Will Bates’s The Pirate Album is an intriguing testament to resilience and creativity, a project born out of unexpected circumstances and nurtured into a captivating body of work. Initially conceived as part of a film score, this album found its roots in an unusual yet fascinating beginning—a rented balafon, a gourd-resonated xylophone, that ended up being more than just a transient experiment.
While working on film compositions, Bates brought the balafon into his creative fold, enlisting the help of his close friend and renowned percussionist Mathias Kunzli. With six balafons in tow and a collection of sketches in the works, the project seemed promising. However, when the time came to present the work to the director, the reception was less than enthusiastic, leading to a parting of ways. Yet, what could have been a setback turned into a new beginning.
Despite his ambitious vision of blending the sounds of Eden Ahbez with the eclectic vibes of Talking Heads, The Pirate Album faced multiple delays. Each time Bates revisited the project, he was met with a mix of satisfaction and frustration, as his film composition commitments took precedence. For eighteen months, the album was periodically dusted off, its progress stymied by the demands of his primary career.
The turning point came when Lucy Alper, a music supervisor from Bates’s own production company, Fall On Your Sword, landed a sync deal for one of the album’s tracks. This pivotal moment acted as a catalyst, sparking a final burst of creative energy that led to the completion and release of The Pirate Album.
The result is a beautifully diverse collection of nine tracks that showcase Bates’s impressive range and dedication to his craft. The Pirate Album stands as a testament to his creative spirit, offering a sonic landscape that is both striking and engaging. The album’s eclectic mix of influences and innovative arrangements reflect Bates’s desire to make music purely for the joy of creation.
From its origins in rejected film scores to its final form as a statement of artistic freedom, The Pirate Album is a celebration of friendship, persistence, and the pure pleasure of making music. Bates’s work on this album not only reaffirms his status as a significant artist but also demonstrates his ability to transform setbacks into opportunities for creative expression. The result is a collection of tracks that are as intriguing and unpredictable as the journey that brought them to life.
