L'ART Issue 10, October 2012

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L’ART E

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Be Creative

CONTENTS 1 – D&L Style: We bring a personal element to L’ART Magazine by showing you some of our favourite fashion pieces that are out at the moment. Our styles are very different and we want to show you what we love each season 3 – Natalya Nair; Her Career In Make-up: We caught up with make-up artist Natalya Nair at this years Make-up Show Live. Find out more about her rise to fame and the celebrities she has worked with 5 – Beauty Q&A with Natalya Nair: Check out some personal beauty tips from the make-up artist herself 7 – Sola Oyebade: We talk all things fashion and beauty with the owner of the Mahogany brand and Model Management 9 – 88 Music: Their first official single ‘Heartbroken’ has made its debut, now M and Sammy reveal their future plans with upcoming and established music artists, plus more videos 11 – The MOBO Awards: It’s coming up to that time of year where we celebrate urban music and culture and stars are recognised for their latest musical contributions. Who are you looking forward to seeing this year?

13 – Fizzi Music Group; Keeping Music In The Family: Nina and Nick share more than just a father-daughter relationship when it comes to music. Here’s why..

16 – Word On The Street: With the MOBO awards coming up, we asked you who you want to win big at this years awards ceremony 17 – Lightfire Band: We caught up with our first rock band feature with this group. They’ve been together for a year and have many aspirations and goals for future tours. Find out more about the Lightfire Band today 19 – Prodijig; From Riverdance To Creating Their Own Beat: Winning Got To Dance has opened up a lot of doors for this Irish dance group and their own show is soon to be seen by many worldwide

Hi and welcome to the tenth issue of L’ART; the ‘Black History Month’ issue.

To celebrate another year of Black History we are proud to say we have crossed paths with none other than Sola Oyebade. Sola is the owner of the Mahogany brand and Model Management and is known worldwide in the fashion world for putting on great shows. He also made history when he influenced the all black edition of Vogue magazine – which sold out twice internationally! Being the first to use models with skin of colour in his modelling agency has given them many opportunities for the future.

Another role model within the fashion sector who wanted to do black make-up right, is make-up artist Natalya Nair. Since being introduced to make-up at a young age, she would practice on her family members as well as herself. As she continued to work on her craft over the years, she has achieved many huge jobs in TV and the press.

We also caught up with the dance sensation that is Prodijig and had a chat about their future plans as well as some great music artists who are guaranteed to be bright stars in years to come.

Enjoy Daniella & Letisha

Image Source: http://emilyhadden.com

D&L STY LE

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New Look £69.99

Shoes With Red Bottom £86.95

Bank Of Outsiders £ Not Listed

Miss Selfridge £65

Topman £22

Topshop £26.

Mr Shoes £19.99

Topman £50

Next £20

Oasis £60

Image Source: http://emilyhadden.com

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Image Source: http://samlukewalton.tumblr.com

NATALYA NAIR

Image Source: Amy's AS Media Blog

Image Source: kasabian.co.uk

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Her Career In Make-Up

Natalya’s earliest make-up memory is of her mum’s 80’s book that had stepby-step looks to practice. She would try these on her sisters.

She then started using a black coal pencil round her eyes. This is when she realised she had a knack for make-up.

But she didn’t have a straight-forward career.

She was a model first and sang in a band. Then what really pushed her into beauty was seeing the mistakes that make-up artists made on her. She was determined to do black make-up properly and learn everything she could.

She began to do friends weddings and used her hands a lot if she couldn’t afford the brushes.

Improvising was her thing as she also used lipliners on top of her eyes and blushers as eye shadow.

Natalya then got a part-time job in her local make-up shop which she describes as: “the biggest lesson I ever learnt.” She gained a lot of knowledge about top brands & creams and a beauty expert gave tutorials every week.

The next step was creating her portfolio. Natalya would test things on the contacts she met through modelling and music. One of them was Dannii Minogue who wasn’t afraid to try different looks; even being sprayed head to toe in black powder spray! “This was a good test for my experience,” said Natalya.

“When you’re starting out your book don’t be scared to test and experiment. Use anything and everything that’s around you.”

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Natalya then got taken on by an agency and was working full-time for make-up artists. She did shoots for Grazia & Elle and red carpet events for the Grammy’s and Brit awards.

Natalya’s highlights include working with Florence Welch from Florence + the Machine on her first cover shoot for NME and Kasabian and their Mad Hatter’s tea party cover.

