Big|Brave: Chaos In Bloom

BIG|BRAVE have had a stellar 2024 so far. Not only have the Montreal trio released a brilliant new album in A Chaos Of Flowers, one that really demonstrates their massive minimalism sound in stunning fashion with the songs being inspired by various poems, but they have also just completed successful European tour in support of the album. We caught up with BIG|BRAVE guitarist Matieu Ball to talk about both A Chaos Of Flowers and the tour as well as what the rest of the year holds for BIG|BRAVE.

We begin our chat with Matieu as he tells us about the impact that A Chaos Of Flowers has had already. “Although it is a slightly different record for us, the reaction has been incredible. I’d say we’ve somehow reached a wider audience with this one. We are thrilled!”

Matieu then explains about how the songs on the album were inspired by various forms of poetry. “Robin chose these poems because the messages conveyed in them, no matter when they were initially written, resonate today just as much today as ever. The struggle continues.”

On the subject of using poetry as inspiration for the music of BIG|BRAVE, Matieu then expands on the matter of this happening in the future with the band’s music. “It is sometime Robin has been exploring since the very beginning of this band. I’ve always thought of her lyrics as being very poetic and to see her tie it all together with poets she’s always looked up to was such an incredible concept for this record.”

Matieu then explains about the sound of A Chaos Of Flowers and how the use of gain, feedback and amplitude in a beautiful and cathartic way are essential to the sound of BIG|BRAVE. “It is simply a continuation of how we approach the electric guitar. With every album, with every instant we spend with our instruments, we develop new and different ways of expressing ourselves with the instrument and amplification. As we might sometimes have an idea as to which kind of sound we are looking for, the only way to ever achieve anything is by sheer force of trying and taking risks.”

When asked if this album builds on what BIG|BRAVE achieved with their last album nature morte, Matieu says, “it is a continuation of that record but also a departure. As we always try to push ourselves with each new body of work, whether we like it or not, the ideas that we come to use between us are always connected. There is no way to stop this process. We often think of the next record while recording the current one and that has just always been how we work. Looking forward to the next endeavour. At the same time, so we don’t repeat ourselves, we have to continuously push ourselves to find slightly different ways to express ourselves sonically. That is the joy of making art.”

With appearances on the record by Marisa Anderson, Tashi Dorji and Patrick Shiroishi, Matieu explained the process of working with those artists and what they brought to the album and its sound. “We simply reached out to musicians we love and admire. We wrote to a handful of people and given everyone’s very busy schedule, Tashi, Marisa and Patrick were able to find time to record, remotely, for this record. It’s a blessing to have all three of them contribute to this body of work.”

Having recently completed a European tour in support of A Chaos Of Flowers, Matieu reveals how it went and his experience of the tour. “It was such a positive experience. Maybe our best tour to date. Just to be able to keep touring and travelling the world, it is such an incredible joy and privilege. We take none of it for granted.”

He continues enthusiastically by telling how the material from A Chaos Of Flowers translates in a live environment. “As the record was developed in the studio, it was very interesting to ‘learn’ these songs for the live performance. As we thought it would be a quieter show than we’ve presented in the past, it turns out that these songs have to be played just as loud or louder than those from our previous records. In each song, there is so much more for improvisation and it’s very interesting to see the set develop and change night after night.”

With all the talk of live shows, Matieu then enthuses about BIG|BRAVE playing the Supersonic Festival with Jessica Moss and how that experience was. “Supersonic is one of the greatest festivals out there. It is run with such care that every musician I know that has played there has had very positive experiences. The curation of Lisa and company is always top notch and very adventurous. If it was up to us, we’d play Supersonic every year.”

BIG|BRAVE‘s next tour is with Spiritual Poison across Canada and America, and Matieu is excited about hitting the road again. “We are really looking forward to this upcoming USA and Canada tour. Ethan from SPIRITUAL POISON (and PRIMITIVE MAN) is such a great artist and dedicated touring musician and I can’t wait to see him perform night after night.”

We end this great interview with Matieu telling us about the band’s live plans for the rest of the year and a chance to see the unmissable BIG|BRAVE playing the songs from A Chaos Of Flowers live. “After the USA tour in August, we head back to Europe in September and October. That’ll be the last tour of the year for us!”

A Chaos Of Flowers is out now via Thrill Jockey.

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