INTERVIEW: Bizou — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Bizou

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THE brilliant Bizou…

have been telling me about their recent track, Superstition, and what its story is; how the band got together and whether we might see more material coming along next year – they each select an album that means a lot to them.

I ask if they have similar music tastes and whether there are any gigs coming up; how they chill away from music and which rising musicians we need to get behind – the band members each select a song to end the interview with.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Mina: We're good! We're in the studio listening to Nicole lay down some sexy bass riffs.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We're Nicki, Nicole; Mina, Erin and Josiah. We're a five-piece Post-Punk band based in L.A. We're ‘Bizou’.

Superstition is your new single. Is there a story behind it?

One night; me and Josiah were digging through demos trying to find something we hadn't worked on yet and he pulled up a file called Black as My Soul. I had no idea what to do with it vocally for a long time - in fact - and it totally bombed the first time we tried to put vocals on it. I had to lock myself in my room for a couple days with it. The lyrics are about anxiety - the way it makes you paranoid and unreliable, especially to yourself. It all sort of spewed out of me suddenly, like a real panic attack. You know, light fun stuff!

Do you think there will be an album later this year?

We have two E.P.s we're planning to release consecutively beginning early next year. Most likely one in the spring and one in the fall.

How did Bizou meet? When did you get together?

Erin, Nicki; Josiah and Nicole have all been friends, playing together in various projects for years. I met everyone through a mutual close friend of myself and Erin. After I left Wax Idols, I was eager to get back to work and hopefully avoid what I thought was likely to be a six-month long post-band spiral. We started jamming together on some demos Josiah had sent me and we have kept working together ever since.

You all hail from different U.S. states. Do you all have different music taste as well?

I think we all agree on The Cure, Siouxsie; Joy Division, New Order and Wire. Outside of that, I think our tastes really range. Nicole and I love teeny-bop divas from the early-'80s, Erin loves Steely Dan; Nicki hates Duran Duran etc.. etc. I think there's a decent interplay between our shared likes and dislikes - to create some artistic frisson.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

Josiah: Two E.P.S chock-full of amazing sounds and songs to rock your bowels!!

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

Nicole: Playing drums in front of 10,000 people. I don't really play drums but I LOVE to play drums! I was convinced (very reluctantly) to play them for one song with the Pumpkins at one of our shows; it was an easy enough song but I was scared sh*tless! I had to sing background vocals too AND I was in high heel boots.

But, it was one of those moments I'll never forget because it was a ‘walking through fear and coming out the other end relatively unscathed’ kind of moment. You don't forget those! Also; my dad was a drummer so I felt him there with me in that moment and I know he was loving every second!

Josiah: The one that sticks in the mind? Similar to alcohol. There have been times when I get goosebumps playing music. That’s what I strive for when I create or play music.

Erin: Two! One was when I played the Music Hall of Willamsburg and realized that two of my heroes (Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore) were in the audience and dug my drumming. The second is getting to go to Nashville and play with Bones from Midnight Oil in a band out there. It was just tons of fun and he's a badass bass player.

Mina: I feel like Josiah a bit - it's not a specific memory that I love so much but rather a feelingthat I'm trying to get from playing music and to stay in that moment as long as possible. When it's going really right, you just feel free.

Nicki: The one that sticks in the mind? Josiah and I were in a band called Light FM and we opened a show for Jesus & Mary Chain. I needn’t say more!

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

Josiah: Tears for Fears - The Hurting; Grandaddy - The Sophtware Slump.

Erin: ELO - Out of the Blue. My folks introduced me to them when I was a little kid and I have a lot fond memories of travelling and listening to that record with them.

Mina: Tori Amos - Boys for Pele. I can't even explain how formative that record is for me. It's like trying to describe something preverbal. That and Siamese Dream.

Nicole: The Cure – Disintegration.

Nicki: Sonic Youth - Goo was one of my first albums and made a huge impression on me. Still does.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

If we could do a support tour with anybody, it would have to be Garbage. That with some coconut water and hummus and, honestly, we'd be set.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Mina: Play a lot. Take everything about it seriously except for yourself.

Josiah: Don't be a dickhead!

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of 2018?

We’re excited to finish all the tracking for our two forthcoming E.P.s by end of year. That and play a ton of shows; hopefully in a hometown near you.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

No upcoming tours planned - hopefully in the spring 2019!