Bex Burch
Bex Burch is percussionist and composer, specialising in the Dagaare xylophone or Gyil. Following a series of chance encounters and a keen interest in groove based music / minimalism Burch was invited to be the apprentice to master Ghanaian xylophonist Thomas Segkura and lived in Dagaare Ghana making and playing Gyilli for 3 years. On passing out of the apprenticeship, she was given the name ‘Vula Viel’, meaning Good is Good and shared the name with her first group on returning to the UK where she continues to forge her own unique sound.
Forming Vula Viel in 2013, acclaimed releases ‘Good is Good’ 2015, ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ in 2019, ‘What’s Not Enough About That’ marked another major step in the evolution of Vula Viel. The album was recorded at London’s Fish Factory and was mixed by Dilip Harris (Sons Of Kemet, Joe Armon Jones). Vula Viel continues to build on that success with worldwide touring and a constant unique freshness: continuously stretching out the band’s sound, at times delicate and at others moving into raw post punk soundscapes. Expect an expansive, spacious album and live set which winds effortlessly from reassuring pulse, soaring melodies, to strident leftfield improvisations.
Burch has performed on Gilles Peterson's BBC6 Music show live and in London’s most revered alternative venues such as Café OTO, Total Refreshment Centre and Vortex Jazz Club. Touring further afield includes WOMAD, Moers Festival, Bezau Beatz, Willisau Jazz Festival and Artist in Focus at Music Meeting. She has hosted a number of shows on Worldwide FM including a guest mix for Steve Reed Foundation Day (https://worldwidefm.net/show/steve-reid-foundation-day-bex-burch/).
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Beautiful Dance to it, Make Love to it, Consume it, Listen to it, Stare at the Clouds to it.. Iggy Pop
They were the unexpected stars of a glitzy show John Fordham
One of the most exciting young UK groups I've heard this year, Vula Viel Jez Nelson
Max Reinhardt vula viel making the earth spin!!! Hurry on down...sounds of subversion immersion resolution”
fRoots Something wonderful is at work here... This is a superb, generous record