Free Spirits: In conversation with Becker & Mukai

5 Minute Read

Music

Today marks the release of a new album from the duo – an album rooted in ghost stories and improvisation.

Becker & Mukai have been making music together for many years, working collaboratively to craft sounds which sit somewhere between the realms of krautrock, post punk, dub, nu-disco and beyond. Their dynamic approach in the studio leads to a sprawling array of sounds which shouldn’t make sense side by side yet somehow very much do.

Since 2016, the pair have been meeting for regular collaborative recording sessions at Sounds And Sons studio in Shoreditch and have released a number of albums and EP’s. They remain remarkably busy and yet their music is consistent.

In terms of approach, they rely heavily on improvisation and live jams to craft the basis of their material. This approach has been further broadened across the music which makes up their new album titled ‘Spirit Only’ – a record which is described as being rooted in ghost stories and diy experiments.

The pair reflect on what the process was behind this record.

Can you walk us through your creative process for this album? How did you collaborate and combine your different musical perspectives?

SM: We record a lot of improvised sessions, we then improvise some more on top of that. Usually pretty quickly before thinking too much. And see what comes out. I think most of the album tracks were started in more or less that kind of way.

JGB: As Susumu was saying, the process is roughly the same as with the previous records: a mix of sequencing, improvisation and overdubs. The main differences between this album and the previous ones are probably our moods at the time, but also the equipment we chose for this record which definitely gave a certain flavour to the creative process.

Were there any particular moments or experiences that significantly shaped the direction of ‘Spirit Only’?

SM: When we had Fimber Bravo come into the studio, I think it was then we took the direction to invite more guests to collaborate with. Then having Alexis Taylor to sing , which is one of the major differences to our first album which is all instrumental.

JGB: Yes, Fimber Bravo originally came into the studio for a session for a collaboration EP with Auf Togo (Fimber Bravo played on Auf Togo Meets Becker & Mukai Again, released in 2021) and recorded a couple of lines for this record. Those recordings were there for a while before we figured out what to do with them. And when Yama Warashi came into the studio to work on that track, it all started to make sense…In a similar way, the sessions with Alexis turned upside down the plans we may have had for those tracks…In a way, having each of the collaborators in the studio shaped the direction of the album somehow. Spending some time in the studio with each one of those guys was a very formative and fun experience which altered the shape of this record, but also the way we make music, I think…

“We record a lot of improvised sessions, we then improvise some more on top of that. Usually pretty quickly before thinking too much. And see what comes out.”

Did you encounter any challenges during the production of ‘Spirit Only’? How did you overcome them?

SM: We prefer to keep a fresh mind-set so if we feel stuck we move onto something else

JGB: There were always some challenges, for each one of these songs, but I guess we worked them out over a period of time by leaving things on the side for a bit and coming back to them with fresh ears…

How has your partnership evolved over time, and how did it influence the creation of this album?

JGB: Susumu and I have known each other and worked together for a long time and we do know each other very well now. We sometimes have different opinions on things, but in a funny way, we kind of know how the other will respond and anticipate each other’s reaction quite well…

SM: We’re both very open minded and easygoing when we have differences in ideas, and happy that we provide alternative viewpoints to the other.

Can you share any interesting stories or anecdotes from your collaboration on ‘Spirit Only’

JGB: We had a lot of fun with some toy sampling keyboards which feature heavily on the album. Alexis had so much fun that he ended up buying the same one we had in the studio after a session. Fimber Bravo always brings delicious samosas to the studio from close to his home in Tooting.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?

JGB: We recorded quite a few more tracks with Alexis and we’re all very excited by seeing how they develop. Once the album is released, we’ll focus on those and will probably release an EP of “Becker, Mukai and Taylor” tracks…We’ve also recorded a couple of ambient tracks with Yama Warashi that we still need to finish…Personally, I’ve been recording with a very talented vocalist called Nadeem Din Gabisi and I’m very excited to share that music later on in the year…

What advice would you give to emerging artists who are inspired by your work and want to create their own unique sound?

JGB: Be curious in the studio, try to find your own way of creating the music that suits you the best.

SM: Have fun.

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