Also, a vital tip she has learnt - men DO need make-up. “Don’t ever think you won’t need make-up for a man’s shoot. Take everything with you in your kit, it’s so important.”

The X-Factor was the next job that came along. “I was so excited because I’ve never done something so big and so huge in my life.”

After six interviews with Simon Cowell and the executives of the show, she got the job as Head Make-up Artist, which she still cannot believe.

She worked alongside the Head Stylist and Head Hairdresser and had five assistants. Each week she had 27 contestants, 30 backing dancers and 15 choir members to get through from 7am – 4pm.

She had to use the best brands because the make-up had to last for hours and not sink in the skin.

Her favourite contestant to work on was Kitty Brucknell. She said: “She really appreciated the looks that I did on her which were really out there and fun.

“I love pushing the make-up more than the hair.” Remember Little Mix as the scary dollies on Halloween week?

That was Natalya’s work!

So if you have a passion to work in make-up, why not follow Natalya’s path to success? Anything is possible.

Beauty Q&A with Nataly We caught up with successful makeup artist Natalya Nair at this years Make-Up Show Live and for those of you who missed the event, here are some top beauty tips you may have missed.

I’ve got a really bad problem with eye concealer. I’ve got really dark eyes and it tends to stick in where the wrinkles are.

If I keep piling it on it makes it worse.

Natalya: Under your eyes you want to put as less as possible. When you go to sleep at night, find yourself a really good eye cream that’s going to take away the darkness and puffiness.

When you get up in the morning, your eyes are going to be fresh.

With Afro-Caribbean people, where your natural lashes are so curly and kind of uncontrollable, they kind of bend all the way over. Do you ever come across a problem with putting strip lashes on? I find that my lashes usually push them up because they’re so curly.

Natalya: I’ve got a YouTube channel where I actually put it underneath.

But the glue you use has to be duo.

Do not use any other glue because if any other glue gets in your eye, you’ll come back and sue my ass! They use it in surgery so if any of it goes in your eye, there’ll be no hospital things going on. Place it under the eye and leave it there for a few seconds. Lift up your eye and look down when you’re doing it and it’ll stick. When you look down, no one can see the join. I do it for beauty shoots.

A make-up stylist is trying to work her way up, what is the best advice/ route for this?

Natalya: Work in a shop where there are lots of brands with every single make-up around you. Then learn.

Also make friends and find out what’s good in certain areas.

Having been in the industry as long as I have and teaching people, education is paramount.

What is the appropriate age for a young girl to wear make-up?

Natalya: With make-up I think any age. The reason being, I think twoyear-olds can wear glitter and stars and stick things on their faces and a 7 year old can have glitter nail polishes.

But I wouldn’t say that a two-year-old can wear red lipstick. There are limits.

There are different things for different age groups. With adult make-up I think red lipstick should be for 16 and up.

In a time where it’s quite a budget, you can’t actually go into your local supermarket and find a make-up colour for my tone of skin. Is there any local high street that you can recommend for my tone, dark girls that you can afford on a budget?

Natalya: Try Avon. I know that’s so old school but it’s so light. Go online and have a look at the colour patch that is close to your skin colour. They’ve got all the colours down to a tee. For everyday you want something light so also try Urban Decay. They’ve got really dark colours as well.

What’s the best way to keep eyeshadow on?

Natalya: What you actually need is an eye prima. This is what I found out when I did X-Factor. Buy a really good eye-basic which is a clear sort of liquid, put it on over the lids and no matter what rubbish eye shadow you use that ain’t going nowhere for eight hours!

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ya Nair What would you say the difference is between a qualified make-up artist with a certificate and a make-up artist who built her own career?

Natalya: There isn’t a difference. If that make-up artist isn’t good - who has no other qualification but is doing TV and catwalk shows – women won’t book her. For someone who is qualified, they could be just as rubbish. The difference is confidence.

I love art. I couldn’t afford to go to art school so this was my second choice at being creative. That’s why I create things.

Did You Know…

Natalya will be branching out into the film industry in the near future where she will be working on actors and actresses for their star roles.

She’s currently doing TV work for This Morning and guest appearances as a make-up expert on TV She just did the Dorothy Perkins campaign for the September advertisements And for those of you wanting an alternative route to getting into make-up, Natalya says: “Assist other make-up artists and agencies who you aspire to, learn all the products and keep going.”

