It’s Good To Be A Tree label owner Betelgeize is finally making a return to releasing music, in the form of his forthcoming ‘Serokariy The Pigeon and Skypark’ LP – which arrives later this month.
The record delivers a seven-track collection that features an extensive list of collaborators, including DIBIDABO, Kermesse, and Volen Sentir.
We spoke to him recently to chat about the new release, as well as what else he’s planning for It’s Good To Be A Tree, and how 2024 is going for him so far. Read the full discussion below.
How are things in the life of Betelgeize right now?
Oh, there’s so much going on right now that it’s really hard to answer this question without making it an essay. I had an extremely difficult from 2020 to 2022, where I fell into a serious creative crisis, but now I feel more and more strength in myself.
Plenty of new music has been produced since, and my label It’s Good To Be A Tree is preparing new releases. We do regular events in three different places, my family of likeminded artists is growing, and I thank the universe that I have such amazing opportunities.
You’re about to release a new album titled ‘Serokariy The Pigeon and Skypark’ – that’s a pretty unique title?
Yeah, it’s really an unusual name for an album. But after the pandemic I found a new hobby, and started writing fairy tales. It’s become a unique way for me to explore the world around me and also myself. If I’m struggling to find motivation to write music, then writing an album that’s a soundtrack to a fairy tale is an interesting task that really inspires my creativity. Actually, the title of the album is also the name of the fairy tale for which it was written as a soundtrack.
The project features a pretty extensive list of collaborators, including DIBIDABO, Kermesse, and Volen Sentir, how did you decide who to bring onto the album?
Everything was as natural as possible. I’m the ambassador of the Skypark!Live festival, and during the summer I invite artists that we like musically. But since everything happens in a very special natural place, we usually stay there for a few more days. And it turns out that during the season I had the opportunity to jam with my some of my favourite producers. Later, I brought these jams to the studio, and made them into finished compositions.
It comes via your own It’s Good To Be A Tree imprint, do you prefer releasing music on your own label compared to with a third party?
To be honest, I like finishing tracks the most, and watching them become living embodiments of my creativity. But yes, It’s Good To Be A Tree is a label that I launched relatively recently, but it’s based on the concept of signing music from a community instead of a genre.
Each track on the release is a collaboration with someone from the community, and that meant the project was perfect for It’s Good To Be A Tree. I’m also writing a lot of solo music again; therefore, you can also expect releases on other labels within the near future.
And what else can we expect to hear on It’s Good To Be A Tree in the coming months?
Recently, we started to do more events, and we are forming an increasingly stable core of residents. Almost all of them are preparing solo releases in the near future. We have just released two very cool tracks by Daniel Hokum. Now my collaboration album is coming out, and soon there will be an EP from Last Gentleman on Playa, then a release from Valique.
There is also a release with new remixes of tracks from my last album ‘Halcon and Dragon.’ I also have the next edition of the annual compilation in the works amongst some other things. I also finished a new fairy tale story, which means there will be a new album soon, as I’m feeling very inspired to write a soundtrack.
How about your own music on other labels?
Two tracks will soon be released by the Amselcom label. But to be honest, I’m just resuming communication with other labels after a long break. Therefore, there are not many specific plans. However, I am sure that soon there will be a flow of regular releases, as I’m creating a lot of music right now.
What’s been your favourite moment of 2024 so far?
I think it was when we joined forces with six teams at Burning Man around the Black Rock Philharmonic sunset concert. It was very epic, large-scale, beautiful, and remembered as the brightest cultural event in my soul. From the dance part, I really remember the arrival of Kermesse and Uji at Skypark!Live. It was super nice dancing to the music they provided.
And your favourite track of the year?
This is an odd one, as the track was actually released in 2022, but it was 2024 when I discovered it. This year I’ve heard so many people play ‘Dictator’, by The Organism, and I’ve truly fallen in love with it.
More contenders for my favourite track of 2024 are ‘After Love’ by End of Code, and ‘Siyaga’, which is the last track on my new album. I had the opportunity to play it exclusively for the whole year, peoples’ reaction was sometimes priceless, especially when I know they wouldn’t have heard this track before.
Anything else you want to mention before we go?
I’ll share a thought that has firmly occupied a fundamental place in my life for two years now. This is about the fact that music is the only language in the world where no one needs a translator to understand what they are hearing. Therefore, I would like to wish that we never run out of good music and love for each other. Also, don’t forget to dance regularly, as it’s very good for both your mind and body.
Betelgeize – Serokariy The Pigeon and Skypark LP is out October 17th on It’s Good To Be A Tree.