According to the Guinness Book of Records, Liverpool has had more music artists with number one records than any other city in the world. Dubbed the 'City of Pop', Liverpool's history of pumping out hit acts extends beyond those infamous four lads responsible for helping to change the landscape of music. It's also no surprise that Liverpool is the city that singer/songwriter Jennifer Davies calls home. Sonically polished with a multifaceted style of pop nirvana, Davies is set to shoot to the stars with a sound that contains an irresistible charm and flair.
Consisting of poet, songwriter and vocalist Joshua Idehen, producer Andy Highmore, guitarist Martin 'Tino' Kolarides and singer Izzy Brooks, there is an emotive blanket that lays atop the music of Hugh, perfectly sewn together by each member's thread of eclecticism. Their current EP titled "I Can't Figure You Out" is an elegant intermix of electronica, soul, r&b, pop and alternative - all topped with an air of romanticism, easily making this record one of the highlights of the year. With the title track of the EP getting rave reviews including play from BBC Radio 6 presenter Tom Ravenscroft, this may only be the fine brush strokes leading to ultimately a debut full-length masterpiece.
London's East End has built a reputation of spawning limit-testing producers whose twisting and re-shaping of sound have at times, birthed an entire new genre on to itself. Maybe in a way it makes perfect sense for production duo Tommaso Wallwork and Ady Razor, known as Wallwork & RZR, to call East London their home. Based in Hackney Wick, the two who dub their sound as 'forward thinking bass music', actually made a name for themselves as ghost producers working on everything from Hip-Hop to rock. Eventually Wallwork & RZR decided to delve more into the edgier sounds of electronica, producing DnB, garage and experimental UK bass. With their EP "Mad Techno Invasion" released through the Canadian label Infinite Machine, the duo are expanding the possibilities of how far bass music can indeed stretch out sonically.
Kelsy Karter describes herself as a "weirdo", but to many she is the next talent kicking down the doors of stardom with a musical combination of soul, rock and pop, as well as an intriguingly distinct voice that demands your attention. The absolutely gorgeous Australia-raised singer and musician, whose facial features resemble a younger Angelina Jolie, approaches her craft like a seasoned performer whose presence one certainly won't forget.
Georgia Mason is unique in more ways than a few. The obvious one lies in her vocals. Organically warm, her falsetto voice is similar to an instrument in itself, played like a lofty jazz musician who well understands his or her tool. Mason's next form of uniqueness is situated in her journey. Instead of trying to become the next internet sensation, she made treks over to Paris to learn and play with musicians and artists on the street. Mind you, this is after going through formal training. Perhaps this is why her music is like an art piece, something has lasting value...something that is certainly intriguing and ravishing.
Sexy, sassy, stylish and more importantly, talented are truly only a few words to describe London-based singer Liza Owen. Born to a Cambodian mother and a British father, Owen’s fierceness is practically embedded in her music and undoubtedly in her fashion. It becomes evident why thousands and thousands of people follow the bombshell on Instagram. However, within her world of glamour is also a bursting pride about her Khmer heritage that she holds near and dear. In fact, Owen is a shining model for the Cambodian community in the UK and abroad. Yet while she effortlessly walks the line between both cultures, Liza Owen’s status should honestly be marked as ‘global’. And one thing is certain, she knows that the world is soon to be in the palm of her hands.
Hailing from Wrocław, Marcin Cichy and Igor Pudlo formed Skalpel in 1998 through a mutual love of musical tastes and an admiration of one another’s production style. In 2000 Igor Pudlo interviewed DJ Vadim for Klan (a Hip-Hop publication based out of Poland), which ultimately led to the Ninja Tune artist inviting Skalpel to tour with him and the Russian Percussion band throughout Poland. After releasing their CD-R “Polish Jazz”, Cichy and Pudlo signed with Ninja Tune to release their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album in 2004. Riding high, the duo unleashed their second LP “Konfusion” in 2005, which was welcomed with praises by publications such as JazzTimes for their detailed production.
With a mission to enhance the way listeners experience music, in 2010 Colleen Murphy created Classic Album Sundays, a communal LP listening event in North London where albums are played from start to finish on premium high fidelity audio gear. Coverage of CAS by the BBC as well as numerous publications internationally, helped the event’s popularity to spread globally with Classic Album Sundays now happening in various cities around the world.
Raw, uncut and unfettered is the music of Bucharest-based producer Liar. The unsparing boldness embedded within each track smacks you in the face like a playground bully. And no matter the direction of genre that he chooses to travel, the level of quality always remains undeniable. Perhaps this is why his songs have garnished support by the likes of Mary Ann Hobbs down to Jamie xx. Whether manipulating vocals in a haunting manner over rumbling bass or remaking tracks like Katy B's "5 A.M." into dark dance floor scorchers, Liar's production seems to steamroll over even the thought of cookie cutter electronica in today's market.
Good music should also be fun music - and nothing spells fun like the French-bred, London-based trio We Were Evergreen. Comprised of Fabienne Débarre, Michael Liot and William Serfas, their sound incorporates pop, indie, folk, electro and things in between, but not limited to any of those titles. It’s just well…brilliant music. In fact, their charming quirk adds to the band’s appeal, allowing them to weave through an array of musical styles, making full use of their talent as multi-instrumentalists. Their chemistry and energy projected as a band instantly pulls you into a sort of wonderland of joy.
