Flare Acoustic Arts League
Encyclopedia
Flare Acoustic Arts League — a.k.a. Flare (band) — is an experimental pop band formed by guitarist Damian Costilla and singer LD Beghtol
in New York in 1996.
, The Magnetic Fields
, Love
, 4AD
bands and The Velvet Underground
. Almost immediately the duo began performing in intimate clubs and gallery spaces in New York, eventually attracting the attention of Stephin Merritt
and Gail O'Hara
— both of whom were then music writers for Time Out New York and who became early supporters of the band.
Flare soon became a small chamber ensemble, augmenting Costilla's elegant, spare guitar work with Ernest Adzentoivich's contrabass, plus a crew of various drummers/percussionists and string players, along with long-time collaborator Charles Newman
of Mother West Studios. Costilla left Flare shortly after the release of their debut CD, Bottom (Tamper Evident, 1997). Beghtol, with Newman and a loose confederacy of other classically trained musicians, continued to record and perform under the Flare moniker until 2001, when he renamed the band Flare Acoustic Arts League to differentiate his work from that of DJ Flare (Ken Ishii
) and other similarly named artists. Currently Beghtol is Flare's principal songwriter/musical director, though he often shares lead-vocal duties with guest vocalists, notable Jon DeRosa
and Dana Kletter
. Over the past decade, Flare has expanded its sound from a dreamy minimalism with subtle electronic touches — recalling From the Hip-era Section 25
— to vastly orchestral arrangements that pit acoustic horns and strings, heavily treated guitars and noise loops against Beghtol's florid melodies and esoteric subject matter.
In 2010 three Flare instrumentals were used in the MTV show My Life as Liz
.
An ersatz "double EP" entitled Big Top/Encore, which includes originals and covers of the swirling Psychedelic Furs
song "Yes I Do" and "Morgantown" by the enigmatic Brooklynite Dorsey
among its 10 tracks, will be released by Affairs of the Heart in August 2011 in various digital and vinyl formats. Guest musicians include cellist Julia Kent
, keyboardist Kendrick Strauch (formerly of the Harlem Shakes
), and drummer Sam Lazzara of the New York dreampop duo, The Leader; overall the album has a heavier glam-inflected guitar- and keyboard-based sound and a notable absence of ukuleles.
EPs
Singles
LD Beghtol
LD Beghtol is an American musician, art director and writer. Beghtol participated in The Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs recordings and live shows. Beghtol is a founding member of the band Flare—aka Flare Acoustic Arts League—and the death-pop outfit LD & the New Criticism, and was also in the...
in New York in 1996.
History
Beghtol and Costilla met at a West Village gay bar in 1996, and soon co-authored a body of intense, darkly romantic, atmospheric songs deeply influenced by their love of The SmithsThe Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
, The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields is the principal creative outlet of singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt...
, Love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
, 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
bands and The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
. Almost immediately the duo began performing in intimate clubs and gallery spaces in New York, eventually attracting the attention of Stephin Merritt
Stephin Merritt
Stephin Merritt is an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles , best known as the principal singer and songwriter in the band The Magnetic Fields...
and Gail O'Hara
Gail O'Hara
Gail O'Hara is a US editor, writer, photographer, recording label owner, and filmmaker. She lives in Portland, Oregon. O'Hara attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, where she worked for WVCW radio and the Commonwealth Times...
— both of whom were then music writers for Time Out New York and who became early supporters of the band.
Flare soon became a small chamber ensemble, augmenting Costilla's elegant, spare guitar work with Ernest Adzentoivich's contrabass, plus a crew of various drummers/percussionists and string players, along with long-time collaborator Charles Newman
Charles Newman
Charles Newman may refer to:* Charles Newman * Charles Newman * Charles M. Newman, mathematician...
of Mother West Studios. Costilla left Flare shortly after the release of their debut CD, Bottom (Tamper Evident, 1997). Beghtol, with Newman and a loose confederacy of other classically trained musicians, continued to record and perform under the Flare moniker until 2001, when he renamed the band Flare Acoustic Arts League to differentiate his work from that of DJ Flare (Ken Ishii
Ken Ishii
is a Japanese techno DJ and producer from Sapporo. He graduated from Hitotsubashi University. He has released work under his own name as well as under the pseudonyms: FLR, Flare, UTU, Yoga, and Rising Sun....
