Bitter:Sweet - The SoCal Sound Session with Nic Harcourt
Discussing the band reforming, ahead of the new album Baby Is Back
Interview with Nic Harcourt, performing 4 songs LIVE ON-AIR
written and published by: Matt Blake
The SoCal Sound welcomed Bitter:Sweet onto More Music In The Morning with Nic Harcourt + Jet for an interview and performance LIVE ON-AIR! Shannon Halligan and the band performed live in a full band configuration to give us a sneak peak of the new upcoming album Baby Is Back, set to be released in April.
Beginning the session, there was a performance of the title track “Baby Is Back”, which kicked off the soulful energy that would come throughout the rest of the session. The blend of Shannon’s vocals, intertwined with jazzy beats, scratching turntables, and in the pocket rhythms that reminded us on why they have been a fixture in the indie music scene since 2006.
During the conversation with Nic Harcourt, Halligan reflects on the past 19 years working in the music scene. Explaining the insight while working with bands like Thievery Corporation and Nouvelle Vague ultimately influenced her decision to return to her own project with Bitter:Sweet. Going into detail “I realized a year and a half ago that I really missed this sound—it’s my thing, my culmination of jazz, swing, and electronic influences”
Bitter:Sweet also performed “Rosary” previewing what will be coming on the new album, as well as what audiences will enjoy at a free Valentine’s Day show at One Hotel in West Hollywood, following that performance with “Rise”, which Shannon wrote about her late father, and said that the song resonated deeply in more ways than one since it also has roots in her hometown of Los Angeles, which has suffered from recent wildfires.
Concluding the session, The SoCal Sound and listeners were treated to a rare fourth song performance on More Music In The Morning with Nic Harcourt + Jet, when Bitter:Sweet performed an exclusive version of an early catalog song “Dirty Laundry (Stipped)”.
The SoCal Sound Interviews are filmed, edited, & photographed by Matt Blake, recorded and mixed by Tristan Dolce, executive produced by Marc "Mookie" Kaczor. More Music In The Morning with Nic Harcourt + Jet is produced by Jet.
Bitter:Sweet Baby Is Back will be available soon, and they will be performing at One Hotel in West Hollywood on Valentine’s Day, as well as an album release show at the Peppermint Club on April 25th.
