BABBLE (uk)

If Alice can change from big to small and back again, does that make her able to absorb more music, poetry and beauty? The spaces in between are certainly worth

Q. Can you please introduce and tell us more about the band (history)? A. Babble is a core of musicians who came together originally in Bristol and developed music out of many hours of improvisation, live work and experimentation. Q. What's the story behind the band's name? A. Karen, (vocals/lyrics/arranger) wanted to reflect the communications challenges that humans have; fascinated by what we don't say although we talk a great deal; this name seemed to be the one the band felt comfortable with. Q. Who are your musical influences? Influences are many and varied! So difficult to pin-point, as everything we take in comes out somewhere in creative work. The trick is in discernment and relevance to a particular piece of music or lyric that we are creating, of course it's rarely a conscious thing. Silence is a big influence. Q. Crows - Can you talk to us more about it? A. The words and the style of singing have a melancholic feel and Karen purposely utilizes the higher registers of her voice - until the lines "Nowhere is better than here!", which are delivered in a powerful call-answer sequence. The music Rob has created has a tribal intensity, mixed with light, vibrant choruses - all augmented by the live additions of bassist :Paul Smith, Drums: Jon Sharp, and Re-cycled percussion; Ed Steelefox. Q. What's the concept behind the video? In CROWS, Karen weaves a story about shamanic experience and the differences between the male and female principles lived out in the world. Rob's character (the Magikon) is a mixture of desire and curiosity about the "White Widow" (Karen). She is exploring the lengths to which she will go to "find" herself - eventually she transforms into a strong crow woman. The Magikon finds music and a febrile madness in his desire to create - it's a love story really. Q.You seem to blend so many sounds, styles, and traditions in your music is this intentional or a reflection of what everyone brings to the group/album? A. All the musicians bring their own influences, of course, to the overall sound and have their own many tastes and preferences! But the core sound of Babble is unique and arises naturally when we play together. Q.So there's a new single, what can you tell us about it? A. "Bones & Blood Rise Up" could be called a protest song, but we prefer to see it as a recognition of the need to rebel when no-one is listening or has been listening for a long time - there is a difference to us. It's been inspired by many people (including ourselves) over a long time. There comes a time when all you have left is yourself and so say what you think and feel in a direct way in the face of adversity. Yeah, it's topical, but it comes from a lifelong belief that power concedes nothing without a demand - power doesn't trickle down -you have to take it. The music is in an infectious 5/8 timing and sort of bounces along with folk elements and strands of guitars & rhythms that provide an underlying menacing feel, building into the richly layered climactic choruses. It will be available on all major digital platforms by mid November to co-incide with world-wide protests against inequality, and it's also a time when most people think about the futility of wasted lives. Q.I am guessing there's a new album coming out soon? A. The album "Bread & Circuses" came out recently and we are currently promoting that . "Bread & Circuses" is evolving all the time and we are working on new songs, musical pieces and visuals to be added for next year's shows and follow up album. We continue to write, perform and make films whatever else is in the offing, but the live medium is the best way to show our work. Q. If so, how's that coming along?(see above) Q. Any official release date, title in mind? (see above) Q. Any plans to tour throughout Canada, North America, the world? A. Next up is a schedule of UK dates for the "Bread & Circuses" show (which has the wonderful addition of projections of the digital artwork by John Taylor, and the videos made by ourselves and in collaboration with Tom Lee Rutter of Carnie Films), and also Alice the Worker, our committed and inexhaustible muse - a fantastic addition to the Babble camp in the last 2 years. Q.What's happening next in Babble's world? A. Hopefully, more funding coming our way which will enable us to take the whole endeavour up a few levels! Touring abroad would be great - we love big shows, big audiences, but the main ethos is to play great music and connect - that has always got to be the driving force. Q.Where can we find out more about your music? A. You can hear Babble/Bread & Circuses as follows: http://www.reverbnation.com/babble http://artistecard.com/breadandcircuses https://www.facebook.com/Babbleuk https://www.facebook.com/BreadAndCircusesUK

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