Urbanlunch
Oliver heldens Beat Connection • Nico & Vinz 1
@urbanlunch_
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In This Issue 2014 videos // P36
Nick Brewer // P16
Oliver heldens // P40 Rossopomodoro // P46
Nico and vinz // p32 2014 timeline // P20
Otw 2016 // p48
Twitter // @urbanlunch_
Web // URBANLUNCH
Contact // URBANLUNCHMAG@GMAIL.COM
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Had rnb
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:
2014 saw Chaz French release
Happy Belated, an aggressive display of songs which sampled modern tracks, showcasing French’s powerful flow.
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How has living in D.C influ-
What would you say is the
Who were your biggest inspi-
enced your sound?
main theme that runs
rations growing up?
I moved around a lot so I guess it's throughout Happy Belated?
Growing up, my biggest inspira-
the fact that I wasn't here as much The struggle what made us and to
tion was my mom, that's all I had,
that played a big part in how I
just never let people stop you from and she played a big role in every-
went about making music...but
what you really want to accom-
the fact that I am from the area I
plish. It's always a positive in eve-
always stood out in other places
ry situation, but timing and being
Have you always wanted to
that I lived.
patient is everything, the struggle
be a rapper?
isn't always a bad thing you just
I've always been musically in-
have to stay rooted and grounded
clined, I use to play the drums so I
Earlier this year you
thing and every decision I made.
dropped Happy Belated - how in what you believe in and eventu- knew I would be a musician or a did you find the creative pro-
ally it will come to the light.
performer. Rapping came out of
cess?
nowhere but I'm glad it happened
I just always try to stay as inspired
that way.
as possible, I never really been
You got GoldLink featured on
one to force anything. My daugh-
a track, how did that happen?
ter was my biggest inspiration, as
Me and GoldLink are brothers
How do you feel when outlets
well as my family and friends
from another. So it just happened
such as COMPLEX and Ear-
around me. It seems like they
organically.
milk praise your music?
made the creative process easier.
I feel honoured I mean in my eyes that's a big thing. I used to wish I could be on platforms like that, so now it's sorta mind blowing. I'm thankful, very thankful. Where do you want to go with your music? As big as God may have it. I wanna be like a super hero to my fans, someone that people can say made a difference.
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:
Brighton born band The Dubar-
rys have just released their debut EP. Holding a powerful acoustic sound, the band carry a charm in their music which can't be beaten.
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So how did The DuBarrys
Who were your musical influ- Was there a particular mes-
come about, what’s the histo- ences growing up?
sage you wanted the EP to
ry behind your relationships
Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, Pink
carry across?
with each other?
Floyd, Beatles, and Michael
To go get what you want in life
We all by chance moved into the
Jackson.
and not wait for it to come to you.
before as we were all attending
How has the process of craft-
Do you think this EP has
university in Brighton. We then
ing a debut EP been, has it
helped you focus on your
same flat without ever meeting
started jamming together for a few been more challenging than
sounds and find your musi-
months, liked the sounds we were
expected?
cal strengths?
making and then officially started
It’s been a really good experience.
The whole process has made us
the band.
We spent a full week at Ray Da-
much tighter as a band. Long
vies’ studio (Konk) in London ex-
hours of pre-production followed
Where did the name come
perimenting with lots of different
by studio time has helped us craft
from?
sounds. Changing amps, guitars,
the songs into the sound we want-
It originally came from a song
snares, microphones for every
ed to portray through the EP.
name called Dubarry Was A La-
song to get exactly what we want-
dy and we liked the way it sound-
ed. We had 12 hours a day so
ed. From there it became “The
things got a little delirious.
DuBarrys”. Brighton is known for its individual sounds and styles that can’t be found anywhere else, how have these shaped your own sound? Brighton is indeed a very influential place. The seaside vibe has definitely had an impact on our sound. The 70’s vibe rock vibe, that we have been compared to, most definitely stems from the streets of Brighton.
