With frantic yet subdued rhythms and the modal vocals of Lynn Michalopoulos, Bebek creates a new and polished soundscape of electronic psych.... with European experimentation and the American soul intact." The Dame .. Lexington, KY (January, 2006)
"Smile, Broadcast Tattoos", Bebek's latest CD, deals with the emotion of life's challenging moments and coming to terms with the marks they leave. Bebek’s music has been described as “a sexy, psychedelic sound that meshes the music of Morcheeba, Stereolab and Radiohead†(Skratch Magazine). Bebek’s new album retains these characteristics while expanding the band’s sonic elements. The dream pop of their 2006 EP Open Eyes is the launching point for the unique vision that characterizes “Smile, Broadcast Tattoosâ€. Last year, Bebek solidified their status as a national act through touring that took them as far west as Albuquerque, south to Austin, north to Minnesota and up and down the east coast. In addition, Open Eyes received excellent reviews from several national and international press outlets and comprehensive radio play. To date, Bebek's music has been broadcast on 366 stations across North America and Europe.Building off the successes of 2006, "Smile, Broadcast Tattoos" still retains many of Bebek's sonic trademarks: dense keyboard textures, angular yet melodic guitar parts, and an unrelenting rhythm section. However, "Smile, Broadcast Tattoos" features a more direct songwriting style that supports Lynn's vocals with energy and intensity. The opening track 'Marching Dolls' immediately sets this tone, with a guitar riff and vocal intro that continue to gain momentum until they reaches the song's anthemic chorus.The human quality of "Smile, Broadcast Tattoos" brings Bebek full circle to its inception when Nick meets Lynn in a bar and starts a conversation which turns to music. They eventually get married and move to Philadelphia, where they start a band. Soon after the band starts, Nick's mother dies. This event helps name the band. Bebek ('baby' in Turkish) is the name of the neighborhood where Nick's mother, who introduced him to music, came from in Istanbul. It also serves as a point of departure for much of the material Bebek starts to perform. The lyrics portray deeply personal situations about attachment and loss with a poetic humanity. Lynn's soaring vocals fit in a Philadelphia scene partially dominated by neo-soul, while the edgy, gurgling electronica of Nick's music set the band apart from the rest of the Philly indie scene. Bebek makes a name for itself by crossing over to both of these audiences, while maintaining their unique sound. This leads the Philadelphia Weekly to recognize in the band's infancy that "Philadelphia's budding Bebek possesses a sneaky infectiousness that hints at a bright future."Bebek releases its first full-length record, Bebek, at a sold out show at the popular Philadelphia club – The Fire. The sell-out adds to the band's momentum and soon they become one of Philly's largest draws, playing big venues like the TLA. Along with these larger venues come headlining gigs at the North Star and World Café Live. Local, national, and European press all agree that the band's self-produced, eponymous debut demonstrates a musical breadth and distinct compositional creativity. Positive press and excellent record play propel Bebek steadily higher on the national radar, which all create the momentum to last year's release of Open Eyes that saw the band introduced to a larger national audience.In addition to its hometown of Philadelphia, the band is now firmly established in New York, Chicago, D.C, Pittsburgh, Winston-Salem & Greensboro, NC and Lexington, KY. It has growing audiences in Minneapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Ann Arbor, Boston, Nashville, and Louisville, KY. Bebek has performed at 2006's SXSW, NEMO (Boston), Summerfest (Milwaukee), Hyperactive Music Festival ( Albuquerque), Midpoint Music Festival (Cincinnati) and The Lebowski Fest in New York in October '05 - an event that is covered in Rolling Stone, Playboy, Spin and Giant. Bebek is currently licensed for MTV shows Made and My Super Sweet Sixteen as well as PBS' Roadtrip Nation.Foriegn Press
Bebek has received reviews in the following newspapers/magazines in Europe:Aksam (Turkey), Blitz (Portugal), Luna Kafe (Sweden)"Bebek, hailing from Philadelphia, PA, USA., is one of the most promising bands in the Indie soundscape of North America." The Blitz - Portugal (August, 2006)
