Betika profile picture

Betika

"Like boozy Calpol"

About Me


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.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/6/2005
Band Website: betika.co.uk
Band Members: 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, banjo, singing
Will - Electric Bass, acoustic bass, singing

Many other people have lent their hearts and limbs to Betika on an ad-hoc basis, and to them we are extremely grateful. Most notably 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: 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.

Bossa-township surf-skiffle.

Please, Sir! :The Movie.

Record Label: Pawthorn
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Betika @ The Beeb - this Sunday

Click here to listen...
Posted by Betika on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 06:04:00 PST

Where to find our blog

Our online diary lives at http://betika.blogspot.com....
Posted by Betika on Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 PST