By Annie Bohling
March 24, 2017
It seems that every weekend, at least lately, in Lincoln there’s an album release show for a local band. Maybe musicians spent winter months in studios. Or maybe it attests to the prolific talent in Lincoln.
This Saturday marks a special day for local band Bien Fang, as they will celebrate their first release, “Garbage Island,” at their EP release party at Duffy’s Tavern at 9 p.m.
Bien Fang describes itself as sludgy grunge pop and comprises three members: Rachel Tomlinson Dick on lead guitar and vocals, Katherine Courtney Morrow on bass guitar and vocals and Nathaniel Luginbill on drums.
“We wanted to put out something that just kind of flowed together and had a pretty concise message to it,” Morrow said. “We felt like an EP would give a good, clear sound and message.”
Six tracks fill the EP, while the two-year-old group has about 15 songs in the bag.
“There’s a lot of messages” in the songs, Morrow said. “Rachel and I both write. There’s a couple of messages about … the idea of being vocal and not being afraid to be yourself and not being afraid to demand respect and autonomy.”
Morrow said she and Tomlinson Dick both write lyrics and bass and guitar parts, respectively.
“Then we bring it to practice and play around with it,” Morrow said. “Nate helps out with the process. He orchestrates the drums that bring the whole song together, but there will be times that he says, ‘What if we did four measures instead?’ He’s a multi-instrumentalist. So it’s a pretty equal group effort.”
The recording process was a breeze, Morrow said. It was two straight days at Fuse Studios and recording was done. The EP was recorded by Matty Sanders, who has also recorded several other Lincoln artists like Freakabout, Laughing Falcon, Dylan Bloom Band, and Unmanned. Doug Van Sloun, of Focus Mastering, adding the final touches.
“It feels good,” Morrow said of the EP release show on Saturday. “It feels nice. I think we’re all just really excited. We got the recording done…and it’s smooth sailing at this point.”
Listen to Bien Feng’s Courntey Morrow and Rachel Tomlinson Dick preview “Garbage Island” on KZUM
The band is releasing the EP a little differently. It will be available as a digital download for $5 – which isn’t so unique in 2017 – with a zine. A zine is a simply and independently made miniature magazine. Morrow and Dick have been zine makers for some time, and had the idea to make one for the EP.
“All of our lyrics are in it,” Morrow said. “There’s a page for each song. And then just ideas we have of how counterculture should work and whether or not punching Nazis is cool.”
The show starts at 9 p.m. with opening bands High Ruler (of Lincoln) and No Thanks (of Omaha).
“We’re really excited to play with both of them,” Morrow said. “We’re really good friends with both of those bands. … No Thanks is full-on punk, kind of sludgy punk. They’re awesome. High Ruler is like stoner metal. Rattle your organs as you listen to them.”
Morrow said she and Tomlinson Dick do a lot of work in Lincoln to make sure the community – and local music community – remains a safe place for all.
“We’re really hoping to be part of that movement with anyone who wants to be,” Morrow said. “That’s a big part of Bien Fang. We want to be vocal and put our voices out there. We want people to know they can speak on their experiences and find power on speaking on them. We both do that ourselves. Ultimately, that’s why we’re such a good team.”
Connect with Bien Fang on their Facebook page and learn more about the EP release show on the event page.
Annie Bohling is one of KZUM’s tireless interns.
