Bran Van 3000

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Official logo on Discosis

Bran Van 3000 (also known as Bran Van and BV3) is a Canadian collective (or musical band) from Montreal, Quebec with a techno-infused sound. It was founded by the DJ James Di Salvio, collaborating on a number of songs with Stephane Moraille, Sara Johnston, Jayne Hill, Québécois rock star Jean Leloup and other musicians.

1 History
2 Trivia
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] History

BV3 released their first single, "Drinkin' in L.A.", in February of 1997 in Canada, on Audiogram Records. In April of the same year, the band released their first album, called Glee. It contained 17 tracks, one of them entirely in French. The record went gold in 1998 and won a Juno Award for best alternative album.

In March of 1998, Glee was released internationally, but not without significant edits: the international version has 19 tracks; "Ceci n'est pas une chanson" became an instrumental simply called "Une chanson"; the French song, "Forest", was reworked with several English verses. Previously unreleased songs on the international album are "Rainshine", "Carry On", and "Old School".

In 1999, their single "Drinkin' in L.A." got in the no. 3 of the Top 40 in the UK after the song was featured in a national campaign for Rolling Rock.

In the summer of 2001, Bran Van 3000 released a new album, called Discosis. It featured several collaborators, from soul legend Curtis Mayfield to Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour and reggae artist Eek-a-Mouse.

As of summer 2006, the band's website indicates they are not working on new material or touring, nor do they have any plans to do so, but does not eliminate the possibility of a comeback. Most members are currently working on other projects.

[edit] Trivia

In the first episode of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's Quintessential Phase BBC radio series, you can hear someone in the hall of Megadodo Publications, home of the Guide, saying "Give us a ring ding ding, it's a beautiful day," which is part of the radio host free tickets giveaway talk at the beginning of "Drinking in L.A."