"The bands dynamic sound has only increased since their last album. Lead is a rhythm-heavy track that features singer Lynn Michalopoulos at her most sinuous. This EP proves Bebek is a formidable force." Luna Kafe -Sweden (May, 2006)
National Press about Bebek's 'Smile Broadcast Tattoos':
"The curious tension between lead singer Lynn Michalopoulos’s vocals and the music is unique[ly] intriguing and Bebek milks that sense of horrified curiosity throughout all nine tracks of [their] album.... The tension between her voice and the music is what gives Smile, Broadcast Tattoos some of its appeal.... “Scribble My Sides,†which begins with an exchange of staccato funk between the drums and the bass and settles into a casual midtempo groove, is more proof that Bebek can work both ends of the spectrum, composing songs that can be elaborate or, like “Dust†or “I’m Mine,†satisfyingly simple. “What Comes Next?†layers Michalopoulos’s cheery vocalizing with mandolin, bass, chimes, even accordion, driving the album to a frenzied finale of minor chords and raging guitars." Okay Player (June, 2007) "[Bebek's] keyboards create an addition that most pop-rock outfits don’t have the pleasure of adding, meanwhile the vocals add a sexiness that is also unlike much of their more gothic brethren. Bebek knows how to be sultry and [they] can turn anyone on to their whirling dervish of sex. Catchy hooks round out their new album and breathe in a style that fits this talented group all too well." Smother.net (April, 2007) Although their name is Turkish for “baby,†there’s nothing juvenile about the music of Bebek. Continuing to chart the musical terrain mapped by their last EP, 2006’s Open Eyes, the disc’s nine tracks revel in a landscape of passion and euphoria. Amongst the highlights are “8 am,†a soaring portrait of apocalypse that also explores the uneasiness of post-9/11 life, the sexy and understated “Dust,†(highlighted by Micalopoulos’ fragile vocals) and “Marching Dolls,†a guitar and percussion-driven dream of invasion. Perhaps the album’s strongest track, the empowering “I’m Mine†examines the cost of relationships upon our souls." Bedroom Dancing (August, 2007) “Bebek weaves a tangled web of haunting rock that is both versatile and well-crafted.†Timeout New York (June, 2007) "Bebek's sound has developed nicely since the release of their first and self-titled album. They have drawn attention from audiences around North America. True to their unique style, the band has written, recorded and are performing richer arrangements and more memorable songs. Smile, Broadcast Tattoos will delight the band's current fans and new listeners alike." Musical Discoveries (July, 2007) "Smile, Broadcast Tattoos is eerie, harder, poppier than [the band's] first CD yet still Bebekian." Philadelphia City Paper (June, 2007) Lynn Michalopoulos, still front and center on Bebek's new "Smile, Broadcast Tattoos, coolly vents frustrations amid the band’s warm shades of pop [and] darker rock sounds." Philadelphia Weekly (June, 2007)National, and Philly Press about Bebek's 'Open Eyes':
"While this CD is self released, don't expect any future work from Philadelphia's most promising band to be that way. Bebek (which means "Baby" in Turkish) could be the most European band ever from America. With a sexy psychedelic sound that meshes the sound of Morcheeba, Stereolab and Radiohead, this band has found a perfect vehicle for success. Sultry lead singer Lynn Michalopoulus was all the talk at this years SXSW, and this band will get signed in a big way in the very near future. Untill then, you can still trance out to these lush electronica beats at medium size venues, mostly on the east coast. Pick up this six-song ep and play it really loud to impress your friends and family before this band becomes a household name." -Skratch Magazine, Dec. 6, 2007
" [Bebek] weaves a tangled web of haunting rock that is both versatile and well-crafted. Lynn M. has a voice that...is hauntingly beautiful and quietly anthemic in a lot of ways.......This isn't music that easily fades into the background, instead it commands your attention, drawing you in more and more with each repeat listen. There is nothing "ordinary" sounding about Open Eyes. Lovers of all things unique and interesting should give Bebek's latest EP a chance." Infuze Magazine (August, 2006)"Lynn Michalopoulos has a beautifully sexy voice that can make the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up at times." Earcandy Magazine (August, 2006)
