Caldera Songwriting Retreat: a haven for songwriters tucked away in the Aegean Sea
Photo by By Nat Kossyvaki Caldera Songwriting Retreat: a haven for songwriters tucked away in the Aegean Sea In a world where time seems to fly, it’s easy to lose touch with the present moment. Caldera Songwriting Retreat brings in a new approach to reconnecting with creativity and helps artists slow down by nourishing the mind, body and soul, working towards reconnecting with their inner selves, and enhancing their creative outlet through an immersive and holistic songwriting experience. 9 March 2025 Words By Nat Kossyvaki https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpTTtdKdq24 Based in the beautiful island of Santorini, away from the burdens of everydaylife, the Caldera team provide you with the time and space to explore yourcreativity and songwriting passion, so you can finally make yourself yourpriority! I met up with one of the founders of Caldera, Io – a session bass player and music professional from Greece based in Brighton – to discuss the vision behind Caldera and the benefits it can offer to songwriters. Io is also the owner of the promotions company “Beluga Promotions” which runs acclaimed open mic nights in Brighton, helping local artists showcase their music. What is Caldera and what inspired this vision? Caldera is a songwriting retreat which was mainly inspired by the open mics that we run in Brighton. Through these open mics, we get a lot of people who come in and they all have a story to tell. You don’t really know the people who come to these open mics until they get on stage to perform, so you can actually learn a lot about those people through the songs they play. The open mics have become sort of like a community and for a lot of artists, performing there provides a sense of ‘therapy’. Both myself and Erini (the co-founder of Caldera) believe that writing songs is truly a form of therapy; there are things that you can’t really express with just words and for some people, songwriting is something much deeper that they can express and share with the world in a much more creative way. Also looking at my own lifestyle, how busy it is and how pressuring the music industry can be, we wanted to create a space where songwriters can come and be free. They can be in an environment where there are no external pressures or life responsibilities, and they can just explore their creativity and be completely free. So Caldera is basically a space for artists to experience that therapeutic moment and make themselves a priority. What does the name Caldera mean? Caldera is actually the most common word you will find in Santorini! It is what remains of the volcano after the explosion and has made Santorini famous for that. In 1600 B.C. there was a huge explosion of the volcano that destroyed half the island and the civilisation on it, but it has made Santorini very unique and now one of the most popular destinations in the world. For our retreat, caldera stands as a metaphor; because Santorini has this history of destruction and rebirth, we thought that doing the retreat here could resonate with the creative songwriting process of many artists. Musicians and songwriters have all these things they want to express but it sometimes can be too difficult and can’t find the words for it. At Caldera retreat, they can take something difficult or ‘painful’ and make something beautiful through music. What makes Caldera unique and stand out from other songwriting retreats? Definitely the location! It’s hard to describe it without seeing it; for me, it’s one of my favourite places on earth. Also, the way we run the retreat doesn’t only focus on the songwriting but on the well-being of the artist too. So we have a lot of things incorporated within the schedule of the retreat which promote well-being, both physical and mental, and also promote the ancient Greek saying “a healthy mind is a healthy body”. So Caldera aims to inspire people to write their songs and also to nourish their spirit; to make themselves a priority. That is why, you don’t have to come to the retreat and leave with a finished song. Even if you come and get inspired and you get a million ideas, but you don’t finish a song that’s fine, because the goal is to get inspired and relax and come up with something that you can then use to inspire yourself in your creative journey. Songwriting retreat 2024 – Group dinner and song-sharing session What does a day in the retreat look like? We would start with mindfulness. So, the first thing in the morning would be going down to the beach, which is literally at our doorstep(!) and do a bit of meditation and mindful movement like stretching or a light version of yoga to connect your mind and body, and really focus for the day. After that, we can have a small break for everyone to have breakfast or a shower if they want, and then we start with the songwriting workshops which will be run by a professional songwriter. We will be running a lot of classes and workshops that people can attend, as well as a lot of inspirational activities where we’ll be talking about lyrics and melodies. Then we have a lunchbreak prepared by our private chef, so everything will be prepared for you and you won’t have to worry about food. All recipes will be plant-based and inspired by the Mediterranean cuisine, to experience a complete detox for your mind and body. During the day, people will also have a lot of downtime to relax and spend some alone time if they need it, to write songs and collaborate with other artists. And eventually, in the evening, we’ll have jam nights, gatherings at the beach and group dinners! On some days we’re also planning on doing some inspirational activities, one of which is both mine and Erini’s favourite! We’ll take the guests to the Symposion Cultural Centre, which
