Ska-ed By The Iraq War

The European big band Babylon Circus take a political stance with their ska-based fusion of many influences, reports Jonathan Alley. THE opening bars of Babylon Circus 2004 album Dances of Resistance represent a sonic declaration of intent. Samples from a massive anti-Iraq war protest march recorded by the band in Spain greet our ears, before the Lyon-based 12-piece outfit spin off into a ska-fuelled, modern Euro-skank, driven by an overheated horn section. The experience titled the bands album, and personifies their modus operandi, according to vocalist/composer/drummer David Biloul, who co-founded the band in 1995. "Its a way to have hope and be together in the world, while giving power to one another," he says. While punk, rock, jazz, Balkan influences and touches of "chanson" all reside within the 12-headed beast that is Babylon Circus, their common musical language is ska. "I grew up in the 70s and 80s. My mother used to listen to the Specials and Madness, the second wave of British ska - the two-tone era." says Biloul. "But when we started in 95, nobody knew ska in France! Today at every festival, you hear several ska bands. Its mixed with music unique to our generation, this kind of fusion is very good; by using the music of the past, we can also find a new sound. Its like cooking: you take several spices and try and find a new dish! Its the same with music." Babylon Circus sing in both French and English, but Biloul sees little distinction. Referring to the song De La Musiquie Et Du Brut (Music and Noise) on Dances of Resistance, he says the audience can experience different levels of enjoyment.

"Its talking about a party in a neighbourhood, in a very mixed country - with people from North America, eastern Europe, southern Europe - there are several ways to see it. It can be the story of a party, or as comment on immigration; about building a new culture, living all together. When we play that song, even if the audience dont understand the precise meaning of every lyric, they obviously understand the general message. We always try and introduce the general theme of the song before we play it, no matter where we are playing." Babylon Circus live and work on the road full-time, with Biloul describing music as "the best passport ever". The bands name is no misnomer, either: several musicians are trained circus performers, and this dynamic visual element is an inevitable addition to their live show.

"Its another way to express what we want to give people. We express ourselves with dance, with circus performers; we have plenty in common with dancers, and clowns and actors, its all the same idea: to express emotions and messages to the audience." The bands gig addiction and overt interest in politics has taken them all over the globe: even to Syria and Lebanon during the most troubled post-invasion period of the Iraq war. Biloul describes the bands time in Syria as particularly memorable. "No French bands wanted to go to the Middle East! It was different to what the newspaper told us about the mood in this part of the world. The people were not sad and aggressive; we played to young people, old people, Muslim people, and Catholic people - all dancing together in one place. As its a military dictatorship, there are very few cultural events. The people were thirsty to drink new music. We played in the streets and people closed their shops and followed us, people clapped their hands. We had to stop a concert for the last prayer of the day! But that was fine: it was all magical." Babylon Circus found the experience so inspirational they wrote most of their next album in Syria (due for release in autumn 2008) and will debut some of the material at their upcoming Australian appearances. Wherever they play, Bilouls aim remains the same. "We succeed while we drive the people crazy: its like a communion, our hearts are all beating at the same tempo!" Babylon Circus play Northcote Social Club Friday, January 11. They support True Live at Becks Bar as part of Sydney Festival on January 12. Dances of Resistance is available now through Shock/Filter.

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