"Their self-titled album brought my focus squarely on this Philadelphia-based group. Their brand of trip-hop unleashes a sea of undercutting melody and sultry vocals. Laid back grooves force the hand into downtempo territory with electronic bleeps driving the rhythms. Lush harmonies are layered neatly on top of stellar breaks and thick bass lines. Gothic fused atmospheres give Open Eyes a unique texture that continues to keep Bebek several arm lengths away from trip-hops least kept secrets like Portishead and Tricky. This soulful groovy trip-hop meets pop EP is one that you simply must seek out and purchase." Smother.net - Editor's Pick J-Sin
"Intriguing and sultry, Bebek transports the listener to a fantasy world in a strange land. Lynn Michalopoulos' haunting vocals resonate eerily in the spacious and mystical instrumental landscape. "807 Dub" in particular emphasizes their unique fusion of hip-hop techniques with an ambient electronic style." (Helen Leicht, WXPN)
"Bebek is one of those rare bands that listeners can identify even if they aren't already familiar with the specific song being played...Bebek's music transports the listener to other parts of the world, not in the sense of being an ethnic sound, but more in the sense that the music allows you to enter a fantasy land, influenced by sounds of other lands and other times." Sureshot Magazine (Summer, 2006)
"Bebek is timeless...[and] uncompromising. The beauty of Bebeks sound dwells in the subtext, what you hear and what you discover upon further listens." Okay Player - (April, 2006)
"Fronted by the sirenlike vocals of Lynn Michalopoulos and keyboardist Nick Michalopoulos, this Philadelphia-based ensemble is among the more intriguing acts around." Philadelphia Daily News (April, 2006)
"Bebek is the name of an up-and-coming quintet from Philadelphia that play trip-hop with and Istanbul twist." Philadelphia Metro (July, 2006)
"You have to take notice of [Lynn Michalopoulos'] vocals as they capture you and draw you in." All Ages Zine (July, 2006)
"A sultry groove permeates the electronic elements of [807 Dub] from Philadelphia's Bebek." Sixeyes MP3 blog
"Bebek's identity continues to develop in their new EP Open Eyes...the new recordings go a distance to explore a broader range and expressiveness in Lynn's vocal treatment as well as heavier guitar-based arrangements." Musical Discoveries (April, 2006)
"Bebek cuts it up with a sharper edge on [their] new CD. An example of Bebek's sound renovation can be heard on 807 Dub. Haunting guitar riffs and other subtle tweaks take the place of the hip-hop influenced scratching of the old recording. The new sound has a sharper edge that cuts deeper into the subconscious and better compliments the subversive baseline throughout the piece. Frank Vasile's flowing breakdown on guitar at the close of the song glows with mind numbing, twilight ambience." Scott Arney North Star - (April, 2006)Tour Press:
On its recent EP, [Bebek] this Philly act offers links between such hippie-beloved subgenres as trip-hop, goth-pop and dub." Chuck Eddy, Village Voice - "Voice Choices"Whether its the arching Balance Beam or the thumping, reggae pump of Lead, there is little emotion Bebek cannot dictate." Kevin Keegan - Illinois Entertainer
"Bebek enjoys defying audience expectations and stretching out idomatic boundaries......Their self-titled debut work features the whirling, declarative vocals of Lynn Michalopoulos whose highly charged, animated contributions are a key part of the band's arsenal....Over the past two years, Bebek has become a favorite on both the college and Triple A radio circuits, and are headed for an engagement at this week's prestigious South by Southwest gala in Austin, TX." Ron Wynn- Nashville City Paper
"Bebek began building a regional following.... by stretch[ing] the parameters of [trip-hop]- with Eastern Melody and a fully live band. The groups new EP, "Open Eyes", finds Bebek zoning out, nailing the spacious vibe. Considering that Bebeks sexy grooves developed out of a little beautiful music between Lynn and Nick Michalopoulos, it should prove similarly aphrodisiac when performed live." Aaron Jentzen - Pittsburgh City Paper
