Bigger than Lyrics - how it started
The project Bigger than Lyrics, although not named and defined at the time, started in 2020 when Creative Director Alix Harris was put forward for a Genesis Kickstarter Fund. At the time she was exploring an idea for a project that prioritised giving freelancers work. In the midst of lockdown and a lack of inspiration, it was Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone who re-energised Alix. From here she began to think about the creative process of forming an album, from individual songs to the arrangement of tracks. Looking to gain greater insight into the experience of musicians, Alix read Alicia Keys’ autobiography which showed how the joys and trials of the musician's life directly influenced the tracks we know and love today. Originally the title of this project was Double A Side. This was a nod to the blend of South West and London based artists who contributed to this project, much like a musical double A side, both deserving of their glory. From this, Alix began to further explore the concept of an album in the context of theatre.
The intention of Bigger than Lyrics is to present a visual concept album within a theatre space. Although it’s not a musical, harmonies and songs are sprinkled throughout and you will be invited to listen and watch six themed “tracks”. These tracks, just as music, are based on lived experience and shared emotions. They will explore subjects such as our environment, grief, hope, joy, wisdom and what it means to be our authentic selves. However much like any work of art, more is yet to come as the show continues to develop throughout the year.
“The project I dreamt up was about bringing together artists from the South West and London to explore making a piece of work together. Exploring how our environments shape how we think about making work and how place impacts us as artists. I wanted to think creatively about how viable it is to use the structure of an album to make a piece of theatre that isn’t a musical.”
- Alix Harris, Creative Director & Writer
