Behind The Music with BHuman

If I say the names Billy and Harrison, you may not place exactly who they are off the top of your head. However, if I say BHuman, I’m sure you will know exactly who I am talking about.

BHuman has been making waves lately with their New Music releases and out of this world visuals. As I have been captivated by their multi-dimensional approach towards their music, I knew it was time to go Behind The Music and dive deep into what BHuman brings to the table.

Taking time away from their tour BHuman allowed me to get a few moments of their time to give you all the insight I know you want to know.

Where are you from?

Billie- I was born in Pittsburgh but grew up mostly in the countryside outside of Oxford, England.

Harrison- I’m a midwest boy. I’m from the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

How many projects have you released to date?

We’ve released a few singles, the most recent being our cover of Cher’s “Believe”. We released our debut self-titled EP earlier this year and will be following up with a second EP later this year!

Can you tell us about the “Believe” video and the background/inspirations behind it?

The video style came about just as a natural extension of our own aesthetic tastes; Harrison is obsessed with vintage horror films such as ‘Attack of the 50 Foot Woman’, ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space’ and ‘The Day The Earth Stood Still’, and when we we were figuring out what to do with the video for “Believe”, we immediately thought of the iconic X-Files phrase “I want to believe”, and it all just fit into place rather serendipitously, so we just decided to go with the vintage 50s alien b-movie horror film aesthetic mixed with the 90s tv show imagery.

What do you think of the state of the music industry in 2019 as it relates to being able to inspire your fans?

Representation matters, and that’s why we’re really open about our backgrounds and identities. If we can inspire other LGBTQ+ people to be authentically themselves, or to make their own art, whatever form that may take, I think we’ve done what we set out to do.

Who do you think is the most influential artist at this time and why?

B – I think I’d probably have to say Lady Gaga. She was responsible for the move away from authenticity into the over the top, glam era of her first albums, quickly taken up by virtually every pop star in the industry. Then, when she decided to move in a more authentic, stripped down version with ‘Joanne’, everyone else suddenly did the same. Arguably she could just be really good at being just slightly ahead of the curve, but after her foray back into ‘glam pop’ with the ‘A Star Is Born’ album, which has sent every pop diva scrambling to find quirky outfits again, I think she’s influencing these global changes. 

H- Max Martin forever and always

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?

So far we’ve stuck to artists from other disciplines, to help us realize the visual world that accompanies our music. We’ve had such an amazing list of collaborators; directors such as Christine Hahn and Eli Schmidt, wig stylist Evanie Frausto, make us artists such as Grace Ahn and Starr Thorne and 3D Modelers/designers Michael Perez and Jericho Colorico.

How do you think you differ from others in your genre?

Our sonic and visual references are pretty unique, both of us come from very different backgrounds with a solid core of shared tastes but enough difference to create something magical.

Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?

B – Has to be Björk for me, I’d love the opportunity to even be in the room while she creates, let alone collaborate with her.

H- Hilary Duff or maybe Paris Hilton

What was the first album you purchased?

B – I think it was S Club 7’s debut album, which I played on my little CD player in my room, studiously pausing every line to write down the lyrics by hand.

H- Metamorphosis– Hilary Duff

What’s your favorite song at the moment?

B – Caroline Polachek’s “Door” has been on repeat constantly this month. Her voice is insane and the production is so so gorgeous.

H– “Mine” by Uffie

If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?

B – Björk’s Vespertine, my favourite album of hers

H- Hmm maybe Love Deluxe by Sade or Seal 1+2

What is your favourite saying?

B – If we’re talking things I say a lot – I probably say “Love/Hate that for you!” about a million times a day. If we’re talking philosophical saying – “We live in capitalism. It’s power seems inescapable. So did the divine right of Kings.” – Ursula Le Guin

H- Wow Billie talking philosophical! You definitely do say ‘love that / hate that for you’ all the time It’s like your default response! Hmm maybe “I’m just a girl who cain’t say no” from Oklahoma.

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

B – I code – I’m currently building an app that helps trans people access safe services – and read a lot of sci fi books. I’m also a total skincare junkie and love learning about the science behind it.

H – I collect retro video games and VHS and am obsessed with David Lynch. I honestly just watch the same twin peaks VHS on repeat every night as I fall asleep, that or Pee Wee’s Playhouse. 

Tell us what the fans can expect from you in the coming months?

We have our second EP – BMovie – coming out this fall plus more live shows, remixes, and videos.

What are your social media handles?

Bhumanmusic on Instagram, bhumanband on Facebook

B insta: billielloydnyc

H insta: _harrison_scott_