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Showing posts with label bibio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bibio. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
EIC's 10Q's w/ Tangled Memories
"..a paradisal consolidation of Romantic-Gothc/Moody Witch House with ghostly-hazy Trip Hop, and Dark-Ambient Electronic effervescents.."
Tangled Memories
Tempting Trip Haunt
Tangled Memories Bio:
“Tangled Memories” composes Dark Ambient, Electronic, Trip/Glitch Hop under the concept of “relationship music” distancing himself from society and people he creates a dream like state of mind in a desperate attempt to reach out to his listeners and describe an illusion of being in a relationship with someone and never being able to be close enough to said person, along with everyday struggles in ourselves and our own lives.
Hello, how are you?
I am lost in a conscious stream of personal doubt and growth.
What are you currently listening to?
currently a playlist of the discography of Bibio and Boards Of Canada..
When did this project come about and whom were your biggest influences for said project?
This project ultimately has been a work in progress for over two years now, it wasn't until early November when I decided to break out of my solitude and release some of it. My biggest influence for my music is some of the personal experiences I've had in my own life along with the genres of music I was most drawn to for influence musically. Such as, Boards Of Canada, Bibio, The Field, Burial, Blonde Redhead, Mew, Belong, Atlas Sound, Tim Hecker, Gold Panda, and Baths. It wasn't until I showed one of my acquaintances what I had been working on and was lead on to find out about current popular artists such as Xxyyxx and Holy Other. Looking up a bio about Holy Other I was completely numb as my heard dropped in my chest to discover he as well was writing and producing albums under the concept of what he calls "relationship music" although not all of my songs are derived from the dark side of relationships that i've experienced I thought it was quite remarkable that someone following a similar path as mine, would gain so much positivity toward their music.
Care to tell us a little bit about your latest release 'Untwist My Hands'?
I feel the album speaks for itself really. It's a constant contradiction of oneself trying to control everything in a surrounding environment. Along with maintaining sanity and inner peace through self destruction. The concept for "Untwist My Hands" is a complicated affair. Trying to blame someone else for things that are out of your control but when it really comes down to it, you're the one twisting your hands behind your back.
Any plans to tour for said release?
Plans are an unstable for me. I have amazing ideas, but there is only so much you can do with limited resources. I would like to try to reach more of a fan base in the mid-Michigan area before I attempt to start playing live shows again. I received Jake Rosenthal (How To Dress Well's booking agent) "POPGUNBOOKING" upon meeting him at a festival last year, so I'm planning to get into contact with him and see what he can do for booking a show for me in Chicago, or New York.
If you could choose any artist(s) to remix your work, whom would you choose and why?
I wonder what "The Field" would have to offer when it comes to remixing my music. I've always loved the progression of his tracks.
Got any other projects we should know about?
My first dive into the Ambient/Electronic genre was with my previous project "Prince Ashitaka" before I decided to include vocal samples from various places including my own. I played a lot of shows in the mid-michigan area before I stepped back and realized I had once again changed my direction. I'm a fickle musician, so far this is the longest standing project I have worked on before ultimately changing into something different. I hope to continue this project for a very long time. The two albums I released under Prince Ashitaka are available for free download on bandcamp as well.
What movie would work best on mute while listening to you music?
"Candy" (2006) a lot of my listeners would inquire "Requiem For A Dream" as well. But I think almost anything creepy would work. As far as the strong hold on "drug" related movies when it comes to synching my music is the overall concept of the emotion I put into my music. I've always thought true love to be as powerful as a drug, so it seemed to fit.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
'23' by Blonde Redhead
Are you living your dream?
Honestly, living my dream would be more appropriate if I were traveling and able to connect with established listeners. I have captivating ideas when it comes to connecting with an audience on a visual/audio level but I must keep continuing to grow and work hard for the things I desire with my music career. I've already decided from the begging that my main goal is to connect with people and if my music can help someone get through a complication in their life, that's all I'm really asking for.
I am lost in a conscious stream of personal doubt and growth.
