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Facebook 'boy band' sign £1m album deal
Alexa Baracaia, Evening Standard19 Jul 2007
Facebook has spawned its first music stars - a classical "boy band" who met and found their manager on the site.
Now Blake, a fourpiece of rugged ex-choristers, have signed a £1million, five-album deal with record giant Universal.
They even count Pirates Of The Caribbean actress Keira Knightley among their fans.
The four - Stephen Bowman, 25, from Bath, Jules Knight, 25, from Sussex, Dominic Tighe, 24, from Devon, and Oliver Baines, 24, from Wiltshire - met via Facebook three months ago.
They had mutual friends but had never met as a group. After discovering a shared background in classical music - all four are music or drama graduates - they decided to put their own act together and track down a manager they had heard of, ex-Blue supremo Daniel Glatman.
After they messaged him on Facebook, he agreed to an audition and signed them on the spot. Glatman negotiated the Universal deal following a bidding war. "They have an unbelievable combination of talent, looks and chemistry," he said.
Blake, named after poet William Blake, are now recording their debut album, set to include covers of Moon River, Hallelujah, Swing Low and Jerusalem.
Knightley introduced herself after hearing them sing the Beach Boys' God Only Knows while she was recording voiceovers in the same studio.
The four insist they have more gravitas than previous classical crossover outfits such as G4 and Il Divo. Baines said: "We've been allowed a huge amount of creative control."
Reader views (14)
First saw Blake when they performed at the London Playtex Moonwalk - a 26.2 mile walk charity walk in aid of Breast Cancer. We walked, in our bras, through the streets of London, through the night, from Hyde Park. They were absolutely fantastic and joined in the spirit of the event and showed their support by wearing their own decorated bras. They really made the prelude to the walk for us when they performed "Jerusalem" (which had many of us in tears) and "Hallelujah". They really are destined for great things and can't wait for the opportunity to see them in concert one day. Apart from that, they are also very "fit"!!
- Yvonne Stroud, Kent, England, 04/06/2009 22:59
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We are retirees and it was such a pleasure to watch Songs of Praise tonight from the wonderful Royal Albert Hall with the very talented Blake; my husband and I wish them the very best of luck for the future. We hope to see them in concert one day. Don't let anyone change your image!
- Yvonne,, Kent, 26/10/2008 21:57
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This is the greatest male quartet existing today. Since I discovered them in Classicalx and purchased their first CD, I have been promoting their music to many friends. They are unique in everyway. Have pre-ordered their 2nd CD
- Don Cushman, United States, 01/09/2008 14:52
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Blake came to visit Alton Convent School for girls. They sang a variety of songs such as Moon River! Being a classical singer myself I thought they sounded amazing and I have voted for them for the Album of the Year! xxxx
- Olivia Martin, Farnham, 17/03/2008 20:38
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Have seen Dominic as actor - enjoying hearing him and all the chaps as singers! Bring it on! Got the album on order!
- Claire, London, UK, 13/11/2007 21:41
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Absolutely amazing hope they soon get their own show on TV.
Would love to see them perform live.
Good luck boys in all you do.
- Belle, Essex, 06/11/2007 14:33
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Great.
- Edward Barker, United Kingdom, 13/09/2007 00:04
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Heard the group this morning on Breakfast TV. Great! I'd love to see them live. Good luck to them & I look forward to their album release.
- Barbara, Surrey UK, 12/09/2007 23:04
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Truly amazing on the breakfast news this morning. I loved it and am already checking out when the concerts are.
- Alex Carty, London, 12/09/2007 23:04
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Hearing Moonriver sung so beautifully this morning by Blake almost moved me to early morning tears! it was quite lovely. Thank you for an inspirational start to my day.
- Bridie Davis, london, 12/09/2007 23:04
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Really enjoyed the group this morning. Do they have a fan web site?
- Peter Tempest, Bradford, England, 12/09/2007 23:04
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Just heard Blake sing Moon River on Breakfast TV. Stunning! Can't wait to to see when album is to be released.
Wish the group all the very best and all the 'gravitas' they'd wish.
- Anu, UK, 12/09/2007 23:04
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Daniel Glatman has spotted talent yet again! He is also the Manager of Unkle Jam. Just want to say good luck to him and the boys.
- Freya Eden, London, 12/09/2007 23:04
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Chanced to see these gifted lads on TV this morning. Their classical training was very obvious and I am sure they will go far. Cross-over they may be but those of us in the OAP age group will be queuing up to buy their album...when do we have that pleasure? All the best, Blake, I am sure we will be seeing a lot of you in the very near future.
- Carol, Kincardineshire, 12/09/2007 23:04
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