After originally forming during the peak of the pandemic in 2020, Devon-based outfit Billie Bottle’s Temple of Shibboleth have spent the last few years building and cultivating their sound, resulting in their broad and adventurous self-titled debut album.
Channelling a wonderfully wistful blend of prog, jazz and folk influences throughout, 'Billie Bottle’s Temple of Shibboleth' makes for a wonderfully inventive listen. Filled with bold and enigmatic textures, a sweeping atmosphere, and mesmerising vocals layered throughout, they are introducing themselves with a wonderfully refreshing sound here.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with bandleader Billie Bottle to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
When my family moved round the corner at the turn of the 90s, our next door neighbours moved back to the Isle of Skye and couldn’t take their piano with them. When I arrived back from school one day in the new Home, there was a beautiful walnut upright waiting for me! It needed a bit of work so my dad put it on the kitchen table for a few weeks and we got to know its workings intimately before the music could really start. I think my fascination was mechanical first and then when I realised what it could do it opened up a new universe…
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My tastes were largely defined in the early days by what my parents loved. Notable was my dad’s love of Steve Harley and Uriah Heep and my mum’s love of Kevin Ayers and ELP (though it took me a while to really get them. I remember my mum playing me Tarkus when I was about ten and I just could not get my head around it. Years later I discovered that their love of musical fourths was a shiny avenue to take in my own sounds.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Two answers to this one. Piano lessons around the age of seven, led me to have a craving to hear Beethoven’s ninth symphony, so I found a double cassette at the back of Smiths. The first album I remember going out to buy was Right Said Fred’s Up on my tenth birthday! There’s still a lot to be said for this high camp/kitsch debut, particularly the non-single tracks. Deee-Lite were another love soon after.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Quite a few Beatles songs fall into that category, certainly anything from Sgt Pepper. A Better Time by Peter Hammill (Van der Graaf Generator) is another favourite. Tea & Sympathy by Janis Ian is up there too!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Well, this whole album (Billie Bottle’s Temple of Shibboleth) is about ritual, so many of the songs were written after Washing, Ironing or Mending! Walking is another good way to get in the zone - a good yomp down country lanes does wonders for the imagination.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I rarely get time to listen to much at the moment and I feel that my own creativity is so delicate it doesn’t need too much outside input or I can’t hear myself! Having said that, recent loves include my friends’ music, Schnauser and Fowl to name a couple.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Presuming they have to be alive, probably Gong, Hiatus Kaiyote or Thundercat.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Being able to spend time with lovely friends whilst bathing in beautiful sounds - there’s nothing like it!
And what is the most frustrating part?
Sometimes ideas won’t leave me alone and sometimes that means little sleep!
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
My favourite bass player, and a huge influence, Richard Sinclair (Caravan/Hatfield & The North), told me around the turn of the century to always work with the best musicians you can! Well I took him at his word as he’s guesting on our new album on the track, Ironing Days!
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Billie Bottle’s Temple of Shibboleth's self-titled debut album is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.