Back to Brands (and Bands) I Love: Beast

Jan 31, 2009 at 3:26 PM
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I have taken almost a full year off apparently from my Other Blog (this one) which is focused on brands and other experiences (like music) that I love. It seems that there was just too much going on this year to keep it up. But not a week went by when I didn't think about posting which caused me to think about the brands I really care for. Time to get it out there.

Beast

One Band I Cannot Live Without

I discovered Beast a little while ago and cannot live without them. They remind me of a cross between Unkle and The White Stripes (the latter only because they have such a big sound and only two people in the band). Betty Bonifassi and Jean-Phi Goncalves are Beast. They seem to be Canadian. They are definitely awesome!

Both have their own accomplishments. Betty and Jean-Phi make smart, big sounds with a gritty undertone. Songs like Devil and Mr. Hurricane satisfy the dark side.

Here is the publicist-written version of who they are (they should try writing this themselves):

Beast is an experimental union between the powerful and sensual voice of Beatrice Bonifassi and the dirty, in your face, beats of composer and drummer Jean-Phi Goncalves, both as Betty and Jean-Phi. After having wonderfully performed on the 2004 Oscar Winner Sound Track – The Triplettes de Belleville – Betty has joined since then her voice and her songwriter skills to Dj Champion to create, once again, a major impact on the local, national and international music industry. Betty’s uniquely textured voice charmed and inspired Jean-Phi, leader of Montreal’s new sensation band, Plaster. For his part, Jean-Phi has made eclecticism his own speciality. Lead drummer and original electro-jazz composer, he has taken part to many projects. From Lauryn Hill (Fugees) to Jean-Pierre Ferland (Jaune 2005), Ariane Moffat (albums/shows), Pierre Lapointe (La forêt des mal-aimés), Daniel Bélanger, to name a few, Jean-Phi has always known how to strongly impress with his own musical touch and is a sought after remixer and producer in this part of the world.

The GlobeandMail did a decent article and the professional critic descibed their sound:

Beast's music moves with the recombinant energy of a fast-moving virus, through a wide but coherent variety of styles. Blues, funk and old-time gospel all make an appearance, along with big-booted guitar melodies that recall the soundtracks of Ennio Morricone, and sweetly sinister constructions like those in the film music of Danny Elfman (to name two of Beast's favourite composers). Goncalves's production claims a big aural space, with fat bass-lines often grinding far below a recurrent high vocal sound (sometimes synthetic, sometimes real) that could stand for the promise of hope in a bleak situation, or the mockery of remote angels.

“It's very organic and electronic at the same time,” says Goncalves. However synthetic his instrumental choices, they're always grounded by Bonifassi's powerful, earthy singing.

They are touring Canada now and will be at SXSW. I am a dedicated fan and hope they cpome to 9:30 Club.