Start Listening To: Bishopskin

What does Bishopskin mean?

It’s pronounced bishop skin on holy days and bishops kin on normal secular days.

Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

We are a band from South London England , currently an 8 piece but we're growing finding talented musicians all the time. The songs are written by Tiger and James. Tiger is a man of god, he/I write the words on the songs, they are all worship songs, worship songs like the psalms they are a broken mans cry to our god and lord Jesus of Nazareth

How did it all start?

Tiger used to help with stage design for james's other band HMLTD, we’ve been friends for years. We were living together when lockdown happened and we ended up recording some music which became our first EP. We liked it and so did some people who somehow managed to discover us, so we kept going.

If you were to describe your sound to someone who’d never heard you before, what would you say?

Acoustosonic worship.

Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming single ‘Lean Closer’?

It's released today (24 March). It's a song for our mothers. Tiger wrote it after failing his driving test for the 7th time, humbled and sitting in a puddle looking out onto godsown country he / I began to sing a broken lament and sonet for his god, lord I want to lean closer  . He recorded it on the top deck of a bus and sent it to me and we turned it into this song that’s now here for you to listen.

Can you tell us more about the themes behind the single?

The heavy sleepy peace hanging in the valley of England’s  purple frozen hills.

It’s a bit of a collaborative piece, how was working with Seth and Alex on it?

I got my bandmate from HMLTD Seth to play piano as he's the best piano player in London. Apart from HMLTD he also does Black Midi. He didn't even listen to it before he recorded it. I met Alex at his jam night in Streatham, 'Avant Practiced' that he organises with his Fat Whites mate Nathan Saoudi. Like Seth he is a brilliant musician - he recorded some flute and did some production bits and hopefully he’ll be working with us on our new songs as well.

Are you planning any other releases this year?

Yes, we'll release a few more songs once they are recorded like Ave Maria and Hey Lil Sister.

What inspires your music?

God, magnolia trees, English folk.

What advice would you give for anyone trying to achieve a similar sound to your band? 

Try to copy a few different acts, and you'll get your own sound.

If your music were a film or TV show which would it be?

Dog television for dogs as they are the only innocent ears that will hear it with sympathetic hearts.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s important to you?

Paul Simon's Songs from the Capeman. He wrote it as a musical buf it flopped and There are about three songs on the album that are amazing.

What do you hate right now? 

Talk of love not hate lots to do it’s getting late cos all we are doing is passing through

What do you love right now?

What ever you do unto these little ones you do unto me. Love love love love love love 77 times 7 .

What comes next in the Bishopskin story?

We're very lucky to be recording an album in October. It will come out next year. 

What upcoming 2022 music releases are you most excited about?

The Dinner Party's first single - whatever Nukuluk come out with next - The Oscar Browne band

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Support emerging artists by buying their records, singles, merch. Worship whatever you feel close to.

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