Lost & Found: Bing & Ruth sheds light on 'Dorsal' EP

Established in 2006, Bing & Ruth is an ever-evolving collective steered by composer David Moore, a pianist originally from Kansas and a graduate of New York’s school of Jazz and Contemporary Music at the New School. His compositions are both enchanting and haunting, evoking the listener into a trance-like state where time seamlessly slips away.

Following the release of ‘No Home Of The Mind‘ LP earlier this year on 4AD, today Bing & Ruth announce the release of a digital-only sophomore extended player featuring three compositions that were taped during the same sessions as the album’s recording. To celebrate the drop of ‘Dorsal‘ we caught up with David to discover what spurred him to release this new EP.

Interview by Tom Durston
Photography by Tonje Thilesen

"These tunes were written in Northern California in an
area which is currently on fire. The tragedy of that far outweighs
any inclination I might have to find meaning in it."

Hi David thanks for taking the time to tell us about your new extended player “Dorsal” – first off the music is stunning! It’s the perfect the soundtrack to Autumn. Do you also feel your music is a reflection of the seasons?

I think in the sense that any song is a reflection of the time and space it was both created and is consumed. Perhaps in a different season it would feel a different way.

The press release states that these three tracks did not make it on your album “No Home Of The Mind” – how come? What made these tracks not make the cut for the album? What was lacking?

I wouldn’t say anything was lacking per se. More than that I found these particular tunes to not jive as well with the album material, but they worked well in relation to each other… which is how they got their own little slice of the output pie.

It also states that you recorded the album on 17 pianos across the US and Europe – can you remember where (and on what pianos) these three compositions were recorded?

These tunes were written in Northern California in an area which is currently on fire. The tragedy of that far outweighs any inclination I might have to find meaning in it.

Do you have a favourite piano – if so where and why?

Generally speaking my favorite (or least favorite) piano is the one which I am currently playing. At the moment it’s an old Wurlitzer upright set up in my friend’s backyard.

What do you think about Nils Frahm’s annual worldwide event “Piano Day”? Have you ever gotten involved with something like this back in NYC?

I have not gotten involved yet. It usually falls on Manatee Appreciation Day so I’ve been mostly consumed with activities related to that.

"If I feel connected to a proposed project I’m happy to
jump in and swim around. Same with anything I suppose.
Art. People. Sandwiches."

Have you ever considered or been approached to make music with a vocalist?

The first few years of the band we had two vocalists. You can hear them on “City Lake“. I found the sound perfect for that batch of tunes but have found myself less interested in the specific humanity that the voice commands. Certainly not closed off to the idea but I seem to be putting my attention elsewhere at the moment.

Who’s behind the artwork for the EP?

That is Adam Henry. He’s an incredible painter in Brooklyn who did the cover for “No Home of the Mind”. He’s big on using a limited number of colours to create wide gradients, which I thought fit the spirit of what we’re all about.

Are you interested in scoring music for a film?

I’ve worked on a few things… it’s more project based at the moment. Like if I feel connected to a proposed project I’m happy to jump in and swim around. Same with anything I suppose. Art. People. Sandwiches.

Which other pianists and composers are you really enjoying at present?

I haven’t been listening to too much music these days but have been getting a lot of enjoyment out of the new Katlyn Aurelia Smith record. Also Kara-Lis Coverdale. Really moving stuff. Not piano based but the spirit is there in force.

Finally where can we see you perform next?

I’ll be heading off the Europe for a run of solo shows in a few weeks. I’ll be in London on Nov 16 at St Pancras Old Church. Other dates and tickets all an internet search away. After a year of shows with the band I’m looking forward to seeing where I can take the songs all on my own.

Dorsal EP is out now, order a digital copy from Boomkat.

TRACKLIST

1. Dorsal
2. Torche II
3. Weighout

Discover more about Bing & Ruth and 4AD on Inverted Audio.