Bitchin Bajas

Formerly a side project, now definitely a band in their own right. This is a thread for them. RIYL Frippertronics, Terry Riley, Alice Coltane, cosmic yoga music.

you can listen to them here https://soundcloud.com/bitchin-bajas
not too long ago they had 47 followers on soundcloud, and now there are 144

here they are being bouncier than usual https://soundcloud.com/permanentrecords/bitchin-bajas-krausened-promo

here they are last year live in paris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm1QgXdZrVk

i remember when this had under 50 views on youtube, now it has...1,944!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skNz1u9DUhI

also this is from their new album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_ciyUDlY0Q

bugger.
lp and cass only :(
stop with the elitist gumph, and press a few cds ...
would definitely buy.

i think they usually do downloads at the drag city site? it appears to be not on the site yet (since i guess technically the album is not for sale yet) but i wonder if they'll add that option once the release date comes and goes. unless you really wanted the CD, and in that case you appear to be out of luck.

i find it irritating that DC doesn't offer dl codes with vinyl purchase, but so be it

Damn, was hoping the was an I Love Style thread.

I really enjoyed their show last night. They don't hide their influences at all, but why should they?

picked up a split 45 they did with moon duo a couple years back. dug their track but let them slip in favor of whatever else. "bouncier" track up above is treating my saturday morning quite nicely.

yeah, DC's no free downloads policy sucks

omg i wrote alice COLTANE

you know what i meant

Wmc what was the rest of the show like? From listening to the record this morning they played side B in the second set. Was there more guitar?

The new record is fantastic. There is a multi cassette release in the works. The "no cd's" thing isn't elitism, they just prefer analog.

i'm not annoyed by what i perceive as elitism, i'm annoyed by not getting a download w the LP

seems like industry standard at this point

we're complaining about two separate issues (not making CDs, not offering download codes -- the latter is DC policy afaict, the former up to the band?)
either way, i'm looking forward to more people enjoying this band

There was a bit more guitar iirc, plus they brought in some percussion loops for the last piece. Pared down to 3 players for the 2nd half.

oh ok, so it was more like the regular show
good to know!
i'm glad you enjoyed it!

I liked that they did that song named after Water Wrackets, which is one of my favorite Peter Greenaway things. They have good taste obv!

haha I listened to that one on spotify, my mind wandered and I genuinely forgot that I wasn't actually listening to a terry riley album!

I dig this

I was stood in a record store earlier today holding a copy of Vibraquatic in my hands. I put it back in the rack though so I guess I flunked the test?

fuck yeah bitchin bajas!

Why didn't you buy it? That was the wrong choice.

They did a whole soundtrack for Water Wrackets!

cos i already had an armful of awesome records! also the cover art was a bit iffy. xp

Guess I can't argue with that. It's good though.

I bet it is! I actually got Water Wrackets off emusic and that was very good.

Pared down to 3 players for the 2nd half.

3rd dude played sax mainly or exclusively iirc. was good to see how different the main set was from what they're presumably normally like!

looking fwd to this. krausened is fantastic

Frippertronics / Alice etc is totes my wheelhouse but can't, won't, on principle, listen to a band that can't come up with a better name for themselves than Bitchin Bajas. Sorry. What if I choke to death on a cookie and this is the last thing they find on my turntable? "Looks like he checked out to...'Bitchin' Bajas.'"

I know, but you should still give it a try. It has been a few years and I've come around. I prescribe time and patience.

yeah, it's remarkably terrible. plus when they appeared, i was boycotting all beach-related band names & chill 80s ephemera in general. but the lecher's right. they're like harrison bergeron.

Don't call me that! Geez.

I know from having an unfortunate moniker, obvs. A lifelong burden!

all apologies. meant only in respectful jest.

Tell that to the Nestlé corporation, buddy :)

:)))

Frippertronics / Alice etc is totes my wheelhouse but can't, won't, on principle, listen to a band that can't come up with a better name for themselves than Bitchin Bajas. Sorry. What if I choke to death on a cookie and this is the last thing they find on my turntable? "Looks like he checked out to...'Bitchin' Bajas.'"

― Jimmywine Dyspeptic, Saturday, July 13, 2013 6:54 PM (1 month ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

i think they are very deliberately trolling with their band name (and album titles). certainly evokes four non blondes or a jimmy buffett cover band much more than any of their musical reference points.

Saw them today, & despite them arriving late and only getting to play for ~20 minutes, it ruled. Nice mix of guitar, mostly sax (a little flute), and keyboard/oscillator (?) running beneath it all, along with some pre-recorded percussion tracks. great guitar sounds...wished the set had gone on for 60. took some video i'll put up at some point.

love the new record, too.

so sad that some people won't listen to them because of the name! lol

awesome band, good people, great music

Maybe someday they will accept live percussion :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzWX9V894so

ha, love the grass cam!

I couldn't help but just chill in the shade on a grassy patch. Wasn't anyone around when they started, but a good 30 or 40 accumulated behind me by the end of the jam.

nice!

personally i love the band name

i hope they call their first album with a drummer "hit with the rhythm stick"

love this drone + sax noise https://soundcloud.com/bitchin-bajas/rip-this-joint-stones-cover

it's kind of a mess but i like it anyway

SMOKIN'

Last night I saw them perform Terry Riley's In C with 20+ extra musicians, many of whom i have never seen before (and some I have) -- i'm really curious who coordinated this performance? getting 25 (26? some people were out of my view) people in the same place once is a challenge, but ostensibly they had to practice at least once? Also, I know the score is fluid and can be adapted -- who was in charge of that? I could have stayed after to ask, I guess but I don't like to bombard people with questions after they spent roughly an hour playing music in a room that was getting increasingly hotter as the hour went on.

