Mimik Banka, Formerly 16 mins, Talk Origins and Evolution Ahead of May 11's Fruityspace Gig
Over the past year few years 16 mins, the indie rock outfit led by singer Sindy and guitarist Robin, has experienced numerous evolutions. Most recently, they've beefed up their lineup with two new members, expanding on their sound and galvanizing a more palpable form of change and reemerging with a new name – Mimik Banka.
They’re a band that defies explanation and have a deftness for seamlessly blending sultry cabaret compositions with a more contemporary indie pop slyness, bare bones in its approach, but remarkably more complex upon repeated listens.
That hidden depth hasn't been lost on listeners in China and abroad, even bagging them a spot at Berlin's InterFilm Festival, a prominent international short film festival, earlier this year.
We spoke to lead guitarist Robin before Mimik Banka gig this Friday, May 11, at Fruityspace, the first in a new monthly series the band will be hosting. For the occasion, they’ve also invited Hardin ensemble Bupishu who "skirt the boundaries between folk, post-rock, and electro-psychedelic rock 'n' roll” – a band that’s somewhat of a dark horse, with a die-hard following, and like Mimik Banka, a sound refuses to be tethered.
First off – I’m sure you’ve been bugged before (for the past year) about the name change but I’m dying to know – what’s the story behind the new name?
16mins was a name that I came up with while reading some guitar effect pedal menu. So yeah we feel that after we locked down the bassist and drummer the band became something else and in need of a name change. FYI Mimik Banka was based on a Chinese cult animation in which in one episode humans are able to store their emotions in banks just like money. Quite neat, right?
While the core of your sound very much remains, there’s a lot going on underneath the surface. What new elements have you brought in over the past year? Do you feel like the band has a firmer grasp on what you’re trying to get across?
I think the core now is more defined. In fact, we are in the midst of releasing a new song every two weeks and the styles really go from different ends of the spectrum. At the end of the day, we are about conveying messages, establishing moods etc. it's just that now we have more contemporary means to do so.
Also, we are very lucky to have the chance to work with two really talented writers in the lyrics department. The lyrics from our new songs are amazing and have been very inspirational for us.
The band was invited last year to the International Berlin Interfilm Festival – how exactly did you guys get involved and what was the experience like?
Our bassist/producer Tong Tong’s other job is making scores for films and one of his works won an award at that festival couple of years back. After seeing the sound and vision portion of the festival (in which live acts accompany short films in front of a live audience), he took the chance and told them about our band and that’s pretty much how we got booked.
It was really fun but also nerve-racking during the performance because unlike a typical rock gig you have to really nail down the timing and pay attention to the cues from the film. I think in the end, we did quite alright and (it was) definitely a fun and rewarding experience – the road trip to Berlin was a lot of fun too!
What’s awaits Mimik Banka in the near future?
We are releasing our second album this year – one song every two weeks with videos. Also, we are starting to host a monthly gig, each with a special theme. The first one is with Bupishu, all the way from Harbin. Their live show is really cool and features a live VJ. We're going to play new songs from the album as well as a song we wrote for the Interfilm Festival. Finally, we're also putting together a tour. Exciting stuff.
Mimik Banka and Bipushi perform at Fruityspace on Friday night. Doors open at 8pm and tickets are RMB 60. Read more about the event and buy tickets here.
Images courtesy of Mimik Banka