BIO:
Bijoumiyo have taken giants strides since first appearing on the streets of hometown Cambridge late summer 2006, armed with little more than our instruments, a handful of batteries and a megaphone. Performing material which is virtually all improvised, our collective influences blend a fresh mix of progressive rock, soul, jazz and funk.
The way the band performs live is considered unique, in that the energy created by the audience actually feeds our creative force and actively dictates the evolution of the music itself. It's like fuel to the Bijou fire, this interaction really offering us an opportunity to form an intimately creative relationship with our audience through method not usually associated with more 'scripted' live performance. Energy from our surrounding environment actually has very special influence, in that it is directly translated into the creation and progression of our material at the very moment it is being created.
Whilst listing soul, funk and rock influences ranging from James Brown, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd would be obvious, Bijoumiyo has a tendency to meander between straight up sleaze funk grooves, and eerily ethereal - pop-edged mini-epics that are allowed to roam uncompromised by pre-written structures and constraints. Myles Sanko's soulful voice is encouraged to roam over the melody of delicately layered guitars, melodic keys and horns, whilst the solid and assured rhythm section provides groove and the ever-pounding heartbeat. On top of this there are often many welcome guest appearances from friends on sax, clarinet and trumpet to complete what can sometimes form up to an eight-piece group.
With regular slots across busy venues, festivals and countless hours of street performing to curious passers by, Bijoumiyo has amassed a considerable, and incredibly loyal audience spanning across all age groups. A big hit at last summers' Secret Garden Party for example, really proved that there is indeed huge demand for the original, organic music that we so passionately promote. This success is complemented by our hugely popular online presence, through which listeners can access recorded jams and find constantly updated information on an increasingly busy schedule of gig dates. We continue to enjoy recognition as the most popular Jam band on Myspace.
Having been fortunate enough to enjoy a good degree of success in the relative short-term, Bijoumiyo are looking forward to greater success for 2008 and beyond. An increasingly busy performance schedule has already dubbed us the 'hardest working band in Cambridge' and already armed with a back catalogue of hour upon hour of live recordings, we are currently working on the natural progression of continuing to produce structured tracks for promotion within the commercial market.
And by the way...
The word Bijoumiyo (so many people ask..!) is partly derived of the French word 'bijou' meaning 'jewel'. Our collective interpretation of our name roughly equates to 'Shining Jewel' - we'll be pleased to explain in more detail on request!
I'm now in the "Edinburgh's Got Talent" top 40 yipee!
To help me get into the top 20, I'll need your help. Please vote for me NOW by texting the word ENTALENT followed by a space then key 023 followed by another space then your postcode to 81800.
It would be a massive boost if you vote a couple of times and pass on details to your friends and family.
Oh, and yes of course I will treat you all to champaign and lobster when I hit the bigtime! (That's a promise)
Hey guys, take a moment if you will to check out my new look page, new song and a couple of old ones I've re-recorded and let me know what you think. Ben
Upload your music now to www.topoftheox.co.uk for a chance to win one of the biggest deals in the business. Open to all genres. Sponsored by SAE, Marshall, StarNow, Zimbalam and many other key industry names. www.topoftheox.co.uk REGISTER NOW
Hi Guys, thanks for the download - Awsome! Just given my page a new look as well as added a new song and recorded a couple of the old ones again. Drop by and take a look. Ben
Only UK show this summer!
Friday night at CB2, Cambridge 8.30pm
Live folktronica with violins, thumb piano, laptop, synth...
A few tickets left...Would love to see you!
Justin
Online!