What are you currently listening to?
currently a playlist of the discography of Bibio and Boards Of Canada..
When did this project come about and whom were your biggest influences for said project?
This project ultimately has been a work in progress for over two years now, it wasn't until early November when I decided to break out of my solitude and release some of it. My biggest influence for my music is some of the personal experiences I've had in my own life along with the genres of music I was most drawn to for influence musically. Such as, Boards Of Canada, Bibio, The Field, Burial, Blonde Redhead, Mew, Belong, Atlas Sound, Tim Hecker, Gold Panda, and Baths. It wasn't until I showed one of my acquaintances what I had been working on and was lead on to find out about current popular artists such as Xxyyxx and Holy Other. Looking up a bio about Holy Other I was completely numb as my heard dropped in my chest to discover he as well was writing and producing albums under the concept of what he calls "relationship music" although not all of my songs are derived from the dark side of relationships that i've experienced I thought it was quite remarkable that someone following a similar path as mine, would gain so much positivity toward their music.
Care to tell us a little bit about your latest release 'Untwist My Hands'?
I feel the album speaks for itself really. It's a constant contradiction of oneself trying to control everything in a surrounding environment. Along with maintaining sanity and inner peace through self destruction. The concept for "Untwist My Hands" is a complicated affair. Trying to blame someone else for things that are out of your control but when it really comes down to it, you're the one twisting your hands behind your back.
Any plans to tour for said release?
Plans are an unstable for me. I have amazing ideas, but there is only so much you can do with limited resources. I would like to try to reach more of a fan base in the mid-Michigan area before I attempt to start playing live shows again. I received Jake Rosenthal (How To Dress Well's booking agent) "POPGUNBOOKING" upon meeting him at a festival last year, so I'm planning to get into contact with him and see what he can do for booking a show for me in Chicago, or New York.
If you could choose any artist(s) to remix your work, whom would you choose and why?
I wonder what "The Field" would have to offer when it comes to remixing my music. I've always loved the progression of his tracks.
Got any other projects we should know about?
My first dive into the Ambient/Electronic genre was with my previous project "Prince Ashitaka" before I decided to include vocal samples from various places including my own. I played a lot of shows in the mid-michigan area before I stepped back and realized I had once again changed my direction. I'm a fickle musician, so far this is the longest standing project I have worked on before ultimately changing into something different. I hope to continue this project for a very long time. The two albums I released under Prince Ashitaka are available for free download on bandcamp as well.
What movie would work best on mute while listening to you music?
"Candy" (2006) a lot of my listeners would inquire "Requiem For A Dream" as well. But I think almost anything creepy would work. As far as the strong hold on "drug" related movies when it comes to synching my music is the overall concept of the emotion I put into my music. I've always thought true love to be as powerful as a drug, so it seemed to fit.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
'23' by Blonde Redhead
Are you living your dream?
Honestly, living my dream would be more appropriate if I were traveling and able to connect with established listeners. I have captivating ideas when it comes to connecting with an audience on a visual/audio level but I must keep continuing to grow and work hard for the things I desire with my music career. I've already decided from the begging that my main goal is to connect with people and if my music can help someone get through a complication in their life, that's all I'm really asking for.
Thanx Garett!
Tangled Memories just premiered his latest LP 'Untiwst My Hands' right HERE. on EverythingIsChemical.com. I suggest you take a moment to basque in it's glory;]
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
EIC's 10Q's w/ Brother Sun, Sister Moon
"..between "hazy/lush Ambiance", "sunny Psychedelia", & reverb-drenched Dream Pop.."
