“The Tuba EP: Herbielife” is a collaborative effort between The Qwarks and renowned bassist and tuba player Herbie Flowers. This boundary-pushing and innovative EP explores uncharted territories, seamlessly blending psychedelic, experimental, and rock elements to create a mesmerizing tapestry of sounds that demand attention.
“The Tuba EP: Herbielife,” released on June 23, 2023, is the latest collaborative effort between Brighton-based psychedelic rock trio The Qwarks and renowned bassist and tuba player Herbie Flowers. Herbie Flowers, renowned as one of the greatest bassists of the 20th century, has left an indelible mark on the music industry. With a career spanning decades, he has contributed his exceptional bass and tuba skills to over 500 hit records, collaborating with iconic artists such as T. Rex, Elton John, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Paul McCartney, and many others. Even today, Herbie continues to captivate audiences in Brighton and Hove with his jazz breakfast performances at the Spiegel tent, showcasing his enduring talent and passion for music.
The collaboration between The Qwarks and Herbie Flowers on “The Tuba EP: Herbielife” was an unexpected endeavor driven by The Qwarks’ artistic vision. The EP features three psychedelic, experimental, and avant-garde tracks inspired by Herbie’s initial tuba lines, including narratives about Brighton beach horrors in “Deckchairs,” a whimsical song about a “Biscuitman”, and an emotive piece dedicated to the “Sun”. By building entire songs around Herbie’s tuba lines and incorporating vocals, guitars, bass, and more, The Qwarks created a collection of strange and captivating worlds, with the tuba serving as the core element throughout. This experimental EP pushes the boundaries of music with its dissonant chords, delayed vocals, and eclectic melodies, offering listeners a truly avant-garde and mind-bending musical experience.
“The Tuba EP: Herbielife’s” tracklist:
· Deckchairs
· Biscuit Man
· Sun
The mysterious track “Deckchairs,” which ushers you into a world of avant-garde lunacy, serves as the EP’s opening track. The hypnotic mood that the discordant chords and well-tuned guitars produce wonderfully encapsulates the “tales of horror from Brighton Beach.” Through this intricate and captivating work, The Qwarks demonstrate their musical expertise. The next song, “Biscuit Man,” will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. A distinctive bass riff played by Herbie Flowers’ tuba serves as the song’s foundation. The track’s eclectic aspect, which revolves around a Biscuitman, is further enhanced by the organ melody. Here, The Qwarks demonstrate their talent for creating melodies that are both catchy and original.
With “Sun,” the EP takes a turn as the tuba takes the lead once more over quick drumming and spoken word samples. Utilizing experimental elements, this song is “an emotive piece about the sun” and aims to convey musical lunacy and depth. The track stands out on the EP because of the spoken word and musical elements that give it an ethereal quality.
The Qwarks and Herbie Flowers’ collaboration has tremendous artistic vision. They have produced a truly exceptional aural experience by basing entire compositions on Herbie’s tuba lines. The EP tests the limits, taking cues from experimental musicians like Trout Mask Replica and Weather Report. It presents a welcome change from the standard for mentally and musically challenging listeners.
Overall, “The Tuba EP: Herbielife,” by The Qwarks and Herbie Flowers, fearlessly explores uncharted territories, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of sounds that demand attention. This boundary-pushing and innovative collection of tracks seamlessly blends psychedelic, experimental, and rock elements, delivering a breath of fresh plasma liquid for music enthusiasts. Prepare to be captivated by the avant-garde madness that unfolds across these three extraordinary tracks.
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