Banco de Gaia

Banco de Gaia is an electronic music band from England, formed by Toby Marks (born 1964, South London) in 1991. The music of Banco de Gaia is best categorized as ambient dub, but Marks works to cross genres, often using Arabic and Middle Eastern samples against a bass heavy reggae, rock, or trance rhythm to produce deeply textured tracks that progress layer upon layer. In 1978 Marks began his musical career as a drummer in a heavy metal band. Mar... more

Banco de Gaia is an electronic music band from England, formed by Toby Marks (born 1964, South London) in 1991. The music of Banco de Gaia is best categorized as ambient dub, but Marks works to cross genres, often using Arabic and Middle Eastern samples against a bass heavy reggae, rock, or trance rhythm to produce deeply textured tracks that progress layer upon layer. In 1978 Marks began his musical career as a drummer in a heavy metal band. Marks moved to Portugal in 1986 and played Beatles music for tourists. He first delved into electronic music in 1989, when he bought a digital sampler. The first tune he recorded on it was called Maxwell House. In 1997, Banco De Gaia put together a five piece band that included Ted Duggan (drums), Ashley Hopkins (bass), Larry Whelan (Wind Synth, Sax and Ethnic Flutes), and Gary Spacey-Foot (Percussion and Saxes). The band reduced in number to just Marks, Duggan, and Hopkins in 1999, and then just Marks and Duggan from 2000 until 2003; when Marks... less