Interview with Damian Darlington from Brit Floyd
Q: How did Brit Floyd form?
DD: Brit Floyd is entirely made up of former members of the Australian Pink Floyd Show (TAPFS). In 2005 I was called upon to tour North America with TAPFS because the Australian bass player wanted to spend more time at home. The following year the Australian guitar player did the same. By 2008, TAPFS was touring North America with none of the original 3 Australians. In late 2010, the 3 Aussies decided to hire new management. The group of musicians that had been touring the US, including 17 year TAPFS veteran, and musical director Damian Darlington decided to remain with manager Chas Cole and take on the name Brit Floyd.
Q: What makes Brit Floyd different from the other Pink Floyd tribute bands?
DD: We endeavor to provide the complete Floyd experience with 9 musicians on stage, a full on lighting rig, and widescreen video projection. While we don’t try to personally look like the actual members of Pink Floyd, we provide the visual experience as well as a note for note musical reproduction. You won’t have to close your eyes to feel like you’re at a Floyd concert – that’s our goal anyway.
Q: How important is the visual aspect to your act?
DD: We are constantly refining our lighting and video projection. Bryan Kolupski our very talented 3D animation artist who is always looking to improve the show with new concepts to accompany the music. The crew works like mad from 9am until showtime to ensure every element is in place and ready to go for the show.
Q: Do you find that some Pink Floyd songs are harder to recreate than others?
DD: Without a doubt. Some songs are straight ahead rockers like Money or Have a Cigar, while others have many moving parts and are more epic in scale like Echoes, Pigs, and many tracks from the Wall that require smooth transitions with sound effects and theatrics.
Q: How often to you mix up your set list or add new material to your repertoire?
DD: For any given tour we usually settle on a single set list, but we have other songs we pull out when we play multiple nights in one venue. We revamp the show every year so we bring something new when we return. It helps keep it fresh for us as well.
Q: How has Pink Floyd been an influence to you in the long run?
DD: Pink Floyd’s commitment to excellence and unwillingness to compromise are what I admire the most. It also never ceases to amaze me when I see absolute joy on the faces in the crowd when they hear the music of Floyd. I think their music is so enduring not only for the quality of the overall production but for the emotional depth of the songs.
Q: What makes Brit Floyd unique?
DD: Apart from the exceptional musicianship which is the core of the band, there is a visual feast in the background. Los Angeles based Bryan Kolupski is the man behind the magic, and a master at everything from animation, and graphic design to video and film production. Being a true Floyd fan, Bryan’s visuals which support each song are in a word- breathtaking! Alongside having created his own take on the characters which go with the songs themselves, it also stays true to Pink Floyd. As well as 2D visuals, there is also a 3D experience of the huge inflatable Pig and the infamous Teacher, of which hover above the crowd during the show at various points! The lighting is state of the art, and is certainly more than the icing on the cake for the average punter. The light show was designed by renowned lighting man Dave Hill, who has worked for 30 years with the biggest names in the music industry, including the Rolling Stones, The Eagles and Led Zeppelin! A conflagration of colours creates the highs and the lows of each song, and thus provides an experience for everyone- ranging from die hard Floyd fans, to first timers…….something which is truly unique!
Here also is a link to a 3 minute concert highlights video from our ‘Live in Liverpool – 2011′ concert which is taken from the DVD- this will give you a first hand look into the show- it’s worth a watch!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlIVRqU_T3I
If you need further info then go onto the website- www.britfloyd.com