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D A V I D   B Y R N E .

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Homepage

www.davidbyrne.com

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Biography

Born in Scotland, David Byrne briefly attended the Rhode Island School of Design and Maryland School of Art before getting his start in music with Talking Heads in the mid-'70s.

Byrne is an author, composer, photographer, film director, and producer. In 1988, he founded his record label, Luaka Bop, which started out focusing on Brazilian and Cuban music and has since extended its reach around the world.

Byrne started his Hollywood career in 1986 with his directorial debut, True Stories, which was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. In the following year, he won an Academy Award for his original score for Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor. He also directed the 1989 documentary Ile Aiye: The House of Life, about African religion in Brazil.

Although Byrne had previously been involved with photography and design, he did not begin exhibiting his work until the 1990s. His first book of photographs, Strange Ritual, was published in 1985, and named one of the top ten photography books of the Christmas season by the New York Times Book Review. His recent book E.E.E.I. (Envisioning Emotional Epistemological Information) grew out of his work with the computer program PowerPoint, which he began using on tour for his book, The New Sins. Byrne's new album, Grown Backwards is scheduled for release in March, 2004.

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Books

What Is It? (Smart Art Press, 2002)

E.E.E.I. (Envisioning Emotional Epistemological Information) (Steidl, 2003)

The New Sins (McSweeney's, 2001)

Your Action World: Winners Are Losers with a New Attitude (Chronicle Books, 1999)

Strange Ritual: Words and Pictures (Chronicle Books, 1995)

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Discography

Talking Heads

Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition (1999)

Popular Favorites: Sand in the Vaseline (1992)

Naked (1988)

True Stories (1986)

Little Creatures (1985)

Stop Making Sense (1984)

Speaking in Tongues (1983)

The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads (1982)

Remain in Light (1980)

Fear of Music (1979)

More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)

Talking Heads '77 (1977)

Solo

Grown Backwards (Nonesuch, March 2004)

Look into the Eyeball (2001)

The Visible Man (1997)

Feelings (1997)

David Byrne (1994)

Uh-Oh (1992)

Rei Momo (1989)

The Forest (1988)

Collaborations

"Heart Is a Lonely Hunter," lyrics and vocal. By Thievery Corporation, The Cosmic Game (2004)

Lazy, lyrics & vocals by David Byrne, music by X Press 2 (2002)

"Rio," lyrics and vocal. By Vinicus Cantauria, Vinicus (2001)

"No Controles," vocals. By Café Tacuba, Avalanche de Exitos (1996)

Forestry, with Jack Dangers and Rudy Tambala (1992)

Liquid Days and Open the Kingdom, lyrics by David Byrne, music by Philip Glass (1986)

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, with Brian Eno (1981)

Compilations

The Wired CD: Rip. Sample. Mash. Share. Includes "My Fair Lady" (2004)

Future Soundtrack for America, includes "Ain't Got So Far to Go" (2004)

Tributo a Peret, "Si Fulano," duet with Peret & Carol C (2000)

Mantra Mix, "Ain't Got Far to Go" (2000)

Red Hot & Lisbon, "Dreamworld: Marco de Canavezes," duet with Caetano Veloso (1998)

Red Hot And Latin, includes "Yoland a Niguas," lyrics and vocal, with Café Tacuba (1997)

Red Hot & Rio, "Waters of March," duet with Marissa Monte (1996)

Blue in the Face, "God's Child," duet with Selena (1995)

Caged/Uncaged: A Rock/Experimental Homage to John Cage, "Cage and the Long Island Expressway" and "Enlightened Whistler" (1993)

Until the End of the World, soundtrack to Wim Wenders film, Sax and Violins (1992)

Red Hot & Blue, "Don't Fence Me In" (1990)

Like a Girl I Want You to Keep Coming, "Song for the Trees (or) I Know Sometimes the World Is Wrong" (1989)

The 20th Anniversary Album, "America Is Waiting" (1989)

Music and Rhythm, "His Wife Refused" (1982)

Misc. Recordings

"Glass, Concrete & Stone," track for end credits of Stephen Frears film Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

"Let the Mystery Be," "Dallas," and "Jolene," duet with Natalie Merchant on Few and Far Between, 10,000 Maniacs (1993)

Scores

Young Adam, directed by David MacKenzie (2003)

In Spite of Wishing and Wanting, score for theater piece by Wim Vandekeybus of Ultima Vez Dance Company (1999)

A Young Man's Dream and a Woman's Secret, film by Philip Haas (1990)

The Giant Woman and the Lightning Man, film by Philip Haas (1990)

Something Wild, directed by Jonathan Demme: "Loco de Amor," cowritten with Johnny Pacheco; sung with Celia Cruz backed by Ray Barretto's band (1986)

Married to the Mob, directed by Jonathan Demme (1988)

The Forest, orchestral score for theater piece by Robert Wilson (1986)

The Last Emperor, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci (1988)

Sounds from True Stories, directed by David Byrne (1986)

Main title theme for "Alive From Off Center," Season 1 (1984)

The Catherine Wheel, choreographed by Twyla Tharp with Brian Eno and John Chernoff (1988)

Music for The Knee Plays, stage collaboration with Robert Wilson and Suzushi Hanayagi (1984)

Dead End Kids: A Story of Nuclear Power, film by Joanne Akalaitis

Music Producer

Mesopotamia, The B-52's (1982)

Waiting, Fun Boy 3 (1983)

