'Dia Ti Maria' Live at the BFI

Hello Bishi World,

It's been some months since I last wrote way back in 2011.

So far in 2012, I released the 'Dia Ti Maria,' single, launched a NEW single called 'Albion Voice,' {more about that later} AND I'm finishing a new album of the same 'Albion Voice,' out in May 2012.

Look out for more Bishi action over the summer...It's going to be a good one.

The 'Dia Ti Maria,' project has been one of those experiences where I've been able to explore my love of audio/visual performance. It's where my love of the work Bruce Nauman, Laurie Anderson & Meredith Monk have come into full orbit.

Directed by my creative partner, Matthew Hardern, here is a performance video shot in the Zero 1 Gallery in Soho, London:

Last week we were honored to perform 'Dia Ti Maria,' for International Women's Day 2012, by The Birds Eye View Film Festival at the BFI Southbank. Special Thanks to Rachel Millward & all the gang at the Birds Eye View Film Festival and to Mike Massaro for these stunning live pictures.

 

Behind the Scenes of the 'Dia Ti Maria,' Shoot

These, my friends are some of the stills from the 'Dia Ti Maria,' shoot yesterday. I had such a good time on set & such a GREAT team, I can't stress that enough. The 'Black Narcissus,' meets Laurie Anderson fantasy is well & truly alive.

May I just take this opportunity to thank, Matthew Hardern, Christian Landon, Maria Papadopolu, Peter Gomes, Beau Scott, Noriko Okaku & Gemma Drummond for all their sterling work yesterday.

I was definitely vibing a bit of Sister Wendy Beckett on set yesterday & what a tough gal she was. Watch her here defending Andres Serrano's, 'Piss Christ.'

It was also a delight to have artist & filmaker Peter Gomes on Camera yesterday. He showed me a film he directed in collaboration with the Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company. It was right up my strasse. Check it out here:

Phantasmaton [2002] from mutantfilm on Vimeo.

You can watch more of Peter Gomes' work at: http://www.vimeo.com/mutantfilm

NUNZITA!

Flirting with London Fashion Week

Whilst being in pre-production for the video of 'Dia Ti Maria,' I managed to escape to a couple of fashion presentations for my dear friends during Fashion Week.

It was great to see so many friends proudly exhibit their new collections for the upcoming SS2012 season. I was somewhat alarmed, but mostly thrilled, at the amount of free champagne swilling around on Silver platters. {I mean we are supposed to be in an Economic Meltdown!}  However, it gave Somerset House an air of new found decadence that was complimented with some really great weather. And it felt great swanning around!

The first presentation I attended, was of my good friend/long term collaborator Ada Zanditon. {I'm wearing a piece from 'The Cryoflux,' collection, above, next to Cherie Lily}
A fiercely original designer, Ada's ethical fashion is steeped in narratives that stem from a scientific view on the environment.

Her new collection "Poseisus"  was inspired by seahorses, Greek Goddesses & Haiti Kanaval.
Watch the film below directed by Andrew & William Ho, which has a truly urban & monochrome atmosphere with a bitching soundtrack by Sebastian Bartz


ADA Zanditon ss12 from Andrew & WIlliam Ho on Vimeo.

I was whisked away to St Luke's Church on Old St by Broken Hearts DJ Amber Jane,  to Jayne Pierson's catwalk show. {It was nice to be back, as I once performed with the London Symphony Orchestra at St Luke's!!}
Pierson collaborated with The Royal Ballet, choreographing dancers instead of models, on pointe throughout the entire show. It was breathtaking!

My final date with Fashion week, ended with Fred Butler's presentation at The Portico Rooms in Somerset House. Fred's made some incredible pieces specially made for my appearances including, for Tonight with Jonathan Ross & The Culture Show.

With a sound installation from my oldest friend, Patrick Wolf, Fred's presentation saw her work move into more formal clothing territory, without compromising her trademark geometric precision or orgy of colour that characterises her work so brilliantly.


Fred Butler S/S 12 from Susie Bubble on Vimeo.

Stay tuned for Production shots from my upcoming video shoot!

Behind the Artwork, Behind the Music

Dear Bishi World. Welcome to the virtual unveiling of my Single Artwork. I'd like to thank the amazing team for coming together & making this happen...!

