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Bitter Ruin - 14th May 2010
"So here’s a duo that defy classification. They’ve got a kind of drunken cabaret swagger going on that is quite captivating and Georgia Train’s powerful vocals will leave you slack jawed in awe with some of the high notes she can hit with ease. Accompanying her is Ben Richards on guitar and lending his vocals to create a very nice contrast with Georgia Train. Richards’ guitar playing skills are quiet ear catching, ranging from jagged strumming to a flamenco style, showcasing his talent in both areas.
The best part of the duo has to be the delightfully dark and evil lyrics that masquerade under a kind of Bonnie and Clyde loving relationship between Georgia Train and Ben Richards. Definitely listen to their music with the lyrics out and if you’ve got a dark sense of humor you will be laughing till the end of the song, which is kind of funny considering the tragic nature that encompasses the songs.
Their first studio LP is coming out on May 26th 2010 and it’s entitled Hung, Drawn, and Quartered."
Pete's Perspective
~ original article ~
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Simon Jay Catling’s 2010 TipTape - 20th January 2010
"Gate crashing my thus far Northern exclusive party are Georgia Train and Ben Ricards aka acoustic two-piece Bitter Ruin. It was in the summer of 2007 that I got to see the pair perform live and two and a half years further on they’re finally ready to unleash their debut album on the world. It’s live where they really excel though; “performance” really is an apt adjective to use, as they occupy the roles of the constantly embittered ex-lovers that their songs often revolve around. It’s done with the air of a couple of who really do know each other inside out."
Simon Jay Catling - God is in the TV
~ original article ~
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Artist Spotlight - 20th September 2009
"Bitter Ruin, based in the United Kingdom, consists of two members: Georgia Train and Ben Richards. Both members equally contribute to vocals, and Ben plays the guitar. I discovered Bitter Ruin through a Myspace friend request. Most “bands” that request my friendship there are not even worth my time. However, Bitter Ruin was different… they blew me away!
The first song I heard was actually a bonus track on their “We’re Not Dancing” CD, called “Trust“. As a virgin to them, I skeptically listened to the song start off… It was mellow with what I suppose you would call a Louisiana Blues sound. I love a large variety of music, but I can’t say that I ever have had a passion for that genre… but Bitter Ruin uses it in a modern way and it works well. (Another reviewer calls the sound “folk-gothic”, which sounds pretty fitting.) I found the style to be unique (amongst current artists), and recognized quickly that this girl COULD SING. Such a velvety smooth voice that fluctuates with ease, and such power without a hint of straining.
As much as I deeply appreciated the true talent, I somewhat expected the whole song to be slow-paced. I wondered if I would really find that certain je ne sais quoi that would really hook me on this band. About 35 seconds into the song, Georgia’s vocals start to gradually intensify in a soul-piercing way… and then the song suddenly surprised me as it took off. The song is so fast and vicious, it rocks! I instantly fell in love! Georgia and Ben’s parts in this chorus are layered together in a manner I feel to be genius.
In the mainstream, we regularly see female singers marketed to us as the new sensation. While I’ve grown up being impressed by many of them, many others are simply a girl that can carry a tune and are only famous because they will bring in the $$$ . Georgia is different… As it turns out, she has not only trained professionally for vocals, she is a singing teacher! I have not heard vocals quite like hers in the mainstream. “I had no idea that vocals like this actually existed, I actually had to turn around to check that it was her singing, I thought it was a recording. The control, the power, the tenderness, WOW, just fantastic! If they don’t hire her they’re stupid.” – Kate Cameron – (Fat boy Slim)
Being a female singer, I tend to gravitate toward praising and idolizing the female singer moreso, but I would like to give Ben credit where it is due. His style of singing sometimes reminds me of Voltaire, whom I am a big fan of. His vocals are solid and not overpowered by Georgia’s. Their voices are like they are made for each other.
I admit… I have a massive passion for music where a male and female sing together. It is not something that is incredibly common in mainstream music. I feel that the balance of a male and female singing together is just magical. Bitter Ruin helped really bring this passion out in me, and I also am a big fan of Ashbury Heights and the incredible song “You Don’t Know Me” by Ben Folds and Regina Spektor. I’d like to note that Ben Folds helped my idol, Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls, to create her mind-blowing solo album. It all comes together in a beautiful web of incredible talent influencing more phenomenal music to be created… You see, Georgia’s intense and theatrical style is influenced by Regina Spektor as well.
I love music and live performances that are not only singing, but are acting as well. In my opinion, an artist that performs with intensity and and charisma shows more of a true passion for what they do. I am not meaning to discredit all artists that perform in a more “standard” fashion, as I like many artists that are like that as well. However, even they need to have an energy or stage presence that takes you away from the real world. I admire the theatrical musicians most of all for this. Also, sometimes even theatrical musicians are not admirable. The difference is quite obvious between when it’s artistic and when it is just being done for attention and fame.
