Nero

Nero are a British electronic music trio composed of members Daniel Stephens, Joe Ray and vocalist Alana Watson. In August 2011 they released their debut studio album 'Welcome Reality' which reached number one in the UK Albums Chart. In August 2012, "Promises" achieved gold status in the United States. On 10 February 2013, Nero won a Grammy for their collaborative remix with Skrillex of Promises. History edit: Daniel and Joe were both born in 1984 and spent their childhood together in Northwood, London. Ray played classical guitar and Stephens played cello with encouragement from his free-jazz musician father. By the time a mutual friend introduced them at the age of 15, Stephens was attending the specialist music school at Pimlico. Outside school both were making electronic music on home computers. They began working together at 17, setting up a studio in Stephens' bedroom. The latter had already been a fan of jungle music after seeing M-Beat featuring General Levy on Top of the Pops in 1994. Ray's epiphany (according to Q), happened in the London club Fabric where the duo's ideas about producing were cemented. Nero's debut release was "Space 2001" as part of the "Straight Outta Leicester" three piece vinyl LP on Reformed Recordings in 2004. Nero's debut dubstep release was "This Way." Sasha Frere-Jones, journalist for the New Yorker Magazine, listed Nero's remix of The Streets, "Blinded by the Lights" in his top songs of 2009. The track had radio airplay in the UK as well as being played by DJs including Chase & Status, Skream, Tiësto and Diplo. Welcome Reality (2010-present) edit: The duo released their first single on MTA, "Innocence", in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2010. The single was released as a double A-side with the track "Electron" as a digital download, as well as on vinyl. The track peaked at number one hundred and sixty seven on the UK Singles Chart besides peaking at number sixteen and eleven on the Dance and Independent charts respectively. On 6 December 2010, Nero was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll. The nomination was followed by the addition of their second single on MTA "Me & You" to BBC Radio 1's A List playlist on 8 December 2010. The single was released in the United Kingdom as both a digital download and a 12" vinyl on 2 January 2011, where it debuted at number fifteen on the UK Singles Chart, also managing to reach the number one spot on the independent releases chart. The duo's third single, "Guilt" made its premiere on 22 February when Zane Lowe selected it as the Hottest Record in the World. Having been released on 24 April 2011, "Guilt" debuted at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. The London duo's debut album Welcome Reality was released on 15 August 2011 and features tracks "Innocence", "Me & You", "Guilt", "Promises", "Crush on You", "Reaching Out" & "Must Be The Feeling". The track, "Promises" made its debut on 17 May when Zane Lowe named it Hottest Record in the World - the third consecutive single from the duo to achieve this feat. "Promises" debuted at number one the UK Singles Chart on 14 August 2011 ― for the week ending dated 20 August 2011. On the week ending dated 14 July 2012 "Promises" debuted at number eighty one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, which marked their first single to chart in the United States. Their debut album entitled "Welcome Reality" was released on 15 August 2011 and debuted at number one in the UK Albums Chart. They also produced Example's single "Stay Awake" which also topped the UK Singles Chart in August 2011. Nero released 'Reaching Out' on 18 December 2011. The music video starred Daryl Hall as well as both members of the band. It charted at number seventeen on the UK Dance Chart. The seventh single released was "Must Be The Feeling". The duo toured their live show after the release of their album during Autumn 2011 in both the United Kingdom and United States. In early 2012, the duo toured their live show entitled 'Second Reality Tour' across Australia, the United Kingdom and North America. Nero declined touring as a support act for Madonna's MDNA Tour over the summer, as they felt that they needed to spend much more time in the studio. The duo did however, make several appearances at festivals across the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom, such as Electric Daisy Carnival, Pukkelpop and V Festival. On 22 August, Nero announced via their Facebook page that they had remixed Michael Jackson's "Speed Demon" for the 25th anniversary edition of Bad. In September 2012, in an interview with Zane Lowe on Radio 1, Nero announced that they would be focused more on their own music rather than producing for other artists in the future. The duo also revealed they were working on two new remixes with Skrillex, a forthcoming single and a new album which is 'still in the works, but coming sooner rather than later'. "Won't You (Be There)" was released as a free download on 24 September 2012 via their official website. The Skrillex & Nero remix of Monsta's "Holdin On" received its premiere on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show on 1 October 2012. The remix was featured on Monsta's self-titled EP, released on 23 October 2012. Their song, "Promises" is featured in the HP television advertisement for their notebooks with Beats Audio in 2012. In 2012, the band produced a song titled "Follow Me" on Muse's 6th studio album, The 2nd Law. On 22 October 2012, their debut album was re-released as "Welcome Reality +". It features two new tracks, "Won't You (Be There)" and "Etude", along with the Skrillex & Nero remix of "Promises". An EP of "Won't You (Be There)" was released on the same day, featuring the original alongside "Etude" and remixes from Baauer and Club Cheval. On 23 April 2013, their track for the soundtrack of the Baz Luhrmann rendition of The Great Gatsby was revealed: "Into The Past". Additional works edit: Nero composed an orchestral piece known as The Dubstep Symphony (later officially titled 'Symphony 2808'), performed by the duo in collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Joe Duddell on BBC Radio 1 on 6 June 2011., Nero's Doomsday was introduced in the trailer for Borderlands 2, however the song was first seen on the album release of Welcome Reality as the second track., Nero's My Eyes is used in Brandon Semenuk's section in mountain bike film From the Inside out.

Source: Wikipedia

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