PVT

PVT is an Australian electronic and post-rock group from Sydney, active since 1999. The band is formed by brothers Laurence Pike and Richard Pike, with Dave Miller joining in 2005. It is formerly known as Pivot.

Formation and early work

Laurence Pike plays drums and percussion, Richard Pike plays guitar and handles production, and Dave Miller works with electronics. After Miller joins, the group releases its debut Make Me Love You. The band later shortens its name from Pivot to PVT after a legal claim from an American progressive metal band with the same name.

Recordings and releases

In 2008, PVT signs to Warp Records and issues the EP In the Blood under the name Pivot. Its first international release, O Soundtrack My Heart, also appears under the Pivot name in 2008. The album is recorded at BJB Studios in Sydney with Scott Horscroft and mixed by John McEntire at Soma Electronic Music Studios in Chicago. The group contributes a cover of Grizzly Bear’s Colorado to Warp20 (Recreated), and Scott Herren’s Diamond Watch Wrists covers PVT’s Fool In Rain.

PVT releases Church With No Magic in 2010, Homosapien in 2013 through Felte Records, and New Spirit in 2017.

Live work and collaborations

The band tours widely across Europe and the UK in 2008. Its live appearances include Meltdown with Yellow Magic Orchestra, Glastonbury, and support slots for Arctic Monkeys, Sigur Rós and Gary Numan on Australian tours. PVT also performs at Brian Eno’s Luminous Festival at the Sydney Opera House in 2009.

The group is known for live versions of Talking Heads’ I Zimbra, using live sampling to reproduce as many as 12 parts. A live version appears on the B-side of a tour-only 7-inch tied to O Soundtrack My Heart.

Style and membership

PVT is described as working in electronica, experimental music, neo-psychedelia and post-rock. The band’s membership is Dave Miller, Laurence Pike and Richard Pike.