Turin Brakes

Formed in Balham in south London in the late 1990s, Turin Brakes grew out of the friendship between Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian, who developed an acoustic‑led folk rock duo. Early releases, including the EP The Door in 1999, placed Turin Brakes within the British new acoustic movement, with an emphasis on vocal harmonies, fingerpicked guitars and often introspective songs. Their debut album The Optimist LP appeared in 2001 and stood out on the British indie scene; Ether Song (2003) broadened the band’s sound toward a more electric folk rock. JackInABox (2005) and Dark on Fire (2007) confirmed the tension between intimate songwriting and fuller arrangements, before a return to a stripped‑back approach on Outbursts (2010). Turin Brakes went on to release We Were Here (2013), Lost Property (2016), Invisible Storm (2018) and Wide‑Eyed Nowhere (2022), supported by an expanded live lineup. Between melodic ballads, touches of indie pop and soft‑rock influences, acoustic elements remain central, with a regular presence on UK and European stages and recordings often associated with British public radio.