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

Bishi New Single Shoot - Nunita Forever!

Dear Bishi World,
This November, I will be releasing my new single, 'Dia Ti Maria,' on Gryphon Records. Expect a lavish launch, which off course you will all be cordially invited to, in due course. The image above is a Production Still from the shoot of the single cover.

'Dia Ti Maria,' is a 9 minute choral epic made from 50 layers of my voice. It's sung partly in Ancient Greek & quotes lyrics from John Milton's, Paradise Lost.'

In Pre-Production talks, we were thinking along the lines of transforming me into an avant garde Nun, for the single cover. The influences for the artwork range from the likes of Byzantine Icons, Powell & Pressburger, Tamara de Lempicka & Busby Berkely. But with a very Bishi Twist.

Check out this link to  the trailer Powell & Pressburger's, 'Black Narcissus'

Red Lipstick & Nuns Habits never looked so tantalising together, have they?

I really enjoyed wearing a Nun's Cowell. I was almost thinking of wearing it down the pub for a pint to tickle the locals - Them rough boys love a bit of entertainment. But by the end of the shoot I wanted to collapse in bed & watch the i-player.
Who says Glamour is easy kids?
There's also this awesome fashion show from Frederico Fellini's 'Roma,' which I'm using as research for more 'Looks,' in the upcoming video shoot.

This Ecclesiastical Fashion Show is the most memorable scene in 'Roma,' by far.

The single cover was shot by Dominic Harris with visuals by Noriko Okaku. They've both been long term Bishi collaborators, back from the days of running Kashpoint. I can't wait to show you all the final result, but you will have to hold tight!
Check out their work:
http://www.dominicharris.co.uk/
http://www.norioka.net/

Until Next Time,
Bishi
x