The Big I Am
One of our favourite acoustic bands from liverpool – the Big i Am, have laid down their marker for what will be one of the best albums you are likely to hear this year. The album “Collecting Skies” bursts with heartfelt melody and emotion both lyrically and musically. What were originally ‘great’ songs have now become ‘exceptional’ songs thanks to additional string arrangements from Wim Oudijk. I caught up with Pete from the band and Wim to discuss the new album and how the collaboration came about.
How did you decide on the album title “Collecting skies”?
There is a track on the album with the same title that really resonates with people who hear it. When we were discussing that the cover should be like a Dahliesque landscape, a name suggested itself. But we ruled out ‘funny looking plant thing that looks like a hand holding an egg’ as it was too costly to print. So ‘Collecting Skies’ was a delightful compromise.
Where was the album recorded?
The album was recorded at Igloo studios in Liverpool and Disco fare in Holland
How long did it take to produce and record?
Not as long as people imagine. Most of the Cuatro, Piano and ukulele was all done in one take. So the recording of our parts took no more than 3 days. Wim had to weave his magic and had to fit us in between other projects and redesigning his studio. That was the longest period but it was more waiting rather than doing gazilloions of overdubs and wearing fireman’s helmets.
Hi Wim, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. How did you initially find the band and what were they like to work with?
I originally found them on myspace and offered to do an arrangement for a track called ‘Hole’. Its fair to say things got a little out of hands afterwards The band were really good fun to work with though!
Did you have free reign on string arrangements or was it a collaboration.
I had a free reign in general. Some collective decisions were made during the final mix.
Do you have a particular favorite song?
Thats a difficult question, because they’re all my babies in different ways. Maybe ‘Better Days’ is a tad more favourite because of the atmosphere of hopefulness.
Back to the Big I am. What is the bands favourite song and why?
Maybe from all our point of view ‘Dancing’ and ‘Collecting Skies’ are our favourites, as we had to work hard to get what we wanted out of both songs. We feel we managed to achieve what we set out to do.
How has the album been received from fans?
Anyone who has taken the time to listen to it really likes it has some great feedback on reviewer from the Battery in your leg blog has named it as an essential album of 2011. That is high praise indeed.
Where can the album be purchased?
It can be purchased now mail order from our website @www.bigiam.com or from the 28th Feb 2011 from www.folkwit.biz and various shops around the country via proper distribution.
Go to www.myspace.com/bigiamrash to find out when the band will be back out performing live again, as this is where the band really show their true qualities as musicians. The Big I Am have returned with a triumphant album of sheer brilliance and craft, so do the right thing and make ‘Collecting Skies’ a very welcome addition to your album collection.