Lark (band)
| Lark | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2003–2009, 2011-Present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
| Website | Lark on Facebook |
| Members | |
Lark (sometimes stylised as LARK) are a South African glitch electronica band from Cape Town. Formed in 2003, the group consists of Inge Beckmann (vocals), Paul Ressel (sequencers and analog systems), Simon "Fuzzy" Ratcliffe (bass guitar and woodwinds), and Sean Ou Tim (drums and percussion). They are often cited as "groundbreaking musicians", who were the key contributors to establishing experimental and intelligent dance music in South Africa. Their name has become synonymous with musical experimentalism, and are one of country's best loved acts. Lark has released 3 studio albums, and won a SAMA for their debut album, Razbliuto!. Their music videos have been consistently met with admiration for their technically ability, and have received two MK Awards.
"When we perform with just the two of us, it’s basically up to me to do all the instrumentation. So unfortunately some of the stuff does have to be backing tracks—basslines and such."
The band formed in Cape Town, during April 2003. At the time Inge Beckmann, a classically trained jazz and opera singer, was performing with the hip-hop group Spindle Sect. She desired to create a solo electronica project with a producer “that was a team player”.Paul Ressel, performing as the Humazier, felt he needed a female vocalist to further explore his musical style. One evening, Beckmann heard some Humanizer tracks, and "instantly" realised this was the producer she wanted. A mutual friend, Dominique Gawlowski, introduced her to Ressel and, a month later, the duo named themselves Lark. They later asked Gawlowski to manage their live shows.
The duo spent time writing, in Ressel's apartment, and performing at small venues. Beckmann described this song writing process as a form of “musical exorcism”. After eight months, they went into the Sound & Motion studio in Cape Town to record their South Africa-only extended play (EP), Mouth of Me. The studio was owned by Simon Ratcliffe, a session bassist, who he engineered the recording, but did not play during the session. Produced by Ressel, the EP titled was inspired by a phrase used by Beckmann's ex-boyfriend. The EP was launched on 1 March 2005 at SOBIET in Cape Town. Ratcliffe played electric bass at the launch, and in the small crowd at the launch was, future drummer, Sean Ou Tim.
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