United Bible Studies
Encyclopedia
United Bible Studies is an experimental and improvisational folk
band from Ireland
. There are a few core members such as David Colohan as well as a host of incidental contributors on both the live performances and regular albums. United Bible Studies is part of the Deserted Village music collective.
, United Bible Studies formally began in 2001 or 2002 when David Colohan and James Rider met in Dublin. Colohan said that the Incredible String Band
was a primary influence, while Rider also indicated Fairport Convention
, Sandy Denny
and John Martyn
as specific inspirations. Rider then temporarily relocated to Belfast for a year and a half, during which time Colohan and kindred spirits expanded the band from simply a folk-inspired group into what Rider described as "an ever expanding musical beast." The overall emphasis of the band shifted towards improvisation based around participating members' preferred instruments and inspirations.
The band identified a 2003 performance at the Mor Festival as being key for the group's future direction, with producer/performer Gavin Prior saying "UBS changed forever the moment Dave screamed “play a Can beat!” to [newly recruited drummer] Bryan [O'Connell]." The band's formal released debut was the song "Can I Have the Banjo?" on the Cottage Industrial Volume 2 compilation on Humbug Records, with its debut EP collection Huntly Town appearing on Slow Loris the following year. Numerous albums and EPs have been released since, many via the Deserted Village label/collective that the group is most identified with. However, releases have appeared on many other labels with an interest in psychedelic and experimental music, including Foxglove, Barl Fire, Ruralfaune and Camera Obscura
.
The band's performances rely in part on shifting and local lineups; in Ireland different musicians have joined the band at different locations in the country. United Bible Studies first played America in 2008 on a tour that included a performance date at the seventh Terrastock
festival; various members of the band also joined Tanakh
for their performance, alongside members of Acid Mothers Temple
and Abunai!
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
band from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. There are a few core members such as David Colohan as well as a host of incidental contributors on both the live performances and regular albums. United Bible Studies is part of the Deserted Village music collective.
History
According to a 2006 interview with Deep Water AcresDeep Water Acres
Deep Water Acres is a US-based independent webzine and record label dedicated to experimental music. Originally a physical magazine called Deep Water, the Internet publication features musical commentaries, reviews, artist profiles and interviews as well as Australian campfire recipes...
, United Bible Studies formally began in 2001 or 2002 when David Colohan and James Rider met in Dublin. Colohan said that the Incredible String Band
Incredible String Band
The Incredible String Band were a psychedelic folk band formed in Scotland in 1966. The band built a considerable following, especially within British counterculture, before splitting up in 1974...
was a primary influence, while Rider also indicated Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
, Sandy Denny
Sandy Denny
Sandy Denny , born Alexandra Elene Maclean Denny, was an English singer and songwriter, perhaps best known as the lead singer for the folk rock band Fairport Convention...
and John Martyn
John Martyn
John Martyn, OBE , born Iain David McGeachy, was a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. Over a forty-year career he released twenty studio albums, working with artists such as Eric Clapton and David Gilmour...
as specific inspirations. Rider then temporarily relocated to Belfast for a year and a half, during which time Colohan and kindred spirits expanded the band from simply a folk-inspired group into what Rider described as "an ever expanding musical beast." The overall emphasis of the band shifted towards improvisation based around participating members' preferred instruments and inspirations.
The band identified a 2003 performance at the Mor Festival as being key for the group's future direction, with producer/performer Gavin Prior saying "UBS changed forever the moment Dave screamed “play a Can beat!” to [newly recruited drummer] Bryan [O'Connell]." The band's formal released debut was the song "Can I Have the Banjo?" on the Cottage Industrial Volume 2 compilation on Humbug Records, with its debut EP collection Huntly Town appearing on Slow Loris the following year. Numerous albums and EPs have been released since, many via the Deserted Village label/collective that the group is most identified with. However, releases have appeared on many other labels with an interest in psychedelic and experimental music, including Foxglove, Barl Fire, Ruralfaune and Camera Obscura
Camera Obscura (record label)
Camera Obscura was a record label founded by Australian music journalist Tony Dale in 1996. Described by Dale as 'a conduit for the release of contemporary acid-folk, psych-pop and space-rock,' the label put out almost ninety releases over fourteen years, the vast majority of which were...