Photo by Dominic Harris
http://www.dominicharris.co.uk

Projections by Noriko Okaku
http://www.norioka.net

Head Piece by Christian Landon:
http://www.christianlandon.com

Make up by Maria Papadopolou:
http://mariasmakeup.com

Nun's Cowell by Sybil Rouge

Art Direction by Matthew Hardern & Bishi

I thought I'd add a few more pictures that inspired me behind making this image:

This is a still from a film by Vittorio De Sica, called 'A Night like Any Other.' It was recently curated in an exhibition by Rankin called 'The Peroni Collection – Italian Style on the Silver Screen.' I love the entire sex & sophistication of the entire genre of 60s Italian Films.

 
This is a still from my most recent show, 'The Power of Projection,' with a projection made by Noriko Okaku. Projections have been an ongoing theme in my music performances this year with special outfits co-designed by myself. Noriko's been one of our key collaborators  & it's been great to have her wonderful visuals, a part of the of the Single Artwork.

Here is a bit of blurb, behind the music, of 'Dia Ti Maria':

Bishi’s new single.'Dia Ti Maria' is an 8.5 minute choral piece; a song of loss, fortitude and self-realization.

Inspired by the Greek Orthodox liturgy, the 1st and last sections are written in Koine (Biblical) Greek. The English lyrics are quotes from the speeches of Satan in Milton's Paradise lost.

Originally commissioned by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus the US debut grabbed the front page of the New York Times who announced Bishi as the 'New British Diva'.

Bishi sings all 50 voices on the recording…

'I chose to sing all the parts because, for me, the piece is about light and darkness within ones own mind and self'

Rich harmonic writing develops from the clusters of Bulgarian throat singing to the more open, pastoral harmonies of English folk. The atmosphere moves from despair to realization and resolve.

Vocal techniques suggestive of Ligeti and Meredith Monk can be heard in the occasional slides and ‘asides’ to give a sense of melodic fluidity to the musical landscape.

The live presentation is an immersive video performance with Bishi centre screen surrounded by projected images of herself. Halos and choirs, inspired by Byzantine icons, radiate around her while the costumes and stage design owe much to Lempika, Erte and the cinematic choreography of Busby Berkeley.

Can't wait to play it for you all!
Stay Tuned for more updates!
xx

Voices in My Head - 1st DJ mix for Soundcloud

To Celebrate my forthcoming new single release, 'Dia Ti Maria,' on Gryphon Records I've created my 1st DJ mix for Soundcloud, called 'Voices in my Head,' reflecting some of the influences that inspired the record.

I've opened the mix with something from Alejandro Jodorowsky's, 'The Holy Mountain.' His imagery/philiosophy & music have had a huge impact on me having been introduced to is work by Ana Matronic of Scissor Sisters.

Meander your way through Philip Glass & Meredith Monk, The Cocteau Twins & Coco Rosie.

I even re-discovered my love for Bongwater after being shot on the same day as Ann Magnuson, at LA's 'Pop Tart Gallery,' for Austin Young's, 'Your Face Here.'

photo by Austin Young.

Hope you Enjoy!

Voices in My Head by Bishi_World
 

Speaking of Hot Nuns...

I saw this fabulous movie the other night called Ms.45.
It's one of Abel Ferrara's earliest pictures & stars the beautiful lip luscious Zoe Tamerlis Lund; who would later go onto develop the script of 'Bad Lieutenant,' with Ferrara.

Tamerlis plays Thana, a mute seamstress, who after being brutally raped twice in a day, swears revenge on all men, murdering just about any man who crosses her path.
The film concludes with the staff Halloween Party, where Thana decides to go dressed as a Nun & a hot Nun at that.

After her boss tries to take advantage of her, she tears onto dance floor in a cold blooded killing spree. The distinctly New Wave dance floor descends into a bloodbath, until a female colleague stabs her to death.

It's rough, It's exploitation & I LOVED it.
Ferrara captures the sleazy wilderness that was Manhattan in the early 80s with a stark brutality. It reminds me of the bleakness of New York City, written in books like Legs McNeil's, 'Please Kill Me.'

He also explores a certain kind of sexism young women have to deal, where they feel they can't often fight back a man's unwanted advances, with a raw honesty you don't often see in the pictures.

Most of all I was relived there was another Nun with red lipstick! Here's one of my official Press shots from my forthcoming release, 'Dia Ti Maria.'