Everybody has heard about Florence and The Machine and listened to their famous songs such as “Kiss With A Fist”, but how many of you know everything about them? Here are some things you need to know if you consider yourself a fan.
1. It’s not a band, it’s Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music for her voice. “The name Florence and the Machines started off as a private joke that got out of hand. I made music with my friend, who we called Isabella Machine to which I was Florence Robot. When I was about an hour away from my first gig, I still didn’t have a name, so I thought ‘Okay, I’ll be Florence Robot/Isa Machine’, before realizing that name was so long it’d drive me mad,” said Welch. The current lineup includes musicians Robert Ackroyd (guitar and backing vocals), Chris Hayden (drums and percussion), Isabella Summers (keyboards and backing vocals), Mark Saunders (bass guitar) and Tom Monger (harp).
2. Welch’s debut album was “Lungs“, released on 6 July 2009. “I wrote so much of my first album at different times and places - some songs when I was 18, some when I was 21 - so there are so many pieces and styles on it,” said Florence about the album that held the number-two position for its first five weeks in the UK Albums Chart and in January 2010, the album reached the top position, after being on the chart for twenty-eight consecutive weeks. The album has been in the top forty in the United Kingdom for sixty-five consecutive weeks, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2009 and 2010.
3. The upcoming album will be different than everything they played before. “For my new record, I wanted to do things differently. It’s why I worked with one producer in one studio. I want to tie all those things together … in one piece, if possible,” said Welch, referring to the fact that this album is going to be the mirror of everything that’s happened to her on her rather rapid ascent to fame.
4. As for recognition, Florence and the Machine collected the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2009 BRIT Awards after coming third in the BBC’s Sound of 2009, the Mastercard British Album award at the 2010 BRIT Awards for Lungs, receiving nods for the British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act awards. Last year, Florence and the Machine won Best International Band at the 2010 Meteor Awards and was up for four 2010 MOJO Awards, the most of any act. Florence Welch also received a 2011 Grammy Awards Nomination for Best New Artist.
