Bleep – September/October 2003
by Rod Christie
Who: Bleep
What: Electronic/Techno Duo
Where: Toronto, ON
To Contact: , www.bleeptunes.com
Possessed of a strange sense of humour, techno duo Bleep peer soberly out of the cover of their debut CD IMM 0008 dressed in what appears to be Mennonite outfits. Hardly Luddites, Bleep are comprised of British-born singer Robyn Sellman and tech-head Igor Olejar, originally form Yugoslavia. Pushing the electronic envelope at speeds somewhere in between drum n’ bass and trip-hop, Bleep lay claim to a wider range of influences than most of their peers. “We often quote the Twins as our main influences: the Cocteau Twins and Aphex Twin,” says Olejar. “But the range of influence is wide, form dream-pop to techno to bhangra to film soundtracks. Experimentation within the framework of conventional pop songs is what we do.” Ethereal melodies and clattering rhythms are a hallmark of their music, pushed by the technical abilities of both in programming, sampling and recording, as well as a smattering of guitars and keys. Despite the heavy use of technology, the songs transcend mere digital manipulation. “Being intimately familiar with the technology helps you easily translate your ideas into sound,” adds Olejar. “We try not to get lost in all the technicalities and stay aware of the big picture – our job is to produce songs, not administer technology.”