Bilinda Butcher

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Bilinda Butcher
My Bloody Valentine 2009.05.29 003.jpg
Bilinda Butcher performing in 2009
Background information
Birth nameBilinda Jayne Butcher
Born (1961-09-16) 16 September 1961 (age 63)
London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1987–present
Labels
Member of My Bloody Valentine

Bilinda Jayne Butcher (born 16 September 1961) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter, who achieved international fame as a vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine. Their studio albums Isn't Anything (1988) and Loveless (1991) established Butcher as a pioneering figure in the shoegaze genre.

Contents

Early life

Butcher was born and raised in London and later relocated with her parents and older sister Jo-Anne to Golden Valley, Derbyshire, a small hamlet in the countryside. Her forename is an alternate spelling of Belinda and was chosen by her mother. Butcher has been quoted as saying, "if I'd been a guy I would have been named Bill, but since I was a girl it became Bilinda". [1]

Butcher has said that growing up in Golden Valley she was considered "a weirdo" as she wore clothes based on 1920s fashion and listened to records on a portable gramophone. Butcher stated: "My mother thought I was up in the clouds. I never watched the news or read the papers; it was like I lived in another era. Everybody was into punk and I was living in the '20s and '30s." [1] At age sixteen, Butcher moved back to London and began studying dance at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, [2] but left after a year.

After leaving Trinity Laban, Butcher worked as a nanny for a French family in London for six months and later moved to Paris for another six months with her partner. The pair moved back to London, squatting in Brixton, and had a child, Toby.

Music career

My Bloody Valentine

Butcher performing with My Bloody Valentine in 1989 Bilinda Butcher.jpg
Butcher performing with My Bloody Valentine in 1989

Butcher was recruited as a vocalist for My Bloody Valentine in April 1987. She replaced original vocalist David Conway and shared vocal duties briefly with Joe Byfield. Butcher, whose prior musical experience was playing classical guitar as a child and singing and playing tambourine "with some girlfriends for fun", learned that the group needed a backing vocalist from her boyfriend, who had met drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig on a ferry from the Netherlands. At her audition for the band, she sang "The Bargain Store", a song from Dolly Parton's 1975 album of the same name. [3] She was chosen as a vocalist ahead of a girl called Julie who was in a relationship with Douglas Hart from The Jesus and Mary Chain. [1]

Butcher was featured as co-vocalist and co-guitarist on My Bloody Valentine's non-album single, "Strawberry Wine", and the band's second mini album, Ecstasy , both of which were released in 1987 on Lazy Records. She performed vocals and guitar on all further My Bloody Valentine releases, until the band's second studio album Loveless (1991), on which her guitar duties were performed by co-vocalist and guitarist Kevin Shields. [4] She contributed a third of the lyrics to Isn't Anything (1988) and Loveless, [5] as well as other releases including You Made Me Realise (1988), Glider (1990) and Tremolo (1991).

My Bloody Valentine attempted to record a third studio album after signing with Island Records in October 1992 for a reported £250,000 contract. [6] The band's advance went towards the construction of a home studio in Streatham, South London, which was completed in April 1993. Several technical problems with the studio sent the band into "semi-meltdown", according to Shields. [7]

Despite suggestions to the contrary, Butcher never left the band, although she did leave the home studio in Streatham. My Bloody Valentine reunited in 2007, [8] and released their third album, m b v , in 2013.

Other collaborations

During My Bloody Valentine's hiatus, Butcher collaborated with two major bands. She performed lead vocals on two tracks—"Ballad Night" and "Casino Kisschase"—on the hip hop band Collapsed Lung's album Cooler (1996), [9] and performed backing vocals on the Dinosaur Jr song "I Don't Think" from Hand It Over (1997). [10]

At Primavera Sound in 2013, Butcher performed with The Jesus and Mary Chain, providing vocals on "Just Like Honey". [11]

Artistry

Butcher's vocals have been referred to as a trademark of My Bloody Valentine's sound, alongside Kevin Shields' guitar techniques. On a number of occasions during the recording of Isn't Anything, Butcher was awoken and recorded vocals, which she said "influenced [her] sound" by making them "more dreamy and sleepy". A similar process was used during the recording of Loveless, on which her vocals have been described as "dreamy [and] sensual". Explaining the situation, Butcher said: "often when we do vocals, it's 7:30 in the morning; I've usually just fallen asleep and have to be woken up to sing … I'm usually trying to remember what I've been dreaming about when I'm singing". [12] Her singing was originally influenced by Françoise Hardy and later by Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. [1]

