Bran Van 3000 was a staple of the Canadian music scene in the late 1990s and early 2000’s. Before there was Arcade Fire, Brand Van 3000 was the global breakout Montreal-based group blending the unique styles of a collective of rotating artists within the genres of electronica, hip hop, alternative rock, funk, reggae, and lounge music. Top tracks featured music collaborations with legends like Curtis Mayfield, Eek the Mouse, and Youssou N’Dour. Adding to their cachet, you can hear them on hit movie soundtracks like Practical Magic, and Y tu mamá también .
“Drinking in L.A.” and the ‘Glee’ Album (1997)
Often abbreviated as BV3, Bran Van 3000 became best known for their breakout single “Drinking in L.A.”. Released in February of 1997, by December it was a featured track on the major Canadian release compilation album ‘Big Shiny Tunes 2’ featured alongside artists and popular songs like ‘Breathe’ by Prodigy, ‘Block Rockin’ Beats’ by Chemical Brothers, ‘Paranoid Android’ by Radiohead. The Big Shiny Tunes 2 compilation pretty much defined an era of music for Canadian Millenials.
“Hi, my name is Stereo Mike.
Yeah, we got three tickets to the Bran Van concert this weekend…”
“Drinking in L.A.” became a major hit in Europe and the UK, peaking at #3 on the UK Singles Chart and gaining traction in Canada and the U.S. It even featured in a Rolling Rock beer commercial, which boosted its popularity further.
The rest of Glee is equally eclectic. From acid jazz and trip-hop to funky rap-rock hybrids, the album reflected a collage of musical tastes. Collaborators on this album included Jean Leloup, Sara Johnston, and Haig V, setting the stage for BV3’s long history of genre-bending partnerships.
The album Glee also includes the song ‘Everywhere’ by Bran Van 3000 – featured on the soundtrack of the movie Practical Magic (1988) starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.
The Origins of Bran Van 3000
Bran Van 3000 is a Montreal-based music collective with it’s early start in 1994 between friends James Di Salvio, and E.P. Bergen, who began exploring a music collaboration while living and working between New York and Montreal at the time, and working with Montreal-based musician Jean Leloup. What started as a studio experiment grew into a collective that often had 10 or more artists, each bringing their unique sound.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran_Van_3000
Discosis (2011)
Bran Van 3000’s second album, “Discosis” (2001), marked a high point in both creativity and critical acclaim. The highlight track, “Astounded”, was their most successful single, reaching #3 on the Canadian Singles Chart, and features the last recorded vocal performance from soul legend Curtis Mayfield. From the album Discosis, the song ‘Go Shopping’ was also featured on the soundtrack for the Mexican film Y tu mamá también.
Rosé (2007)
After Discosis, Bran Van 3000 took a bit of a hiatus before returning in 2007 with “Rosé.” Though not as commercially successful, Rosé still contains standout moments, especially the single “Call Me (I’ll Be There)”, which showcases BV3’s romantic and melodic side.
The Garden (2010)
Their 2010 release, “The Garden,” was another step forward, bringing in fresh voices while returning to the collective’s soulful, freeform roots. It’s arguably their most “organic” album, filled with lush instrumentation and layered harmonies.