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: With the backing of a soul flavoured EP over the summer, and a string of big collaborations, Nick Brewer created a buzz this year. Now, the artist has just dropped his second EP of the year Warning Lights which is packed to the brim with energy.
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Tell us more about the work
that I've previously put out is
How did you end up working
that has led to Warning
more easy listening and laid back,
with Stormzy?
Light?
I wanted to mix it up and go back
I've been a fan of Stormzy for a
I started writing for 'Warning
to some of my original influences
while, and 'm just enjoying watch-
Light' in June, as soon as I had
with this EP. I grew up listening to ing his journey and seeing him
put out my last EP Four Miles
Garage and Grime, and that's
grow. When I made the track
Further. I felt like Four Miles
what made me want to start mak-
Warning Light I just felt like he
showed my mellow, storytelling
ing music in the first place, so I
would be able to add something to
side really well, so I wanted to dis- wanted that to come across with
it with his lyrical content and
play something different with
character, so I reached out to him.
this release.
'Warning Light'. It's more upbeat,
He was up for it and I’m happy
with some different influences in
What made you get outside
with how the track turned out.
there, including Garage, Grime
contributors involved in this
and House.
release?
What should we expect
It's still very much me, but just a
I'm always keen to work with art-
from Nick Brewer in 2015? Is
different side to me, which is
ists that I'm a fan of, and I’ve been There An Album?
something I wanted to showcase
fortunate enough to do that on
before I got into making my al-
this EP. I always want to make the pipeline. I've already started
Yeah an album is definitely in the
bum. I was able to work with some best music I possibly can, and if I
working on it, and I’ve got a clear
really cool producers on this one;
feel like there is someone out
idea of what I want to do and
including The Confect, who pro-
there that can add something to a
where I want to go with it. I'm
duced the whole of my last EP,
track, then I like to get them on.
hoping that things will keep pro-
One Bit and Ill Blu.
gressing for me, but I’m just enjoying the journey and seeing
Is there an overarching
where it takes me.
theme or concept to the EP? I wouldn't say that there is an overarching theme or concept as such, but the aim of this EP is to display the more fun side of my character. I really wanted to catch people's attention, and show that I can make music for people to bounce to. While a lot of the music
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: Known to the internet masses for their clever and eclectic sound, Seattle born group Beat Connection are making music that nobody can touch or replicate right now.
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So how did Beat Connection
You're playing in Seattle on
Who would your dream col-
come about?
New Years Eve, what does it
laboration be with?
Beat Connection came about in
feel like to be back playing
There are so many people we
college and stemmed from a mu-
music in your hometown?
would be down to collaborate
tual admiration for sweaty house
It feels really good. We always end with. That's the beauty of collabo-
parties and the feminine mys-
up playing some nutty event in
ration is you never know what
tique.
Seattle because we don't want to
combo will be the magical
just do a stiff show when everyone one. But Caribou comes to You sound is almost undefin- knows us to a degree. We want to able, is it hard to fit each of
throw a baller party with our
you individual influences in-
friends. So that's the plan!
mind. They know what's up. What's coming up for Beat
to each track?
Connection in 2015?
I think that's a result of everyone's Earlier in the year, you sup-
2015 is going to be a big one.
varied musical backgrounds and
ported Jungle on tour, how
We've got a record coming out and
artistic leanings. Reed is OG DJ
was that?
various other products. It's hard
and electronic world, Professor
Lads on tour! We had a great
to say exactly what's in store but
Mark is a total jazz experimental
time, learned a lot about music,
we will be out there doing it,
guy, Jarred is a heavy groove, sec- and made some good friends. We ond line, soul and jazz nut, and
miss those bruvs.
Tom is humming some old blues tune in the woods somewhere. I
If you could pin down a high-
think that's the beauty of this pro- light of 2014, what would it ject, we are best friends for good
be?
reason and no good reason at the
Capitol Hill Block Party in our
same time. Our musical cohesion
home town Seattle was really the
is sort of a transposition of that.
highlight. Sometimes you look back at your experiences and wish
When you're creating music,
you had profited from the mo-
does the band have a specific
ment while you were in it. But we
formula?
really stopped to appreciate what
Coffee shop. Studio. Sandwich
we were doing that weekend and if
shop. Studio. Corner store. Studio. felt right. We brought the groove Sushi spot. Studio. Shitty
to Pike and Broadway while the
bar. Bed. (Repeat)
sun was setting and it felt so good.
