Press Kit
Short Bio
“Epic”
Uncut
“Ethereal”
Sunday Express
“A life-enhancing listening experience”
Louder Than War
“Reaches areas of your head and heart you never knew existed”
Metal Planet Music
Blackheart Orchestra is officially the smallest orchestra in the world. Two people playing 13 instruments between them, Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington draw on their backgrounds in rock, folk, electronica and classical music to create a unique sound frequently compared to early Pink Floyd, Portishead and Kate Bush as well as contemporary composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Described as an ”Avant garde musical utopia” they perform in their ‘musical space station’ of instruments including guitar, bass, percussion, mandola, piano, organ, omnichord and vintage synthesisers.
After over 1000 concerts and 4 albums they’ve played everywhere from Southampton to Sydney including London’s Palladium and Royal Albert Hall while piling up achievements from a nomination for the Progressive Music Limelight Award, Best British Duo, #4 Best New British Band, and #10 Most Important Rock Event of 2020. More recently their multi award-winning 2022 album Hotel Utopia went straight into the UK Rock Chart at #13, being called “Epic” by Uncut magazine, “One of the best albums of the year” by USA’s Prog Rock Central and going on to win Best British Album, Best Song and Best Female Vocalist in the USA Progressive Rock Awards.
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The Blackheart Orchestra is officially the smallest orchestra in the world. Two people playing 13 instruments. They perform in the centre of a circle of instruments that has been described as their ‘musical space station’. Their music combines ethereal vocals with multi-layered combinations of acoustic instruments such as guitar and mandola, rock instruments including electric guitar, bass and percussion, plus piano, organ, electronica, orchestral and symphonic sounds, omnichords and their collection of vintage synthesisers. The music is emotional with Metal Planet saying “Their music reaches areas of your head and heart that you never knew existed.”
They draw on their backgrounds in rock, folk, electronica and classical music to create a truly unique sound frequently compared to early Pink Floyd, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Portishead and Kate Bush. Simultaneously symphonic and psychedelic, classical but totally contemporary.
After 1000 gigs from Southampton to Sydney and 4 acclaimed albums, they’ve performed everywhere from intimate venues to London’s Palladium and Royal Albert Hall sharing stages with everyone from Hawkwind to Eric Clapton.
Awards include a nomination for the Progressive Rock Limelight Award, they won Best British Duo, were voted #4 UK Best New Band and their lockdown online concert series The Big Armchair Concerts was voted #10 Most Important Rock Event of 2020. Two years later their multi award-winning album Hotel Utopia went straight into the UK Rock Chart at #13, being called “Epic” by Uncut magazine,“Mercurial by Guitarist Magazine, “One of the best albums of the year” by USA’s Prog Rock Central and went on to win Best British Album, Best Song and Best Female Vocalist in the USA Progressive Rock Awards.
They have been described as “A mesmerising powerhouse” and “An avant-garde musical utopia”. Louder Than War declared their music “A life-enhancing listening event” Steve Hackett of Genesis described it as “Powerful and inspiring”and fan Phil Campbell of Motörhead described it simply as “******* beautiful”.
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