Image Source: http://www.roxanaazar.com

Image Source: makeupshowlive.com

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Fashion Royalty Sola Oyebade Looks Back on Historic Achievement As We Celebrate Black History Month 2012

Image Source: Mahogany International

Upcoming shows: Top Model of Colour- October 21st The Mahogany Bridal Show- November 10th

Image Source: http://www.sofialeiby.com

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make-up challenge. Being a sponsor of Mahogany shows, Sola was in high demand for the day thanks to his expertise in the fashion industry, particularly as he has a history of travelling with his work.

Meet Sola Oyebade; founder of Mahogany International and fashion expert when it comes down to putting on a great show/ fashion event in and outside of the UK. Those of you who are die hard Vogue readers and history buffs will recognise his name as the campaigner and voice that provided a positive message for the all Black edition of Vogue Magazine to go ahead and not be labelled a failure before its official release.

Looking for creativity, well blended & perfectly matched make up to the model’s complexion as well as their choice of clothing, Sola revealed what factors it is that he looks for in a good make-up artist.

These factors can also be made useful for the budding fashion models out there as well as the upcoming make-up artist’s, as Sola also revealed what exactly Mahogany as a company look for when scouting for models to represent the company name.

“They predicted that it was going to be the worst selling issue ever,” Sola expressed. “I’ve been fighting to get Black models into mainstream fashion and people try and tell me that black doesn’t sell but where is the evidence?”

“We want a nice unique look, someone who is very professional, has the right attitude, a hunger to succeed and the strength of character to take criticism,” he states.

Representing the strength he loves to see in his models, Sola set up a social media campaign to give the issue the equal attention and opportunity to succeed that it deserved, and the result?... “They sold out twice around the world. They had to do a special re-print edition. That was amazing.”

And with such an impressive career to date and involvement within an iconic moment in Fashion and Fashion Journalism, just who does Sola penn as his greatest inspiration?

Sola went on to list the use of a variety of size in the models as a favourite aspect of his within the issue and also loved the inclusion of some of the fashion world’s most iconic models, as well as the faces of today.

These included Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn.

“It might sound like a cliché, but my greatest inspiration has always been God. Knowing that he’s always been there for me and always led me in everything that I’ve done has been brilliant.”

L’ART recently had the opportunity to witness Sola in action at Mink London’s Make Up Show Live back in August, as he was asked to be on the judging panel for the day’s

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88MUSIC Meet the latest music duo to come out of the big city of London, combining their love for music, its production and all the directing and composing that comes with the territory.

The pair agree to most things, although M does admit that Sammy’s approach to their work can sometimes be different to hers, though this can be expected with the slight differences in their working background. One thing they do agree on, is that good songs take time (an element that sticks out for them).

Having been friends for several years now and with a joint working relationship on music projects and jobs in the past to match, M and Sammy are well into the swing of things when it comes to venturing into their new found career path.

But what’s next? They’ve already revealed that M writes, edits & directs their videos, whilst Sammy produces the music, so from here decisions are made based on which songs will make the best videos as a visual experience. You’ll have to keep checking in with the pair to find out which song will make their second video release. Although we can reveal that their track ‘Bittersweet’ is currently being worked upon.

Going by the name 88Music, M and Sammy recently released their first song and music video to the web world and their peers and the reception although unexpected was great for their image as new artists on the scene.

“It’s more of a shock factor than anything else.. They’re quite surprised because music wasn’t our main thing and now its become that,” M explained as L’ART caught up with her once again following their L’ART TV interview which was published back in August. As M explains in the interview, the inspiration for ‘Heartbroken’ came from a personal experience of hers which she turned into a positive and the result?.. a relatable, rnb track with a great video to match.

But back to the music, following their single release to date, in November, 88Music are releasing their Black EP. With self-described ‘jiggy’ and ‘upbeat’ songs, this EP will differ slightly from the feel of their debut ‘Heartbroken’ but with deep and meaningful lyrical content.

“Black is more about the idea behind the song,” M explained , penning their sound as ‘r-imental’ (an rnb sound with experimental aspects).

“Usually when you’re not signed, you come out with a budget video, a song that’s not well mixed… we spent some time saving before we brought anything out.”

The upcoming album is to be a double EP with the second part taking on the colour ‘Grey’. Going with the popular phrase ‘everything’s black and white’, M and Sammy have used their own take on the statement to represent their sound.

‘Black is dark, you can’t see anything,

Although M modestly puts the quality of the song and the video down to time, together the pair are qualified and educated in their craft, add this knowledge to their love for the art and it makes for a perfect blend.

