The Test Drive: Beauty In Chaos – There Is Always A Light 2018-2022 + Q&A

Beauty In Chaos has today released their new compilation retrospective titled ‘There Is Always A Light 2018-2022’.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since I first heard Beauty In Chaos, the brainchild of musician Michael Ciravolo. It’s also hard to believe the amount of musical transformation and reimaging this project has gone through as well. The constant ‘buck the system’ and forging their own path has really put BIC on a road all their own.

And, with this limited edition anthology of the story so far (purchase link HERE) we get the near perfect example of what hard work, dedication, and originality can achieve for those musicians who recognize as much. Chapters of the never-ending story that is the beauty behind the chaos.

For those not yet familiar with their music, this is the gateway drug. The formal introduction to a party you can’t miss. That moment where influence has a timestamp.

While being a unique blend of the original versions as well as remix versions of certain songs, this gives you more of a reason to research the chaos and dig a little deeper. Part introduction, part initiation, ‘There Is Always A Light’ will show you that independent music is now in a decade where that light can shine bright; and be heard.

Check out our other articles & exclusive featuring Beauty In Chaos HERE.

Q&A with Michael Ciravolo

With the release of a retrospective compilation album, what were the thoughts you got while making the in regards to the evolution of BIC as a project?

It is crazy to think that it has been four years since we released ‘finding beauty in chaos’. It is hard to imagine NOT having BIC in my life, along with all the things it takes to make it happen. I am really not sure what I would have filled the rest of my time with besides family and work .

I am extremely proud of everything we have created, and so very grateful to all of the artists that have graciously given their time and talents to make BIC happen. It has led to some amazing moments and a handful of life-long friendships. I certainly look forward to where we take this in the future, as BIC is far, far from over.

Where do you see BIC going next both stylistically and with future projects?

Honestly? I’m not sure yet. Recently, I’ve been very focused on completing our ‘UNVEILED’ documentary… a behind-the-scenes look at our most recent album ‘Behind The Veil’. We premiered this film on September 8th, 4 years to the day that our first video/single “Storm” was released.

We’re currently working on a ‘Halloween surprise’ track and an accompanying video which will drop, you guessed it …on All Hallows’ Eve. This track certainly has several different elements we haven’t used previously. I don’t think this will be indicative of our future direction, but maybe as “Stranger” spurred the more ethereal tracks on ‘Behind The Veil’, which was that album’s closing track – “Grasp The Stars” might be a foreshadow for the future as I know a few of the sonic sketches I have rattling around are a bit heavier and darker sounding.

With this compilation, what would you feel is your most personal track, favorite track and why?

My favorite tracks change and revolve over time, but certainly “Storm” has been a constant. Besides being a BIC Family favorite, it represents so much to me as I feel this song was both the catalyst resulting in the confidence that my desire to make ‘finding beauty in chaos’ could indeed happen.

I have always loved this photo by my friend Rick Parent. I was considering it as the cover of our first album. It just has always evoked something in me. Ashton’s lyrics “there is always a light’ encompasses what BIC is. It is the beauty and hope in the chaos that surrounds us. I felt that those words and Rick’s photo conveyed perfectly what Beauty In Chaos is. This was never meant to be a typical ‘best of…’. as I strive for typical to NEVER be part of what we do.

I wanted it to be a look back, or a collection of songs from our first four years. A 76-minute journey into what Beauty In Chaos is. I purposely end this album with “Afterlife”, as Tish’s final line “love is all there is…” is the perfect closing for what we have created over the last four years.

What has BIC taught you as a songwriter and musician after four years?

I think the last 4 years have taught me you can do anything you put your mind to along with also putting the work in. The first record is something I had to do … to prove to myself that I could. With Michael Rozon’s help, along with an incredible list of amazing singers, I think we made a great record… a great DOUBLE record at that! I’m certainly proud of creating the music, layers, and textures on this record without synthesizers.

Also getting Wayne and Simon together for the first time on “Man Of Faith” along with Robin Zander and Van Halen’s Michael Anthony on “Drifting Away” are still very surreal to me, even 4 years later. In the end, collectively we made a record that I never dreamed possible.

What do you envision with the next full length album?

I really haven’t thought in terms of a full album yet. With Michael working most of the week with Al Jourgensen on the next Ministry record, our time together in SAINTinLA Studio is limited. I always try to look at any limitation as a positive, so after this Halloween release, I think we may look at doing a string of single song releases throughout 2023, possibly culminating in an EP by years’ end.

The idea of finishing single tracks, and the possibility of creating accompanying videos seems more doable and actually appealing than waiting the year or more it would take to complete a full length album .

Track Listing

1. STORM featuring ASHTON NYTE
2. MAN OF FAITH featuring WAYNE HUSSEY and SIMON GALLUP
3. I WILL FOLLOW YOU featuring EVI VINE
4. DRIFTING AWAY featuring ROBIN ZANDER
5. THE LONG GOODBYE (Au Revoir) featuring WAYNE HUSSEY HUSSEY
6. UN-NATURAL DISASTER (Collide Mix) featuring DUG PINNICK, ICE-T and ZAKK WYLDE
7. 20th CENTURY BOY featuring ROLAN BOLAN
8. A KIND CRUELTY featuring CURSE MACKEY
9. STRANGER featuring KAT LEON
10. ALMOST PURE featuring STEVEN SEIBOLD
11. MEMORY OF LOVE (4AM Mix) featuring JOHNNY INDOVINA
12. THE DELICATE BALANCE OF ALL THINGS (Rapid Reiteration Mix) featuring CINTHYA HUSSEY
13. ORION featuring WHITNEY TAI
14. AFTERLIFE featuring TISH CIRAVOLO

The Evolution of Beauty In Chaos 2018 – 2022

Beauty In Chaos has had a long and varied evolution in the last four years and Jammerzine thought it would be interesting to capture that through what we have covered so far via the premieres, reviews, and exclusives found right here.

About Beauty In Chaos

Beauty in Chaos is the brainchild of guitarist Michael Ciravolo. The LA-based New Orleans native is also President of Schecter Guitar Research. Until launching BIC, Ciravolo was guitarist in Human Drama for 30 years and had also played live and recorded with Michael Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel since 1998.

LINKS:
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/beautyinchaosmusic
https://www.instagram.com/beauty.inchaos
https://twitter.com/_BeautyInChaos
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/music-store
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/bic-blog
https://soundcloud.com/33-3-music-collective
https://beautyinchaos.bandcamp.com