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Veiled By Aqueous Opulence
Brother Sun, Sister Moon Bio:
Brother Sun, Sister Moon is the collaborative project of Alicia Merz (Birds of Passage) and Gareth Munday (Roof Light). Together the duo explore a landscape of sounds that depart from Alicia’s classic wintery minimalism and Gareth’s post-dubstep styling’s, creating a record consisting of beautifully elegant vignettes and genre-bending sounds that captivate the listener at will. The self-titled album is a trip through sun-dappled pop music, glistening with Alicia’s vibrant vocals reminiscent of Francoise Hardy and Julee Cruise and neatly complimented by a haze of lo-fi instrumentation akin to the distorted experimentation of SLOWDIVE and MY BLOODY VALENTINE. Unafraid to extend their musical reach beyond this, the record ventures into the futuristic beat world channeling influences such as FLYING LOTUS and MADLIB, while traversing vast technicolour electronic sounds that call to mind BOARDS OF CANADA and the ambient tape manipulation of Matthew David. The CD edition of this stunning debut album comes with an exclusive remix by Listening Mirror, while the Dale Cooper Quartet lends a remix exclusive to the vinyl edition. With their debut record Brother Sun, Sister Moon take all preconceived notions of what an album should be and break them down right in front of you, presenting a record that runs the gamut of genre defying boundaries, boldly reimagining pop music for the ‘post-genre’ generation.
Hello, how are you?
Gareth: Sitting with the telly on answering these questions :)
Alicia: Good and bad.
What are you currently listening to?
Alicia: William Basinski, The Caretaker, Felicia Atkinson, Listening Mirror, Roof Light, Miles Davis, The Dale Cooper Quartet, Tim Hecker, Lee Noble, Saaad, and Love Cult, but mostly Basinski and The Caretaker.
What's the story with the band name?
Gareth: Originally it was from an obscure Folk record until I discovered that there is a 70's obscure film of the same name I've never seen it.
Love the album, care to tell us a little bit about it, recording process, likes/dislikes, etc.?
Gareth: Thank you. Recording it was a mixture of real instrumentation by me, and samples, synthesized material and field recordings. It took about a year to do on and off, the tracks were in demo form then I heard Alicia's music on the internet. I thought she had the perfect voice to suit my music. I had a few acoustic/folk tracks that were very simple but needed a vocal so I sent of few of them to Alicia in NZ to add her parts. I really liked what she did with them and it was fairly easy. Then it was a case of back and forth, mixing and re recording to get the best results. One of those tracks 'Gable Larch' is one of my favorite pieces, it will be on the next BSSM LP which may have a more 'folk' vibe to it. There's a real Vashti Bunyan vibe to it and there were about half a dozen that were similar. It's about 'holding back' some of the material of which there are at least another 20 tracks in an unfinished state. Alicia is very busy with lots of other projects of her own. I don't know how she does it! There was no real recording process, I had ideas that were a few years old and knew that no label would be brave enough to put them out as they were. Besides I wanted to add vocals to them anyway. I sing on some of my tracks as well but wanted to add a feminine dimension to the music. If I'd had a bit more time I probably would have added my vox with Alicia's. Sadly my 'day' job doesn't give me a huge amount of time off to make music on a full time basis. As for likes and dislikes, at the moment it's English Psychedelia from 66 to 70. It'll be something else next week.
Who are your biggest influences as far as your sound goes?
Gareth: I'll let Alicia give you hers, mine would probably be Bibio/Boards Of Canada, XTC, The Beach Boys, Vashti Bunyan, 4AD, some Creation stuff like The Telescopes, the 60's, the 70's and 80's, Classical, Jazz, Motown/Soul, the 'Golden Age'/90's Hip Hop, Psych/Folk, film soundtracks, dreams, people and places. Colors and things like the smell of a primary school hall that takes you back to your childhood, or a garden in summer. Alicia: For this project: my husband, an image of a child playing, Jack Kerouac, Polish fans, Nick Drake, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Leonard Cohen, audio cassette tapes, Vashti Bunyan, Slowdive, Emily Bronte, William Basinski, Dj Shadow, Oscar Wilde, reflecting on journeys through East Europe, My Bloody Valentine, David Lynch, Roy Orbison, Surrealism, The Sopranos, The Caretaker, Twin Peaks, Dexter, autumn 2011, pain killers and red wine, black coffee and cigarettes. But mostly 'The Disintegration Loops' and red wine.
