Discover the creative journey that shaped one of electronic music's most innovative duos.
BICEP
Beyond their infectious beats and meticulously crafted soundscapes lies a deeper narrative – one of friendship, musical exploration, and unwavering dedication to their craft. In this case study, we'll peel back the layers of BICEP's success to understand what drives their creative engine. We'll explore the pivotal moments that shaped their sound, examine how two friends from Belfast found their unique voice in a crowded electronic music landscape, and uncover valuable lessons that any aspiring artist can apply to their own creative journey.
Early Beginnings
The story of Bicep begins not in the expected electronic music capitals of Berlin, London, or Ibiza, but in the perhaps unlikely setting of Belfast, Northern Ireland. In the early 2000s, while these major cities were already established electronic music powerhouses, Belfast was quietly nurturing its own vibrant scene, centred around a venue that would prove transformative for two young music enthusiasts.
At the heart of this scene stood SHINE, a clubbing institution housed within Queens University Students Union that would prove instrumental in shaping Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson's artistic journey. While the club maintained no formal music policy, it became renowned for its techno-heavy programming and ability to attract legendary names in electronic music. The venue's reputation drew an impressive roster of international talent, establishing itself as a crucial outpost for electronic music in Northern Ireland. For Matt and Andy, SHINE became more than just a club – it was their first exposure to electronic music. Along with their friends, they would make weekly pilgrimages to the venue, but the experience extended beyond the club itself. Before each night out, the group would gather in a friend's garage, armed with CDs and an eagerness to share their latest music discoveries. These pre-club sessions became friendly battlegrounds of musical one-upmanship, where the currency wasn't just electronic music, but also obscure power ballads and unexpected gems. This early exposure to diverse sounds and the thrill of musical discovery would later become hallmarks of Bicep's artistic approach. The competitive spirit of those garage gatherings, where friends vied to unearth the most unique tracks, helped cultivate their renowned talent for musical curation and their distinctively eclectic taste. From Belfast Garages to curating a Music Blog
What began in a Belfast garage would soon evolve into something far bigger. In 2008, with their friend group scattered across UK universities, Matt and Andy launched the Feel My Bicep blog. It was their digital solution to maintaining the spirit of musical discovery that had defined their early years – a virtual extension of those pre-SHINE listening sessions. What started as a simple way to stay connected quickly became an obsession. At its peak, the blog showcased more than 100 tracks per week, with Matt and Andy spending their days hunting through record store crates and their nights digitizing and sharing their discoveries. "It became addictive," Ferguson recalls. "The more we posted, the more people would come." Their curatorial eye and knack for unearthing hidden gems – from obscure disco cuts to electronic oddities and forgotten club classics – soon attracted an impressive audience of 100,000 monthly visitors. The timing of their blog proved particularly significant. As Andy explains, electronic music was then dominated by minimal techno, which he describes as "the most soulless period [for music] ever." In characteristic Bicep fashion, they responded by championing the complete opposite – diving deep into the vibrant world of Italo-disco. This contrarian approach became a hallmark of the blog, which maintained a playful, unpretentious tone despite its growing influence. Their write-ups and imagery matched the music: fun, occasionally sleazy, and deliberately avoiding taking itself too seriously. "Being nobody, so we could do what we wanted," Andy reflects on the blog's early days. "We always wanted to do our own thing and not be controlled." This freedom to experiment would prove crucial as the blog evolved from a curated playlist into a laboratory for their own productions, with the pair trading stems over Skype and developing their signature sound through long-distance collaboration.
The Economics of Sound: Constraints, Creativity, and Finding Their Voice
The blog's success naturally led Matt and Andy toward music production, but their early journey was shaped as much by economic constraints as artistic vision. "We couldn't afford any drum machines or synths at that time, so we were quite restricted," Matt explains. This limitation pushed them toward a familiar sound – 90s house music, which Andy describes as "an amazing period" characterized by simple piano hooks and a carefree spirit. Their approach was deliberately minimalist: sampling organs, vocals, and drums, keeping everything raw. It wasn't just an aesthetic choice but a practical one. "A lot of artists in the nineties could only afford, like, a [Korg] M1 piano," Andy notes, with Matt adding, "And that's why people got into it. It was possible to do it." However, as their sampled-based, 90s-influenced sound began to catch on and inspire countless imitators, Bicep found themselves at a crossroads. Despite having nearly two albums' worth of material ready, they made the bold decision to scrap it all. "I didn't like the idea of everyone expecting something," Matt explains. This realization sparked a period of intense self-reflection and growth. "We were learning in public really," McBriar admits. Their breakthrough came with the understanding that they were "replicating something and changing it a bit rather than being genuinely creative." They invested time in learning to play piano properly and took crash courses from other producers to better their studio skills
Ironically, losing a hard drive in the mid-2010s turned out to be a blessing. It pushed them out of their comfort zone and helped them find their true sound.” The Mentor Effect: Learning from Legends and Finding Their Path
For Bicep, the path to artistic maturity was shaped significantly by their early mentors. "When we first got into dance music, we were lucky to have mentors in London who were much older than us," McBriar recalls. None proved more influential than Simian Mobile Disco, established veterans who were 10 to 15 years their senior. This mentorship transcended mere guidance – it provided a glimpse into what was possible. Their studio sessions with SMD ignited a new ambition, one that "was no longer just about performing in a big room." This experience set them on a five-year journey to develop their own studio sanctuary.