) and other similarly named artists. Currently Beghtol is Flare's principal songwriter/musical director, though he often shares lead-vocal duties with guest vocalists, notable Jon DeRosa
Jon DeRosa
Jon DeRosa is a guitarist, composer, singer-songwriter, and vocalist. He has been involved with several critically acclaimed acts, including Dead Leaves Rising , Pale Horse and Rider , as well as the musical collective known as Aarktica.- Background :Raised in the small shore town of Manasquan,...
and Dana Kletter
Dana Kletter
Dana Kletter is an American musician and writer.Kletter and her twin sister Karen were born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in New York. Dana began playing piano at age four. She attended American University in Washington, DC where she studied piano with Alan Mandel...
. Over the past decade, Flare has expanded its sound from a dreamy minimalism with subtle electronic touches — recalling From the Hip-era Section 25
Section 25
Section 25 is an English post-punk band, best known for its single "Looking from a Hilltop" and its association with the Manchester record-label, Factory Records.-Early recordings 1977 - 1982 :...
— to vastly orchestral arrangements that pit acoustic horns and strings, heavily treated guitars and noise loops against Beghtol's florid melodies and esoteric subject matter.
In 2010 three Flare instrumentals were used in the MTV show My Life as Liz
My Life as Liz
My Life as Liz is a mockumentary style American television series that centers on the life of Liz Lee, a misfit high-school senior living in small town Texas...
.
An ersatz "double EP" entitled Big Top/Encore, which includes originals and covers of the swirling Psychedelic Furs
Psychedelic Furs
The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band founded in 1977. Led by singer Richard Butler and his brother Tim on bass guitar, the Psychedelic Furs are one of the many acts spawned from the British post-punk scene...
song "Yes I Do" and "Morgantown" by the enigmatic Brooklynite Dorsey
Dorsey
Dorsey is a surname, and may refer to several people, including:*Anne Hanson Dorsey, American novelist*Arnold George Dorsey, birth name of British-American singer Engelbert Humperdinck*Candas Jane Dorsey, Canadian poet and science fiction novelist...
among its 10 tracks, will be released by Affairs of the Heart in August 2011 in various digital and vinyl formats. Guest musicians include cellist Julia Kent
Julia Kent
Julia Kent is a New York City-based, Canadian-born cellist who is best known as an original member of the all-cello group Rasputina, and later on as a member of Antony and the Johnsons....
, keyboardist Kendrick Strauch (formerly of the Harlem Shakes
Harlem Shakes
Harlem Shakes were an American indie rock band from New York, formed in 2006 and signed to Gigantic Music. The band disbanded in September 2009 after a hiatus following the release of their first full length album, Technicolor Health, which received very positive reviews from critics.The group's...
), and drummer Sam Lazzara of the New York dreampop duo, The Leader; overall the album has a heavier glam-inflected guitar- and keyboard-based sound and a notable absence of ukuleles.
Selected discography
CDs- Cut, (Affairs of the Heart, 2009)
- Hung, (Le Grand Magistery, 2003)
- Bottom, (Tamper Evident, 1997)
EPs
- Big Top/Encore, double EP/CD/vinyl (Affairs of the Heart, 2011)
- Definitive, (Mother West, 2001)
- Circa, (Subliminal Violence, 2000)
Singles
- "Hands of Fire”/"Last Train to Clarksville"/“Infamous Last Words," digital single (Affairs of the Heart, 2009)
- "Back When You Wanted Me"/"Wish It Away," 7-inch vinyl (Unpopular Records, 2005)
- "Celebrate the Misery”/“Another Bridge,” 7-inch vinyl (Mother West, 2000)