Eligibo, Margareth Menezes, tracks "Canto Pra Subir," "Abra a Boca" (1986)

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Films

Between the Teeth (Todo Mundo, 1994)

Girls, She's Mad (1992)

Umbabarauma, directed by Susan Young, produced by David Byrne (1989)

Île Aiye: The House of Life (Studio 3, 1989)

Storytelling Giant, a compilation of all Talking Heads videos to date; seven directed by David Byrne (1988)

April 16, 1989, directed with David Wild (1988)

True Stories (Warner Brothers, 1986)

Stop Making Sense, directed by Jonathan Demme, conceived from a stage show by David Byrne (1984)

Talking Heads vs. Television, collaboration for BBC Channel 4 (1984)

America Is Waiting, produced by David Byrne (1981)

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Awards

Ivor Novello Award, from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters (2002)

Best Special Effects, Music Video Producers Association, 1992, She’s Mad

Grammy Award, Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or Television, 1988, The Last Emperor

Texas Accordion Association, Charter Membership, for dedication to the promotion of the accordion (1987)

Golden Globe for Best Original Score, 1987, The Last Emperor

L.A. Film Critics Association, Best Music Score, 1987, The Last Emperor

Academy Award for Best Original Score, 1987, The Last Emperor

Hollywod Foreign Press Association Award for Best Original Score, 1987, The Last Emperor

Independent Spirit Award, Best First Feature, nominee, 1987, True Stories

MTV Music Video Award: Group Video, with Talking Heads, 1987, Wild Wild Life

MTV Music Video Award: Video from a Film, 1987, Wild Wild Life

Film Critics Award for Best Documentary, 1985, Stop Making Sense

MTV Video Vanguard Award for Outstanding Artistry in Music Videos, 1985

American Video Award nomination for Best Group Performance, 1983, “Burning Down the House”

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Press and Interviews

October 2003
The Daily Telegraph (London)
Review: Lead Us Not into Temptation: music from the film Young Adam
By Lynsey Hanley
"The 11 mainly instrumental tracks have an unshakeable air of melancholy and have queasily evocative titles such as 'Warm Sheets' and 'Dirty Hair,' with sounds — provided by members of Mogwai and Belle and Sebastian, among others — to match."

October 2003
The Independent (London)
Interview: The Talented Mr. Byrne; The Former Talking Heads Front Man Can't Stop Being Creative
By Fiona Sturges
"Before starting Talking Heads with fellow art students Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz, Byrne would busk on the streets of New York with his ukulele."

October 2003
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Australia)
Still Making Sense
By Chelsea Clark
"The Talking Heads frontman, best known for big suits and anthemic songs, has gone back to graphic design and he's collaborating with Microsoft?"

September 2003
The Observer
Up Front: This much I know
By Clark Collins
"What I took away from the whole Talking Heads experience was the idea that if you know the kinds of restrictions you have to work within — budgetary restrictions, or creative restrictions or whatever — that can be great, that can even be a spur to creativity. That old idea of, 'Oh, I don't want anybody telling me what to do', or 'I want my creative freedom' — that's bullshit. What you need is to be told clearly what the parameters are. Because, if you allow them to do anything, most people will just waffle about."

September 2003
Financial Times
Wild, Wild Life
Author unknown
"New York executives may think they've had their fill of PowerPoint presentations from talking heads. But they'll be tempted to attend another one when Wired magazine opens a new installation featuring PowerPoint artwork from David Byrne, former Talking Heads lead singer."

September 2003
Wired
Learning to Love PowerPoint
By David Byrne
"A while ago, I decided to base the book-tour readings from my pseudoreligious tract The New Sins on sales presentations. I was going for a fair dose of irony and satire, and what could be better than using PowerPoint and a projector, the same tools that every sales and marketing person relies on?"

See: www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/ppt1.html for graphics.

August 2003
Independent on Sunday (London)
Review: The Venezuelan Zingason Vol. 1
By Phil Johnson
"Are you ready for the disco revival, Venezuelan-style? This Caracas sextet's third recording for David Byrne's hip Luaka Bop label is a veritable glitter-ball of ironic dance music reflections..."

August 2003
The Independent
Review: The Venezuelan Zingason Vol. 1: Not So Invisible, Are We?
By Phil Johnson
"Now, their latest album, The Venezuelan Zingason Vol. 1 (licensed to Long Lost Brother Records for this country), is set to move them up to a whole new level. Produced by the in-demand team of Masters at Work, it's an entrancing blend of soulful, four-to-the-floor house with loungey exotica and sexy disco cheese."

April 2002
Print
Review: The New Sins, The Good Book
By Caitlin Dover
"I love the idea of art appearing somewhat anonymously in the world. Work perceived and discovered in the street, in out-of-the-way places, allows the reader, listener, or viewer to feel they have made the decision that the work is worthwhile and worthy. They take part in the creative process."

January 2002
ARTFORUM
In Print. Top 10 by David Byrne
Editors
"David Byrne is a musician, producer of music and films, and photographer."

April 2001
The Observer
A Head Case No Longer
By Neil Spencer
"Byrne, once dubbed 'rock's renaissance man' by Time (to his embarrassment), has kept other interests in play. He continues to take photos, retains a keen interest in the art world. He remains married to fashion designer Bonnie Lutz, with whom he has an 11-year-old daughter."

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Additional Links

Luaka Bop Records

LipanjePuntin Contemporary Art Gallery

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Author Photo

View JPEG
Photo by Kristine Larsen

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