Vocals - Monika Lidke
Guitar - Kristian Borring
Double bass - Tim Fairhall
Drums - Chris Nickolls
Bass on "Beauty of the beast" - Shez Raja
Acoustic guitar on "Higher self" - Jerzy Bielski
Engineered by Mark Tucker
Influences
Polish rock bands my brother used to listen to when I was ten years old are definitely my first strong musical influences: Lady Pank, Republika, Maanam, Lombard, Bajm, and when I started playing the classical guitar I got into J.S. Bach, H.V. Lobos, Dowland and so many others... For Jazz singers the one and only Ella, then Billie, and yes! Chet Baker! Al Jarreau, Urszula Dudziak, Cassandra Wilson, Doris Day, Julie London, Norah Jones, Stacey Kent, Edie Brickel, Diana Krall, Rickie Lee Jones.... and the unique Eva Cassidy.... Others? Miles, Marcus Miller, Count Basie, Keith Jarret, Brubeck, Tuck and Patty, Metheny, Dave Mathew..s Band... Jorane, Leszek Mozdzer
..
Born in Poland, I sung in a choir as a child and later studied classical guitar with Cezary Strokosz. Thanks to this man, who quickly became a dear friend, I was involved in organising several guitar festivals. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life: gathering people who hold the same passion for music to watch them share what they do best...
I went to Paris in 1992 to study singing, theatre and dance under the direction of Christian Pages at Ecole Superieure du Spectacle. It was a wonderful experience and the beginning of a musical journey full of interesting encounters.
In Paris I also studied jazz singing with an incredible singer-songwriter Carole Simon who paints beautiful landscapes with sounds and words. Her lyrics in French are exquisite.
Paris was a place where I absorbed and experimented a lot. No Way was the trilingual project with which I composed eclectic tunes and arranged guerrilla gigs on the tube. We attracted a devoted audience thanks to the unconventional methods of publicity that we used. A documentary about underground musicians called “On entend rien ici” describes our approach.
I co-wrote songs with many different people, Channel No Zinc being one of the most important collaborations. I realised then that I had a very personal vision for my songs and started feeling unhappy with the compromises that co-writing requires. I also noticed that different languages asked for certain musical approaches and I instinctively surrendered my song ideas to the language that seemed to impose itself. I craved the total freedom; I wanted my songs to emerge raw and untouched by speculation on how they should sound.
Nowadays, songs just seem to happen: they knock on my door at the most unexpected moments and wait to be brought to life.
In 2004 I was looking for a change: I decided to learn more about jazz and chose London. I was lucky to meet the exciting performer and jazz educator Anita Wardell. Her style is brave, unique and uncompromising. The freedom that comes from knowledge and experience is pure joy.
London is a very dynamic, welcoming and multicultural place and it continues to surprise me. Walks by the river Thames inspired songs such as “Barnes Bridge” and “Higher self”. An English breakfast witnessed the birth of “Bread on toast”: a song so impatient that it had to be written on the spot, on a “Metro” newspaper, next to a plate of fried eggs and bacon.
My debut album “Waking up to Beauty” is a celebration of life. Life’s beauty, its creative mistakes, the variety of influences and its incessant movement are all expressed here.
The intimate lyrics reflect with gratitude on many past experiences, and a good splash of humour spices it all up.
The enchanting and dreamy essence of the album is heightened by references to fairy tales and stories such as “The little Prince”, “Beauty and the beast”, “Sleeping beauty”.
"Waking up to Beauty" is an intimate and life affirming set of songs in three languages: English, Polish and French, with the predominance of English. It is about growing and learning: facing the beast to discover the beauty, having “bread on toast” just to be able to do music, burning and building bridges and always hoping that what comes from the heart will be heard with the heart.
The music never stops... Music is for me one of the wonders of this world and I thank all the people who make this dream a reality.
You have surely heard about the tragic death of a brave young woman who was murdered in Iran just for peacefully protesting with her father on the streets of Teheran.
Monika! How are you?? Great to hear from you and to hear another dose of bread on toast too! Thanks for your lovely message. yes, Carole sounds gorgeous! I look forward to meeting her if I can make it in crest, not 100% sure yet. Hope to see you soon! Love, Brigitte x
Hi monica, thanks for finding me and the lovely compliment! Are you a Hackney girl too? Me and Tara (my flat-mate, a jazz vocalist as well) were listening to your music and really like it. Bread on Toast is great, really happy. We're going to come and see you at The Others. Take care until then, Irene x
Hi there! Black Bile Extempore, an album with our deconstruction of John Dowland’s galliard Can She Excuse will be released on August 20 during the Happy Nordic Music Days in Oslo. The CD release will be celebrated with a duo performance on guitars and electronics at Sound of Mu at 20:00 on August 20. This performance is organized by NoTAM, the studio in Oslo where the album was recorded. All best!/The Black Bile Galliards
4-7 of June - FINDAMORALE FESTIVAL 2009, HOXTON, LONDON. with SUPER double bills from Paris on 5th and 6th of June featuring 1) - HADRIEN FERAUD (Bireli Lagrene, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea) and RUMEURS 2) - LINLEY MARTHE ( Joe Zawinul, Mino Cinelu, Dave Liebman, Trilok Gurtu, Richard Galliano) Project. You will have a rare chance to see these two bands on one night for the price of one! Only at CHARLIE WRIGHT'S INTERNATIONAL (45 Pitfield Street, N1 6DA). For more info call 07918635328 or go www.myspace.com/charliewrights
Hey Monika! You have a lovely voice! I really enjoyed your songs! You play guitar also?... I use to play alot of classical guitar- now i mainly play indie or folk guitar. I enjoy composing songs on the guitar! Take care, -Josh. Dobranoc.
