Miki Berenyi

Last updated

Miki Berenyi
Miki Lush.jpeg
Berenyi on stage in 1994
Background information
Birth nameMiki Eleonora Berenyi
Born (1967-03-18) 18 March 1967 (age 56)
Chelsea, London, England
Genres Alternative rock, shoegaze
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar
Years active1987–1998, 2015–present

Miki Eleonora Berenyi (born 18 March 1967) [1] is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known as a member of the alternative rock band Lush and currently a member of Piroshka. [2] [3]

Contents

Biography

Berenyi circa 1990 Lush011.jpg
Berenyi circa 1990

Berenyi was born in Chelsea, London to a Japanese mother, [4] actress Yasuko Nagazumi, and Hungarian father, Ivan Berenyi. She is also a second cousin of the Japanese singer-songwriter Cornelius. [5] [6]

At age 14, Berenyi met friend and future bandmate Emma Anderson while both were students at Queen's College. They became interested in music and together published a music fanzine, Alphabet Soup (which lasted for five issues). [7] Berenyi first played bass with the band the Bugs. [8] In 1987, Berenyi studied English literature at North London Polytechnic, where she met drummer Chris Acland and singer Meriel Barham. Along with Anderson, they decided to form their own band, originally called the Baby Machines. [9] [7] Bassist Steve Rippon joined and they changed their name to Lush. When Barham left, "the remaining members of Lush placed ads in local papers looking for Barham's replacement, but they couldn't find the singer they wanted and Berenyi took over the vocals". [7]

From 1987 until 1996, she played with Lush, releasing several albums, singles and music videos and toured extensively through the UK, North America, Japan, Australia and other countries. [7] [10] She and Acland also collaborated with members of Cocteau Twins and Moose, releasing one song in 1991 under the name Lillies. [11] [12]

Lush officially announced their breakup in February 1998, [7] following Acland's death by suicide in October 1996.

After Lush split, Berenyi appeared on The Rentals' album Seven More Minutes (1999). She also contributed vocals to a remix of a Flat 7 track by Robin Guthrie (who also produced Lush's early work) and appeared on Seinking Ships' debut album, Museum Quality Capture, released in 2010. [13] [14]

When asked if she missed anything about her time in Lush, Berenyi stated, "I miss the excitement and energy of playing live and the camaraderie of touring—being with the band and crew in a foreign country is like going on holiday with your mates but even more fun because it's free." [15] She also said, "I enjoyed being in the band immensely, I'm glad I did it". [16]

Berenyi later worked for a magazine as a sub-editor [17] and did not perform for many years. She explained: "I was never a proper guitarist—only in the context of Lush. I played the guitar to write songs on and to play live". [15]

Lush, including Berenyi, announced a reunion on 28 September 2015, with former Elastica drummer Justin Welch taking over for Acland. [18] They toured extensively throughout 2016 and released an EP of new material; "Blind Spot" in April of that year. [19] [20] Bassist Phil King left the band in October 2016 and as a consequence Lush played their final farewell gig, with Michael Conroy of Modern English on bass at Manchester Academy on 25 November 2016.

In September 2018, Berenyi announced that she had formed a new band, Piroshka, with Welch, Conroy and former Moose member K.J. "Moose" McKillop. [21] Berenyi and partner McKillop have two children. [22] Their debut album, Brickbat, was released by Bella Union on 15 February 2019. [23]

Influences

In 2020, Berenyi cited The Shangri-Las as an influence for their harmonies and lyrics. [24] She has also cited ABBA and The Smiths as influences.

Related Research Articles

Shoegaze is a subgenre of indie and alternative rock characterized by its ethereal mixture of obscured vocals, guitar distortion and effects, feedback, and overwhelming volume. It emerged in Ireland and the United Kingdom in the late 1980s among neo-psychedelic groups who usually stood motionless during live performances in a detached, non-confrontational state. The name comes from the heavy use of effects pedals, as the performers were often looking down at their pedals during concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lush (band)</span> English rock band

Lush were an English rock band formed in London in 1987. The original line-up consisted of Miki Berenyi, Emma Anderson, Steve Rippon and Chris Acland (drums). Phil King replaced Rippon in 1991. They were one of the first bands to have been described with the "shoegazing" label. Following the death of Acland, the group disbanded in 1996.

