Not long ago, we introduced you to a fantabulous quartet from South America called BIKE, who happen to be enjoying a serious wave of luck (based on talent, mind you). In the past few months, the band has played a series of live dates in the USA, performed live on Seattle’s KEXP and performed dozens of shows at SXSW and Treefort Music Fest. On April 20, they will also be opening a major concert for one of the bands they love most – The Brian Jonestown Massacre – in their native city of São Paulo.
As they draw closer to the release of their new ‘Arte Bruta’ record, the band are back with their latest psychedelic-progressive single ‘Santa Cabeça’ (translation ‘Holy Head’), following up earlier singles ‘Filha Do Vento’ (‘Daughter of the Wind’) and ‘O Torto Santo’ (‘The Sacred Crooked’), all teasing their forthcoming new album‘Arte Bruta’. Out on May 5, it will be jointly released via Quadrado Mágico Records andBefore Sunrise Records.
Each of these singles can easily be distinguished from one another and all are unique and equally excellent. But what do you expect from a band whose influences are so broad as to include Os Mutantes, Pedro Santos, Sonic Youth, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Walter Franco, Lula Côrtes, Syd Barret, Can, The Velvet Underground and Neu!
Formed in 2015 by Julito Cavalcante (guitar and vocals), Diego Xavier (guitar and voice), Daniel Fumega (drums) and João Gouvea (bass), BIKE’s trajectory has been one of long journeys – both sonically and geographically. Their forthcoming ‘Arte Bruta’ album represents the process of self-analysis this psych-rock, post-Tropicalia, noise rock collection has undergone in recent years, resulting in the most daring leap in the group’s career.
“We move forward from our sound on previous albums. We managed to mix all the coolest things we had already done with new references and older ones that have not yet appeared on other albums. We also added new elements and handcrafted instruments in the songs. The idea was to sound artistic and raw at the same time,” says Julito Cavalcante.
Turning heads and pleasing fans since launching, BIKE is the only Brazilian band that has released music (‘Enigma Do Dente Falso’)in 2014) through Columbia Records imprint, 30th Century Records, founded by cult American producer Danger Mouse.
BIKE released their debut album ‘1943’ in 2015, followed by‘Em Busca da Viagem Eterna’ (2017), ‘Their Shamanic Majesties’ Third Request’ (2018) and‘Quarto Templo’ (2019). These releases have brought them critical acclaim.
To date, BIKE has played more than 400 shows in 16 Brazilian states, the venues ranging from larger stages to underground houses and festivals. They’ve also shared the stage with The Black Angels and Os Mutantes. The band also did three extensive international tours through France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Scotland and Wales and has performed at some of Europe’s leading music festivals, including Primavera Sound, Nox Orae, MIL Lisbon and The Great Escape.
‘Santa Cabeç’, ‘Filha Do Vento’ and ‘O Torto Santo’ are all out now, available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where the ‘Arte Bruta’ album is also available for pre-order.
ALBUM CREDITS
Recorded by Gustavo Mendes & Guilherme Held
Recorded at Estúdio Held in São Paulo
Mixed by Guilherme Held
Mastered by Fernando Sanches at Estúdio El Rocha
Produced by Guilherme Held
Lyrics by Julito Cavalcante
Songs by BIKE, except ‘Arcoverde” and ‘Além-Céu’ by Guilherme Held and “Cedro” and ‘Yaripo’ by Guilherme Held and BIKE
Julito Cavalcante – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, garabiroba and percussion
Diego Xavier – vocals, electric guitar and acoustic guitar
Daniel Fumega – drums and percussions
João Gôuvea – bass, synthesizers and harmonium
Guilherme Held – electric guitar on Cedro
Cover artwork and design by Juli Ribeiro
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