Turin Brakes consists of Gale Paridjanian (guitar, vocals), Ollie Knights (vocals, guitar).
Turin Brakes are a modern folk pop duo comprising two friends Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian, hailing from Balham, London, signed to the Source label.
Turin Brakes have often been compared to many of the New Acoustic Movement's bands spawned in the late 90's such as Elbow, Starsailor, I Am Kloot (who actually were a support band for Turin Brakes on their Ether Song tour) and the Norwegian band the Kings of Convenience, whose 2001 album entitled Quiet Is the New Loud describes Turin Brakes well too.
The band was also one of the focal points to the so-called New Acoustic Movement around the turn of the millennium. Their first album, The Optimist LP was greeted with much acclaim, and received a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
Their sophomore effort, Ether Song, proved to be equally popular and reached the dizzy heights of number 4 in the UK album charts. The album produced several singles: "Long Distance", "Pain Killer", "Average Man" and "5 Mile".
Their new album Jackinabox has stirred up critical acclaim once more and was released on May 30, 2005 preceded by the single "Fishing For A Dream". Turin Brakes have just completed a successful mini tour of the UK, the USA and Europe and are currently doing a full length tour of the UK. A download-only album Live At The Palladium, recorded in London was released on 7 November 2005, 1 day after the concert took place in London. Lead singer Olly Knights became a father in early 2005.
The pair were part of the chorus on the Band Aid 20 single.
In February 2004, Turin Brakes released a DJ mix album for the Late Night Tales series on Azuli Records.