Will you be touring to support this release?
Gareth: I'd like to but Alicia's in NZ and I'm in the UK which is a bit problematic. We'd be open to offers though. I think we'd make a good festival band. I'd like to do an early slot at Glasto!
Got any other projects we should know about?
Gareth: I have a lot of other work ongoing, I make lots of other music both alone and with other people, I hope to have a couple of EP's of stuff this year of my own music, there are some really interesting collaborations on the way with some surprising people. There's an EP with USA based electronic producer KWALA very soon. I sent some tracks to Christa Palazzollo of Boy Friend in the USA as well, they might appear at some point, I like their music, and they're cool. Also some darker 'Street Soul' Electronic music with a good friend of mine from Russia called Ghostek. More BSSM stuff, hopefully a second more full length LP. And something for Alicia and her husband's new label 'Cooper Cult' which I'm really pleased to be involved with. I'm sometimes a bit lazy though and forget to answer correspondence. I also don't make music if I'm not feeling it on the day. I'd like to do some film/TV music as well. I'll let Alicia give you her equally busy schedule...
Alicia: I'm working with Listening Mirror on a full length, which I'm really excited about. Listening Mirror is the solo and sometimes collaborative project of Jeff Stonehouse, and he makes ambient/drone that is out of this world! I'm adding vocals and minimalist drones to a few tracks at the moment. I also have collaborations lined up with the French drone misfits 'Saaad', another French musical maverick - Felicia Atkinson, and 'Nadja' alumni Aidan Baker. Further, I've finished about 7 demos which form the skeleton for my next solo album. I'm also keeping very busy with Cooper Cult Records: one of our first releases is a cassette edition of 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon', which we are co-releasing with an awesome tape label from France, 'BLWBCK'. Other than that, I stay very busy with a lot of other art projects that have nothing to do with music.
What movie would work best on mute while listening to your music?
Alicia: Repo Man and They Live. A few scenes from Picnic At Hanging Rock, and a few from The Wicker Man. But I'd say Repo Man, from start to finish, is the perfect visual counterpart to BSSM.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Alicia: Today, 'The Disintegration Loops' by William Basinski. If you ask me next week it'll be something different. Maybe 'Songs Of Leonard Cohen' or 'Kind Of Blue'.
Are you living your dream?
Gareth: I would be living it even more if i could do it full time!
Alicia: Life is a dream, so yes!
Gareth: Sitting with the telly on answering these questions :)
Alicia: Good and bad.
What are you currently listening to?
Alicia: William Basinski, The Caretaker, Felicia Atkinson, Listening Mirror, Roof Light, Miles Davis, The Dale Cooper Quartet, Tim Hecker, Lee Noble, Saaad, and Love Cult, but mostly Basinski and The Caretaker.
What's the story with the band name?
Gareth: Originally it was from an obscure Folk record until I discovered that there is a 70's obscure film of the same name I've never seen it.
Love the album, care to tell us a little bit about it, recording process, likes/dislikes, etc.?
Gareth: Thank you. Recording it was a mixture of real instrumentation by me, and samples, synthesized material and field recordings. It took about a year to do on and off, the tracks were in demo form then I heard Alicia's music on the internet. I thought she had the perfect voice to suit my music. I had a few acoustic/folk tracks that were very simple but needed a vocal so I sent of few of them to Alicia in NZ to add her parts. I really liked what she did with them and it was fairly easy. Then it was a case of back and forth, mixing and re recording to get the best results. One of those tracks 'Gable Larch' is one of my favorite pieces, it will be on the next BSSM LP which may have a more 'folk' vibe to it. There's a real Vashti Bunyan vibe to it and there were about half a dozen that were similar. It's about 'holding back' some of the material of which there are at least another 20 tracks in an unfinished state. Alicia is very busy with lots of other projects of her own. I don't know how she does it! There was no real recording process, I had ideas that were a few years old and knew that no label would be brave enough to put them out as they were. Besides I wanted to add vocals to them anyway. I sing on some of my tracks as well but wanted to add a feminine dimension to the music. If I'd had a bit more time I probably would have added my vox with Alicia's. Sadly my 'day' job doesn't give me a huge amount of time off to make music on a full time basis. As for likes and dislikes, at the moment it's English Psychedelia from 66 to 70. It'll be something else next week.