<p"Bebek pushes musical boundaires with the decidedly moody amalgamation of Lynn Michalopoulos' catlike vocals and electronics interspersed through the band's atmospheric creations." Cincinnati City Beat"Bebek has rightfully drawn comparisons to Portishead and Stereolab, and both seem to fit on a subgenre level. Somewhat more interestingly, though, the Pennsylvania-based sextet incorporates elemental ticks and tricks from trip-hop and electronica, infusing them with supple Middle Eastern charms and a clear affinity for classic dub to create a worldly mash of fluid, mystical tunes." Stephen George - Louisville Leo
"With frantic yet subdued rhythms and the modal vocals of Lynn Michalopoulos, Bebek creates a new and polished soundscape of electronic psych with European experimentation and the American soul in tact." The Dame - Lexington, KY
"On 807 Dub, singer Lynn Michalopoulos offers a throaty moan. WHile she sometimes comes up breathy like Marilyn Monroe, Michalopoulos still manages to impart a sultry air to the electronic music." Karen Graves - The Other Paper (Columbus, Ohio)
"Lynn Michalopoulos' silky, full-throated voice...wraps around tunes in a Kate Bush sort of way and helps Bebek create a musical concoction that feels mystical and otherworldly." Jeri Rowe - Go Triad, North Carolina
National and Philly press about Bebek's eponymous debut:
Bebek makes soul music that's ethereal and distant, but still intimate, edgy and sexy. " A.D. Amorosi Philadelphia Inquirer"Bebek[possesses] their unique brand of trip-hop. Dubby bass lines, wonderfully gorgeous female vocals, danceable drum beats and complex rhythms along with a good meshing of genresseparate them from the blossoms of other trip-hop outfits." J-Sin, Smother.net
"Murkily complex yet remarkably spare and clear Bebek is Goth-rock and dub with myth-allegorical lyrics." Philadelphia City Paper, Philly's Best CDs of 2005
"There is a strange chemistry in the music of Bebek - a cauldron of squiggly electronica, liquidy pop, and sinewy Middle Eastern-flavored world beats." - Jonathan Takiff - Philadelphia Daily News
"Bebek formulates a stunning blend of pop-electronica that will entice you and suck you into their world." Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, Evolving Artist
"Philadelphia's budding Bebek possesses a sneaky infectiousness that hints at a bright future. " (Doug Wallen, Philadelphia Weekly, 2004)
Shows
Festivals:SXSW (March '06), Hyperactive Music Festival (June '06), Summerfest (July '05), Lebowski Fest (Oct. 05), NEMO Festival (Sept. 05), Midpoint Music Festival (Sept. '06)Philly:
TLA, The Trocadero, North Star (headlining), World Cafe Live (headlining downstairs) Tin Angel (four sold out shows), The Fire (two sold out shows), The Khyber (sold out show), NXNW, The Five Spot, The Pontiac Grille, Hard Rock Cafe
New York:
Knitting Factory (Main Stage, Tap Bar) Pianos, Sin-e, Trash Bar, Pete's Candy Store, Tribeca Rock Club, The Triad Theater, Lit Lounge
The Black Cat, Velvet Lounge, Galaxy Hut, DC9
Pittsburgh:
Club Cafe, Garfield Art Works, The Shadow Lounge, Thunderbird Cafe
Chicago (Gunther Murphy's, Elbo Room); Minneapolis ( The Fine Line Music Cafe); Boston (Johnny D's); Cincinnati (Jekyll & Hyde's); Louisville (Headliners, Uncle Pleasants); Columbus, Ohio (Ruby Tuesday); Lexington (The Dame); Nashville (The Five Spot, Windows on the Cumberland); Ann Arbor, MI (The Heidelberg); Winston-Salem, NC (The Garage - one sellout); Greensboro (Guilford College); Mankato, MN ( Pub 500); Charleston, WV (The Empty Glass); Chestertown, MD (Andy's); Wilmington, DE (Mojo 13)
Radio Play
Bebek's last album 'Open Eyes' did very well on the CMJ in the spring of 2006, charting on many stations. In all, Bebek's music has been played on 366 stations ( college, commercial, Triple A and satellite) across the country and in Europe. Go to http://www.bebekmusic.com/radio.html to check out all the details.Bebek has appeared for interviews at the following Triple A, NPR, College & Satellite Radio Stations:WFPK (Triple A - Lousville); WFDD (Winston-Salem - NPR); WHPK (University of Chicago); Wake & Shake (Satellite Radio - Nashville); KMSU (Mankato State, MN); WPUB (Pace University, NY); WBAI (Hunter College, NY); WYBF (Cabrini College, PA); WRFT (Temple University, PA)