Neu I Ching: ‘Songwriting Is A Collaborative Process’

I challenge you to find an act tougher to pin down on first listen than I Ching. First On profiled the band back in February, highlighting that what the London group produce is, at its purest, dissolved from pop music. But surrounding prominent hooks are all manner of oddities; worldly elements; head-spinning snippets of sonics. The structure, too, never fits a regular pattern. There’s no such thing as a ‘quick spin’ when you listen to this band - you’re encouraged to concentrate and the rewards are in plenty. 

Recent newcomer to the label world Best Fit Recordings certainly sat down and gave I Ching the time of day. Debut single ‘It’s Me’ is the very first of the label’s releases. We put forward a few select, quick questions to the band, covering name-based puns and how tempted the band are to expand their already blooming ‘visual side’.

Can you tell our readers how you all formed? Did any of you have experience in other bands/musical projects previously?
We have all played a lot music in the past, but I Ching was formed by the two of us after making sounds together whilst at college. We now have two extra musicians, Andrew Ford and Thomas Jones who help make our music live ‘live’.

How do you write your songs? Do you have a ‘chief songwriter’ or is it a very collaborative process?
Very collaborative. The songs are shaped by both of us, and they always come out very equal in terms of input. We both do a bit of every instrument when recording. The better of our songs are probably the most balanced.

It must have been a huge honour to have your single as the first release on Best Fit Recordings. And the response to ‘It’s Me’ has been very positive.
It’s been such a pleasure to work with Rich Thane from Best Fit Recordings. Being the first release on the label is very exciting.

Did you have any real expectations of being picked up by blogs etc. when you first uploaded tracks to your bandcamp?
We don’t expect anything, but blogs are interesting. They come from many different angles.

We’ve heard a couple of your songs to date - are you holding many tracks back at the moment? Are there plans for an EP or album?
We’ve got lots of tracks written since this material. We play lots of them at live shows, but the recordings stay fairly under-wraps. 

Have you come across any of the puns being directed towards your name (eg. Cha-Ching!)? What’s the meaning behind your name?
We have now.. The I Ching is something we found out about at College. Googling it is the best bet.

You’ve been confirmed for this year’s Great Escape Festival. What are your touring/festival plans for the rest of the year?
Yes, looking forward to playing The Great Escape. Plans for the rest of the year are still developing.

You’ve spoken about working on and producing films… Can you tell us more about this? How important do you feel it is to add a visual element to the music you make?
We aren’t making films, I’m not sure we will, but we like visuals. Our music has this element in its lyrics and sometimes in its style, but at this present point we leave films to film makers. We have to put a record out first!

I Ching’s new single ‘It’s Me’ / ‘Drive’ will be released on 23rd April via Best Fit Recordings.