Dave - Singing, guitar, songs Carolyn - Singing, flute, oboe, recorder, melodica, clarinet, saxophone, stylophone Richard - Drums, non-drums, percussion Lexi - Keyboards, percussion, clarinet, chimp, art Martin - Trumpet, melodica, percussion, singing, trombone, sax, glock Hubcap - Recording console, guitar, bass, synth, singing Mark - Lead Guitar, electric violeg, banjo, singing Will - Electric Bass, acoustic bass, singing
Many other people have lent their hearts and limbs to Betika, some on an ad-hoc basis, and some much longer-term. To them all we are extremely grateful, especially Chris and Imogen!
Influences
A quick look at some LPs at Betika Towers throws up the follwing names: Adam and the ants, A-ha, Add (n) to X, Deerhoof, Arab Strap, Beatles, Sergio Mendes, Beck, The Bee Gees, Charles Ives, Belle and Sebastian, The Birthday Party, The Fall, Blondie, Ennio Morricone, Blur, Bowie, Broadcast, Nick Cave, Beach Boys, The Monkees, Charlatans, The BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Leonard Cohen, Young Marble Giants, The Doors, Brian Eno, Four Tet, Palace, The Beta Band, John Barry, Gorki's Zygotic Mynki, Joe Jackson, Jethro Tull, Jesus Jones, Led Zeppelin, Felt, Bearsuit, Joy Division, The Specials, United States of America, Pixies, Early Floyd, Plaid, Iron and Wine, Salon Music, The Pop Group, Pulp, Radiohead, Tony Hatch, Ride, Bjork, Deathcab, Otis Redding, REM, Leon Rosselson, Os Mutantes, Lee and Nancy, Schoenberg, dEUS, Can, Squarepusher, Devo, Stereolab, Bronski Beat, Simon and Garfunkel, Suede, Tindersticks, Johnny Cash, Scott Walker, The Who, Kraftwerk, Wire, True Swamp Neglect, The Wombles, Terry Callier, Ivor Cutler, Stevie Wonder, Burt Jansch, wRong, Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Human League, Peter Paul and Mary, Roxy Music, Max Tundra, Waitresses, Morrissey, Pentangle, Nina Simone, The Smiths, Pavement, The Cure, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Polyphonic Spree, PJ Harvey, British Sea Power, Lambchop, Clinic, Campag Velocet, The Magnetic Fields, The New Creation, James Yorkston, The Searchers, The Delgados, Hefner, Tom Lehrer, Velvet Underground, Television, Grandaddy, Elvis Costello, John Coltrane, The Arcade Fire, Carlos Antonio Joabim, Mercury Rev, The Stranglers, John Fahey, Flaming Lips, The Proclaimers, Love, Roots Manuva, Yo La Tengo, Sparks, The Shaggs, Burt Bacharach, Nick Drake, The Kinks, Beulah, Half Man Half Biscuit, Cornelius, The Incredible String Band, Herman Dune, David Axelrod, The Beat, Davy Graham, Talking Heads
Sounds Like
A hermit convention.
Laughing and crying at the same time.
Eight hearts beating as one.
Two one-armed people helping each other to break into spontaneous applause at how great they've suddenly realised the world is.
Betika's new album "Halflove", is obtainable on CD via Square Records and CD Baby (cheaper shipping if you're in North America), and it's also available in digital form from iTunes, or if you don't do Apple, then it comes in normal MP3 form (and most other digital formats) from here. The unpleasant business of the shameless sales pitch is now over - facts and second-hand opinions follow:
The modernday Betika operates in three different configurations;
(i) as an acoustic duo consisting of Carolyn and Dave (MicroBetika);
(ii) as a full band that plays standing up (The Greater Betika);
(iii) as a full band that plays sitting down, increasingly without the aid of electricity (The Lesser, Seated Betika).
This is because they've been going for ages and have a lot of songs, some fast, some slow, some loud, some quiet, and they like to play similar types of songs next to each other. Early in their career they sang slow, sad songs about dead dogs (see "Heads smashed in by the boy/girl thing", Superglider records 2001), later on they started playing upbeat, genitally-fixated songs which all seem to have a worrying pre-occupation with death (see "Halflove" and the "Betikassette" trilogy of cassette-only EPs, 2004-5).
It's difficult to say exactly which pingeonhole it's easiest to cram Betika into, their music isn't rock, or folk, or country and it definitely isn't "world" music, but it undeniably contains elements of all of those. A French publication dubbed them "...for certain the new indie lo-fi Abba". They have a song which apparently sounds like Nick Drake, Can, The B-52s and Queens of the Stoneage all at the same time. And another one that sounds like the soundtrack from "Kes" being played by evil Brazillians. On bikes. Comparisons have been made with The Magnetic Fields, but as the Magnetic Fields play every song in a different style this probably isn't helpful. But nice if you're Betika, who have also gained something of a reputation for the boundlessly energetic way they bring their ecstatically miserable magpie-pop to live audiences. Stages have been invaded, human pyramids have been formed and injuries have been sustained in the course of the pouring-out of the joy. Oh yes.
see www.betika.co.uk for more. Also see here for songs and video clips from our acoustic MicroBetika sideline.
How do Betika. We've managed to get our asses in gear and record a couple of brand new novelty numbers, Todd Carty Party and Selleck's Moustache. Enjoy.
Hey guys. Seeing as there are quite a lot of you, i should hopefully be able to get at least a couple of you to come along to this beautiful disaster! Facebook Group
guys. what you doing tomorrow? that being like the 11th? fancie coming to watch the vapid qualities of the animal talent show at the gander by chance? We need your help. we's gonna have visuals to take your mind of us playing so you have no excuse
thank you for playing sundial festival, great to have you here as the full plugged in band. hope you had as good a night as we did see you soon frankie x SIRIUS live music
Hey Hey!!!!!! - been a while since we dropped by - didn't want to negect you. Things have been pretty hectic of late on this side of the screen - hence the quiet from us. - But we're trying to make ammends...
Hope things are well with you and your world on your side of the screen - drop by and drop us a line anytime you wish - nothing like a little dash of the spirit of community here on myspace.
Anyways - Just thought we'd say 'ello'.
Keep in touch and keep us in the loop!
Much love
Sarah and James
The Dark Poets -------x------ Touch the screen....and feel the love from the other side....
BTW - We're really proud to have released our new 'Vs' album - reviews have been really good so far. Gary Lucas Vs The Dark Poets "Beyond the pale" is released on Some Bizzare records
OUT NOW SBZ092 CD - AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE INCLUDING - IN STORE, AMAZON AND ITUNES....blah blah blah - you'll find it...it's on general release in the UK - So wherever you are you can track it down- we're trying to keep the price low too - so check it out and see if you can grab your copy.
there's a myspace site with a few tracks from the album - let us know if you like what you hear.
You got some cd's for me?! That's wikkid! Give em to the Adsono guys for me man...coz i don't think you know where ma door is! Oh you mean at Frighten heath...we aint rehearsin' there much these days man...i'll write you a message with a phone majigga. x
