Brighton produces all sorts of music and Birkwin & Vienna put another fine and important feather to an already impressive bow. They bring together alternative electronic ideas with beautiful organic instruments, forming a mellow hip hop pop sound that is unbelievably chilling. Birkwin makes the beats and Vienna layers her spoken-word rap with neo-soul tendencies snugly atop of the glorious overall sound, melting every ear it comes across. After the recent release of their wonderfully quaint and introspective album, Diane, I spoke to Graeme Coop (aka Birkwin) to find out more about the Birkwin & Vienna.
 
How was growing up in Brighton?
I’m from Hassocks but moved to Brighton when I was 18 years old. When I was a teenager I was really into Punk Rock, getting involved with all the one-dayers and hanging out at The Punker Bunker (this clothes shop that had a tiny little record shop down these steep stairs beneath it) on Sydney Street. We would bag a few support shows, when I was in terrible teenage bands, which they would put on.
 
What was the first album you owned?
It’s a shame to admit it but it was a live Phil Collins CD – I believe it was called Serious Hits… Live! When I was about twelve, I remember getting my first CD player and having the Phil Collins CD and loving it.
 
What was the first instrument you learnt to play?
It was the guitar and it will always be the guitar. When I was nine or ten I received it as a birthday present. I have lots of other instruments but definitely play the guitar best. Everything else I like to hit and shake. I have this thing called the Erhu which is the hardest bloody thing to play – it’s a Chinese violin made with snake skin which has two strings that a bow goes between. I have sampled it loads as I love the sound but I’ve found out I can’t really play it at all.
 
How did Birkwin & Vienna come about?
I started putting music on Soundcloud as Birkwin about six years ago. In the last four years I have been putting releases together that have been put out on American independent labels which was mainly just me, although I had Vienna feature on bits. I did gigs and festivals around the releases for about a year, then just continued to make music with Vienna as we work really well together. We had made loads of tunes and thought we need to put them together as Birkwin & Vienna.
 
How did you meet Vienna?
One of my best mates James (J Biscuits) went to school with Vienna, so I knew her since I was thirteen. It was only when we were about twenty when she moved down to Brighton and we started hanging out.
 
Is there a story behind the name?
I couldn’t go around calling myself Graeme, as it’s not the coolest music name. Vienna’s name is Vienna, and you definitely don’t want to change that because it is awesome. Graeme & Vienna doesn’t really work. I had released music under Birkwin Jersey before, so decided to get rid of Jersey as Birkwin Jersey & Vienna is a bit of a mouthful.
 
What are you main influences for this sound?
In general, stuff like The Books which was mind blowing when I first heard it. It was the first time I heard guitar chopped up and reversed. It wasn’t electronic as they were using really natural sounds. More recently, I would say I have reluctantly become a hip-hop fan as I’m not massively into it. When I hear it on the radio, I’m like “No Kanye, don’t do that”. However there are certain things like Anticon Records who do a kind of avant-garde hip hop with band like Why? that are one of my favourites. There is also Milo and Busdriver who are both on the Hellfyre Club label, and almost do this spoken word rap.
 
How would you describe your music?
Melancholic head nodders. There is nothing too aggressive to it.
 
What has been a musical eye-opener?
Why? have an album called Elephant Eyelash which was the first time Jonathan "Yoni" Wolf had collaborators – it’s an indie hip hop. Musically and lyrically it is so interesting and it is still one of my favourite albums. It was just after my skater punk period when I was 14/15 years old and it literally blow my mind.
 
What would be your perfect line-up of any three acts for a concert you are putting on and where would it be?
I would have Tom Waits headlining, as I am bitter that I have never seen him live. Sufjan Steven would be in support, very much in the same vein as the last one. The first act would be an acoustic set by John K. Samson, who was in this amazing indie rock group called The Weakerthans and previously this hilarious punk band Propagandhi. If you could combine a barn and a jazz club, that’s where they would play – a Jazz Barn
 
If you could make a supergroup, who would be in it?
On piano would be Robert Glasper (Blue Note Records), Billie Holiday or Eartha Kitt on vocals, and Jimmy Tamborello (The Postal Service) putting a happy spin on the sound.
 
If you could work with any artist, who would it be and why?
It would be really cool to do a sound track for a Wes Anderson film – that would be awesome. Also I would quite like to meet him.
 
What are you listening to at the moment?
This really dreamy synth driven pop by Yumi Zouma. You can put it your headphones and walk through town, and feel like you are in a film.
 
What are your future plans?
Sort out the live set for this album and play some shows. Make another video as there is only one for 'Diane' at this moment. We were going to do it for ‘Soon Soon’ but that has been put on hold, so now we are thinking ‘Stranger Fruits’. Live shows are the priority.
 
Name your price for the Diane album via their Bandcamp: BirkwinAndVienna.bandcamp.com