Who are your biggest influences as far as your sound goes?
Gareth: I'll let Alicia give you hers, mine would probably be Bibio/Boards Of Canada, XTC, The Beach Boys, Vashti Bunyan, 4AD, some Creation stuff like The Telescopes, the 60's, the 70's and 80's, Classical, Jazz, Motown/Soul, the 'Golden Age'/90's Hip Hop, Psych/Folk, film soundtracks, dreams, people and places. Colors and things like the smell of a primary school hall that takes you back to your childhood, or a garden in summer. Alicia: For this project: my husband, an image of a child playing, Jack Kerouac, Polish fans, Nick Drake, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Leonard Cohen, audio cassette tapes, Vashti Bunyan, Slowdive, Emily Bronte, William Basinski, Dj Shadow, Oscar Wilde, reflecting on journeys through East Europe, My Bloody Valentine, David Lynch, Roy Orbison, Surrealism, The Sopranos, The Caretaker, Twin Peaks, Dexter, autumn 2011, pain killers and red wine, black coffee and cigarettes. But mostly 'The Disintegration Loops' and red wine.
Will you be touring to support this release?
Gareth: I'd like to but Alicia's in NZ and I'm in the UK which is a bit problematic. We'd be open to offers though. I think we'd make a good festival band. I'd like to do an early slot at Glasto!
Got any other projects we should know about?
Gareth: I have a lot of other work ongoing, I make lots of other music both alone and with other people, I hope to have a couple of EP's of stuff this year of my own music, there are some really interesting collaborations on the way with some surprising people. There's an EP with USA based electronic producer KWALA very soon. I sent some tracks to Christa Palazzollo of Boy Friend in the USA as well, they might appear at some point, I like their music, and they're cool. Also some darker 'Street Soul' Electronic music with a good friend of mine from Russia called Ghostek. More BSSM stuff, hopefully a second more full length LP. And something for Alicia and her husband's new label 'Cooper Cult' which I'm really pleased to be involved with. I'm sometimes a bit lazy though and forget to answer correspondence. I also don't make music if I'm not feeling it on the day. I'd like to do some film/TV music as well. I'll let Alicia give you her equally busy schedule...
Alicia: I'm working with Listening Mirror on a full length, which I'm really excited about. Listening Mirror is the solo and sometimes collaborative project of Jeff Stonehouse, and he makes ambient/drone that is out of this world! I'm adding vocals and minimalist drones to a few tracks at the moment. I also have collaborations lined up with the French drone misfits 'Saaad', another French musical maverick - Felicia Atkinson, and 'Nadja' alumni Aidan Baker. Further, I've finished about 7 demos which form the skeleton for my next solo album. I'm also keeping very busy with Cooper Cult Records: one of our first releases is a cassette edition of 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon', which we are co-releasing with an awesome tape label from France, 'BLWBCK'. Other than that, I stay very busy with a lot of other art projects that have nothing to do with music.
What movie would work best on mute while listening to your music?
Alicia: Repo Man and They Live. A few scenes from Picnic At Hanging Rock, and a few from The Wicker Man. But I'd say Repo Man, from start to finish, is the perfect visual counterpart to BSSM.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Alicia: Today, 'The Disintegration Loops' by William Basinski. If you ask me next week it'll be something different. Maybe 'Songs Of Leonard Cohen' or 'Kind Of Blue'.
Are you living your dream?
Gareth: I would be living it even more if i could do it full time!
Alicia: Life is a dream, so yes!
Thanx Magnus, Gareth & Alicia!
BS,SM are currently underrated and only YOU have the power to change this, this band deserves way more credit than what they get...
