Formally the driving force behind noir indie band Ghost//Signals, Rick November is resurrecting his solo project Bye Gemini following on from their involvement in the God Is In The TV The Cure tribute release in aid of MIND.
The first single is ‘Take Comfort In Dark Clouds”, a heavy, brooding first cut, with a synth pop intro, it descends into an Industrial, part Electronic, part kinetic guitar, looping vocal lines, and dark, weighty atmospherics. There’s even time for some Cure arpeggiated guitar at the end. It has the energy to burst into a metal screamcore track but this isn’t where they’re going. As with his band ghost//signals there is the depth and heavy subjects but the pop sensibilities are very present and there is a lightness of touch that creates a brightness and excitement.
“Take Comfort in Dark Clouds” is about the time I developed a profound fear of death & ageing that came close to ruining me anxiety wise. Hospital trips, the works. It took a lot to fix me up – (temp) meds & spirituality. The counselling didn’t work. The good John Robb though did suggest taking time to focus on the weather and getting more immersed in the world that way. Reminded me of being a child in the 80s amazed by fork lightning and hurricanes. Definitely helped and presumably he meant northern weather!”
There is definitely the feel of a storm approaching, whether to clean the slate or begin a tumultuous period. The aesthetics are dark but the concept of taking comfort in the dark clouds suggests an optimistic outlook.
“After my last band gave up the ghost, I had no interest in returning to this for a long time. Then Bye Gemini did that Cure cover for you guys. When Robert Smith shared that compilation on the socials it gave back to me a massive bit of excitement which reminded me why I did this in the first place.“
“Truth be told it’s still taken some time since then – I’ve thrown a lot of my time into learning how to record & write that way in my spare time (often whilst waiting in the car park during my daughters dance lessons, using Logic Pro on the iPad). I’ve also massively thrown myself into martial arts (kickboxing) – which isn’t a massively goth musician thing to do these days, but that’s kind of why I did it.”
An EP, conversations with dead people –part one, is anticipated for later in the year.