Butcher wrote a third of the lyrics on both Isn't Anything and Loveless. According to Butcher, she "didn't have a plan and never thought about lyrics until it was time to write them. I just used whatever was in my head for the moment". [1] Some of her lyrics were written as a result of attempting to understand rough versions of songs Shields had recorded. Butcher has said: "He [Shields] never sang any words on the cassettes I got but I tried to make his sounds into words. It always became my own thing in the end though". [1]

While Butcher also plays guitar, she has said that she felt she "was never a great guitarist". [13] Butcher uses a number of offset guitars, and her most notable instruments include the Fender electric guitars Jaguars, Jazzmasters [14] and Mustangs. [15] On occasion, Butcher uses a Charvel Surfcaster, [14] which she has referred to as her favourite guitar. When performing live, Butcher uses a minimal number of effects pedals and processors. [14]

During her adolescence, Butcher became a fan of gothic rock bands such as Bauhaus, and later post-punk artists such as The Birthday Party. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Bloody Valentine (band)</span> Irish-English alternative rock band

My Bloody Valentine are an Irish-English alternative rock band formed in Dublin in 1983 and consisting since 1987 of founding members Kevin Shields and Colm Ó Cíosóig, with Bilinda Butcher and Debbie Googe (bass). Their work is characterized by warped, distorted guitar textures, subdued androgynous vocals, and unorthodox production techniques. They are widely cited as a pioneering act in the shoegaze genre.

<i>Loveless</i> (album) 1991 studio album by My Bloody Valentine

Loveless is the second studio album by the Irish-English rock band My Bloody Valentine. It was released on 4 November 1991 in the United Kingdom by Creation Records and in the United States by Sire Records. The album was recorded between February 1989 and September 1991, with vocalist and guitarist Kevin Shields leading sessions and experimenting with guitar vibrato, non standard tunings, digital sampling, and meticulous production methods. The band recorded at nineteen different studios and hired several engineers during the album's prolonged recording, with its final production cost rumoured to have reached £250,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Shields</span> Irish musician (born 1963)

Kevin Patrick Shields is an Irish musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, who achieved international fame as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine. Their studio albums Isn't Anything (1988) and Loveless (1991) established Shields as a pioneering figure in the shoegaze genre. His texturised guitar sound and his experimentation with his guitars' tremolo systems resulted in the creation of the "glide guitar" technique, which became a recognisable aspect of My Bloody Valentine's sound, along with his meticulous production techniques.

<i>Isnt Anything</i> 1988 studio album by My Bloody Valentine

Isn't Anything is the debut studio album by Irish-English rock band My Bloody Valentine, released on 21 November 1988 by Creation Records. Its innovative guitar and production techniques consolidated the experimentation of the band's preceding EPs and would make the album a pioneering work of the subgenre known as shoegazing. Upon its release, the album received rave critical reviews and reached No. 1 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.

<i>Tremolo</i> (EP) 1991 EP by My Bloody Valentine

Tremolo E.P. is an extended play by Irish-English alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine, released in February 1991 by Creation Records. The EP was a critical success and topped the UK Indie Chart. It featured the single "To Here Knows When", which subsequently appeared on the band's second album Loveless.

<i>Glider</i> (EP) 1990 EP by My Bloody Valentine

Glider is an EP by Irish-English rock band My Bloody Valentine, released in April 1990 by Creation Records. The EP was also the group's first release on the Sire Records label in the United States. Containing the lead single "Soon", which featured Kevin Shields' "glide guitar" technique, the EP peaked at number 2 on the UK Indie Chart, and the band toured in summer 1990 to support its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strawberry Wine (My Bloody Valentine song)</span> 1987 single by My Bloody Valentine

"Strawberry Wine" is a song by the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine. It was released as a non-album single on 9 November 1987 on Lazy Records. It was the band's second release for Lazy and the first to feature vocalist and guitarist Bilinda Butcher, who had joined the band in April 1987 following the departure of original vocalist David Conway.

<i>Feed Me with Your Kiss</i> 1988 EP by My Bloody Valentine

"Feed Me with Your Kiss" is a song by the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine, and was released as a single and also the lead track to the EP of the same name through Creation Records. It is the seventh track and lead single from the band's debut studio album Isn't Anything. It was released on 31 October 1988.

