If you had stopped by the studio when Bye Beneco was recording its debut full-length earlier in 2014, you
would have stumbled on a scene littered with clues about what Space Elephant would eventually sound
like.
Softly sparkling fairy lights. Persian carpeting with a piling so plush you could easily sink into it. A splayed
out traditional Japanese Wagasa umbrella. And, at the heart of it all, a shrine to Mexican artist Frida
Kahlo with a dimly lit world globe as its centerpiece.
It was the perfect setting for the creation of a defiant, South African-hewn flag bearer for music that defies
easy categorisation; for an album that’s at once welcoming and inviting, and explosively experimental
and thrilling.
Those who have been following Bye Beneco since the Johannesburg-based band emerged in 2013
will know that creating a debut album that falls outside simple catch-alls like Indie-Folk or Indie-Pop is
befitting for this musical collective.
Through a growing slate of live performances (including Oppikoppi 2013) and gripping videos (“On
The Line”), Bergen Nielson (drums, guitar), Lenny-Dee Doucha (vocals, guitar), Jenny Dison (vocals,
percussion) and Matthew Watson (drums, percussion, guitar) have emerged as willing to explore sounds
and words without constraint.

Released by:
Just Music
Album release date:
14 April 2014