Draft:The Blackheart Orchestra

The Blackheart Orchestra are a multi-genre band composed of British composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalists Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington. Self-styled as one of the smallest orchestras in the world. They are two people playing 13 instruments. 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.

They draw on their backgrounds in rock, folk, electronica and classical music to create a sound which has been compared to early Pink Floyd, Steve Reich, Ludovico Einaudi,London Grammar and Kate Bush.

Blackheart (2007-2016)
Originating in 2007 the band were initially known as Blackheart, and at the time Pilkington was pursuing a career in Advertising whilst Mostyn was still a university student studying Psychology and Counselling. In their first year they played over 145 shows.

In 2008 the band released their debut album "Indigo". An album of contemporary folk/pop music which was largely acoustic guitar based.

This was followed in 2010 with the release of their second album "Invisible", an album very similar in vein to their debut album.

Songs From A Satellite was released in 2013 and is marked by a shift in musical direction. A move from the folk/contemporary pop emphasis of the first two albums towards a more diverse, complex and expansive sound. This was the start of the transition from the band which had been known as Blackheart, to that of The Blackheart Orchestra.

The Blackheart Orchestra (2017-present)
2017 saw the release of the fourth album Diving For Roses and with it the full transition to the more orchestrated, multi-instrumental and structured sound that had started to appear on Songs From A Satellite.

In 2018 Dave Brock of Hawkwind invited The Blackheart Orchestra to support Hawkwind on their UK tour to promote the Road_to_Utopia_(album).

The fifth album Mesmeranto was released in 2019 and was influenced by the passing of singer Mostyn's mother.

In the Autumn of 2019 The Blackheart Orchestra supported Hawkwind as part of their 50th Anniversary Tour. A Tour which included playing on stage at G-Live with Eric Clapton and Phil_Campbell_(musician), as well as playing to a sell-out crowd at the Royal Albert Hall.

In 2020 the Coronavirus pandemic resulted in the implementation of lockdowns and social distance rules and the cancellation of all live performances. The Coronavirus Pandemic resulted in loss of income for many musicians, venues and all aspects of the creative industries with little assistance provided by the UK Government.

The Blackheart Orchestra were unable to play to a live audience for 517 days when lockdown restrictions were fully lifted.

During Covid Lockdown the band introduced the "Big Armchair" series of virtual events that were streamed live from Pilkington's living room. Music played an important role in maintaining the wellbeing of the British public.

The Big Armchair series of concerts were voted 10th Most Important Rock Event of 2020 by the readers of Prog Magazine. Also at this time Mostyn was voted #5 Best Female Vocalist of that year.

"Mute: Instrumental Variations" was released in May 2021. Pilkington called the album the duo’s "album in between albums". An instrumental album that has an orchestral cinematic/soundtrack feel. As PROG Magazine was to explain it was an important bridge out of the period of coronavirus. A pathway back to normality.

In November 2021 the band released a cover of The Manic Street Preachers song "If You Tolerate This (Your Children Will Be Next)" Re-Interpreted by the band for the future and climate change. A proportion of the download profits were donated to "Just One Tree" a not for profit organisation working to offset carbon emissions through reforestation.

In July 2022 the albums "Songs From A Satellite" and "Diving For Roses were re-released on coloured vinyl exclusively through Renaissance Records in the USA. This brought "Songs From A Satellite" under The Blackheart Orchestra name.

"Hotel Utopia" was released on the 9th October 2022.

The album resulted in a number of music awards at the start of 2023, many of which originated in the United States. Including an award at the USA Progressive Music Awards for Best Progressive Song (The Flood), Best British Album (Hotel Utopia), #2 Best International Album (Hotel Utopia) and Best Female Vocalist going to Mostyn.

Mostyn was also placed in the Top 10 Female Vocalists at the PROG Music Awards 2022

In the September 2022 edition of PROG Magazine a three page article devoted to the band, and the album "Hotel Utopia" was published.

The band continue to tour extensively throughout 2024

Discography
Albums:
 * Indigo (2008)
 * Invisible (2010)
 * Songs From A Satellite (2013)
 * Diving For Roses (2017)
 * Mesmeranto (2019)
 * Mute (2021)
 * Hotel Utopia (2022)

Singles and EPs:
 * Wednesday Afternoon (2010)
 * Any Shade Of Blue (2014)
 * Not Over Yet (2014)
 * Keep The Light In (2016)
 * Sebastien (2017)
 * Born to Live (Martin Hviid Remix) (2017)
 * Left To Right (2019)
 * Northern Lights (2019)
 * If You Tolerate This (Your Children Will Be Next) (2021)
 * Under The Headlights (2022)
 * The Tide (2022)
 * Astronaut (Edit) (2022)

Live Albums:
 * Livespan (with Diving For Roses crowdfunding campaign) (2017)