REVIEW: Brother Sun, Sister Moon - s/t
8 out of 10
Vashti Bunyan meets Belong and/or Bowery Electric as well as Bibio (the cover image conveys the music perfectly..).
Gorgeously layered guitar loops, samples, drones, pluckings, etc. swimming and drowning between lush/complex synth layers, minimal Hip Hop-esque drum beats (in a few tracks), and "summertime-warm" atmospheres. BS,SM's debut self-titled release is very pretty and mellow, as well as great for a slow night on the patio (sorry I know I talk about "patio music" a lot, but I can't help it, it is the season for it after all). The tracks sway between "hazy/lush Ambiance", "sunny Psychedelia", & reverb-drenched Dream Pop. See band names mentioned above, get obsessed, it's that gorgeous.
Melodramatic tranquility is always a good thing. I like this one, I think I'll keep it.
Standout Tracks:I like 'em al, but especially; Cope, From Grain To Flower, One Throws And One Pulls (LOVE♥LOVE), South Downs By Morning, South Downs By Morning (Dale Cooper Quartet Remix)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
EIC'S10Q'S w/Bibio
"..the future of retro.."
Bibio
Perspicacious Nostalgia Frequency
Bibio Bio:
Bibio is the folk-meets-electronica project of self-taught producer/multi-instrumentalist Stephen Wilkinson, from England's Black Country (aka the West Midlands). As a student of sonic arts at London's Middlesex University, Wilkinson was first inspired by '90s electronic acts such as Aphex Twin, Autechre, and especially Boards of Canada, but became equally intrigued by mid-20th century British folk. He combined these sounds in his own music, along with found sounds and field recordings, for a unique mix of organic and synthetic atmospheres. Boards of Canada's Marcus Eoin handed Wilkinson's demos to Mush Records, which released Bibio's debut album, Fi, in 2004, and its more song-based follow-up, Hand Cranked, two years later. Wilkinson also released the limited-edition Sheila Sets Sail/Tribio on the Artist's Valley imprint, part of a collective Wilkinson has with producers Andy Harber and Richard Roberts. The Ovals and Emeralds EP, which featured organ instead of Bibio's usual acoustic guitars, arrived in 2008; Vignetting the Compost followed in 2009. That summer, Bibio moved to Warp for the eclectic Ambivalence Avenue, followed several months later by the release of a remix-heavy album, The Apple and the Tooth. For 2011's Mind Bokeh -- named after the term for the blurry area in a photograph -- Wilkinson moved further away from folktronica and deeper into the meticulously sampled, electro/hip-hop direction he began on Ambivalence Avenue.
Hello, how are you?
Good, thanks.
What are you currently listening to?
John Coltrane, Scott Walker, Django Reinhardt, Prince, Whitesnake, Strong Arm Steady, Johnny Hartman, The Ink Spots, The Four Freshmen, Letherette, Clark.
LOVE the new album "Mind Bokeh", how was the recording experience for it, have any issues? Did you know what sound/theme you were going for before you entered the studio?
The only issues I really have is being doubtful of myself, but I've always had that and I consider it a form of quality control. People who lack that self doubt have a kind of plastic confidence and it shows in their art. I believe Krishnamurti once said "A confident man is a dead human being", although that's in a different context altogether. I remember my art college tutors instilling in us a long time ago that a creative seed can be fed and watered and helped to grow into something grand, and in some ways this is a more productive method than starting with some grand idea you want to execute. But having grand ideas is also good, I don't believe in absolutes in art. A balance is usually good. I had some vague ideas of moving towards synth sounds more with this album, but not as an absolute rule, obviously. It's more liberating to not cling to ideas or ideals too hard. Honesty and creative flow is often more endearing. I admire people who can improvise well, not just in music, but in life.
I love the song's "Artists' Valley" & "Saint Christopher", do you have a particular song you are fond of?
I'm fond of all of them, that's why I released them. I listened to them all hundreds of times before deciding to put them on the album.
If you do any live tour dates for this release, in a dream world whom would that be with?
