FEATURE:
Heads We’re Singing
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in a Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) single outtake in 1985/PHOTO CREDIT: John Carder Bush
Kate Bush and the Modern Artists Who Could Contribute to a New Album or Remixes, Reworkings and Covers
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WHILST it is great to see…
IN THIS PHOTO: Artist and producer The Anchoress (Catherine Anne Davies)
so many young Pop artists come through that are innovative and have huge potential, I kind of think about the established artists and legends that are, in part, responsible for their sound and success. Bigger artists today like Phoebe Bridgers and St. Vincent, whilst not new, definitely have an element of Kate Bush. I kind of think, in a way, Pop acts like Dua Lipa and Rina Sawayama have elements of Kate Bush. The Anchoress (Catherine Anne Davies) would be another artist who could collaborate with Bush – and she is a big fan of the icon’s work. I have said before how a cover’s album would be long-overdue. We have not really had a covers or tribute album with huge artists and newcomers alongside one another, marking the work of Kate Bush and giving it plenty of love. In terms of duets and collaborations, Bush has been particular in the past. She has worked with Peter Gabriel, Elton John, Mica Paris, The Trio Bulgarka and others, but most are older artists and ones that have been going for a while. I do not think that she has too much of an ear on her successors and those young and popular artists who have been compared to her. I still think it would be wonderful to hear the voices of tremendous artists such as Rufus Wainright, Guy Garvey, Neil Hannon, Anna Calvi, The Anchoress, Solange and many others blended with Kate Bush.
IN THIS PHOTO: Guy Garvey (of Elbow)/PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Husband Photography
Maybe the best compromise and solution would be to have a remix album. Maybe Kate Bush would refuse permission but, maybe as I have said before, adding a new touch to her songs would be great! Maybe artists need not sing on the tracks. They could remix a song and give it their own angle. Others could sing on the track alongside the original vocals from Bush. This would be amazing. It would shine new light on her classic tracks, though it would also give attention and weight to songs that many have not heard and those that are not really played and widely considered. You do get Kate Bush remixes here and there, but I have not really heard any recently. Not from bigger artists. There are so many artists around today that are indebted to Kate Bush. From Georgia to Florence Welch all the way to Big Boi, Fiona Apple and Little Boots, it would be a really interesting project. I am seeing new acts like Fable moved by Kate Bush and her music. Whilst any artist can cover her songs, many fans would be intrigued hearing their voices blended with Bush’s. Maybe an artist would deconstruct a track and re-record it. They could all be approached and then decide what they want to do with each song. It would be their choice but, naturally, Kate Bush would have to give her blessing. There has been so much talk about Kate Bush appearing on a Big Boi track…and I am not if that will happen and if it will be released.
IN THIS PHOTO: Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)/PHOTO CREDIT: Autumn de Wilde for Vogue
The more I look out to music now and see artists who have Kate Bush D.N.A. within them, the more I wonder whether a project can come about. Maybe a covers album could occur, though I feel like giving artists free reign regarding what they do with a song would be a lot easier and more varied. I do not know what the album would be called. It could be tied to an anniversary. Next year, Bush turns sixty-five. It would only be fitting for a range of projects to come about that marks this important birthday. There will be articles and books out I am sure, but you could have albums and podcasts to go alongside them. I cannot see any more ambitious album where there are loads of artists new and older that take a song each and add their stamp to it. Covering her catalogue, B-sides and rarer cuts, I do not know where you’d have to draw the line in terms of tracklisting. Maybe up to twenty-five tracks? Perhaps some fresh activity and love towards Kate Bush would show her how popular and influential she is. Not that it would tip her to record an eleventh studio album, but I see no reason why she would object to an album or refuse permission. With such an amazing catalogue and legacy, it would be fascinating hearing these interpretations of Kate Bush songs. Many would want to hear this in 2022, though 2023 is when Kate Bush turns sixty-five. It would help cement Bush’s reputation as a genius and pioneer; it would also bring her fantastic music…
TO a whole new audience.