New Video 'Albion Voice.'

Welcome to the premiere of the video to My New Single, 'Albion Voice,' Hope you all enjoy it. Lots of Love, Bishi xxx

Director: Matthew Hardern
This is the lead track from the album of the same name -
Limited free download available from May 28th for the Queens Jubilee !!!
www.bishi.co.uk

Recorded over 2 years in London, LA and Buenos Aires this song features, (film composer) John Williams' string players! It is about the search for identity in a multicultural world.

Bishi's new album Albion Voice explores themes of Britain ancient and modern, the rich tapestry of East London's folklore, social politics and cultural mix providing a vivid backdrop to the writing.

New Track: St George & The Dragon

LISTEN HERE:
St George & The Dragon

Click this link to download your free MP3 of the song:
http://is.gd/Lh7Az3

This song tells the legend of Dragon Hill, a small knoll beneath White Horse Down in Uffington, Wiltshire. It is told that King George slay'd the beast upon the hill and there he is buried to this day. The great white figure (horse or dragon) was scribed in the chalk downs to mark forever place where the dragon lies. And so, say many, lies England.

To 'turn again' in English folk lore, is to waken the ground beneath your feet thus binding your wish with the turning of the day/ earth. It is said that when the Dragon stirs again the people of England will return to peace and prosperity, so turn again on Dragon Hill, beneath the hill at Uffington and awake the dragon within.

Happy St Georges Day !!!!

'Albion Voice,' - Exclusive Video Still!

Here is an exclusive video still from the 'Albion Voice,' video, filmed earlier in the week in Chichester taken by Paul Morgan. I'd just like to thank all the crew:
Director Matthew Hardern
Outfit: Sybil Rouge
Hair: Christian Landon
Styling: Kirsty McKenzie
Camera: Jack Shelbourne
Camera Asssitant: William
Stills & Location: Paul Morgan

The concept behind the visuals for 'Albion Voice,' has been to appropriate British Iconography with an Asian twist. Rather than presenting an idealised 'East meets West,' scenario the 'Albion Voice,' visuals are set to challenge stereotypes on Colonialism & race.

Artist, Yinka Shonibare {above} who is known for his exploration of colonialism & post-colonialism in the context of today's globalised world, has been a particularly strong influence on this album cycle.

And I am an unashamed fan of Julie Andrews....No big Art theory here. Just a love for showbusiness & British Icons.

OK, so we were TRYING to avoid looking like a Disney Princess. However, my good friend, Musician & Artist Ebe Oke, pointed out today that I looked like the lead character in Disney's 'Tangled.'
BUT we could always get conceptual here.
Limited Edition Bishi Dolls anyone?

'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!

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