.
The band's performances rely in part on shifting and local lineups; in Ireland different musicians have joined the band at different locations in the country. United Bible Studies first played America in 2008 on a tour that included a performance date at the seventh Terrastock
Terrastock
Terrastock is a music festival organised periodically by Phil McMullen, formerly editor of the Ptolemaic Terrascope and since 2005 the publisher of the Terrascope Online website. The event typically features independent bands playing psychedelic rock....
festival; various members of the band also joined Tanakh
Tanakh (band)
Tanakh is the name of a musical collective from Richmond, Virginia as well as a reference to the music produced by the group. The collective was formed in 2000 by its primary songwriter, producer and recording engineer Jesse Poe.- Background :...
for their performance, alongside members of Acid Mothers Temple
Acid Mothers Temple
Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. is a Japanese psychedelic band, the core of which formed in 1995. The band is led by guitarist Kawabata Makoto and early in their career featured many musicians, but by 2004 the line-up had coalesced with only a few core members and frequent guest...
and Abunai!
Abunai!
Abunai! was a psychedelic rock/space rock/folk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, USA primarily active from 1996 to 2001 on the Australian Camera Obscura record label.-History:...
Releases
- Stations Of The Sun, Transits Of The Moon (Deserted Village, 2003)
- Huntly Town (Slow Loris, 2004)
- The Lunar Observatory (Foxglove, 2004)
- Airs Of Sun And Stone (Deserted Village, Deep Water AcresDeep Water AcresDeep Water Acres is a US-based independent webzine and record label dedicated to experimental music. Originally a physical magazine called Deep Water, the Internet publication features musical commentaries, reviews, artist profiles and interviews as well as Australian campfire recipes...
, 2005) - The Solar Observatory (23 Productions, 2005)
- Live At The Warehouse (Paha Porvari Records, 2006)
- Stations Of The Sun, Transits Of The Moon (Barl Fire Recordings, 2006)
- The Northern Lights And The Northern Dark (Rusted Rail, 2006)
- The Shore That Fears The Sea (Deserted Village, deadslackstring, 2006)
- Black Colcannon (Ruralfaune, 2007)
- The Arboreal Observatory (Humbug, 2008)
- The Jonah (Camera ObscuraCamera Obscura (record label)Camera Obscura was a record label founded by Australian music journalist Tony Dale in 1996. Described by Dale as 'a conduit for the release of contemporary acid-folk, psych-pop and space-rock,' the label put out almost ninety releases over fourteen years, the vast majority of which were...
, 2009) - The Kitchen Session (Deserted Village, 2010)
Compilation appearances
- Cottage Industrial Volume 2 (Humbug, 2003) "Can I Have the Banjo?"
- This Is Our Playgroup (Slow Loris, 2004) "With Ravens On Our Wrists"
- Ihmettelenpä Sanoi Kampela Jos Lahanu On Pliisu (267 Lattajjaa, 2006) "Your Time Has Come"
- An Taobh Tuathail Volume 1 (Psychonavigation RecordsPsychonavigation RecordsPsychonavigation Records is an independent record company based in Dublin Ireland, founded in 2000 and releases a range of music styles; particularly ambient, electronica and electro.- Artists :Ciaran ByrneR.S.A.G...
, 2007) "Columba's Song" - Bound With Skin (Skulls Of Heaven, 2007) "The Black Lighthouse"
- Driving Off To The Future - The Young Persons Guide To Humbug (Humbug, 2007) "Untitled"
- Half Empty (Deserted Village, Experimental Seafood, Loca, System Corrupt, Where It's At Is Where You Are) "Glitter On Ice, Katia"