Overall it was great!

$5 for media mail now xp

yes and don't forget the increased cost of mailers. i hardly see anyone on discogs these days offering LP shipping for less than $7. so it's definitely a better deal than i initially thought

Yeah, it's close. certainly I'd prefer to pay $25 for a single LP and start to balk at $27, $28 and beyond.

Cassette prices are dumb, too. There should be a law against double-digit cassette prices.

Yeah, the shipping included as a good point, though my point was just that the price is even higher than other single LP releases from Drag City that have been recently issued or currently up for pre-order.

The Freckle (Ty Segall project) LP is $26, the David Grubbs LP is $30, the Geologist LP is $28, the Mess Esque is $29.

Kind of all over the place, really, wonder just how they arrive at the different price points.

Anyway, no intention to dump on Drag City, it's a good label. The price point just stuck out to me relative to others.

I'm just happy to be getting new NIS on Drag City. If Eremite put it out it would be $40+ after shipping.

My theory about the price variations at DC is something to do with packaging (gatefolds, tip-on sleeves, etc.), but I don't really understand it either. But hey, shipping included and no tax if you order from their site.

New album with Natural Information Society is superb. Like falling safely, soundly asleep on a thinly vibrating highwire.

A mere 37 bucks for the album. Let alone postage. <wide eyes emoji>

This might be my AOY. Twins well with *The Way Out of Easy*. Intrigued by how both albums reference late 70s Rah. I might write a 'Lanquidity is having a moment' article for, uh, someone.

Would read that. I actually chased this one with Lanquidity a few weeks ago and was struck by how well they worked together.

*Ra, xp to my dumb old self.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXEUJR0QbhQ

Well, yeah. That's what made me listen to the original album.

I need to give this a proper listen. I'd advise against playing this on low volume while cooking dinner

I could pretend I hadn't forgotten the Bajas' Ra album, but not sure I can pull it off.

pairs well with silent footage of the mount lewotobi laki-laki eruption

Absolutely obsessed with these folks right now, thank you Stereolab

It's almost definitely a "me" problem but despite being a fan of both of these bands (BB and NIS), their collaborative work consistently leaves me wanting for some reason. Tried several times with this most recent one and just found it fine but underwhelming. Full disclosure: I too was cooking and / or preoccupied each time I listened, so maybe it's just one of those albums that deserves some undivided attention

One of my favorite things about this band is noticing the doubtful expression that crosses the faces of those I recommend them to, upon hearing their name.

indeed ... i'm late getting into them for that reason but the music is too good to deny. i wonder if this is how wolf alice fans feel

"be going" bajas fresh

I find these bitchin' bajas perfect ambient for cooking, studying, board games w/ friends. They reward both active and passive listening

New single kills. Love where they're going

It's lovely, sounds like Air ca. Moon Safari :)

thought of high llamas, but yeah, maybe Air is more accurate.

the bajas really do hit all the right notes for me. And hey, my band is opening for them in October!

That used to be my dream — to be in a band that opened for a band I would have gone to see. Congrats on achieving my dream! I haven’t heard new BBs yet but I do enjoy Air circa Moon Safari.

I love the new album, especially "Graut"

Shame I won't be able to see them this time out, they're opening for Stereolab here but only on the first night -- sold out, and my ticket is for the second night.

opening for these guys next month! and then stereolab is playing the following night ... what a way to spend a Monday and Tuesday.

https://img.evbuc.com/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.evbuc.com%2Fimages%2F1078135363%2F190851412173%2F1%2Foriginal.20250721-190659?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&w=1000&auto=format%2Ccompress&q=75&sharp=10&fp-x=0.497714246725&fp-y=0.304474708171&s=defed07a46998e099727858a303dd7ab

damn tyler

lucky duck

Eight hour jam session encore or GTFO

annoying they aren't coming to minneapolis

i'm amazed they're playing Denver! I've never seen 'em, though I caught Cave back in the day.

RIP can cover band Cave (afaik)

every now and then the Cave instagram will post something and I'll think there's something brewing, but I don't know ...

'graut' is incredible

wowwwwwww @ “graut”

I bet everybody I know can be found here

I don't even have a blacklight and I still want this

https://bitchinbajas.bandcamp.com/merch/bajascillators-blacklight-poster

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/0041304580_10.jpg

Everyone above otmfm about Graut. Hot damn

i will have to revisit because i was a bit underwhelmed by the new one. but the poster is cool

Damn, was hoping the was an I Love Style thread.

― how's life, Saturday, July 13, 2013 9:44 AM (twelve years ago) bookmarkflaglink

lol

i will have to revisit because i was a bit underwhelmed by the new one

had the same reaction until I played side 2. But yeah, side 1 hasn't left much of an impression yet

Bajas were magical in Denver last night — do not miss 'em if they're coming through your neck of the woods. I was grinning ear to ear throughout.

Can't get enough of "Graut", it really is amazing, but I'll be honest the first half of the new doesn't hit me as hard as some of the previous albums.

they've got a LIVE GRAUT LP they're selling at the merch table on this tour ...

between BB, necks, and [ahmed] i'm having a lot of live music fomo this year

and autechre

shit they're in slc tonight at the arcade bar

New one hasn’t clicked for me yet, sounds pleasantly decent but like their soul’s not in it or something, hoping that’ll change with more listens although I’ve preferred the couple live sets I’ve seen of theirs to any of their albums for the most part.