TIGER MIMIC: ‘WHERE THE FIRE USED TO BE’
Written/performed by Tiger Mimic,
new single is out now, produced and mastered by Kevin Vanbergen – released via 31% Wool.
All Band Shots by by Robert Alleyne.
A grand, surf-rocked entrance which then saunters across to a plaintive pop rhythm that The Shangri-Las would appreciate (before diving into dramatic storms). Tender to tearing tempos that never lose this ode’s heroic core. This is cinema as sonic vision and an alternative adventure in song. Play it loud.
It’s constantly uplifting to see appreciation bloom for the interdependent music world’s entwined scenes. Tiger Mimic, help fuel creative passion’s Uniqulture. The UK based quartet emit rays of intrigue which have gathered pace and reputation in less than two years.
Tiger Mimic formed when Jess R (vocals/keys) and Bram Johnson (guitar/vocals) arrived from New York and united with Ben Willis (bass/backing vocals) and George Latham (drums).
They immediately started recording the debut EP ‘Elephant Skeleton’ with Grammy Award winning producer, Matt Lawrence (Adele, Foals, Amy Winehouse, White Stripes). It makes sense for their wealth of music ideas.
Released in January 2019, it wowed audiences, reporters and promoters alike.
Alongside picking up favourable fans and feedback, they graced the new festivals where “It’s All Happening!” – including Cro Cro Land, The Brighton Mix-Up and The Camden Crush (Camden Rocks Fringe) – plus key music social events.
I’d previously described their aural theatre as Moulin Rouge Punk. It’s only their start but already sounds influential.
So what’s new with Tiger Mimic?
“We were very busy making the music video which we finished the day before single release and we’ve been writing so much music lately.”
More anticipations! New video, new songs!
The story behind ‘Where The Fire Used To Be’ maybe explains it’s plaintive movements.
“The song is about loss and hope, the bittersweet gratitude of having had something worth losing. The title refers to a dormant volcano that Jess and Bram once hiked, at the top there was a misty lake that had replaced all of the heat and energy one expects from a volcano. It felt like a fitting image to describe the loss of a parent, a place devoid of the life that once filled it, yet still so sad and beautiful, literally the place where the fire used to be.”
It’s hard to mimic Tiger Mimic‘s tangents of melody with mood swing musicality bursting into rock noise joys. A clash of “the surf-tinged riffs of The Pixies and the soaring cinematic vocals of Anna Calvi,” in the mix, ensures they stand alone. Tiger Mimic are fiercely bold, pulling off dynamics that some bands might save while they develop. But if you’ve got it now, flaunt it now. They have. They do. So their giggingcalendar for this year was also looking lively. No spoilers, but; “2020”.
“For a while during lockdown things got quite hard, but it’s all getting a bit better lately, so we’ve been feeling inspired again. We are really looking forward to gigging again and going to gigs, nothing compares to that.
We miss all our music family and friends from the scene. Sending everyone love.”
Recently they signed to the incredible 31% Wool. An inclusive creative consultancy combining art, music, branding, design, marketing and management with events that become a consistent talking point. Many ArtBeat faves of TheZineUK in this collective. Jess R is also a poet hearted #StageStyle vision of the new rock’n’roll and she radiates grace and suss. More about that, soon, no doubt.
In the mean time, Tiger Mimic have recorded new material, including this single, with the previously mentioned producer Kevin Vanbergen (who has also worked with The Slits, Nova Twins, Nick Cave, Depeche Mode and Kid Kapichi). The plan is for these to be released throughout 2020.
Their spring single (“springle?”) release, ‘It Was Still Dark’, was played by John Kennedy on Radio X airplay alongside radio shows on Amazing and Boogaloo in UK and Scallywag Beats, USA) and many more. It is the interdependent artwork sibling of this latest release. With so much more up their sleeves, and more radio for the new single already, Tiger Mimic are off to a strong start with ‘Where The Fire Used To Be’.
Hear here!
Words: Caffy St Luce.