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So what does the future hold for 88Music?

“We definitely want to collaborate with people we’ve met along the way and those who have heard ‘Heartbroken’, producers, a mix of people.” And with several artist’s lined up, people in mind for particular beats (who they are more than happy to wait for) and creative influences from huge star’s such as Donnie Hathaway, Mary J Blige and Michael Jackson, 88Music are all about success and the benefits that come with it.

Remember you read it here first.

Youtube: boomentsmedia, Twitter: @88Music 10

Image Source: 88Music

grey is as good as it gets at the moment.

Right now everything is black and grey.

White is happy. In a couple year’s time (when they have reached their personal goals and are benefitting from a wider audience) we will make a White EP.”

B O M e h T r o F y d a e R s ’ o h W 11

The MOBO Awards 2012 are taking place next month and this year the Urban Talent showcase will be taking place at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

On Saturday November 3rd, music artists, fellow celebrities and you, the fans and the public will be ready to celebrate the origins of black music, particularly the achievements of those in the UK. Now in its seventeenth year, founder of MOBO, Kanya King will proudly see her empire in all its glory once again, as winners are announced, performer’s put on a great show and a special individual is noticed for their lifetime career achievement in the music world.

Today, the proud owner of an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), an honourary degree of Doctor of Business Administration of London Met Uni, a Doctorate of Leeds Uni and a history of guest speaking, Kanya King has definitely come far in her quest to celebrate and platform the origins of Black Music.

With a strong US influence to start, over the years the talent of the UK has even held its own and today sees stars from all over uniting to share their love for those on the music scene.

Leading the nominations with five nods are Emeli Sande and Plan B, with newcomer Rita Ora and Labrinth following closely behind with four.

Visit www.mobo.com to see the full list of nominees and purchase your tickets.

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1 0 2 s d r a BO Aw

Image Source: Catch A Vibe, Liverpool 360

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Image Source: Fizzi Music Group

I Z Z I I C F S M U

KEEPING MUSIC IN THE FAMILY

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Image Source: http://emilyhadden.com

Since winning the first Talent Oxford event as best vocalist, Nina has continued to do great things with her voice. And with a music-filled relationship with her father, Nick, who has created his own music company, together they are to take the music world by storm. Here’s how‌

Nina has always been close to her dad and growing up, Nick would help Nina with her acoustic songs. As soon as Nina chose a track, Nick would be at hand to figure out some accompaniment on his guitar.

“The industry has changed in a way that you’ve got to have all that product and do all that hard work beforehand,” said Nick. “But she’s very keen and got seven years live singing experience at 13 years old.”

He would also provide moral support for Nina’s stage performances. If she got a bit nervous he would accompany her with his guitar. “You wouldn’t think that now because she’s so confident,” said Nick.

As a teenager, Nick would tour with his band and even toured with Bon Jovi back in 1989 in Tokyo. Since then he has always wanted to help others with music.

He recently got into music tuition at OCVC college as well as assisting young people at his own establishment.

Since Nina has progressed as a singer, Nick has moved onto producing her backing tracks and Nina has even done a few of her own.

He often works with 16 to 21 year olds.

“They’re the exciting people I want to work with,” said Nick.

Nick has an in-house studio in Wantage where he provides all the equipment for singers, rap artists and groups to use.

Being exposed to this, Nina took the opportunity to learn herself.

“I do all of the editing and production work,” said Nick. A lot of rap and grime artists approach Nick and they’re keen fans of his use of special affects, voice production and distorted vocals.

She now knows how to programme and write her own material. “She’s getting really good grounding at a young age,” said Nick.

“I work with a lot of rap and grime artists and I create something especially for them.”

Nina has also had the opportunity to work with Taz, Dizzee Rascal’s producer at their house studio.

Nina is also his priority. Whilst Nina is still in education, she has been working on writing and recording an album. The aim is to have two completed albums by the age of 14. Then they will begin to get in contact with agents and record deals. .

He does a lot of work for N-Dubz and Tinie Tempah. Nina was recording a song and Taz did a rap freestyle on the spot! So this is one contact that Nina is very keen to keep.

Nina and her father are currently working hard to boost her subscriptions on social media sites and continuing to release her material online and build her fan base.

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Nick goes on to say: “You could be the best singer ever but if you’re only singing in your bedroom, no one is going to take notice. This is why I’m trying to get Nina as much exposure and opportunities that come along.”