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which is all we really care about.
January Ryan Lewis & Macklemore take home
March
four prestigious Grammy awards. The duo
Everyone who was anyone in Hollywood
caused controversy for their near clean
gathered, for what will possibly be the
sweep of the rap category, beating Jay Z,
biggest selfie of all time. It was that selfie
Eminem & Kendrick. Questions arose to the
that intrinsically proved that the trend was
relevancy of the awards in modern industry.
not going away just yet.
**** The 2014
February The Sochi Winter Olympics kick-started what was to be a great year for sport. The event was Great Britain’s most successful winter run for 90 years; and heightened the power in British sport that London 2012 had highlighted.
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May Michael Jackson’s second posthumous album was released, with spectacular promotion. Not only did Timberland resurrect to remix the original tracks; Michael Jackson reappeared via the medium of hologram.
timeline ****
June
April
June gave way for what was going
Outkast reunited at the world’s biggest
to be the biggest FIFA World Cup
music festival. Their wildly anticipated
in history. The international scope
performance at Coachella broke records.
of the event was bigger than ever,
The festival grossed over $78 million, sold
and showcased the tremendous
out in under 3 hours, and, got critics and
effort contained within Rio.
fans buzzed for the duo’s next steps.
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July
September
Noisey premiered the trailer for
Alongside the release of Apple’s new
SVDDXNLY—a star studded documentary
iPhone models, U2 force their thirteenth
about the life of rapper A$AP Rocky.
studio album onto all nearly all iPhones
Everything from his rocky beginnings to his
in existence. The move caused a lot of
latest musical adventures got a mention,
uproar, and was criticised for devaluing
and it stunned the net at the same time.
the price of real music.
**** The 2014
August Then we got the video which could change the history of music videos forever. Nicki Minaj released the popping visuals to Anaconda. Breaking VEVO records, it was the most talked about video of the year. We also got the Shmoney too.
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November Bob Geldof joined another collection of the finest UK acts together, forming supergroup Band Aid 30. Everyone from Tracey Emin to Paul Epworth were involved in the charitable process.
timeline ****
December
October
Sam Smith became the first British
Young Fathers beat out the likes of Jungle,
male to earn nominations in the big
FKA Twigs and Royal Blood to win the
four Grammy categories from a de-
prestigious Mercury Prize. The win was
but album release. With six nods
praised for putting Scottish rap in the
overall, Sam Smith leads the way
limelight, and for keeping music as the
alongside BeyoncĂŠ and Pharrell.
substrate being judged, not popularity.
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The best songs of 2014
#39 Panama Strange Feeling
#36
#35
MNEK
Mark Ronson
Every Little Word
Uptown Funk
#32
#31
Kelis
Years & Years
Friday Fish Fry
Real 24
#38
#37
George Ezra
Lorde
Blame It On Me
Yellow Flicker Beat
#34
#33
Hudson Mohawke
Ed Sheeran
Chimes
Don’t
#30
#29
Sam Smith
Aquilo
Stay With Me
You There 25
#28
#27
Little Simz
Chris Brown
Devour
Loyal
#24
#23
Miguel
Jessie Ware
Simplethings
Tough Love
#20
#19
Michael Jackson
Rustie
Love Never Felt So Good
Attak 26
#26
#25
Drake
Banks
0-100
Drowning
#22
#21
Childish Gambino
Coldplay
Sober
Magic
#18
#17
Lykke Li
GoldLink
No Rest For The Wicked
Sober Thoughts 27
#16
#15
Alt-J
Jungle
Left Hand Free
Busy Earnin’
#12
#11
HAIM
Kwabs
My Song 5 (Remix)
Pray For Love
#8 #8 Michael Jackson
#7
Young Love Never Fathers Felt So Good
Kate Tempest
Get Up
Lonely Daze 28
#14
#13
Azealia Banks
SBTRKT Temporary View
Heavy Metal & Reflective
#10
#9
The Weeknd
FKA Twigs
Often
Two Weeks
#18
#6Lykke Li
#5
No Rest For The Wicked
Schoolboy Q
YG
Hell Of A Night
My Hitta 29
#4 Jay Prince Polaroids Londoner Jay Prince was a sleeper sensation. His 90’s style music bought back a sense of nostalgia, and more surprisingly, showed that the UK rap scene was far from dead. Despite the rapper remaining unsigned, there’s huge potential here, and his smash in 2014 with Polaroids, only proves this point.
