Interview: Bicurious
Bicurious
Bicurious, the loud and dynamic duo of guitarist/vocalist Taran Plouzane and drummer Gavin Purcell, have built a loyal following through their explosive live performances and genre-blending sound. Known for their intense math-rock riffs and undeniable chemistry, they've taken their music across Europe, becoming a standout act in the alternative rock scene.
With their upcoming second album, Your Life is Over Now... set for release on 4 October, via Big Scary Monsters, Bicurious are entering a new chapter. The album, created over 18 months across three countries, features a more lyrical approach, diving deep into personal themes such as family and trauma, all while keeping their signature raw energy.
In this Q&A, the band reflects on their evolution, the significance of fan support in funding their work, and how they've pushed their sound forward while staying true to their roots.
Your upcoming album Your Life is Over Now... is due to release soon. How does this new record mark your evolution as a band since [re]constructed?
Taran: Personally, I think it’s turned everything on its head sonically, but people around me seem to think that it’s still very much a Bicurious album, just with added lyrics - which I’m relieved to hear. As you say, it marks the evolution of the band; it reflects the changes in our personal lives, the music we’ve been listening to, and everything else changing around us. And maybe some maturity overall?
The album explores the concept of family, from literal interpretations to the family-like connection with your fans. What inspired this thematic exploration, and how has it shaped the songwriting process?
Taran: Literally, becoming a father, twice. I tend to write fewer instrumental songs with silly names these days… I get my inspiration from my daily struggles, questions I ask myself every day, and my biggest fears, among other things. A big part of that inspiration naturally comes from my family, as I’m surrounded by them every day. My life situation also affects the way I write songs, what I focus on when I sit down to play music, and so on. An example is that a lot more songs from this album were started on an acoustic guitar, for instance.
You raised over €9000 through crowdfunding to bring Your Life is Over Now... to life. What was it like seeing your fanbase come together to support this project?
Gavin: It was very surprising and heartwarming to see so many people donate to this album through the crowdfunding campaign. I couldn't believe how generous people were with the donations but I think what was also very surprising and lovely was the trust people had in Taran and myself to donate as they hadn't heard any of the album. If I had to pick one word to associate with the crowdfunding campaign it would be wholesome.
The first single, "Acrylic Fences," is both powerful and raw. Could you share the inspiration behind the song and what it represents for you personally?
Taran: I think it’s fair to say that it’s mine and Gav’s favourite song from the album! “Acrylic Fences” are an image I used to represent the invisible walls that one can end up building around them in a relationship. From my experience, when this happens, communication breakdown ensues, and things can get really difficult. The song came from a place of frustration, but also guilt, because I felt responsible for the building of these “Acrylic Fences”.
"Uncle Kevin" is another deeply emotional track. Can you expand on the personal story behind this song and how it fits into the broader themes of the album?
Taran: It’s the story of a relative desperately trying to hold together two sides of a family. A parent and a child are estranged, there’s a lot of pain and unresolved trauma. This guy is stuck in the middle, trying to keep some sort of relationship between the two families, almost trying to play the role of the father for this child who has zero contact to its real father, but there’s only so much he can do. It’s a really sad story that doesn’t look like it’ll ever have a happy ending.
You’ve mentioned influences like Biffy Clyro, Reuben, and And So I Watch You From Afar. How do these artists shape the sound of Your Life is Over Now…, and in what ways have you ventured into new sonic territory?
Gavin: Those three bands mentioned have always been big influences for Bicurious from the very start. I suppose, since this new album has songs with lyrics the Reuben and Biffy Clyro influences are probably a lot more obvious. A band like ASIWYFA are such a major influence on us both sonically and in the way they approach being in a band. They are a band who have always done things on their own terms and have always been so friendly to everyone around them whether that being fans, stage crew or other bands. They’re a band we aspire to be like.
Your music blends math-rock, post-rock, and alt-rock elements, sometimes with political undertones. How do you balance these diverse influences when creating your unique sound?
Taran: I don’t think we try to balance anything, we just play what feels good in the moment, and that’s naturally influenced by the music that we love, which includes those genres you listed! But of course, our tastes change over time and that also informs the way we write music. As regards the political undertones, we did that a little in our early releases, but I don’t think it’s been a part of our more recent music. As an artist, I do think it’s important to use your voice to highlight what you believe in, but it doesn’t come naturally to me - as previously mentioned, my inspiration rather comes from my own anxieties and personal experiences.
