Q: “Ferryman” is such an upbeat, real rock song, which isn’t heard much in 2022. Can you walk me through your creative process in making this track?
LUKE (of Birdman Cult): A Don’t be fooled – Ferryman takes on all the struggles the last 2 -4 years has had to offer. Upbeat but downtrodden. The starting point for this tune was the driving bass, after over-doing the reverb settings on the PA we fell into the intro with a monk-like chant and after slapping that round the face a contrasting chorus, the rest just seemed to fall into place.
JOE (of Birdman Cult): I’m surprised it’s seen as upbeat ha, I guess I was, worried that it was too macabre or depressing seeing as it’s about dying but the guys always do well to inject energy and pace into whatever I write so it’s quite nice to see it become more of a doomy anthem!
Q: I read a little about the origin behind the band name “Birdman Cult”; can you go a little into the history of the actual cult and why this influenced your band and the music you make?
LUKE: There’s been a rumours about how we come to naming our cult birdman- the truth is probably less exiting as the myth- The name spawned When one of our leaders Sam, who has now passed on to the other level, used to make content on MySpace under the Alias sparrow hawk. The cult grew from there and took the name birdman cult. I don’t think the cult has affected the music in any way, but the music has made the cult stronger than ever.
JOE: Yeah Sam was pretty active online before Qanon etc I think he mopped up a lot of the freaks and geeks who are now our loyal acolytes.
Q: Your music is very unique; it has nostalgic elements reminiscent of 80s and 90s rock, but also has a psychedelic rock feel. Who are your biggest musical influences?
LUKE: Most of the time we all listen to 90s hip-hop, that’s probably why it sounds retro, so I guess groups like organized confusion, lord finesse, and Pharcyde have influenced our vibe, although bands like black angles and fat white family is something we bounce off.
JOE: yeah certainly that woozy/boozy sound from the states and I love the Fat Whites right now, also bands like meatraffle, Viagra boys, wave pictures, there’s too many to mention. All of what we do has boom-bap at its foundations, it’s in our bones.
Q: Birdman Cult’s debut performance was halted just two months shy of the first March 2020 covid lockdown. What was it like creating music and gaining fans during this time?
LUKE: Covid wasn’t good for the cult. We didn’t get any chance to make music or play live, I think we actually split up for a while. After a turbulent time it was decided we move our meetings from a scout hut in the centre of Bristol out to a barn on the edge of the city. This gave us the space and isolation to connect more with Mother Earth and the cult became strong again.
JOE: covid wasn’t good for anyone at all, but definitely people who lean on busy, sweaty, indoor spaces to make a penny. I mean there’s bands out there that I imagine it truly ruined so we got off lightly in comparison, it did force us to hone our sound a little more, a luxury we might not have had if we were flat out giggin.
Q: What’s the music scene like in Bristol, England? I’ve never been out of the country and I hear the music scene in the UK is amazing.
LUKE: Bristol music sense is unparalleled – I truly believe that. Bristol is at present producing the best music of any city in the world- bands like Erotic secrets of Pompeii, Dwell , Saloon Dion, Holy popes, Junk trips, Prolemics, New American band etc are all teetering on the edge of greatness. If we were blessed to work with any of them we would have to thank our 2 main gods – eagledawn and shoDow wren. They control the ways of fate and fortune.
JOE: I agree with Luke, I feel incredibly lucky to be making music in this city , it’s a truly innovative scene and prides itself on its openness and friendly crowds. Might be the pills though, I dunno.
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist or band in the world, who would it be?
JOE: Smut Peddlers
Q: What’s next for you guys? Any tours coming up?
LUKE & JOE: There’s Possible live streams from the barn meetings and live recordings of that may be available soon. Currently, we’re concentrating on capturing the sounds coming from the Barn, possible ep coming up at the end of the summer. Fly fly my little hatchlings fly!
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
FOLLOW BIRDMAN CULT:
