We sat down with the hugely intriguing progressive post-metal band Birdeatsbaby to chat more about their shadowy new release Illuminate. They open up the curtains and lead us into a bone-rattling interview of significance and show us why supporting the local music scene is so vital.
Who is all involved with the Birdeatsbaby team?
Mishkin: Well, there’s four of us – Anna Mylee (drums), Hana Piranha (harp, cellos, violins, vocals), Garry Mitchell (guitar, bass) and myself, Mishkin Fitzgerald (vocals, pianos, synths). We also have a manager called Simon Field who keeps the whole thing running… he’s the unseen member of the band and he knows all our dirty secrets, haha! Apart from that, we’re totally independent and run everything by ourselves. It’s a lot of work, but we’re very happy to be in control of our own destiny, and run things the way we want to.
Which music scene do you prefer and where are the best underground spots to find proper music in: Brighton or London?
Mishkin: I’d say my favourite music scene is the metal one – there’s so many sub-genres and you never see the same thing twice. The people who go to those gigs are always so mellow and there’s always a great community vibe going on. You know if you fall in the mosh-pit that you’ll be picked up again and dusted off! I also think it’s one of the few scenes that has survived and still has people at shows. Metal fans are true music fans and they always want to see something new, not just stick to the bands they know. I love that, metal all the way.
If a brand new band came up to you tonight and asked for advice about how to survive the music game, what would you tell them?
Mishkin: Get out now while you still can! Ha, no I’m joking. I would say to them – focus on getting your music just right, it’s more important than your image. Once you’re set up then be genuine, make friends with similar bands, create your own scene and help each other out. Go to shows, support your local bands and treat other musicians how you would like to be treated. Don’t play shows for free/exposure (if you can help it) and be prepared to struggle a lot! The music industry has never been more difficult than it is today, so supporting and helping each other out is more important than ever.
If you could open up for any artist in the world, who would it be and why?
Mishkin: I think each of us would have a different answer, but probably for me it would be Opeth. They’re another artist that crossed multiple genres but still have that signature sound. They aren’t as heavy as they used to be, I prefer their death prog-metal albums, but I would still be over the moon if we ever got to support them!
Do you have any wild touring stories you’re allowed to share with us?
Mishkin: Yeah, loads just ask our manager Simon! Hmm… what can I tell you, I mean we used to party pretty hard on tour but it got a bit out of hand, we’ve calmed down a lot these days. There was the time we got banned from a church… and the time we crashed a rental car and the tour manikin flew out the back window naked… the time we played a show to one fan and then spent the night in a sex dungeon… and the time I climbed up and danced on a bar in Ohio and people put dollar bills down my pants? I mean, to be honest this is a whole separate interview!
Finally, where can we catch you live next and do you have anything big planned for 2023?
Mishkin: We haven’t got any shows booked currently. We’re focusing on recording the album, HEX, and should have some shows in the Spring/Summer but we’re holding out until the music industry gets a bit more stable, times are pretty tough for touring artists these days so we’re just playing it safe and making music at home. The best place to see us though is on Patreon – we play lots of livestreams and release secret music and videos there, so if you want the inside scoop then that’s where we’ll be.
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Listen up to this new release on Spotify. Find them live on IG.
Interview by Llewelyn Screen