Music / Feature
Unconforming and unique: Biped is the creative artist pushing boundaries
Biped cannot be pigeonholed.
A multi-faceted artist, they have immersed themselves into the world of DIY music videos, art, poetry, and experimental, electronic music.
After living in Bristol, on and off, since 2019, the artist released their debut EP, Lose the Goat with Ease, in 2020 followed by their debut album, Lend Grace to the Toes, later that same year.
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Featuring their signature industrial sound, from crunchy electronica and haunting vocals to distorted basslines and spoken word chatter, the releases cemented Biped as an exciting addition to the local music scene.
So where does their creativity come from?
“From the world and all its slipperiness, from self-soothing, exploration of material and sound, being engaged and receptive as much as possible,” Biped tells Bristol24/7.
“Wanting to make good and better of what is here, wanting to shine light on what It All Is.”
Writing and playing music since the age of 15 and having played in a variety of bands from improvised sound-therapy ensembles to avant-folk, Biped as a project wasn’t truly born until Adam Reid of Schwet took notice of their debut EP online.
“July 2021 he [Adam Reid] invited me to play at Strange Brew for one of its first shows (and my first Biped show), a sitting gig after lockdown,” they explain.
“I put everything into it, as I still to do for all my shows, and there’s been a steady and blessed cumulation since then.”
The artist’s sound is not one that can be easily defined, an intentional choice but also one that is heavily influenced by the sounds they grew up listening to.
From artists such as Bowie, Benjamin Clementine, John Frusciante, Nina Simone, Funkadelic, Florence and the Machine to poets like Khalil Gibran and Mary Oliver and James Baldwin, Biped embraces this range of sound and artistry and creates something entirely unique.
When asked how they would describe their sound, Biped says: “I would try not to! I don’t know if there’s a consistent sound across the work except for my voice and the use of field recordings and corrupted audio which gives a lot of character and non-perfection.”
“The artists who most inspire and influence me are my friends.” photo: Biped
The latter end of 2023 saw the artist tour Europe and the UK, with a hometown show at Dareshack – what can people expect from a Biped gig?
“My live shows are vulnerable, normally solo, using my laptop and instruments to pass through comedy, genres and soundworlds,” they tell Bristol24/7.
“There’s poems and lyrics; it’s a bit like a musical and a bit like a dream. It can be challenging and cerebral but I toe the line to make the challenge inclusive of the audience rather than alienating.”
Biped returns to live shows later this year with a show at the Cube while also working on new music alongside some new challenges for 2024.
“I’m going to be taking on fairly intensive dance training this year to condition and open up my body. I don’t know yet how that will integrate into my practice but it will so that’s exciting.
“Also 2024, I’m going to be furthering the launch of my project CUD – a label and opportunity for practitioners to realise first-time and experimental collaborations. Some beautiful things in the works for this.”
Biped also hinted at a documentary they’re making but are keeping their cards close to their chest for now while 2024 will also see the artist move to London.
“I will miss Bristol. I’ll take the things I’ve learned here with me, and I’ll be back lots.”
Tickets for Biped’s gig at The Cube are on sale now and can be found at https://hdfst.uk/e101531
Main photo: Biped
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