Offie Mag

My sincerest apologies—we’re a little late to this one from Bastard Ideals, the ever-evolving project led by bassist/composer Eric Nachtrab, who continues to reconnect with the influences that shaped his career. Hopefully, all is forgiven, and yes, we had a lovely time on our holidays if anyone was wondering!

A Bee in the Drum, Bastard Ideals’ sophomore effort released in December, prioritizes the raw energy of musicians playing live together in a room. Recorded in just two half-day sessions with no rehearsals or overdubs, this is music in its purest form. Before Fruity Loops, Pro Tools, Splice, and whatever the internet throws at us next to make music even easier to create—not necessarily a good or bad thing—there was simply a group of people playing what they felt. A Bee in the Drum captures that essence.

With influences drawn not just from traditional jazz but also from moments as unassuming as attempting to play Paranoid by Black Sabbath in a friend’s room as a teenager, these seven tracks offer a magnifying glass into how our musical minds are shaped by everything we consume. In Nachtrab’s own words: “When I feel a genuine, visceral love for music, it is seldom particularly sophisticated—at least not in an obvious way. Sometimes it’s important for me to remember that.”

Alongside the digital release, A Bee in the Drum is also available on CD. We love physical releases here, so go on—just buy more things!

Words by Louis Rowland.