BALO PRESS KIT
Balo are Sheffield based harpist Manon McCoy and drummer Will Shaw.
The duo create expansive works for harp, drums and live electronics. Their sound is a dynamic balance of driving rhythmic phrasing, ambient textures, intricate prepared techniques and experimental electronic layers.
Their recent work has developed into site-specific live-sound installations. In 2022 balo toured a series of installation performances of spatialised live sound and live projections, in collaboration with sound engineer Emmy Lambert and visual artist Luca Shaw.
As a duo they have performed extensively across the north at venues such as Jazz at the Lescar, Theatre Deli, Sheffield heartspace, 1853 studios and festival including Lancaster Jazz Festival, Footprints Jazz festival and Newcastle festival of Jazz and Improvised Music. Balo were artists in residence at Theatre Deli Sheffield 2023. In 2022 they received a commission from Lancaster Jazz. They released their debut album renders in 2021 followed by a collaborative album with Whale Detective called baleine in 2023.
They will be releasing their second studio album in 2025.
RELEASES
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Released February 2023
This album was a collaboration between balo and Whale Detective. Recorded at Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield.
Mixing and Mastering by David Haynes
Artwork by Lili Holland-Fricke
debut album released August 2021
Renders is a series of short ambient works each with an intentional focus on texture. The tracks present abstract interpretations of words, colours, images and shapes through improvisation. The album was recorded entirely as live takes, exploring the dynamics of this unique instrumental combination.
Mixed and mastered by Matt Richens
Artwork by Martin McCoy
' Their music offered a sonic palette more prismatic than their understated setup would suggest, spurred on by the duo’s obvious musical affinity.'
James Cardie - Now Then Magazine October 2021
'Their music is thoughtful, atmospheric, delicately balanced and interactive, mixing improvisation and composition with an approach and instrumentation that’s original, beautiful and evocative'
Jez Matthews, Director of Jazz at the Lescar
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