#3 Lana Del Rey West Coast There’s no denying that Lana Del Ray’s next move was one of the most hyped. It was a hype that was almost hard to live up to, but Ms Ray thankfully pulled it off. Hypnotic and peculiar production shone, whilst Lana Del Ray gave an infectious platter of her angelic vocals; making West Coast a distinctly smoky track.
#2 FKA Twigs Video Girl Video Girl was one of the smartest track from Twigs’ LP1. Managing to merge her unique sound and production style with contemporary R&B was a slick move, and gave her the makings of a classic. Wobbly basslines and infinite snare rolls remain, as one would expect from Twigs, they’re just stunningly tighter, and neater. 30
#1
Sia Chandelier With Chandelier, Sia delivered the best single of 2014. The explosive, almost bullish and destructive chorus was the most powerful chorus music has seen in a while. Elements of hip-hop battled through the pop tinted beat, crafting a sound that no other had perfected in 2014. The cracks and breaks in Sia’s vocals added more triumph to the track and turned a flaw into something truly flawless. 31
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Nico & Vinz 33
You both have a rich African
really had time to digest it all yet.
early age up and till where we are
heritage, how much influence We hope and think the holidays
now. So we talk about our
does this background have on coming up will be good for that.
thoughts around our identity, as-
your sound?
pirations, upbringing as well as
It has definitely influenced our
Is it weird that the single be-
love. In this album we also take on
music a lot, being that that's a big
came popular a year after it
a lot of different roles, and we try
part of who we are. We always aim was originally released?
to tell our story through the story
at letting the music mirror who
Not weird, but cool to see the mu-
of the Black Star Elephant. Need-
we are, where we come from and
sic organically spread out through
less to say its a personal, but also
where we want to be.
the world the way it did. An amaz-
fun and rhythmic album.
ing journey to be on. Is it important to maintain
Where did the name for the
elements of Norway in your
Did you ever think your suc-
album come from?
music too?
cess would be so internation-
Vinz has parents from Ghana and
Absolutely. We are Norwegians,
al?
in Ghana they call themselves the
born and raised so the way we
Yes. That was always what we
Black Stars. Nico has a mother
think and our point of view of the
dreamed of and aimed for. We al-
from Norway and a father Ivory
world is definitely reflected in the
ways believed that it was possible,
Coast. In Ivory Coast they call
music..
even though it at times seemed so
themselves the Elephants. Black
far away sitting in a tiny studio in
Star Elephant is a character we
Your single Am I Wrong, has
Oslo. Looking back we're glad we
created based on our background
received nearly 100 million
were bold enough to have such big and heritage.
video views and went double
dreams, though to some people it
platinum in the US, are there
seemed a little crazy. Haha.
ever times when you don’t
How has the process of creating an album, differed from
believe what has happened?
What would you say are the
anything else you’ve done as
Well, yes and no. Sometimes we
main themes surrounding
artists?
think of what’s happened the last
your debut album, Black Star
It was truly a great experience
year and be like "wow, we've done
Elephant?
throughout. Being able to put into
a lot of incredible stuff this year",
We wanted to capture the journey
word a lot of experiences and
but at the same time we haven’t
we've been as people since and
thoughts, being able to travel and
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record a lot the music in Botswana ported this album. It feels great to and being creative with the pro-
know that we've created something
ducers on the album from Norway
that represents us a 100%.
are some of the things that we've appreciated the most. As well as we Finally, where do you see Nico grew a lot as artist throughout the
& Vinz in five years?
creation of this album.
