Joan La Barbara - ICON

Joan La Barbara has been the single most important influence on me as a vocalist this year.
Throughout her career she has radically explored the human voice as a multi faceted instrument, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the voice.
La Barbara  has a wide history of collaborations with the likes of Phillip Glass, Morton Feldman & John Cage to visual artists such as Kenneth Goldsmith, Bruce Nauman, Judy Chicago & Christian Marclay.

Arguably her most memorable contribution to the mainstream was her vocal composition of the alphabet on Sesame Street. Check out the video below:

This is an amazing front cover from an album, I'm having trouble finding, called 'Tape Songs.' She looks like she is clad in a creation by knitwear master, Craig Lawrence!

Here is an excerpt from Morton Feldman's 'Three Voices,' Sometimes I feel it's the only music I really respond to as I drown trying to catch up in sea of new album releases!

Her website currently states that she is working on a full scale opera as we speak.
Yay - Who gonna be my date?
For more info go to:www.joanlabarbara.com

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
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