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Bambara’s ‘Birthmarks’: A Dark, Cinematic Rebirth in Sound and Story

  • November 25, 2024
  • 3 min read
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Bambara’s ‘Birthmarks’: A Dark, Cinematic Rebirth in Sound and Story
Bambara, Birthmarks, new album, post-punk, gothic rock, dark wave, cinematic music, apocalyptic sound, Reid Bateh, Pray to Me, haunting music, storytelling in music, Graham Sutton, Madeline Johnston, Emma Acs, Bella Union, Wharf Cat Records, music evolution, UK tour, EU tour, North American tour, atmospheric rock, dive bars, electric chairs, reincarnation themes, frontier violence, sonic adventurousness, Georgia swamps, New York City music.

Bambara’s ‘Birthmarks’ is a hauntingly ambitious odyssey that feels like a fever dream laced with fire and venom, marking a daring evolution for the trio. At its core is Reid Bateh’s fascination with reincarnation—not in a mystical, new-age sense, but as a stark exploration of how we carry our past selves, loves, and losses. It’s the kind of reincarnation where relationships collapse like old ruins, leaving echoes of ex-lovers in places they no longer belong. This concept spiraled into a cinematic narrative, spanning decades and drenched in frontier violence, dive bars, electric chairs, and women connected across generations through dreams and snakebites.

The result? Birthmarks, Bambara’s fifth album and follow-up to their 2020 breakout Stray, emerges as their most apocalyptic yet poignant work to date. Crafted alongside co-producer Graham Sutton (known for his work with These New Puritans and Jarvis Cocker), the album boasts a raw sonic adventurousness. It also features mesmerizing guest vocals from Madeline Johnston (Midwife) and Emma Acs (Crack Cloud), solidifying its status as a daring chapter in Bambara’s discography. Released on March 14th via Wharf Cat Records in North America and Bella Union elsewhere, Birthmarks feels like a new dawn for the band—a reincarnation, if you will.

The lead single, “Pray to Me,” is a thrilling entry point. Built on ghostly guitars and buzzing synths rather than their usual chaotic grit, the track signals the band’s sonic shift while retaining their signature darkness. It tells a gripping tale: a one-eyed man storms into a country karaoke night, knife in pocket and obsession in his heart, only to spiral into madness as jealousy and rage consume him. The song barrels forward with manic energy, mirroring the unraveling psyche of its protagonist. It’s a visceral, cinematic masterpiece that sets the stage for what’s to come.

For Reid, his twin brother Blaze (drums), and childhood friend William Brookshire (bass), Birthmarks arrives five years after Stray and three after their Love on My Mind EP. It reflects the weight of time and transformation. Drawing from the swamps of Georgia that shaped their youth and the shadowy allure of their adopted New York City home, Bambara has never sounded more precise or more expansive. Themes of decay and rebirth pulse through every track, marrying the apocalyptic with the deeply personal.

With a UK and EU tour already announced and North American dates on the horizon, Birthmarks promises to pull audiences deep into Bambara’s world. As the lead single “Pray to Me” makes clear, this is not just an album—it’s an immersive, visceral experience. Prepare to be captivated.

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Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is an accomplished promoter, event planner, producer, activist, counselor, poet and blogger. Within the course of two and a half years Chris Ryan has worked with some of NYC's most established promoters/event planners, been named 2007′s GaySocialite of the year, granted a promoter of the year award from NYC's most famous gay establishment, Splash. He's worked in some of NYC's top venues including; Avalon, Capitale, Cipriani, Cielo, Pacha, Element, Le Poisson Rouge, XL, G Lounge, Plumm, Hilton Hotel, Indigo Hotel, Spirit, Myst/Quo, Splash, The Ritz, Vlada, Roseland Ballroom, Heaven, etc. In 2008, Chris Ryan has begun to unveil some of the most innovative & unique parties New York City has ever seen. The Fusion events "fuse" together all disciplines of art into an event that remains diverse yet cohesive at the same time. ChrisRyanNYC.com won best gay promotions website from NYC Event Patrons in 2008 & he was granted an award from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Gov. Patterson & Michelle Clunie (QAF) saluting him for his hard work in nightlife. Chris Ryan has also begun working with many renown companies, including; doctors, lawyers, physicians, modeling agencies & more. Chris Ryan has been responsible for wide-scale promotions for all these companies & generating tremendous business. Chris Ryan has even started to become National with events taking place in LA & Miami this year. In May of 2009 Chris Ryan received the very prestigious honor of being named a "40 Under 40″ Gays in America by the Advocate Magazine. He also created three successful parties that generated over 1,500 patrons each. In January of 2010 Chris Ryan was featured as one of the top promoters to look out for in Noize Magazine Chris Ryan joined forces with legendary promoter/event producer, Lee Chappell and created one of the most talked about events of all 2010, Desire @ Capitale. Chris Ryan and Lee featured one of the most outstanding artists NYC has ever seen, "Oh Land." Her performance coupled with an exquisite and unforgettable set design added to this extravagant event that held over 1,000 patrons in one of NYC's most successful PRIDE events! Chris Ryan then joined forces with legendary Pacha promoter, Rob Fernandez in addition to Jake Resnicow and Tommy Marinelli to bring one of the largest and most successful parties worldwide to NYC, MATINEE. The event on Governor's Island saw over 2,000+ attendees and one of the most ambitious productions ever. In 2011 Chris Ryan started Emerge Music Promotions with business partner Darren Melchiorre. Emerge Music promotions began signing artists with plans to develop and market the artists to the community at large. Emerge Music promotions has big events planned for 2012 and 2013. Chris Ryan debuted the IMAGE events which took place on top of two of NYC's most beautiful rooftop venues, Rare View and Indigo Hotel. The events were blogged everywhere and featured the fashion designs of several clothing designers, artists and photographers. Chris Ryan felt that fashion and art should be displayed at every event and attracted the likes of Malan Breton, Calvin Klein and even Katy Perry. Chris Ryan began an extremely successful event which incorporated the concept of a house party into a nightclub atmosphere. The event Twist'D at G Lounge has been one of the most talked about events in NYC and allows it's audience to play nearly-naked Twister, beer pong, flip cup & more with other attendees. Chris Ryan was granted an excellence in volunteering award from AVP (Anti-Violence Project) for all his efforts in supporting the organization. 2013 has a very promising landscape on the horizon and Chris Ryan is complacent in saying "you haven't seen anything yet!"

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