BAÏKI’s “Les boites”: An Anthem for the Boxed-In Generation

BAÏKI

... is a band, full of irony, humor, and criticism, that likes to play with languages, genres, and stories. Formed in 2020, the band draws inspiration from their diverse backgrounds and influences, ranging from punk to folk, from French to Polish. Baïki’s name comes from the Polish word “bajki”, which means “stories”. 

The band invites the listeners to not take everything at face value, but to question, reflect, and enjoy the ride. Baïki is a band that doesn’t fit into any box, but rather breaks them with their music and stories.

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“Les boites” by BAÏKI [EN]

We live in boxes, whether it’s our houses, the schools we go to, or our jobs. We mostly find ourselves in a reality that we have created, which actually confines us a lot, without us being aware of it. These self-made boundaries seem too cozy and safe to us. The price we pay for that is our dreams and passions, which we give up for a false sense of security. And we don’t notice when these boxes turn into cages that lock us up.

“Les boites” by BAÏKI addresses exactly this topic and turns it into a punk rock anthem that challenges this status quo. The lyrics, reveal the absurdity and hypocrisy of our box-shaped lives. With a defiant and ironic voice, the song mocks the puppeteer, who manipulates the boxes and the people inside them.

The arrangement, the execution of the music, skillfully describes the hustle and bustle of our being on the highway of life. We rush from one box to another, but we never stop to question or reflect. Everything is neatly sorted and labeled. Everything is under control until the end of the road. Where all that remains are the memories of the boxes.

The video clip for this song is the result of a creative process that swims against this current. At first, the idea was to follow the pessimistic theme of the text, but none of the proposals were satisfactory. Yves and Phil therefore decided that it was not necessary to be redundant. Instead of illustrating the song, they decided to contrast it!

It was then filmed in a workshop on the outskirts of Charleroi (Belgium). To avoid the heat, they chose a Sunday in June instead of a day in July. But, as fate would have it, the weather in Belgium was unpredictable and this day in June was the hottest of the summer of 2023 and six fans were needed to prevent the members of BAÏKI from melting under their costumes. The result is both audible and visible. With “Les boites” BAÏKI deliver a great piece in visual as well as auditory form!

“Les boites” by BAÏKI [DE]

Wir leben in Kisten, ob es nun unsere Häuser, die Schulen, auf die wir gehen, oder unsere Jobs sind. Meist befinden wir uns in einer von uns geschaffenen Realität, die uns eigentlich doch sehr einengt, ohne dass wir uns dessen bewusst sind. Zu gemütlich und zu sicher scheinen uns diese selbstgeschaffenen Grenzen. Den Preis, den wir dafür zahlen, sind unsere Träume und Leidenschaften, die wir für ein falsches Gefühl der Sicherheit aufgeben. Und wir merken nicht, wann diese Kisten zu Käfigen werden, die uns einsperren.

“Les boites” von BAÏKI behandelt genau dieses Thema und macht daraus eine Punkrock-Hymne, die diesen Status quo herausfordert. Der Text, auf Französisch, entlarvt die Absurdität und Heuchelei unseres kistenförmigen Lebens. Mit einer trotzig-ironischen Stimme wird der Puppenspieler verspottet, der die Kisten und die Menschen darin manipuliert.

Das Arrangement, sprich die Umsetzung der Musik, beschreibt gekonnt die Hektik und Unruhe unseres Seins auf der Autobahn des Lebens. Wir hetzen von einer Kiste zur anderen, aber wir halten nie an, um zu hinterfragen oder zu reflektieren. Alles ist ordentlich sortiert und beschriftet. Alles ist unter Kontrolle bis zum Ende der Straße. Wo alles, was bleibt, die Erinnerungen an die Kisten sind.

Der Videoclip dazu ist das Ergebnis eines kreativen Prozesses, der gegen diesen Strom schwimmt. Anfangs war die Idee, dem pessimistischen Thema des Textes zu folgen, aber keiner der Vorschläge war zufriedenstellend. Yves und Phil beschlossen daher, dass es nicht nötig war, redundant zu sein. Anstatt das Lied zu illustrieren, entschieden sie sich, es zu kontrastieren!

In einer Werkstatt am Stadtrand von Charleroi (Belgien) wurde dann gedreht. Um die Hitze zu vermeiden, wählten sie einen Sonntag im Juni statt eines Tages im Juli. Aber, wie es das Schicksal wollte, war das Wetter in Belgien unvorhersehbar und dieser Tag im Juni war der heißeste des Sommers 2023 und sechs Ventilatoren waren nötig, um die Mitglieder von BAÏKI vor dem Schmelzen unter ihren Kostümen zu bewahren. Das Ergebnis kann sich sowohl hören als auch sehen lassen. Mit “Les boites” liefern BAÏKI ein großartiges Stück in visueller als auch auditiver Form ab!

Video:

Directed and edited by Yves Huppen

Synopsis and storyboard : Yves Huppen and Phil

Set and costumes : Phil

Actors : Phil, MarcDo, Pascal and Hugues (Baïki), Yves (the director), Sylvie (the sweeper)

Song:

Text, music, vocals, guitars, bass and virtual drums : Phil (Charleroi, Belgium)

Voice recording and mixing: Philmarie, Studio La Rivière (Genappe, Belgium)

Mastering: EQUUS (Brussels, Belgium)

Q&A

Who are the artists/musicians behind the band BAÏKI?

Text & Music: Phil

Homestudio: Phil (vocals, guitars, bass and virtual drums)

Live: Phil (lead vocal, guitar), MarcDo (guitar), bROCKy (bass), Hughes (drums)

Video: Yves Huppen

What is the meaning and the message behind your latest release, “Les boites” and how did you come up with it?

We live in boxes. Home, school, car, job. Cosy, protective boxes, yes, but boxes that prevent us from spreading our wings. We run from one box to the next, but while we're running, we don't take the time to stop and think. Everything is neatly filed away in virtue drawers. All tidied up until the end of the road. Where all that's left... is memories in boxes.

You also made a fantastic video for the song, how much time and effort did it take to complete it?

This video clip is the result of long brainstorming sessions. At first, there was a strong temptation to stick to the disenchanted theme of the text, but each time, the synopsis didn't satisfy. Finally, rather than illustrate the lyrics of the song, we decided to do the complete opposite! It took me an incredible amount of time to build the set. Imagine: 150 cardboard boxes to cover with Kraft paper!

Are you planning to perform live on stage anytime soon?

Some gigs are planned for 2024.

How do you think the music industry has changed over the years and what was the most significant change in your opinion?

In my eyes, the most significant change is the Homestudio. The advantage is that you don't need to pay for long sessions in studio. You can do it on your own. The downside is that since you can do it, everybody can do it. It means loads of music from which to try to emerge. Competition is fierce!

Who would you love to talk to about music, whether they are alive or not?

Joe Strummer, Damon Albarn, David Byrne

What are you currently working on and what can we anticipate from you next?

I'm working on several new tracks. Some in French, some in English. There might even be one in Spanish. One of them is nearly ready. Yves and I are in the "Brainstorming" phase for the video. We just started its synopsis...