Birdeatsbaby more than a word
Interview conducted Jan. 07, 2019
by Dan Locke
Dark progressive rock band from Brighton, UK. Birdeatsbaby blend elements of rock, classical and metal music to create a sound that’s striking and unique. Their live shows are spectacle not to be missed.
Press quotes:
“Kate Bush on acid” – Powerplay Rock and Metal Magazine
“A touch of class…hints of everyone from ELO to Marilyn Manson” – Q Magazine
“Splendid cabaret style art-rock” – BBC 6Music (Chris Hawkins)
“Tori Amos and Muse bewildering a church coffee morning” – Prog Magazine
Band Members
Mishkin Fitzgerald – Piano, Vocals
Hana Maria – Violin, Cello, Vocals
Garry Mitchell – Bass, Guitar
Anna Mylee – Drums, Percussion
What came first the classical or Metal?
Definitely, the classical – Mishkin was raised on church hymns, Holst, Chopin, Satie, and Beethoven. And some Jimi Hendrix.
What were the Best Elbows from The Charlie Award 2017?
Clearly, we are the band with the best elbows and Charlie agrees. Challenge us if you dare.
What was your musical up bring like?
Mishkin – I grew up singing and playing piano/organ at a church in London. I was heavily influenced by choral music and classical but later progressed into all things dark and moody. The discovery of heavy metal, punk, and progressive music was a revelation for me and I became obsessed with many totes the disappointment of my family. They encouraged my piano playing but not so much my guitar!
How met Gerry at the University of Brighton. What were you studying at the time? And how did you know you could make music together?
Mishkin – Garry and I were studying composition when we met. We were polar opposites in many ways but the common ground was wanting to form a band that was completely different from anything we’d heard before. I had already begun the songs with a drummer and violinist so Garry joined on bass and we formed Birdeatsbaby officially in 2009 with our album „Here She Comes-a-Tumblin. It was labeled „punk cabaret“ or „dark cabaret“ but we always wanted to push things further musically and over the years we’ve done that.
How did your name come about?
Mishkin – I had bad insomnia during my teenage years and had vivid and disturbing dreams. The entirety of „Here She Comes-a-Tumblin’ was inspired and written during this period of my life.
You are self-funded. How well is your crowdfunding doing?
It’s going great – we have a fantastic group called The Flock who are ever-growing and support us, even when our music goes in strange and different directions. Currently, we’re using Patreon as a funding platform and we quite enjoy that.
Mishkin- What is full-time dweeb?
It means I can only commit some of my time to music sadly, as I must spend a lot being a dweeb.
Mishkin- Zelda?
The best game ever made.
Mishkin- How good it the Veggie food at Profumo di Pane?
I’m not sure, I don’t remember this particular experience but it sounds promising.
What is the best recipe for a Vegan dish?
Mac n Cheese. Garry makes the sauce with Engevita and mustard. It’s rather delicious although not very healthy. He makes it when I’ve had a bad day or if it’s my birthday.
Hana- You play the harp. How did you discover it?
I decided it was time for a new instrument – the violin is beautiful but it’s not great for accompanying yourself when you sing. It’s expanded my musical abilities as well as opened up a whole new world of songwriting. And it looks cool.
Hana- Tell me about Wednesday Child?
Wednesday’s Child is my first solo harp record – it’s a gothic fairytale with an accompanying book (out soon) about a doomed princess’s demise. Cheery stuff. If you like a bit of goth in your folk then it’s the album for you.
Hana- you were born during a hurricane?
Yes. Under a rebel moon. Listen to my album it explains everything.
Hana – you play the violin like Jimi Hendrix? Are you left-handed?
Apparently so. No, I’m not left-handed, just always right.
Hana- Have you heard of The Great Kat?
No
Hana- How was it to work with Lana Del Rey?
Great, but she was a bit of a softie.
Hana- I interviewed an artist I think you will enjoy. Jett Kwong https://www.unratedmag.com/shimmering-experimental-pop-that-who-jett-kwong-is/
Check her out.
Ok, thanks
Anna- How is it being a kick-ass drummer?
Haha! All good so far! Enjoying it for sure.
Anna- You are now a part of the Ludwig Artist family. Who is your favorite drummer?
John Bonham has always been one of my main influences which explains the kit I have. However, my main influences are more Jeff Porcaro (TOTO) and Pat Torpey (Mr. Big). They were two giants!
Anna- Now that Motley Crue is about to go on tour. And they had a female drummer (Samantha Maloney) between 2000-2004. Would you love to be that drummer?
Not really. I have nothing against their music, I actually quite enjoy but they are a few reasons why I would never join such a band. Firstly, I find it a bit of a joke those bands who go back on tour after doing a farewell tour… I never understood it. I think it’s deceiving and disrespectful to the fans to lie in order to promote their tours. If you’re not sure it will be the last tour, just don’t promote it as such! Besides, I really don’t see Motley Crue as a feminist band just because they had a female drummer. I think the movie ‘The Dirt” illustrates my point quite well. I hadn’t seen a movie in which women were degraded this much in a while. It’s like saying that someone who votes extreme right parties is not racist because he’s got that foreign colleague at work…
Gerry- fretless or fret?
Fretless, of course.
Gerry- What year, make and model guitar do you play?
It depends which one – currently a PRS SE and a Marcus Miller fretless bass. I don’t know when they were made that’s not important it’s how they sound that matters.
Garry- How did you start playing guitar and bass?
Listening to Pink Floyd in my teens led me to my first guitar. It was either buy that or an engagement ring for my girlfriend at the time. Needless to say, I didn’t get married.
If you had to pick five videos which reflect your band the best, which videos were they be.
Painkiller
Temple
Mary
My Arms Will Open Wide
Deathbed Confession
How long did it take you to get your latest cd “The World Conspires” ready to be released?
About three and a half years! We went through a lot during this time.
I can hear the unmistakable work of John Fryer in your production. How did you get the chance to work with him?
We met through a mutual friend, online at first then finally in person during one trip to LA. He’s a lovely guy with a brilliant vision, definitely the right person for this album. We’re incredibly happy with the sound of The World Conspires, it’s by far the best production we’ve ever had.
Are you planning to tour behind the CD?
Of course. We already did a short tour of Germany but we’re returning to mainland Europe in May/June 2020 then on to America later in the year.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Not much has changed, we’re just even sexier and play even more instruments. No joke, we just bought a baritone euphonium and planning on a trumpet…
Anything in closing?
Well, we’ve just released our most ambitious album so far. We better get started on the next one… please do support us on Patreon if you’d like to get access to the Birdeatsbaby VIP lounge.
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