Brian LeBarton
Encyclopedia
Brian Manuel LeBarton is a keyboardist
, composer
, and electronic musician
from Los Angeles, California.
. He joined the band in 2004 for Beck's Guero
tour and has toured and played on every release since, including The Information
album/tour of 2006 and the Modern Guilt
album/tour of 2008–9.
He played guitar
, keyboards
, and drum programming and sang background vocals on Beck's Grammy-nominated 2007 single "Timebomb" and worked with Beck on the soundtrack
and score
for the film Nacho Libre
, starring Jack Black
, and also on the soundtrack for the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
. He also contributed extra percussion and drum programming for Beck's remix of Dr. Dog
's "The Girl".
LeBarton played drums, bass
, harmonica
, and piano
on Beck's cover of Bob Dylan
's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
" for the War Child
: Heroes charity album, which also features contributions from The Kooks
, Rufus Wainwright
, Franz Ferdinand
, and TV on the Radio
.
LeBarton is also a founding member of the Record Club, a new project launched for Beck's official website.
, Everest, and The Watson Twins
.
One of his earliest tours was with Nikka Costa
, opening for Prince
on his Musicology
tour. Following this he went into the studio with Costa and played organ, Rhodes
, and synth on her album Can'tneverdidnothin'
.
LeBarton toured with Sia
in 2007 and 2008. in support of her successful album Some People Have Real Problems
.
He contributed programming for Propellerheads
' "Abbey Road Keyboards" and "Electric Bass" libraries. The famous instruments of Abbey Road Studios
were hyper-sampled using the studio's vintage mic and gear collection for use in the popular Reason software.
Under the alias Stallion, LeBarton is the singer for the rock band Wounded Cougar. They opened two shows on Beck's 2006 American tour and played on Tom Green
's online show.
He played clavinet
on Jamie Lidell
's 2008 album JIM
, produced by Justin Stanley
. He also played keys on the alternate versions of "Little Bit of Feelgood" and "Figured Me Out".
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
brought LeBarton in to play keyboards on the 1980s themed score and soundtrack for the upcoming film The Informers, written by Bret Easton Ellis
.
In 2009 LeBarton contributed an 8 bit cover of "Threshold" to the Scott Pilgrim
film. The song was originally written by Beck
. Both versions are found on the accompanying soundtrack.
He also scored the music for the video game WET
, a Grindhouse-inspired game starring Eliza Dushku
and Malcolm McDowell
as the main character voices.
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and electronic musician
Electronic musician
An electronic musician is a musician who composes or plays music from synthetic sounds generated with synthesizers, samplers, drum machines or music sequencers....
from Los Angeles, California.
Work with Beck
Brian LeBarton is the keyboardist and musical director for BeckBeck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
. He joined the band in 2004 for Beck's Guero
Guero
Guero is the ninth studio album by American alternative rock artist Beck, first released in March 2005 on Interscope Records. It debuted on Billboard's Top 200 Album chart at #2 , and in the UK at #15 . To date, this is Beck's highest charting CD...
tour and has toured and played on every release since, including The Information
The Information
The Information is the tenth studio album by American alternative rock musician Beck, released in October 2006 on Interscope Records. It was produced and mixed by longtime Beck collaborator Nigel Godrich. Recording began in 2003 concurrently with Guero, but the album was not completed until 2006...
album/tour of 2006 and the Modern Guilt
Modern Guilt
Modern Guilt is the eleventh studio album by American alternative musician Beck. It was released on July 8, 2008. The album fulfills Beck's recording contract with Interscope Records...
album/tour of 2008–9.
He played guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, and drum programming and sang background vocals on Beck's Grammy-nominated 2007 single "Timebomb" and worked with Beck on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
and score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
for the film Nacho Libre
Nacho Libre
Nacho Libre is a 2006 comedy film directed by Jared Hess. It is a production of Nickelodeon Movies.The script was written by Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess and Mike White. It was loosely based on the story of Fray Tormenta , aka Rev. Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez, a real-life Mexican Catholic priest who had a...
, starring Jack Black
Jack Black
Jack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
, and also on the soundtrack for the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a 2010 comedy film directed by Edgar Wright, based on the graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley. The film is about Scott Pilgrim , a young Canadian musician, meeting the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers , an American delivery girl...
. He also contributed extra percussion and drum programming for Beck's remix of Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog is a psychedelic rock band from West Grove, Pennsylvania. Its lineup currently consists of Toby Leaman , Scott McMicken , Frank McElroy , Zach Miller , and Eric Slick . Lead vocal duties are shared between Leaman and McMicken, with all members contributing harmonies...
's "The Girl".
LeBarton played drums, bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
on Beck's cover of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
"Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" is a song by Bob Dylan, from his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde. Like many other Dylan songs of the 1965-1966 period, the song features a surreal, playful lyric set to an electric blues accompaniment.-Lyrics:...
" for the War Child
War Child (charity)
War Child is a non-governmental organisation founded in the UK 1993, which focuses on providing assistance to children in areas of conflict and post-conflict. They use their film and entertainment background to raise money for aid agencies operating in former Yugoslavia...
: Heroes charity album, which also features contributions from The Kooks
The Kooks
The Kooks are an English indie rock band formed in Brighton, East Sussex, in 2001. Formed by Luke Pritchard , Hugh Harris , Paul Garred , and Max Rafferty , the lineup of the band remained constant until 2008 and the departure of Rafferty...
, Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
, Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand (band)
Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish post-punk revival band formed in Glasgow in 2002. The band is composed of Alex Kapranos , Bob Hardy , Nick McCarthy , and Paul Thomson .The band first experienced chart success when their second single, "Take Me Out", reached #3 in...
, and TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
.