<i>Seven More Minutes</i> 1999 studio album by The Rentals

Seven More Minutes is the second studio album by American rock band The Rentals, released on April 13, 1999, and features numerous guests, including Petra Haden, Donna Matthews, Miki Berenyi, Tim Wheeler, Kevin March, and Damon Albarn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justine Frischmann</span> English musician

Justine Elinor Frischmann is an English artist and retired musician. She was the lead singer of the Britpop band Elastica after forming Suede, before retiring from the music industry and pursuing a career as an artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Acland</span> English drummer and songwriter (1966–1996)

Christopher John Dyke Acland was an English drummer and songwriter. He was the drummer of the London-based alternative rock band Lush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil King (musician)</span> Musical artist

Phil King is an English musician perhaps best known for being the bassist of Lush. From 2007 to 2015 he was the touring bass player/rhythm guitar player for The Jesus and Mary Chain having previously toured with the group from 1997 to 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emma Anderson</span> Musical artist

Emma Anderson is an English musician. She is best known for being a songwriter, guitarist and singer in the shoegazing/Britpop band Lush.

Justin Steven Welch is an English musician, best known as the drummer in Elastica, Suede, and later the drummer in Lush. Welch is currently the drummer of The Jesus and Mary Chain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elastica</span> British rock band

Elastica were an English rock band formed in London in 1992 by ex-Suede members Justine Frischmann and Justin Welch. The band was stylistically influenced by punk rock, post-punk and new wave music. The band's members changed several times, with Frischmann and Welch being the only members who remained in Elastica from its formation to its dissolution.

<i>Spooky</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Lush

Spooky is the debut studio album by English rock band Lush. It was released on 27 January 1992 by 4AD. The album, produced by Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins, followed the band's mini album, Scar (1989), several extended play releases, and the compilation album Gala (1990). Spooky reached the UK Top 10 and topped the national indie charts. The album produced three singles: "Nothing Natural", "For Love" and "Superblast!".

Moose were a British indie rock band who formed in London in 1990. The original line-up included Russell Yates, K.J. "Moose" McKillop (guitar), Damien Warburton (drums), and Jeremy Tishler (bass). After Warburton and Tishler left the band they were replaced with Lincoln Fong (bass), his brother Russell (guitar), and Richard Thomas (drums). Other members have included Mig Moorland (drums) and Mick Conroy (keyboards).

<i>Split</i> (Lush album) 1994 studio album by Lush

Split is the second studio album by English rock band Lush, released on 4AD on 13 June 1994 in the United Kingdom and a day later in the US. Two commercial singles were released from the album: "Desire Lines" and "Hypocrite", both released on 30 May 1994. Split was reissued by 4AD on CD in July 2001.

<i>Lovelife</i> (album) 1996 studio album by Lush

Lovelife is the fourth and final studio album by English rock band Lush. It was released on 5 March 1996 by 4AD. On Lovelife, the band moved away from their earlier dream pop and shoegazing style and embraced a more Britpop-oriented sound. The album was produced by Pete Bartlett and the band at Protocol Studios in London, and engineered by Giles Hall. Three songs were released as singles: "Single Girl", "Ladykillers", and "500 ", all of which achieved moderate success on the UK Singles Chart, reaching the top 30 positions. On release, Lovelife reached number eight on the UK Albums Chart.

The Lillies were an indie rock band formed as a collaboration between members of the bands Cocteau Twins, Lush and Moose.