In a dream world it would be some kind of film/music/installation thing with Boards of Canada and Clark, perhaps in some strange derelict building or in a cave... or a forest. Even if nobody turned up, I'd still want to do it, for art's sake.
Have you ever considered doing soundtrack work?
Yes. I'd love to. If the film was right (and the fee), I'd start right away.
What was the last album you bought that let you down?
Expectation is a burden, not music. If you don't like something, get over it and listen to something you do like. People waste far too much time thinking their dislike for something is interesting enough to be shared, hence all of the complaining that goes on online.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Arrogantly, it would have to be one of my own. Only because they're personal, like photographs. Surely you'd rescue your own photographs from a fire rather than someone else's?
Are you living your dream?
I'm living in a dream world, have done most of my life, I just happen to be getting paid for it now and that makes it easier to be in my dream world more constantly :) I'm grateful. I count my blessings often. I also know I've put the time and effort in, and it's taken years to get here, so it feels deserved to an extent. But I'm grateful to the people who have made my path easier, and if you were going to be thorough, these people would trace back generations. Anyone who thinks their success is all their own is blinkered by their own conceit. And I guess you even have to thank the people who made things harder.
Thanx Stephen & Josh!
Bibio recently released the "K Is For Kelson" EP look for that, and then look for everything else Bibio has done (You'll especially regret passing up "Ambivalence Avenue" (#10 of 2009) if you choose to do so)...
Bibio
Perspicacious Nostalgia Frequency
Bibio Bio:
Bibio is the folk-meets-electronica project of self-taught producer/multi-instrumentalist Stephen Wilkinson, from England's Black Country (aka the West Midlands). As a student of sonic arts at London's Middlesex University, Wilkinson was first inspired by '90s electronic acts such as Aphex Twin, Autechre, and especially Boards of Canada, but became equally intrigued by mid-20th century British folk. He combined these sounds in his own music, along with found sounds and field recordings, for a unique mix of organic and synthetic atmospheres. Boards of Canada's Marcus Eoin handed Wilkinson's demos to Mush Records, which released Bibio's debut album, Fi, in 2004, and its more song-based follow-up, Hand Cranked, two years later. Wilkinson also released the limited-edition Sheila Sets Sail/Tribio on the Artist's Valley imprint, part of a collective Wilkinson has with producers Andy Harber and Richard Roberts. The Ovals and Emeralds EP, which featured organ instead of Bibio's usual acoustic guitars, arrived in 2008; Vignetting the Compost followed in 2009. That summer, Bibio moved to Warp for the eclectic Ambivalence Avenue, followed several months later by the release of a remix-heavy album, The Apple and the Tooth. For 2011's Mind Bokeh -- named after the term for the blurry area in a photograph -- Wilkinson moved further away from folktronica and deeper into the meticulously sampled, electro/hip-hop direction he began on Ambivalence Avenue.
Hello, how are you?
Good, thanks.
What are you currently listening to?
John Coltrane, Scott Walker, Django Reinhardt, Prince, Whitesnake, Strong Arm Steady, Johnny Hartman, The Ink Spots, The Four Freshmen, Letherette, Clark.
LOVE the new album "Mind Bokeh", how was the recording experience for it, have any issues? Did you know what sound/theme you were going for before you entered the studio?
The only issues I really have is being doubtful of myself, but I've always had that and I consider it a form of quality control. People who lack that self doubt have a kind of plastic confidence and it shows in their art. I believe Krishnamurti once said "A confident man is a dead human being", although that's in a different context altogether. I remember my art college tutors instilling in us a long time ago that a creative seed can be fed and watered and helped to grow into something grand, and in some ways this is a more productive method than starting with some grand idea you want to execute. But having grand ideas is also good, I don't believe in absolutes in art. A balance is usually good. I had some vague ideas of moving towards synth sounds more with this album, but not as an absolute rule, obviously. It's more liberating to not cling to ideas or ideals too hard. Honesty and creative flow is often more endearing. I admire people who can improvise well, not just in music, but in life.
