Back in 2021 I discovered an indie project named Bite the Boxer. The reference to Mike Tyson’s infamous match with Evander Holyfield aside, the project was all about synths. Their debut single Battleship seemed to push them in a more retro manner sounding like something that would come out of a nostalgic synthwave playlist. Four years later and their sound has shifted into something darker; bleak industrial soundscapes with the barest hint of hope. In today’s episode of INTRODUCING I get reacquainted with the Bristol-based producer and learn of his most recent album Haunted Remains Pt. 2.
Give us a brief about your band. Who are you and what do you do?
I make music as Bite The Boxer, my sound is something of a joining of industrial, dark ambient, trip hop and IDM.
When did you first launch the project and how has it come along since?
I started the project in late 2019, putting together ideas for a new band that would have a sound influenced by The Cure, Joy Division and NiN. Then covid hit and I taught myself to produce my own music. The project has since gone through a few different genres but was consistent in its themes.
What bands and artists influenced you the most and why?
What started out as a The Cure/Joy Division/NiN influenced project then brought in influences from more electronic artists that still had dark undertones like Snakes of Russia, Lorn and HEALTH. I listen to these artists for their use of sound design and how to make the most of minimal layers, use of distortion and how they get across their themes to the listener.
If you could pick a single song from your discography to explain your music, which song would you pick and why?
I think that I am most proud of Venom Test. Although it was one of those magic moments where a song came out of the blue when I was least expecting it, I still pushed myself to go for that little bit extra and really made some unique sounds. I think it also encapsulates the tone and dynamics of what I wanted a Bite The Boxer song to sound like.
What is your most recent release and what is it about?
Venom Test is the most recent single but it is on a new album, Haunted Remains, which I released in October. The album is kind of compilation of the singles that I have put out over the last couple of years along with some new pieces. Releasing, and hearing, these songs as an album has made me realise that although I have come a long with in the last few years, there is still a cohesive stream in my music, exploring themes of desolation and destruction alongside pure and beauty. Despair and hope.
Take us through your creative process. How do you compose a song from start to finish? Where do the ideas come from?
Usually my songs come about through experimentation. I take a basic, clean, pure sound (such as a piano, vocal samples or cellos) and mangle, distort and repurpose it as something else, much like the early days of sampling. I’m still a punk kid at heart, so there are often guitar lines that weave through these electronic drum kits, synths and noise. After the initial sounds are down, everything falls into place organically and I often hear what the sounds want to do.
What’s your current favorite song, band, or album within your scene? And vice versa, what do you enjoy the most that’s completely opposite of what you make?
I’ve been listening to a band from Reading (UK) and their latest EP Closer to Death. It’s a great example of clashing of electronic samples, brutal bass guitars and creative drumming. Highly recommended. As a guy in my very late 30s, I feel compelled to dig my heels in and listen to songs from the glory days of Kerrang, lots of nu metal, pop punk and alt rock.
What is on the horizon for your project? Upcoming gigs, tours, merch, videos, etc. Name it, link it, show it off.
As mentioned, I just released Haunted Remains Pt. 2 (the new album), which was a very cathartic release for me. I’m going to turn my attention to scoring some independent films and trying to re-score some old public domain horror, just for a fun challenge.