You’ve played ArcTanGent for three consecutive years now. What does being a part of such a pivotal festival mean to you, and how has it helped grow your following within the alt/post-rock scene?
Gavin: I remember when we first started this band seeing videos of bands like Cleft and Alpha Male Tea Party playing ArcTanGent and really wanting to play at this festival in Bristol. To have played it three years in a row now is mind-blowing, to be honest. We noticed after the first year we played ArcTanGent there were more people coming to our shows in the UK. There is nowhere else in the world really like ArcTanGent so it is an honour to be part of the festival.
Your live shows are renowned for their energy, with sing-along riffs and mosh-worthy grooves. How do you approach translating your studio work into such a dynamic live experience?
Taran: For the previous material, it was pretty easy - we just played the songs live as we wrote them in the rehearsal room, all while jumping around! With the new album, it’s a bit more of a process, figuring out how to play these lyrical songs in a live setting. We recorded some layers in the studio that we can’t recreate live, so we have to work on making the songs the best they can be onstage. But the energy doesn’t change, we like to give people a show, and make sure they get their money’s worth!
The dedication of your fanbase, who helped fund the album, is remarkable. How does this close relationship with your fans influence your music and your creative process?
Taran: I think it helps us to keep going, knowing that a lot of people are waiting to hear new music from us. It doesn’t necessarily influence the creative process in itself, but rather motivates it, and gives us another reason, aside from our love for it, to get together and work our arses off to keep this thing going, despite living in separate countries.
The album was recorded across three countries and five studios over 18 months. How did these different locations and environments shape the production and final sound of Your Life is Over Now…?
Taran: I guess it made each step of the recording process more unique. We had more time to spend on each instrument, and I think it was for the best. I really enjoyed the process, even though it felt like it took forever!
This release sees you partnering with Big Scary Monsters. What has it been like working with the label, and how has it impacted the way you approach your music?
Gavin: It's been great working with Big Scary Monsters and to be on the same label as some of our favourite bands/artists such as Jamie Lenman, Laura Jane Grace, Alpha Male Tea Party...the list really goes on haha. It hasn't changed the way we approach our music at all which I suppose is one of the main reasons we signed with them.
In previous releases, you’ve highlighted social and political issues. Does Your Life is Over Now… continue to explore those themes, or is it more focused on personal stories this time around?
Taran: It’s definitely more focused on personal stories this time around. It’s about life, relationships, family and trauma.
The album features intriguing song titles like "Mr Big Time Manager" and "Gutless." Can you give us a glimpse into the stories or concepts behind some of these tracks?
Gavin: “Mr Big Time Manager” is a voice note that our manager Alex sent to me when I accidentally took his drum key from his home in Cork. As soon as I heard the voice note I wanted to put it on the album somehow. It reminded me of "Paul Rosenberg- Skit" from The Eminem Show but "Mr. Big Time Manager" is a lot friendlier than that Emimen track because Alex is talking about drum keys instead of guns and he calls me a meanie instead of an idiot...which is nice.
Taran: You’ll hear it soon, but “Gutless” is written from the perspective of a baby hooked up to IVs in hospital, fighting for its life. Being a baby, he doesn’t have a clue about what’s happening, he’s just seeing people running around him in a panic, while all he wants to do is to go home.
Finally, what have you been listening to lately? Any new or old favourites that have been on repeat?
Taran: I’ve been listening to a lot of Pinegrove lately. I’m obsessed with that band, the emotion they get through their music is unbelievable. On the heavier side, I also can’t stop listening to Gideon’s album More Power. More Pain. It has everything I look for when I need a bit of heft!
Gavin: I listened to Lankum's album The Lifelong Day when I was on a bus from Leipzig to Berlin Airport a couple of weeks ago and I have come to the conclusion that Lankum are the perfect band to listen to on a long bus journey. I also have been listening to the singles released so far from Better Lovers' upcoming album...which I'm looking forward to a lot.
Your Life is Over Now... by Bicurious is set for release on 4 October, via Big Scary Monsters and will be available for streaming on all your favourite platforms.