<i>Scar</i> (Lush album) 1989 EP by Lush

Scar is a mini album by English rock band Lush. It was released on 9 October 1989 on 4AD. Originally intended to be a three-track single release, Scar was produced by John Fryer and the band themselves and recorded at London's Blackwing Studios in 1989.

<i>Sweetness and Light</i> (EP) 1990 EP by Lush

Sweetness and Light is the second extended play by the English alternative rock band Lush. It was released on 15 October 1990 on 4AD. Featuring a less abrasive sound than the band's earlier releases, the title track was also released as Lush's first single and included the B-side "Breeze".

<i>Black Spring</i> (EP) 1991 EP by Lush

Black Spring is the third extended play by the English alternative rock band Lush. It was released on 7 October 1991 on 4AD. The opening track, "Nothing Natural", was released as a single with the B-side "God's Gift". Several other songs were included on the EP, including a cover version of "Lady" by Dennis Wilson.

Hard Skin is an English punk group from Gipsy Hill, London who play in the early UK Oi! style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladykillers (song)</span> 1996 single by Lush

"Ladykillers" is a song by English rock band Lush. It was released through 4AD on 26 February 1996 as the second single from the band's third studio album, Lovelife (1996). Known for its feminist themes, the song became one of the band's bigger hits, peaking at No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 18 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and No. 15 on the Canadian RPM Alternative 30 chart. The song appeared in the video game NCAA Football 06.

"Ciao!" is a song by English alternative rock band Lush from their 1996 album, Lovelife. Written as a duet sung from the perspective of a breakup, the song was written by Miki Berenyi with Jarvis Cocker of Pulp making a guest appearance to sing the male vocals.

References

  1. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  2. Erlewine, Stephen. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  3. "LUSH Remembered - Discography". Lightfromadeadstar.org. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  4. "lush interview from go (loooong)". Eyesore.no. 18 May 1996. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  5. "second cousins - his grandfather and mine were brothers". Twitter. 2 October 2022.
  6. Carpenter, Lorraine (2 October 2007). "Miki Berenyi". Under the Radar . Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "LUSH Remembered - Biographies". Lightfromadeadstar.org. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  8. "LUSH Remembered - Miki's Reminiscences". Lightfromadeadstar.org. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  9. Thompson, Dave (2000) Alternative Rock, Miller Freeman, ISBN   0-87930-607-6, p. 478-9
  10. "Lush - 'Record Collector' Article". Curve.demon.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  11. Miki Berenyi of Lush in the Von Pip Musical Express Interview, contains a link to the title
  12. Bonner, Michael (October 1991). "Lillies". Lime Lizard. London: Lime Lizard Ltd. ISSN   0961-8104. OCLC   500000024.
  13. Deville, Chris (24 April 2014). "Stars Of Britpop: Where Are They Now?". Stereogum.com. Stereogum. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  14. Dan, Jen (30 August 2010). "Interview with Seinking Ships". Adequacy.net. Delusions of Adequacy. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  15. 1 2 "The VPME | "Sweetness And Light"- The Miki Berenyi Interview 2008". Vonpipmusicalexpress.wordpress.com. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  16. "The VPME | Old Favourites-Lush". Vonpipmusicalexpress.wordpress.com. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  17. Lorraine Carpenter (1 October 2007). "Miki Berenyi: Lush's Former Singer Reminisces on Britpop". UnderTheRadarMag.com. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  18. "Lush". Facebook.com. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  19. "We've been away for ages and ages, but we're really excited..." Facebook.com.
  20. "Lush". Facebook.com. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  21. "members of Lush, Elastica, Moose, and Modern English form new band Piroshka". BrooklynVegan.com. 26 September 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  22. Aston, Martin (2013). Facing the Wrong Way: The Story of 4AD. The Friday Project.
  23. "Piroskhka - "Everlastingly Yours"". Stereogum.com. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  24. Berenyi, Miki. "My Favorite Album: Miki Berenyi of Piroshka on The Shangri-Las' "Shangri-Las-65!"". undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 28 March 2020.