Hopefully we'll be established as artist, have lot more successful
2014 has been a whirlwind for music out, touring and still having you, what would you each
fun and a great passion for what
pick as highlights from the
we love to do.
year? Collectively releasing our album is the number one highlight. To Nico performing at the Ellen DeGeneres Show was a highlight, whilst to Vinz it was joining the Moonshine Jungle Tour with Bruno Mars. Given your strong presence, who would you love to work with on a track? Tough to say, but maybe Kanye? Rick Ruben and Pharrell as well.
Nico & Vinz Critics and fans alike have on-
//
ly spoken praise about your
Black Star Elephant
sound, is it humbling to hear such great feedback?
Out Now
Absolutely. We can’t do nothing but thank everybody that has sup35
THE BEST MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2014 —————— 2014 spawned some of the most crazy and explosive visuals to date. Whether it was MIA and peace drones, or Beyonce with an iPhone - the consistent energy in all of the year’s best videos were what lifted them above the rest.
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FKA TWIGS // TWO WEEKS FKA gave one of the boldest videos of the year, Two Weeks permeated luxury and opulence, whilst the singer exhibited an Aaliyah-esque vibe, making for a stunning set of visuals. A display of golden tones and pure wealth, it’s a gorgeous video that just oozes power.
JUNGLE // BUSY EARNING Jungle provided an engrossing and pumped up dance routine, and a video that at the heart was charmingly simplistic. The band proved that all a good music video needs are Adidas tracksuits, sick dancers and a cool as f*ck dance routine that will grasp everyone’s attention.
M.I.A. //
DOUBLE BUBBLE TROUBLE Although not on the same level as Bad Girls,
Double Bubble Trouble was still a visual banger. M.I.A controversially touched upon 3D printing of guns, that, topped with the non-stop trippy effects for the eye, created a music video that couldn’t be tamed.
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BEYONCE // 7/11 A refreshing change from the high production feel the surprise album offered last year. 7/11 was a candid insight to the truly wild side we rarely catch from Beyonce, which made the video all the more entertaining. Only Beyonce could make an iPhone shot video look professional.
NICKI MINAJ // ANACONDA When Nicki Minaj dropped the visuals to
Anaconda, it was probably one of the most talked about events of the year. Everyone had an opinion, and Anaconda did not hold back excuses for these opinions to be heard. It was a crazy jungle themed video that was the most controversial of the year too.
Jay Z & BEYONCE //
RUN The power duo paired for a blockbuster styled video that featured explosions, police chases, gun fights, and an all star cast. The Melina Matsoukas directed trailer was as a spoof, but we hope the film comes to a cinema near us, quickly in the near future.
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CLIPPING. // WORK WORK Californian experimental hip-hop group clipping. had a sub zero climax to the visuals for Work Work. Whilst it’s not the most energised video of the year, it perfectly fitted the song, and has some very tense moments that only add to the simmering suspense.
PUSHA T // SUICIDE It was a grungy and grimy display of contrasting colours and intense flashes. Director Nathan Brown managed to make black and white look vibrant and popping, which sat well with the Pharrell produced track. Shots of red during the last scenes gave the video a high end edge as it closed.
CHRIS BROWN// LOYAL Slick dance moves were on overdrive on
Loyal. The video was shot inside the infamous Universal Studios; and featured cameo appearances from Usher, Trey Songz and Ty Dolla $ign. More importantly, the video emitted tonnes of fun and bought back the chilled vibe of older videos.