LeBarton is also a founding member of the Record Club, a new project launched for Beck's official website.
Side projects and other
LeBarton played Hammond organ in the band Slydell for several years. Other members of Slydell have since gone on to play in the bands Great NorthernGreat Northern (band)
Great Northern is a rock group from Los Angeles composed of lead vocalist/keyboardist Rachel Stolte, guitarist Solon Bixler , bassist Matt Roveto, and drummer Justin Rocherolle...
, Everest, and The Watson Twins
The Watson Twins
The Watson Twins are an American musical group based in Los Angeles with alternative country and indie folk influences. They are identical twin sisters named Chandra and Leigh Watson....
.
One of his earliest tours was with Nikka Costa
Nikka Costa
Domenica "Nikka" Costa is an American singer whose music combines elements of funk, soul, and blues. She also had a career as a child singer starting in the early 1980s. She is the daughter of notable music producer Don Costa and is married to Australian producer/songwriter Justin Stanley.- Early...
, opening for Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
on his Musicology
Musicology (album)
Musicology is the thirtieth studio album by Prince, released on April 20, 2004, which proved to be his most successful in years, reaching the Top 5 of the album charts in the U.S, UK, Germany, and many other countries....
tour. Following this he went into the studio with Costa and played organ, Rhodes
Rhodes piano
The Rhodes piano is an electro-mechanical piano, invented by Harold Rhodes during the fifties and later manufactured in a number of models, first in collaboration with Fender and after 1965 by CBS....
, and synth on her album Can'tneverdidnothin'
Can'tneverdidnothin'
Can'tneverdidnothin' is Nikka Costa's second studio album recorded for Virgin Records. The album was released on May 24, 2005. It was originally due to be released on October 5, 2004, but was delayed and the order of songs was changed....
.
LeBarton toured with Sia
Sia Furler
Sia Kate Isobelle Furler or simply Sia, is an Australian pop, downtempo, and jazz singer and songwriter. In 2000, her single, "Taken for Granted" was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom. Her 2008 album, Some People Have Real Problems peaked in the top 30 on the Billboard 200...
in 2007 and 2008. in support of her successful album Some People Have Real Problems
Some People Have Real Problems
Some People Have Real Problems is the fourth studio album by Australian singer Sia. Released in 2008, the album featured singles including 'Day Too Soon', 'The Girl You Lost' and 'Soon We'll Be Found'. In live performances of the latter song, Sia used sign language to accompany her singing...
.
He contributed programming for Propellerheads
Propellerhead Software
Propellerhead Software is a music software company, based in Stockholm, Sweden, and founded in 1994. They are most notable for the studio emulation Reason.- History :...
' "Abbey Road Keyboards" and "Electric Bass" libraries. The famous instruments of Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
were hyper-sampled using the studio's vintage mic and gear collection for use in the popular Reason software.
Under the alias Stallion, LeBarton is the singer for the rock band Wounded Cougar. They opened two shows on Beck's 2006 American tour and played on Tom Green
Tom Green
Michael Thomas "Tom" Green is a Canadian actor, rapper, writer, comedian, talk show host and media personality. Best known for his shock humour brand of comedy, Green found mainstream prominence via his MTV television show The Tom Green Show...
's online show.
He played clavinet
Clavinet
A Clavinet is an electrically amplified keyboard instrument manufactured by the Hohner company. It is essentially an electronically amplified clavichord, analogous to an electric guitar. Its distinctive bright staccato sound has appeared particularly in funk, disco, rock, and reggae songs.Various...
on Jamie Lidell
Jamie Lidell
Jamie Lidell is an English musician and soul singer living in Nashville, United States...
's 2008 album JIM
Jim (album)
Jim is a 2008 album from Jamie Lidell. The album is less electronica-oriented than his previous album, Multiply.. In early 2009, Jim was named Best Pop/Rock Album at the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards. For the week of May 17, 2008, the album reached #183 on the U.S...
, produced by Justin Stanley
Justin Stanley
Justin Stanley is an Australian born, initially Sydney based musician/producer who has worked with The Vines, Beck, Holidays On Ice, Daniel Merriweather and others. He is the lead guitarist of Wounded Cougar...
. He also played keys on the alternate versions of "Little Bit of Feelgood" and "Figured Me Out".
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Justin Meldal-Johnsen is an American musician and bassist, best known for his work with Grammy Award-winning artist Beck. He served as the touring bassist for Nine Inch Nails during their final tours.-Recording career:...
brought LeBarton in to play keyboards on the 1980s themed score and soundtrack for the upcoming film The Informers, written by Bret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis is an American novelist and short story writer. His works have been translated into 27 different languages. He was regarded as one of the so-called literary Brat Pack, which also included Tama Janowitz and Jay McInerney...
.
In 2009 LeBarton contributed an 8 bit cover of "Threshold" to the Scott Pilgrim
Scott Pilgrim
Scott Pilgrim is a graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley. It consists of six digest size black-and-white volumes, released between August 2004 and July 2010, by Portland-based independent comic book publisher Oni Press. It was later republished by Fourth Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins...
film. The song was originally written by Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
. Both versions are found on the accompanying soundtrack.
He also scored the music for the video game WET
Wet (video game)
Wet is a 2009 third-person shooter action video game, developed by Artificial Mind and Movement and published by Bethesda Softworks for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles. The game puts heavy emphasis on killing a large number of opponents while engaging in stylish acrobatic moves...
, a Grindhouse-inspired game starring Eliza Dushku
Eliza Dushku
Eliza Patricia Dushku is an American actress known for her television roles, including recurring appearances as Faith on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff series Angel. She starred in two Fox series, Tru Calling and Dollhouse...
and Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
as the main character voices.