<i>Ecstasy</i> (My Bloody Valentine album) 1987 EP by My Bloody Valentine

Ecstasy is the second mini album by the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine, released on 23 November 1987 on Lazy Records. Released in a limited edition of 3,000 copies, it was the band's final release for Lazy Records and second to feature vocalist and guitarist Bilinda Butcher, who was recruited in April 1987 following the departure of original My Bloody Valentine vocalist David Conway. Ecstasy followed the noise pop and twee pop standards of My Bloody Valentine's earlier releases for the label, drawing influence from various artists including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Love and The Byrds, and the album distanced the band further from their earlier post-punk and gothic rock sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colm Ó Cíosóig</span> Irish musician (born 1964)

Colm Ó Cíosóig is an Irish musician and songwriter, who achieved international fame as the drummer for the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine. Their studio albums Isn't Anything (1988) and Loveless (1991) established Ó Cíosóig as a pioneering figure in the shoegaze genre.

<i>Ecstasy and Wine</i> 1989 compilation album by My Bloody Valentine

Ecstasy and Wine is a compilation album by the Irish-English alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine, released in February 1989 on Lazy Records. It features the band's second mini album, Ecstasy, and the single "Strawberry Wine", both of which were previously released on Lazy Records in November 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Shallow</span> 1992 single by My Bloody Valentine

"Only Shallow" is a song by the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine. It is the opening track and second single from the band's second studio album, Loveless (1991), released on Creation Records. Written by Kevin Shields and Bilinda Butcher, "Only Shallow" features Shields' distinctive guitar sound—a technique known as "glide guitar"—characterized by heavy use of a tremolo bar while strumming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Bloody Valentine discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by the Irish alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine

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<i>EPs 1988–1991</i> 2012 compilation album by My Bloody Valentine

EP's 1988–1991 is a compilation album by Irish-English shoegaze band My Bloody Valentine, released on 4 May 2012 via Sony. It features four of the band's extended plays for Creation Records—You Made Me Realise (1988), Feed Me with Your Kiss (1988), Glider (1990) and Tremolo (1991)—and seven additional rare and unreleased songs.

<i>m b v</i> 2013 studio album by My Bloody Valentine

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The Complex were an Irish punk rock band formed in 1979 in Dublin. The band's membership consisted of Liam Ó Maonlaí, Kevin Shields (guitar), Colm Ó Cíosóig (drums) and a bassist known only as Mark. The Complex disbanded in 1981 after Ó Maonlaí's departure. Although unsuccessful on the Dublin post-punk music scene, members of The Complex later formed successful alternative rock bands, including My Bloody Valentine and Hothouse Flowers.

David Conway is an Irish author and former musician. He was the original vocalist of the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine, which he formed in 1983 with guitarist Kevin Shields and drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig. In 1987, during their minor underground success, Conway left the band and was replaced by Bilinda Butcher.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Johannesson, Ika (3 September 2008). "TD Archive: My Bloody Valentine's Bilinda Butcher Interviewed". Totally Dublin . Totally Partner. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  2. ↑ Barron, Jack (10 December 1988). "Dream Demons". NME . IPC Media . Retrieved 20 February 2008.
  3. ↑ Carew, Anthony. "My Bloody Valentine Biography – Artist Profile". About . InterActiveCorp. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  4. ↑ McGonigal 2007, p. 50–51.
  5. ↑ McGonigal 2007, p. 78.
  6. ↑ Stubbs, David (1999). "Sweetheart Attack: My Bloody Valentine's Isn't Anything is the Eighties Rock Album". Uncut (February 1999). IPC Media.
  7. ↑ McGonigal 2007, p. 101–102.
  8. ↑ Cohen, Jonathan (7 November 2007). "Shields Confirms My Bloody Valentine Reunion". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  9. ↑ Cooler (CD). Collapsed Lung. Deceptive Records. 1996. BLUFF 031 CDS.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ "Hand It Over – Dinosaur Jr: Credits". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  11. ↑ "Video: The Jesus and Mary Chain plays Just Like Honey with MBV's Bilinda Butcher". Slicing Up Eyeballs . 25 May 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  12. ↑ DeRogatis, Jim (2 December 2001). "A Love Letter to Guitar-Based Rock Music". Chicago Sun-Times . Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on 6 March 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  13. ↑ McGonigal 2007 , pp. 50–51
  14. 1 2 3 Cooper, Adam (February 1991). "Bilinda Butcher of My Bloody Valentine". GuitarGeek. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "The Fender Mustang® Guitar | Fender News & Tech Talk". Fender Musical Instruments Corporation . Retrieved 13 March 2013.

Bibliography

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