Benin City… The band, of course, not the city
Showcase: Benin City
Published on July 3rd, 2013 | Jonny Abrams
Benin City piqued Rocksucker’s curiosity when their recent single “Faithless” was amongst our favourites of that week, so we checked out their debut album Fire in the Park and loved what we heard.
Fire in the Park is a brooding, Ghostpoet-y sort of affair but imbued also with James Blake’s knack for otherworldly applications of colour and at times the barmy beatmaking of The Knife.
Naturally, we sought answers. Front man Joshua Idehen was kind enough to respond…
How would you describe your music, if pushed?
The soundtrack to a cerebral sci fi movie set in inner city London.
Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?
We’re all based in London, Tom in Brixton, Theo in Morden and I live in Hackney. Our producer Marc Pell has a mobile studio (Macbook with Logic and assorted other effects) and we recorded the album in Brixton and rehearsal studios.
Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?
We are signed to Audio Doughnuts. I had done an album with producers LV and Henry – label manager for AD – emailed me and asked what else I had to show. History.
What can you tell us about your debut album? (Feel free to be as abstract as you like…)
It’s an attempt by three music nerds to make the kind of music we love, the kind of music we would go to a gig and watch and feel the needles in odd parts of our body.
It’s an album of brass: that ‘John Barry making Goldfinger theme music in 2013’ meets heavy bass levels meets The Cinematic Orchestra meets Jamie XX with Gil Scott-Heron meets The Streets.
Where can we hear your music online?
The album is also out to buy on iTunes and everywhere else.
Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?
Finishing the album: actually hearing the masters back was a thrill. Gigswise, we performed at a theatre called the Albany. Everyone was seated.
We were worried the gig wouldn’t go so well because we are loud and rackety. Best gig of my life it was.
Got any more coming up? (Gigs, that is…)
Festivals in the UK, supporting some really sick acts, check out www.wearebenincity.com for more info!
Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?
Bipolar Sunshine
The Insomniax
Sarah Williams White
Maxixe
Mesita
Bagel Project
Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of five different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?
John Barry
Rufus Wainwright
Stevie Wonder
Led Zeppelin
Bjork
Joshua Idehen, thank you.
Benin City’s debut album Fire in the Park is out now on Audio Doughnuts.
You can buy Fire in the Park on iTunes.
About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
