LiebeBitchenLieder is a postcolonial song-cycle in the lieder (art song) tradition. The art song genre flourished during the Romantic era and was performed in the parlors frequented by the privileged to impress one another with the latest ‘cultured’ song or work of art. The “soggy poetry” (to use satirist Anna Russell’s description) of such lieder were typically about twee things and performative sentiments (to showcase “artistry” and “depth”). The fetish of exotic locales coincided with the shift in European trade operations and sentiments with the rest of the world – from more-or-less equitable mercantilism to colonial empires – where other countries and cultures were viewed through racist, imperialist, and euro-centric perspectives that justified their domination and exploitation.
Stephen’s LiebeBitchenLieder draws upon the history and parallels of the form as social commentary and critique on the continued discrimination and appropriation of these “developing countries” post-colonialism by Westerners today. At the same time, this was an impossible / unperformable undertaking as it required a White singer with lack of self awareness to sing the satirical lyrics. Thanks to AI technology, Stephen was finally able to bring this postcolonial song-cycle to life.