I love the song's "Artists' Valley" & "Saint Christopher", do you have a particular song you are fond of?
I'm fond of all of them, that's why I released them. I listened to them all hundreds of times before deciding to put them on the album.
If you do any live tour dates for this release, in a dream world whom would that be with?
In a dream world it would be some kind of film/music/installation thing with Boards of Canada and Clark, perhaps in some strange derelict building or in a cave... or a forest. Even if nobody turned up, I'd still want to do it, for art's sake.
Have you ever considered doing soundtrack work?
Yes. I'd love to. If the film was right (and the fee), I'd start right away.
What was the last album you bought that let you down?
Expectation is a burden, not music. If you don't like something, get over it and listen to something you do like. People waste far too much time thinking their dislike for something is interesting enough to be shared, hence all of the complaining that goes on online.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Arrogantly, it would have to be one of my own. Only because they're personal, like photographs. Surely you'd rescue your own photographs from a fire rather than someone else's?
Are you living your dream?
I'm living in a dream world, have done most of my life, I just happen to be getting paid for it now and that makes it easier to be in my dream world more constantly :) I'm grateful. I count my blessings often. I also know I've put the time and effort in, and it's taken years to get here, so it feels deserved to an extent. But I'm grateful to the people who have made my path easier, and if you were going to be thorough, these people would trace back generations. Anyone who thinks their success is all their own is blinkered by their own conceit. And I guess you even have to thank the people who made things harder.
Thanx Stephen & Josh!
Bibio recently released the "K Is For Kelson" EP look for that, and then look for everything else Bibio has done (You'll especially regret passing up "Ambivalence Avenue" (#10 of 2009) if you choose to do so)...
REVIEW: Bibio - Mind Bokeh
7.75 out of 10(Way)Back in 2009 Stephen Wilkinson (Bibio) released his most accomplished record to date; "Ambivalence Avenue", which was pretty much perfect from beginning to end. In-fact, it made it all the way to the #10 (of 100) spot on EIC's year-end list. A couple years later Bibio is back at it again with "Mind Bokeh", which refers to the blurry area in a photograph. So how is it in comparison to "A..A.."?
"Mind Bokeh" starts off like most other Bibio albums, a glimmering ambiance that slowly but surely morphs/fades into a euphoric Pop twist. The beginning track on "Mind Bokeh" is most likely (maybe) the album's standout. I love how long it is, I love all of the transitions, I love all of the genres involved, it's seriously a perfect song. After that the "new sounds" of Bibio begin, a bit more mysterious, freaky/funky, fun, and most notably Psych-Folk Disco-Pop heavy (while still maintaining it's IDM leanings). Basically listening to this album is like living in the future (let's say 2525) band's are covering yesterdays sounds (like they always have/will), & this one specific artist (Bibio, I think his name is) has refurbished, reinvented, and birthed a new life into the 1970's. Bibio is the future of retro.
Recommended for sure, I like "Ambivalence.." a little more, but this is a nice follow up indeed. Expect something a little different, but definitely let the vibes soak in. If Boards Of Canada got in-touch with their "Psych/Disco side" a little more, as well as dabbled in little Indie Folk, I believe it would sound a little something like this.
Standout Tracks: Excuses (lo♥e), Pretentious, Wake Up! (on repeatpeatpeateatat), Artists' Valley (this song is amazing on multiple levels), Mind Bokeh (captures the titles meaning perfectly.), Saint Christopher (great endcap)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The new Bibio song...
Perfect.
Bibio's "Mind Bokeh" comes out March 29th via Warp. Is it possible, could this album be better than his last?!?
Friday, January 14, 2011
NEW Bibio album on the way..!
Bibio's "Mind Bokeh" (Bokeh roughly translates to "blurry/out of focus" in Japanese) comes out March 29th via Warp.Last time we heard from him was 2009's #10 album "Ambivalence Avenue", which you NEED to hear if you haven't done so by now(it's really good). Here's a video preview for the upcoming album, which kind of reminds me of flipping through some 70's FM channels..
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