BAROCK is four Baroque arias arranged for a five piece rock ensemble with modernized lyrics. 
Recorded live on March 27 2015 in Brooklyn

Red Love
"Regne, Amour" - Aria from Pigmalion Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

Dad
"Schafe Können Sicher Weiden" - Aria from BWV 208 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Lift Her
"Waft Her, Angels, Through the Skies" - Aria from Jeptha, HWV 70 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Where You Walk
"Where'er You Walk" - Aria from Semele, HWV 58 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Misha Bittleston: Vocals
Rafaël Leloup: Accordion
Adam Benham: Drums
Jacob Owen: Guitar
Aiden Moore: Bass

Todd Carder: Recording Engineer, The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn
Mark Wilder: Mastering Engineer, Battery Studios, New York

Concept, Lyrics, Production and Artwork by Misha Bittleston
Arrangement and Music Direction by Rafaël Leloup
Project Coordination and Design by Aja Marsh

Very special thanks to Tommy Wazelle for vocal support and Chris Mirto for being there.

After all the years it took to make the last record, I wanted to try an experiment in expediency. Could Eight Two put out a short unpolished record in a matter of weeks or just a few months?

I had felt embarrassed about my love for baroque music, but somehow Jimi helped me make the leap.

I asked my friend Rafaël Leloup to arrange four Baroque arias for rock ensemble, I rewrote the words so I could feel natural singing them as myself. We had two rehearsals in Brooklyn and then we showed up at 10am and recorded, all playing and me singing together, no overdubs.

Playing together was stressful, but emotional and each take was a messy performance. We played music, and in between takes there was some fun and magical improvisation, the energy was that what each of us put in, would be there. I wanted to make the mix as unproduced as possible. No tricks. But not being able to rely on post production to fix and improve things made it a high pressure experience.

Here I was taking a huge leap. Who was I to record these timeless arias? But with Rafaël's arrangements they quickly took shape and we each played the songs in a way that was natural to us as contemporary musicians, the musicality of these compositions on the one side and our rock music sensibility on the other, we walk a fine line.

Why do this project? It is a challenge-- everyone who worked on it felt that.

℗ & © 2015 Electric Diving School/Tenderghost (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Licensed with permission from: Electric Diving School Music. Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

BAROCK

Where You Walk

Lift Her

BAROCK is four Baroque arias arranged for a five piece rock ensemble with modernized lyrics. 
Recorded live on March 27 2015 in Brooklyn

Red Love
"Regne, Amour" - Aria from Pigmalion Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

Dad
"Schafe Können Sicher Weiden" - Aria from BWV 208 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Lift Her
"Waft Her, Angels, Through the Skies" - Aria from Jeptha, HWV 70 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Where You Walk
"Where'er You Walk" - Aria from Semele, HWV 58 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Misha Bittleston: Vocals
Rafaël Leloup: Accordion
Adam Benham: Drums
Jacob Owen: Guitar
Aiden Moore: Bass

Todd Carder: Recording Engineer, The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn
Mark Wilder: Mastering Engineer, Battery Studios, New York

Concept, Lyrics, Production and Artwork by Misha Bittleston
Arrangement and Music Direction by Rafaël Leloup
Project Coordination and Design by Aja Marsh

Very special thanks to Tommy Wazelle for vocal support and Chris Mirto for being there.

After all the years it took to make the last record, I wanted to try an experiment in expediency. Could Eight Two put out a short unpolished record in a matter of weeks or just a few months?

I had felt embarrassed about my love for baroque music, but somehow Jimi helped me make the leap.

I asked my friend Rafaël Leloup to arrange four Baroque arias for rock ensemble, I rewrote the words so I could feel natural singing them as myself. We had two rehearsals in Brooklyn and then we showed up at 10am and recorded, all playing and me singing together, no overdubs.

Playing together was stressful, but emotional and each take was a messy performance. We played music, and in between takes there was some fun and magical improvisation, the energy was that what each of us put in, would be there. I wanted to make the mix as unproduced as possible. No tricks. But not being able to rely on post production to fix and improve things made it a high pressure experience.

Here I was taking a huge leap. Who was I to record these timeless arias? But with Rafaël's arrangements they quickly took shape and we each played the songs in a way that was natural to us as contemporary musicians, the musicality of these compositions on the one side and our rock music sensibility on the other, we walk a fine line.

Why do this project? It is a challenge-- everyone who worked on it felt that.

-----------------------

LYRICS:

Sheep may safely graze serenely
Where a farmer guards them well
Children safely grow strong and free
Kids grow up knowing who to be
Dad beside them where they fell

Where their fathers guard them well

So a nation run with wisdom
Knows and shares the elevation
Which both peace and plenty brings

So a nation run in wisdom
Knows it shares the same foundation
Many blessings, knows and shares
The blessings which both peace and plenty bring

He may safely play serenely
Where his father guards him well
He may safely grow strong and free
He'll grow up knowing who to be
Dad beside him where he fell

Where his father guards him well


℗ & © 2015 Electric Diving School/Tenderghost (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Licensed with permission from: Electric Diving School Music. Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

Red Love

Hey, I'm Eight Two (they/them)—a nonbinary, queer, neurodivergent genre fluid singer-songwriter and self-taught visual artist carving out my own space in the world of art rock. My journey began in the vibrant streets of Brooklyn in 2008, where I found solace and inspiration in the power of music.

As a multi-instrumentalist, my primary tools are the guitar and my voice, weaving together melodies that speak to the soul. From thought-provoking philosophical musings to uplifting motivational anthems, my songs are a reflection of my quest for creativity, connection, and meaning.

Despite navigating the world without social media or a phone, I'm here to share my sonic journey with you. Whether you're a fellow oddball, a seeker of truth, or simply someone looking for a bit of inspiration, there's a place for you in my musical universe.

So join me on this adventure as I craft my next album, fueled by authenticity, vulnerability, and a whole lot of heart. Together, let's explore the depths of our creativity, forge meaningful connections, and celebrate the beauty of being unapologetically ourselves.