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Oliver Heldens 40
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After being snapped up by
self. For me they have been really
dio. I was listening to a lot of clas-
Spinnin’ Records at the ten-
helpful all the way, giving me
sic house songs from the 90s. My
idea’s & options to be working on.
first love in music was jumpstyle/
der age of seventeen, Oliver Heldens is a burst of youth-
hardstyle, I had a whole collection What was it like, signing to
of CD’s and danced a lot on it too.
fulness onto the house scene.
one of the biggest electronic
When I was like thirteen years old
After building a following
labels for house music?
I got more into house music, most-
with electronic crowds, the
I have no comparison since it’s my ly because Hardwell was playing at first label that I signed to, but the
my school parties and I loved what
team is great.
he did.
help of singer Becky Hill, se-
Tiesto helped you bring your
Which artists influence your
curing a number one hit in
music to a wider audience,
music and help you craft
the process. Now, Heldens is
how much confidence did his
unique sounds?
response give you?
Well, when I started I really looked
This gave me a lot of confidence,
up to Hardwell, Fedde le Grand
it’s a big honour to get the respect
and Bingo Players, they really
and support of him. This opened a
brought something new, when
lot of doors for me, we have now
others were doing the same. Now-
producer then broke the mainstream market with the
has dropped a follow up to the heights he reached over the summer.
You were just seventeen when you were signed up by
sat down in the studio as well, so a adays I have many idols, Tiesto, Martin Garrix, Showtek, Sander collaboration is coming. van Doorn, Pep & Rash - I could
Spinnin’ Records, how nervous were you to prove your-
How did you get involved in
self at a young age?
producing electronic music?
The team at Spinnin’ is great, they
I have been a producer since I was
really gave me the time to develop
twelve or thirteen years old. My
myself as an artist and develop my neighbour who, was a couple years older than me, was a DJ/producer sound. So no pressure coming from that side, I had to prove my-
and taught me how to use FL Stu-
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go on and on.
Oliver Heldens // Koala (Last All Night) Out Now 43
Do you think coming from The
Gecko, and together with the team
Netherlands has given you ac-
again found a great vocalist to com-
cess to a wider pool of music?
plete the track. MNEK who was re-
No I don't think so, because music
sponsible for writing the vocals on
has no borders. But coming from
Gecko was again included in the
The Netherlands, I think it gave me
team for writing vocals on Koala. I
more opportunities. Like I said be-
love his work, and great to be work-
fore, Fedde Le Grand & Hardwell
ing with him.
where performing at our schoolparties, so being from Holland I
This year, you’ve been across
came in contact with electronic mu-
the globe performing sets,
sic at a young age already. Of course what has been your highlight there is something in our water,
from it all?
that’s why we have so many great
Hmm, it’s hard to pick one high-
DJ’s in Holland.
light, this year has been a rollercoaster, I think if I have to pick a
Gecko (Overdrive) peaked at
highlight, it would be my drive and
the top of the UK charts, how
motivation to be doing this for a re-
have you reacted to the amaz-
ally long time. It’s great to be on the
ing success?
road and see the response of fans all
Of course I feel very blessed with all
over the world.
the support so far. My management just recently told me the record will
What’s your favourite part of
reach a golden status in the UK
doing sets live?
soon. It’s an amazing feeling to work I have the best fans in the world, I together with so many great people,
love the interaction with the fans
to be able to perform at very nice
during my live sets, and they keep
shows and experience of meeting
on surprising me with showing their
fans all over the world. Motivation
support, like banners, home-made
to keep on releasing tracks!
koala’s & gecko masks etc.
Has the track’s success made
What is next for Oliver
you more nervous to follow up
Heldens?
with another big hit?
Lots of new music is coming, my
I don’t think nervous is the right
label is sometimes worried that I
phrase, I think challenging is the
don’t sleep enough, because I keep
right word. The new track, which
on sending them new track’s!
will be released as a vocal version in the UK is signed already; Last All Night (Koala). [Again on Pete Tong’s FFRR label]. I made the instrumental in the same period that I made 44
45
46
Rossopomodoro is an Italian
gluten free food, and provide a
restaurant chain, that almost
celiac friendly option for nearly
isn't a chain. Sitting in the
half their pizzas.
adding to the illusion.