The Analog Revolution The success of their early releases provided the means to realize their studio dreams, a vision that had taken root during their 2013 collaboration with Simian Mobile Disco on the techno-driven 'Sacrifice'. This marked a crucial turning point in their artistic development. As Matt explains, "That was a period where we just stopped and thought about what we were saying musically." With the ability to finally afford synths and hardware, they began to discover their authentic voice, culminating in the release of the 'Just' EP – their 2015 breakthrough that Mixmag would crown as tune of the year. The Modern Studio: Where Magic Happens
Today, Bicep's East London studio stands as a testament to their evolution. Drum machines and synths line the walls, a Wurlitzer piano hums in the corner, and the space exudes creative potential. It's here, among their carefully curated collection of equipment (some with curious provenance – including gear once auditioned by Boy George), that their current sound takes shape. Their approach to production has transformed completely. "Everything is hooked up together and we can jam on 15/20 different machines for a few hours until inspiration comes," they explain. This organic process allows tracks to evolve through multiple incarnations – what begins as acid house might emerge as broken ambient, like their track 'Celeste'. The switch to analog equipment limited their options but also sparked creativity. As Matt notes, "The reason those tracks have a particular element is just down to us feeling that's what we liked the sound of at the time." Working with analog gear means committing to performances rather than endless digital tweaking. "Whilst this may seem restrictive, it's actually very liberating and forces you to accept what you did at a certain time and not over-think things." Their most productive sessions often arise from "happy accidents" – those magical moments when experimentation yields unexpected results. This embrace of spontaneity and imperfection has become central to their creative process, allowing them to move beyond mere technical proficiency to genuine artistic expression.
The Art of Being Bicep: Evolution, Identity, and Legacy
Looking back at the Feel My Bicep blog now, what might appear as an eclectic mix of genres reveals itself as something more profound – a living archive of their musical evolution, united not by genre constraints but by their distinctive taste. The progression is clear: jungle emerging in 2014, ambient and techno taking hold in 2016. This natural evolution mirrors their approach to production: never settling, always pushing boundaries.
"There's far too much dull, boring, comfortable music out there at the moment," Andy declares, "and we're trying to make something vibrant." This commitment to avoiding the comfortable has become central to their creative philosophy. Matt adds, "We definitely try to avoid what's instantly comfortable," a mindset that has led them to experiment with everything from hybrid styles to trap-influenced productions.
The Bicep Philosophy: Lessons for Aspiring Artists
Their journey offers several valuable insights for emerging artists:
Stay True to Your Taste "We're not concerned with genres, nor any scene or grouping. We just make whatever we like that day," they assert. This approach, evident since their blogging days, demonstrates the power of following your artistic instincts rather than chasing trends.
Embrace Evolution Their path from music fans to celebrated artists wasn't linear. Each phase – from blog curators to sample-based producers to analog experimentalists – built upon the last while remaining open to change.
Value Authenticity Over Comfort Their willingness to abandon successful formulas in favor of artistic growth has been crucial to their longevity and impact.
Community Matters From their early days in Belfast to their current status as international artists, maintaining connections with mentors and fellow music enthusiasts has remained central to their development.
In an era where algorithmic playlists increasingly dominate music discovery and DJ sets often converge on the same tracks, Bicep stands as proof that passion, dedication, and artistic integrity still matter. They've shown that it's possible to transform from "everyday dudes who are passionate music fans" into influential artists while maintaining their core values and creative independence.
Their story isn't just about success in the music industry – it's about the power of following your curiosity, staying true to your artistic vision, and never stopping in your quest for growth. In doing so, they've not only created their own unique sound but also demonstrated a sustainable path for artistic development in the modern music landscape.
"Inspired by Bicep's journey? Check out their conversation on Resident Advisor here, and share your thoughts with us—what lessons from Bicep’s story resonate with your creative process?"
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