Gina Birch is experiencing an extraordinary late-career resurgence. As a co-founder of the influential post-punk band The Raincoats, admired by figures like Kurt Cobain and Jack White, and a recognized visual artist, she could easily take a step back. However, she launched her debut solo album 'I Play My Bass Loud' at the age of 67, garnering widespread critical acclaim. Chosen to represent the celebrated Women In Revolt! exhibition at the Tate, Gina Birch became a familiar face on tube posters throughout London, recognized by thousands, if not millions.
“I’m not entirely sure how it happened. I just kept moving forward!” she chuckles, enjoying tea at her home in North London. Her husband has graciously taken their (adorably charming) dog for a walk during our conversation, and Gina can’t resist offering cake to her guests. At one point, she invites us down to her basement, where a makeshift studio filled with her artwork resides in the corner. “There’s no grand plan. I just turn on my computer and see what comes to mind,” she shrugs.
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The new album 'Trouble' represents a swift follow-up. While 'I Play My Bass Loud' was firmly rooted in a more complex rock sound, this new work leans more toward synth and electronic influences. If her solo debut was situated in the realm of The Raincoats, this one might be compared to Chicks On Speed (or women enjoying cake, for that matter).
“I wouldn’t have minded repeating myself; I just don’t know how to!” she laughs. “You create a song, and people ask: how did you achieve that? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. It just happened. Those who can write the same song over and over are remarkable. They have a formula. I guess I don’t have a recipe book… I just combine things and see what results.”
Part of this evolution stemmed from Gina's desire to incorporate her live band, two women she refers to as The Unreasonables, into the creative process. “I wanted to bring them into the album a bit and make them feel included,” she explains.
Gina’s writing process is fluid, reflecting her feelings in the moment. “I usually go directly to Logic, set a pulse, play a bass line melody, add some beats or percussion, and then start improvising. Or I’ll have chords and sing!”
“Some prefer to tidy up before they start working,” Gina observes, “but I can navigate through any amount of mess to get to what I need to do. If I have an idea, I pursue it.”
“I work in a pretty chaotic manner,” she says softly, “and hope for the best.”
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During our discussion, Gina reminisces about a past conversation with Robert Wyatt, an enigmatic English vocalist who was signed to Rough Trade around the same time as The Raincoats, and they participated in an interview together. Wyatt noted that old 78s capture the artist “breathing,” a concept that has become central to her current work. “The entire process feels incredibly alive,” she remarks. “It's beautiful to think that you’ve captured that breath.”
“I enjoy things that are somewhat minimal and conceptual,” she adds. “There are many women’s voices I admire that are quite peculiar… some people find them difficult to appreciate.”
Clash suggests Yoko Ono as a notable example. “Oh, Yoko does her own thing!” Gina exclaims with enthusiasm. “She’s completely uncompromising, and that’s what makes her brilliant.”
There’s a palpable excitement when Gina talks about creation – it’s as if play and her practice are inseparable. “I like to experiment with things. That’s what I love about recording – I’m the Queen, the Emperor of this machine. When you’re in control, you can explore everything.”
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However, her new album is far from trivial – a track like 'Doom Monger' nearly embodies the existential darkness of the current era. “Things have really spiraled out of control,” she points out. “With protests being banned, and people arrested for the slightest infractions.”
The record also reflects another passion of hers – reggae and the expansive space of dub production. “I appreciate the silence between the notes. The pauses in-between. But you can’t beat a good drone! I enjoy both a drone and a non-drone.” The element of chance in Gina's work extends into her life. A series of car rides to visit her mother took her through North London where she spotted a faded sign for an old Chinese restaurant – while driving, she noticed the word ‘Happiness,’ inspiring a key song title.
“I’d see it through the haze,” she reminisces. “Seeing the word happiness always lifted my mood. Just the sight of it made me feel good. Then one day it disappeared – replaced by something else. I returned home
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Gina Birch is currently experiencing an extraordinary resurgence in her later career. As a co-founder of the influential post-punk band The Raincoats, she is cherished by fans including Kurt.