Orbital

Orbital are an electronic band from the UK formed by brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll in 1989. Their early output was dance orientated but as their style developed they moved towards more filmic themes. The band mix samples of music, film themes and pieces of dialogue into their tracks.

The brothers learned to play piano while still at school. On leaving school Paul went to art college, while Phil went to America. They reunited in the late 1980s as dance music was taking off in the UK. Initially they recorded music at home and one of their early efforts "Chime" was adopted as an anthem by the rave generation who took the record to No.17 in the UK. The single was on the 1991 debut album, known amongst fans as 'the green album', and although not a big commercial success, established their reputation amongst electronic music fans. The follow up, 'the brown album', in 1993 had more success, reaching the Top 30 of the UK charts. Subsequent releases, demonstrated a broader scope to the bands' music and were less dance orientated. Their collaborators on those albums included; Alison Goldfrapp, David Gray and Sparks.

Their filmic style has proven popular in the cinema where they have been asked to provide music for film soundtracks including; Event Horizon and The Saint.

Orbital split in 2004 following a tour that took in major festival events in the UK and Japan.