Hailing from Montreal via France, Beast’s aural assault has been described as Portishead meets Rage Against The Machine with elements of rock, trip-hop and jazz thrown in for good measure. Released earlier this year, their self-titled debut album has won over the critics and fans alike. We caught up with Beast at the CMJ Music Marathon 2009 in New York City and the group's resident chanteuse Betty Bonifassi shared a few words with us.
S.O.U.L.: After hearing your style, it's easy to see how the name sort of fits, but how did the name BEAST come about? Betty: We were looking for a name and Jean-Phi came up with Beast. I loved the idea of finding a beast inside an insect.
S.O.U.L.: Your debut, "Beast", takes its listener on a journey from the first track- "DEVIL" to the last one- "SATAN", is this meant to be a sort of creative journey through to salvation or redemption… or perhaps both? Betty: I will not go so far, even if the strong lyricism will invite people to think that. The character in this album is passing through hard and dark times... (the Italians, philosophers like Dante, or movie directors like Pasolini or Felini inspired me in this case) but the beauty is when a human is passing through those dark moments and grows.
S.O.U.L.: Give us a little idea of your creative process on this project? Betty: Everything came about because of one song - "Devil". We were not expected to continue working together, but after a traditional working session, the song 'Devil" caught us fast and so we decided to make an entire album.
S.O.U.L.: Do you have any special term(s) to describe your style? Betty: No!... Triprock... maybe?!
S.O.U.L.: The project seems to be a product of a great collaboration, are there any artists who you would like to collaborate with in the future? Betty: Thom York, Mos Def, Martha Wainright, stop me!! Erykah Badu, Prince... aaah!! Coltrane, Mingus, Chet Baker, (Ok. they’ve died, but I don't care)...
S.O.U.L.: You guys rocked at the M for Montreal showcase during CMJ '09 in NYC, should we expect another visit from you in the states any time soon... perhaps even a tour? Betty: We very much hope to come back and we're doing our best, but the music industry is passing through hard times, so, we push... and we will see! New York streets and energy make me feel brand new... every time.