Coffee is a great way to end a
heart of the Selfrides Food
meal at Rossopomodoro,
Court in Birmingham, the neo- Another Italian staple which
whether you're after something
rustic furnishings, jokey staff
more raw such as an espresso,
can be found on the menu,
and the gourmet pizza offerings Gnocchi, is also delicate to the
or something more adven-
are a facade which give the im-
turous like their Affogato Al
eye, and tangy and smoky in
pression you're in an independ- flavour. To have two huge sta-
CafĂŠ, it's a refreshing end to the
ent outlet. At it's heart, Rosso-
ples in Mediterranean cuisine
luxuriously smoky flavours of
pomodoro offers traditional
pinned down in the way
the pizza and pasta served.
Italian meals, that have been
Rosspomodoro has, yet have
Rossopomodoro is a great place
given a modern spin on the
recognition as a chain is very
to be, instantly transporting
presentation front. Take their
nearly unheard off. Behind the
you away from the city, and in-
Margherita as an example,
food, the quaint but appropri-
to a friendly, rustic area, that
their core and purest pizza
ately modern decorations aim
serves very elegant dishes, it's
which hasn't got toppings to
to strip away the thought that
an example of how all chains
hide with, it is not only pre-
you're in the middle of a big
should be, in order to aim for
sented modishly, but has a rich city, and try to transport you to authenticity. Rossopomodoro is tomato taste throughout.
a more distinct rural environ-
available in seven London out-
What's extra unique about the
ment. You're also able to see
lets, and has one branch em-
chain is that they have ab-
the staff candidly laugh with
bedded into Birmingham's
sorbed the recent trends for
each other in the kitchen, again Selfridges Store.
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You may recognise the name
Her most recent EP Lemongrass
Keable is still what many would
Sasha Keable; she’s toured with
and Lime Leaves was an excep-
consider a budding artist, maybe
Katy B, been on Disclosure’s
tional presentation of how to do
even a musical protégé; however
breakthrough album and most
R&B in the modern era. It was a
one listen to Lemongrass and
notably is one of few artists to be
throwback to 80’s bouncy R&B
Limeleaves is enough to convince
signed to Tinie Tempah’s Disturb-
whilst also being a showcase of
you she’s among the greatest in
ing London record label. Not only
current production techniques.
her genre. That one listen is also
this, but she’s alumni of the pres-
Nobody is doing R&B quite like
enough to assure yourself that
tigious BRIT School, which lends
this, and on this level. The intro
she’s destined to make some form
itself to guaranteed musical suc-
Living Without You is a warm and
of music history. Being over-hyped
cess. An artist with all this high
energetic track that’s also playful,
is something that is unfortunately
profile backing must be worth the
but the retro textures are what
so damaging and common in to-
hype, and in simple terms – she is. really gives Sasha the edge over Sasha already has the high class
day’s climate; rarely do we have an
her increasingly fierce urban com- artist whose execution exceeds the
production qualities most new art- petition. Sweltering pads and dar-
build-up and expectation. Luckily,
ists are missing and equipped with ing drums work alongside her per- Sasha Keable is one of these rariher connections, is hotly tipped to
suasive vocals that draw together
blow up.
to craft a modern masterpiece.
50
ties.
Arkon Fly, consisting of singer-
sounds – making every track a
the preppy, carrying through with
producer duo Big Jam and Bixby,
brand new experience to delve in-
the self-admitted so fly theme Ar-
are proudly bringing soul-laden
to. However the pair maintain a
kon Fly aspire to achieve. Notably,
and ‘80s-inspired funk to UK elec- consistency about their music too;
they also say this aint a game -
tronica with ease; nothing forced
their playfulness and distinct vo-
suggesting they’re aiming to take
or pretentious here. The recently-
cals carry across a signature
house music to stronger level.
signed-to-EMI couple have offered stamped onto every genrea selection of anthems perfect for
mashing beat.