Nick often sets up his own events in hotels where Nina sings at weddings, corporate events and private functions and he will play a set with his band.

“My mum got me into singing,” said Nina.

“She used to sing everything to me as a child and I started to pick it up. I would randomly ad-lib around the house.

“My musical role models are Beyonce and Nicki Minaj,” said Nina. “I love them as a complete package. I love Nicki Minaj’s music and that’s sort of where I get my rap style from, without the London accent. I rap in the middle of all my original songs.”

Nina particularly caught the attention of one judge, Kelly Chandler when competing at Talent Oxford. She is principal to her own dance school and loved Nina’s singing voice.

She wanted to help train Nina into an allround performer by focusing on her dance moves and gaining more stage presence.

They now continue to have a great relationship and Nina attends her weekly street dance classes.

“In five years time I hope to have a record deal and about to start a world tour,” said Nina. She is also looking into any radio, TV and presenting jobs that may catch her eye but music is her first focus.

Nick adds: “I’ve already bought the web domains for Fizzi Records and Fizzi Management,” said Nick. “I’d love to start doing independent releases, also continuing with my specialist backing tracks and putting them onto iTunes.

Image source: http://weissesrauschen.tumblr.com

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WORD ON THE STREET

As October is UK Black History Month and the nominees for next month’s MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards have been released with voting under way, we find out which artist’s you are rooting for to win big this 2012.

D’Banj- The Afrobeats star’s UK following just keeps getting bigger! ‘Oliver Twist’ was definitely a Summer anthem.

Rita Ora- Signed to Roc Nation but not forgetting her birth place Kosovo and her London childhood location, Rita has celebrated a number one spot, red carpet appearances and a guest judge spot on The X-Factor!

Rebecca Ferguson- Having toured following her debut album release Heaven, Rebecca’s unique style and jazz-like sultry sound sets her aside from many mainstream artist’s today.

Azealia Banks- As a new girl on the mainstream block, Azealia’s Harlem flow and eccentric artistry has fans loving her. Having collaborated twice with the UK’s Shystie, what’s next for the US native?

Rihanna- Headlining this year’s Wireless Festival, featuring in her first movie and having her own Fashion TV show Styled To Rock makes Ri Ri an international star in your eyes.

Beyonce- Although she’s been away being a new mother, Beyonce’s 4 album and the videos and footage that have come with it have been keeping fans entertained, eagerly waiting for her return to the music scene.

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We have played one or two small, independent festivals and our next big aim is to play at a festival people have heard of. Whatever comes off the back of that, we’d love it and to make it a career.

Having been together for a year now alternative rock group Lightfire are happy to be the first rock music band to feature in L’ART. Made up of friends from Cannock, conquering their ‘own neck of the woods at present’ but with hopes of taking their music to the masses, Scott Sieradzki (singer), Richard Bates, Rich Walton (guitarist’s), Lee Nightingale (bass player) and Dave Johnson (drummer) are on a quest to ‘take over the world’.

Q: As the singer, do you write a lot of your own material?

A: I tend to, it’s really a group thing.

We sit around a table and the lads will come up with guitar riffs, have a strum together, the drummer will put drums over it and we’ll have a group session.

A lot of emails go around. The drummer also plays guitar so we’ll all record things, pick up something we like, I’ll start writing lyrics, we’ll have a bash in the studio and a song idea comes together.

L’ART caught up with the band’s singer Scott as he filled us in on all things Lightfire.

Q: How did you guys get together?

A: We were all buddies before. Three of the guys were together in a band before, as well as two of the others in a different band at the same time. We stayed mates and decided to form with the five of us.

Q: And where can we see you perform this material?

A: We have a few gigs upcoming and some that need to be confirmed. On 16th October we’re at The Roadhouse in Birmingham, and we have an event in Oxford coming up too.

Q: What’s keeping Lightfire busy at the moment?

A: A lot of gigs and social network.

We’re keeping people up to date with what we’re up to, in contact with promoters, play at local nights and doing an EP at present. Once that’s done we plan to get out on the road and tour.

Q: What’s your reception from the public like?

A: We’ve had a lot of comparisons to who people think we sound like and I’m very happy with them. For example Lost Prophets.

Q: And who influences Lightfire?

A: Lost Prophets. Our bass player loves Skinhead, I’m a massive Foo Fighters fan and love mainstream rock and diverse stuff as well. There’s mixed influences within the group; dance, jazz. Our Ipods are really

Q: Where did the name for the band come from?