Lastly, my passion for Bitter Ruin also spurs from a love of angry music with smart lyrics. To me, another important aspect of music is that the artist writes meaningful lyrics because they are trying to express something, and not just because the words fit the timing of the music or are marketable."
Mistress Ravine
~ original article ~
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The 405 - 31st May 2009
"I stumbled across Bitter Ruin opening for another band's album launch party. Brighton based, Georgia and Ben perform with an intensity that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand straight to attention, just as the duo invite you to join them in doing to round off one of their songs. Ben's guitar style incorporates Flamenco flourishes, impassioned strumming and bluesy finger picking, all on a Spanish style acoustic. Both Ben and Georgia's vocal ranges are seriously impressive, but they don't just rely on technical proficiency; there's a lot of passion in Ben's, whilst Georgia is wildly inventive as well as having a fantastic ear for unconventional melody. Their live performance is dramatic and absorbing. What sets them apart is the sheer talent and what you sense is their only partially tapped potential. If you always liked acoustic partnerships but didn't think they could be intense and exciting, then this is the boy/girl duo that will prove you utterly mistaken. Easily one of Brighton's best bands, it won't be long before they also leave London (and thence...the world?) in Bitter Ruin."
Danny Wadeson
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Latest 7 - 7th August 2007
"Made up of Georgia Train and Ben Richards, Bitter Ruin are an explosive acoustic duo with heavy leaning towards folk-blues. Only together six months they have already released an album and are playing as many gigs as possible here in Brighton and beyond. There's a mesmerising drama and cabaret quality to their songs with storytelling influences from the likes of Jeff Buckley, Regina Spektor and Imogen Heap. both very young, but sounding mature beyond their years, there is a wonderful musical chemistry between the pair."
Jeff Hemmings
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Kemptown Rag, Brighton - 3rd August 2007
"Before I was introduced to the music of Bitter Ruin, a local Kemptown band, I had assumed the music would be heavy metal considering that I am familiar with the name of a Los Angeles based rock band named ‘My Ruin’. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Bitter Ruin are not just another metal band, not because I am adverse to heavy metal, but because their music has a particular quality that is difficult to label; it is something different and refreshing that seems to me poised precariously between folk, blues, traditional and alternative. I like the subtle tones of the acoustic guitar and that is what you get with their music but Bitter Ruin are not gentle folk, their music cries out to you with raw passion, perhaps, with the anguish and pain so closely associated with hard rock music and blues.Their disparate voices weave together to create a magical landscape of sound that is mesmerizing to listen to.When I asked Ben and Georgia who they were influenced by in the music world, their tastes differ and according to their official press release: ‘while Ben draws his serene and engrossing tone from Counting Crows, Georgia punches quirky outbursts tainted by Regina Spector and Kate Bush’. However, in answer to my question they both said that they do not wish to copy their influences and it is their passion and belief in creating their own distinct style that impressed me. They are a dynamic pair and having formed the band just 6 months ago, after being introduced by a friend; they have already released their debut EP and played at numerous venues throughout Brighton. Already the EP can be bought in record shops 'Rounders Records' in the South Lanes and the 'Resident' in the North Laines. Up and coming gigs include Belushi’s on the 19th of July, The Cella on the 17th August, The Troy Bar in London on 22nd and there is more detailed information on their Myspace site at www.myspace.com/bitterruin. What began as a few open mic sessions to test the water has led to a flood of interest in their music to warrant the making of this EP but both Georgia and Ben prefer to play live. The whole experience of playing to a live audience inspires them.They told me that I should see one of their gigs to get a complete impression of the music as the drama of the music and lyrics is played out on stage. I must admit that I am now very intrigued by their live performances and will go and see them.They also prefer to perform in smaller venues that are big on atmosphere. Music has always played a large part in their lives and they are both students of music intent on the development of their craft. Georgia described the writing of their songs and music as 'taking something that is everyday and creating something special'. Even the reason behind the name 'Bitter Ruin' has taken special consideration. I asked Ben and Georgia why they chose that name and they explained that 'Bitter Ruin' comes from Greek mythology and has great significance in poetry. It is an ancient poetic term that has lost its significance over time.With their music, Ben and Georgia are certainly reviving this age old term and I can honestly say it is music worth listening to and will appeal to people with very diverse musical appetites. However, be careful if you buy the EP, this music is so diverting that as I was listening to it I managed to forget I had something cooking on the hob and burnt my dinner. I think it is best for me to go and see them in the safety of their next venue."
Stephanie Clark
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