mark Pickerel. During his time in the band Lanegan would start a low-key solo career...
, Stephanie DosenStephanie DosenStephanie Dosen is an American singer-songwriter. She was raised in Wisconsin. Her songs have been featured on the soundtracks of Dawson's Creek, NUMB3RS and Party of Five....
, Joan as Policewoman, Paul NoonanPaul NoonanPaul Noonan is an Irish singer from Lucan, County Dublin, and lead vocalist of the band Bell X1. His father is Noel Noonan, the recently retired principal of St. Mary's B.N.S. in Lucan....
, Frightened RabbitFrightened RabbitFrightened Rabbit are a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene...
, JayMayJaymayJamie Seerman is an American folk singer-songwriter from New York. She performs under the name Jaymay.-Biography:Jaymay was born on January 3, 1981, and was raised on Long Island...
, Charlotte HatherleyCharlotte HatherleyCharlotte Franklin Hatherley is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. She initially came to prominence as guitarist and backing vocalist for alternative rock band Ash. Since departing Ash in 2006, she has found success as a solo artist...
, AnaisAnaisAnais, Anaís, or Anaïs , is a female given name derived from the Persian goddess of love, Anahita, or its Armenian counterpart, Anahit....
, Patrick WolfPatrick WolfPatrick Wolf is an English-Irish singer-songwriter from South London. Patrick utilises a wide variety of instruments in his music, most commonly the ukulele, piano and viola...
. - Queen of Denmark John GrantJohn GrantJohn Grant may refer to:*John Grant , Screenwriter, wrote for Abbott and Costello*Johannes Grant, engineer, believed by some scholars to have been Scottish, who fought in the Siege of Constantinople*John Gaston Grant , U.S...
(2010) arrangements & violin - Battle for the Sun PlaceboPlacebo (band)Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
(2009) - The Bachelor Patrick WolfPatrick WolfPatrick Wolf is an English-Irish singer-songwriter from South London. Patrick utilises a wide variety of instruments in his music, most commonly the ukulele, piano and viola...
(2009) - The Rise and Fall of Francis Delaney Michael J Sheehy and the Hired Mourners (2009) arrangements & violin
- Lights Out Zoltar! Gemma RayGemma rayGemma Ray is a Singer-songwriter from Basildon, Essex. Her music is frequently described as Pop- Noir, though her music is hard to set in any one genre; she considers herself primarily describes herself as a torch singer who can't help writing pop songs...
(2009) arrangements & violin - Strange Glory Lucas Renney (2009)
- Ordinary Heroes Howard JonesHoward JonesHoward Jones is the name of:*Howard Jones , American football coach*Howard Jones , American metalcore singer*Howard M...
(2009)
- Colour Andy HunterAndy HunterAndrew "Andy" Hunter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Michael Higgs.-Storylines:Andy was an employee of The Firm, of which he took control after the murder of Jack Dalton by Dennis Rickman . He had been married and divorced to a woman named Bev previously...
(2008) - My Paper Made Men Amy StudtAmy StudtAmy Jane Studt is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Growing up in a musical family she recorded her first demo by age 14, which eventually got her signed to Polydor. Studt released her first single "Just a Little Girl" in July 2002, to international success. It was followed almost a year...
(2008) Track "Walking Out" - British Ballads Anthony ReynoldsAnthony ReynoldsAnthony Reynolds is a Welsh musician. He has worked as a solo artist, and also in collaboration with others in his bands Jack and Jacques.-Jack:...
(2008) arrangements & violin
- Made of Bricks Kate NashKate NashKate Marie Nash is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. She had a UK no. 2 hit "Foundations" in 2007, followed by the platinum selling UK number 1 album Made of Bricks. She was named Best Female Artist at the 2008 BRIT Awards....
(2007) - Proud Sponsors of Boredom Kill the Young (2007) Track "Television Show"
- Only the Names have been Changed Kelly JonesKelly JonesKelly Jones is a Welsh singer-songwriter and guitarist and the lead singer of the band Stereophonics. Influenced by classic rock bands such as The Who, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and the Sex Pistols, Jones is noted for his strong, gravelly voice, which has been described as "whisky" vocals...
(2007) - A Lily for the Spectre Stephanie DosenStephanie DosenStephanie Dosen is an American singer-songwriter. She was raised in Wisconsin. Her songs have been featured on the soundtracks of Dawson's Creek, NUMB3RS and Party of Five....
(2007) arrangements & violin - Ghost on the Motorway Michael J Sheehy (2007) arrangements & violin
- How to Destroy a Relationship The ServantThe ServantThe Servant is Harold Pinter's 1963 film adaptation of the 1948 novel by Robin Maugham. A British production directed by Joseph Losey, it stars Dirk Bogarde, Sarah Miles, Wendy Craig, and James Fox....
(2006) - Twelve Stops and Home The FeelingThe FeelingThe Feeling are a BRIT award-nominated English pop band from West Sussex and London. The band categorise their music as "pop".Following a limited release of their first single "Fill My Little World" in late 2005, the band entered the UK Singles Chart at #7 with their first full release "Sewn" in...
(2006) Track: "I miss you" arrangement & violin - Meds PlaceboPlacebo (band)Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
(2005) - The Beautiful Lie"" Ed HarcourtEd HarcourtEd Harcourt is an English singer-songwriter. To date, he has released five studio albums, two EPs, and thirteen singles. His debut album, Here Be Monsters, was nominated for the 2001 Mercury Prize...
(2005) Tracks "You Only Call Me when You're Drunk" & "The Drug" - Amber ClearlakeClearlakeClearlake may refer to:* Clearlake , English rock band* Clearlake, California, city in Lake County, California* Angels Camp, California, formerly ClearlakeSee also Clear Lake ....
(2005) arrangements & violin - Lookaftering Vashti BunyanVashti BunyanVashti Bunyan is an English singer-songwriter. In 1970, Bunyan released her first album, Just Another Diamond Day. The album sold very few copies, and Bunyan, discouraged, abandoned her musical career...
(2005) Additional arrangement & violin on "The Same but Different"
- Cowboys and Indians The JeevasThe JeevasThe Jeevas were an English rock band. Its members were Crispian Mills , Andy Nixon , and Dan McKinna . Mills was previously the vocalist of Kula Shaker. Nixon and McKinna were previous members of Straw...
(2004) violin on "Back Home", "How Much do You Suck?" - Goodnight Baby Mr Wright (2004) arrangements & violin
- A Kind of Closure TramTramA tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
(2002) string and brass arrangements & violin
- Ill Gotten Gains Michael J Sheehy (2001) arrangements & violin
- Frequently Asked QuestionsTramTramA tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
(2000) arrangements & violin - Sweet Blue Gene Michael J Sheehy (2000) arrangements & violin
- In the Cold Light of Morning Dream City Film ClubDream City Film ClubDream City Film Club were a North London rock band founded in July 1995.Their sound was difficult to categorize in that it encompassed tortured lovelorn balladry, avant-garde flourishes, Tin Pan Alley, straightforward rock and gospel yearnings in both lyrics and subject matter. Ultimately, Dream...
(1998) arrangements & violin