A: We sat around for ages, went through a load of A4 paper and screwed a load up (laughs). It kind of represents music under light fire, under attack.

broad and eclectic.

Q: What are your overall goals as a band?

A: To get on the radio, hope people like and buy the EP, tour and to get on to mainstream festivals.

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LIGHTFIRE BAND

Image Source: Ritchie Sieradzki & Lightfire Band

Website: www.lightfire.co.uk (under construction) Facebook: LightFire Twitter: Lightfireuk YouTube: Lightfire

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We catch up with the choreographer of Prodijig, Alan Kenefick and discover the story behind this Irish dance group who have even bigger plans for the future.

Since winning GTD (Got To Dance) what would you say has been your biggest achievement since then as a group?

Alan: Performing in Croke Park (All Ireland Hurling final) in front of 86,000 people and the Irish president was pretty incredible. It’s one of the things I’ve wanted to do all my life.

What sort of things did winning the £250,000 help towards?

Alan: It helped us pursue this as a full-time career. We can afford to go to the studio everyday and work on things constantly. It’s our job now and it’s completely changed our lives.

So was the dancing not so much a full-time job before GTD? Alan: It was a full-time job but it turned dancing into more of a job than fun. All of us had a drive to do something new. I always wanted to create and I felt a bit held back. We wanted to move on and GTD helped us be creative and express ourselves. Dancing and doing your own choreography is uplifting.

Working in the environment of Riverdance, do you think that’s helped you in any way to where you are now?

Alan: 100%. Riverdance taught me a lot of basics and performance skills. I met some great friends. We’re just trying to push the boundaries more and more everyday.

Within your group, are you childhood friends or did you meet through dance schools?

Alan: A few of us knew each other through the Irish dance competition circuit and a few smaller dance shows.

Are you the main choreographer?

Alan: Yes, I’m the only choreographer.

You have a tour coming up, what sort of things have you got planned for your fans?

Alan: We’re just going to try and push it even further.

On GTD we only had three numbers and it was hard to express yourselves in that minute and a half. But I think we’re just learning how to expand now. We’re going to give people longer numbers, work on creating a storyline and bring a different style. We’re also going to try out some contemporary and tap skills and put in all our best moves. We’ve already

got a few numbers done and I’m really excited about them. We want people to get into the storyline. It’s not just dancing, we’re building characters. It’s an exciting process in general and we’re working hard every single day.

Are you all trained in any other styles of dance?

Alan: We’re traditionally trained in Irish dancing and between us we’ve won every single championship that there is. We haven’t actually taken classes but we’re in the studio everyday and I just throw out any ideas that I have. I’m constantly learning. Irish dancing is relatively young so when we expand it the possibilities are just endless. It’s such a unique dance form.

How did the idea of the show come about?

Alan: I always had a dream of doing a show and the storyline was created through hours of sitting down with cups of coffee trying to come up with something great.

There’s definitely going to be a bit of drama involved in the storyline. Irish dancing has been seen to be a limited dance form and that’s why we get so much appreciation. We strive for every dance number to be different.

You’re very well known as a group for creating your own style of Irish dance but who do you look to for inspiration?

Alan: I don’t have a specific style. We love everything.

We love watching dance and I think that’s why our style is getting so diverse. I love ballet, tap, flamenco and hip-hop. I get bored really quickly so we’ve got to keep it moving.

Do you see yourselves as more than a dance group then? How do you view yourselves as a group?

Alan: We’re a big family now and that does bring out great work. We all took on this big risk when we did GTD; we all decided to pack up Riverdance and it created a big bond between us. We’re trying to do the best that we can.

Lastly, how do you plan to grow and evolve Prodijig? What do you see yourselves doing in the future?

Alan: Everything. We want to be cultural ambassadors for Ireland, keep on dancing the best we can and make a few shows. Cirque du Soleil have loads of shows, I don’t see why we couldn’t. I’d love to help out the youth and a few more charities; we’ve already worked with Macmillan Cancer Charity and it was incredible being able to give back.

Teach kids to dance, workshops and travel the world; Riverdance had a few troupes in its peak, even in China. So we’re pretty big dreamers.

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Prodijig: From Riverdance To Creating Their Own Beat Image Source: http://emilyhadden.com

Image source: Charlotte Hanbury

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Founder and Journalist - Daniella Jones- Ellis Founder and Journalist - Letisha Jones- Ellis Graphic design - Laura Parker- Johns (http://cargocollective.com/parkerj)