Studio-Phoenix Blogspot: Music now: Bei The Fish

This months cover,
version #3. Photo by K.K.W,
taken @ Central Park 2010.
Canon 28 40mm lens,
fujifilm 400

Music Now: Bei The Fish. Article by K.K.W with photos by Bojan Vasiljevic

An amazing flow of acoustic instruments, electronics, modern Macedonian vibes with a captivating versatility, range, and depth of feeling, Bei The Fish.

Poster for a concert, and the
cover to their latest album
"Just an Idea?"
Image courtesy of the band.

In 2003 "listen" makes its debut, and "The end" is awarded best single by Cross Radio listeners(www.crossradio.org ). 2004, their invited to compose music for the theatre play "The Graduate" by director Sinisha Evtimov. Arrangements, notes, scales, beats, words, vocals, a sublime fusion, Bei the fish. 2006, "What are you fighting for?" is released on PMG records. "Bare Naked" is awarded best single by Cross Radio listeners. 2007, "Look up", released on Go East records, is awarded best Macedonian album(www.plagij.at/). At its core Bei the fish is Ognen Anastasovski-graduated double bass player, Nenad Tonkin-the programer, the brain, Valentina Minovska-Key boards, percussion's and offering the voice of a hauntingly cool angel, and the one, the only, Vladimir Nastevski-Drummer of drummers, an all around cool kat. They have been managed for the last 4 years by Vasquez Della G, whose obviously doing a great job. Within some of their sound's you can hear a laid-back, harmonized groove thats like electronica/'alternative rock' and Bosa-Nova-"Crazy people" & "I'm on my own". They twist you up and bring you round, with meaningful lyrics that resonate with the delights and hardships of life. The sound(s) float around in your mind like the wispy left-behinds of a warm bong. Tracks like "So beautiful love is, is.." offers so much more than a clever line and well placed words. Its a good time spent, regrets dispelled, and something found, Bei the fish. B.T.F's power comes out of its versatility and understanding of music(in many forms), filtered through their minds emotions, and obvious talent. "Livin' in box"(the first track I heard through Ana Piponska)off 2009's "Time to make things right"-PMG records, is a pulse-pounding, electronic, dance inducing hit(giving you what Kylie Minouge never can). The lyrics meld with the well-placed sounds forming a potent song thats hard to resist. Two music videos were made from the album, "True story" and "Livin' in a box", both produced in the U.S. The groups latest release "Just an Idea?" on PMG records, is a stunning array of musical creativity. "Its over"(with Ola Dioss) starts off with a statement then questions not only the listeners, but themselves, "what should I do, my lord? Lord what should I do?" While the keys on the piano starts it off, hard then elegant and classic(a thing of the 90's. A period of great music). Then the groovy, R&B-like chorus with a phat beat enters the fray, Bei the fish making your day. Hip-hop, R&B, Rock, Pop and electronica, its all there. "...come to us at a time when you need us most, when you need me most." Not just lyrics but words you need to hear sometimes, often you don't. "I'm on my own" is light, high-spirited track with an amazing feel(Valentina's wonderful voice), Its all the seemingly kooky, playful sounds that come with it. The song starts off like a perfect day then subtly changes, gets dramatic and drastic before you know it. Very Bosa-Nova/Operatic; its Macedonian, and a beautiful thing. Bei the fish is amazing. Without a doubt they are part of the progressive sound of the new Macedonia, and I'm feelin' it. All the way from N.Y.C, Nazdravje! If you would like to know more, go to:www.beithefish.com "Art is the reason, art is the way".