After signing to Locked Records,
chanting to at stadiums and festi-
an evolving record label focusing
vals. From their light-hearted
The latest single from the pair
on deep techno music, the group
presence to their trendy aura, the
Back Seat is complete with a
have the backing and the resources
pair radiate heaps of lively energy;
spongey retro vibe, striking melo-
they need to truly become hot-
and bring a new angle to the UK
dies and a natural swagger around
shots in the electronic field.
techno scene. Whether its jazzy
it. It plays a compliment to the
Whether it’s a cosmopolitan club
saxophones, 80’s synths, or video
90’s garage that is currently prom- or a pumping house party, Arkon
game esque samples, Big Jam and
inent in the UK underground cir-
Fly will please all audiences whilst
Bixby strongly infuse their dance
cles. Through The Fire reaches a
mastering the skill of sounding
music with a diverse range of
midway between the glitchy and
fresh and distinct too.
51
Bipolar Sunshine is an alternative- Admittedly alternative music is
goes to say you’ll have fun listen-
pop rocker that has many enchant- now becoming more and more
ing too.
ing singles to his name. His deli-
limited in its expression and exe-
cate mix between alternative and
cution, you either go full out
It’s not just the music either, the
pop, is infused with soulful ele-
acoustic or go the gritty, dirty, all
latest visuals continue with the
ments - creating a rich and opulent horns blazing route taken by Alt-J
spacey vibes, whilst still showcas-
sound in the process. Deckchairs
and the Artic Monkeys. However
ing how and slick the singer is
On The Moon is the latest track
Bipolar Sunshine has found new
too. After hooking up with bigger
from the Mancunian and is full of
ground with his lively and joyous
artists such as GoldLink—it looks
glitchy techno sound effects, Chris
style and even manages to throw in as if Bipolar Sunshine is on the
Martin esque vocals and a truly
the odd rap verse at it too. The
cusp of bright popularity. If you
magical electronic framework. It’s
singer is a clear example that mu-
need a casual and buoyant banger
fun and cheerful, which is one rea- sic doesn’t need to be cornered
then you need to look no further
son you should keep an eye on this into what’s popular for it to be sul- than Bipolar Sunshine, who comguy, even when the theme and
try; ultimately he portrays the
plete with his enlivening energy is
subject may change – his playful
message that having fun making
set to storm the charts and the air-
spirit is still to be heard.
music will translate well and it
waves.
52
After collaborating with two of the
You can’t miss the soulful elements Harnett and Snakehips (often
UK’s hottest producer groups Ru-
either, her voice is never excessive
known for their wavy remixes)
dimental and Disclosure, Sinead
– it’s chilled; live piano melodies
wouldn’t seem like the best mix on
Harnett has already hatched on the and drums elevate the track’s soul
paper. However it’s just as inviting,
electronic scene. Her frequent col-
personality. To some, transitioning maybe even more inviting as her
laborations have scored her mil-
from an electronic vocalist to a pop previous collaborations.
lions of plays on the internet and a
soul artist would be hard. Your
buzz about her name on music
voice would be heard in a com-
One thing is clear, Sinead Harnett
blogs. With the release of her de-
pletely different light. However
knows how to utilise the current
but EP N.O.W. the artist is at-
Sinead Harnett has made the tran- wave of UK house production and
tempting a crack at the whole mu-
sition look like a breeze and show-
mesh these beats with her lavish
sic scene. Aiding her are the pro-
cases just how chameleon-like her
soul verses. Moving from being the
duction forces of rising duo Snake- vocals are. Her other offering with
featured artist, to being the solo
hips – crafting a unique chemistry
Snakehips, titled Days Without
artist everyone is watching is no
in the process. On her title single
You; intensifies the soul infusion
easy transformation, but interest-
No Other Way, Harnett’s lush vo-
even further as the singer sashays
ingly Harnett has a strut in her
cals smoothly slide over the sleek
over the track, knowing she’s
stride that makes it look effortless.
beat.
strongly on thrilling territory.
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Merry xmas 54