Beyond The Music 2024 Ones To Watch
Beyond The Music 2024 Ones To Watch 7 October 2024 When: Wed 9th – Fri 11th October Tickets! Words by Jessica Blissitt View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyond The Music (@gobeyondmcr) Growing the Grassroots: How cross-industry investment can save the music ecosystem – with Andy Burnham, Atlanta Cobb, Kara Mukerjee, Sam Duckworth, Jon Collins and Jo Twist. Where: Aviva Studios, Manchester When: Thursday 10th October @ 11.45 – 13.00 The Grassroots summit, moderated by Manchester’s mayor Andy Burham, promises to explore the deeper issues into why the music education and talent pipeline has begun to break down. Burham will be joined by industry moguls Atlanta Cobb, Kara Mukerjee, Sam Duckworth, Jon Collins and Jo Twist. Beyond the Music’s website says; “Artists reveal the reality of living and creating in the grass roots and come together with executives from across the industry to formulate a plan to futureproof the industry.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyond The Music (@gobeyondmcr) Misogyny In Music: The Truth Where: Aviva Studios, Manchester When: Thursday 10th October @ 15.15 – 16.30 Following the previous government’s Misogyny in Music report from the Women & Equalities committee, Beyond the Music is providing a platform for experts to discuss and reshape the gender boundaries of the music industry, whilst also providing a space for those who want to share the experience. This summit is in collaboration with the Musician’s Union and Shesaid.so, an independent community for women and gender nonconforming people in the music industry. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Human Interest (@humaninterestband) Human Interest Where: Band on the Wall, Northern Quarter (Manchester, UK) When: Thursday @ 23:00 Led by guitarist and songwriter Cat Harrison with bassist Tyler Damara Kelly, the london-based band are known for their mix of upbeat and blended vocals that seem to hold inspiration from bands like the Kinks, with the acoustic lightness that ‘Girl in Red’ fans would appreciate. After their debut ‘Desire Paths’ landed in 2022, they released a follow up EP in 2023 which has received praise from The Sunday Times. Signed to the same label as mercury award-winner English Teacher, Human Interest have been described as a thrilling new band to watch out for. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LALA HAYDEN (@lauralalahayden) Lala Hayden Where: Soup, Northern Quarter (Manchester, UK) When: Thursday @ 20:00 After an incredibly vibrant festival season, Lala Hayden will perform in Manchester again! Laura “Lala” Hayden is a talented British-Spanish singer who began her solo career with the release of her debut EP, “Girl Becomes, after spending seven years as the frontwoman of Anteros. In a delightful blend of electric and pop accents, LaLa Hayden’s emotive lyrics combined with an incredible stage presence will make this one performance you do not want to miss this weekend. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meduulla bby (@meduulla) Meduulla Where: Soup, Northern Quarter (Manchester, UK) When: Thursday @ 22:00 Raised in North Manchester in a Zimbabwean household, Meduulla’s rap and witty lyricism reflects her experience growing up with two contrasting cultures as a first generation immigrant to the UK. Inspired by iconic Zimbabwean musicians combined with an interest in political conflict, Meduulla’s sound takes inspiration from artists like Kendrick Lamar and Noname. Since her appearance on BBC’s The Rap Game in 2021, Medulla released her debut EP Oblongata in 2023, and has been praised on songs like ‘Limbo’ and ‘Life like a Box of Chocolates’ for her use of rhythm and word play. View this post on Instagram A post shared by congratulations (@congratulationstheband) Congratulations Where: Night & Day When: Friday @ 19:30 Congratulations combined a powerful concoction of gender-blending vocals, eccentric guitars and thunderous bass. Known for their experimentalist attitude to the craft, they will be surely loved by fans of Jockstrap and Sleigh Bells. In a frenzy of frenetic madness, you will find them at the Night and Day on Friday and their high-energy performances are bound to have you glued to the mosh pit until they finish their set. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝔔𝖚𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝕮𝖚𝖑𝖙 (@queencultband) Queen Cult Where: 33 Oldham St, Manchester When: Saturday 12th October @ 14:00 Based in Macclesfield, Queen Cult are THE queer rock band, with lead vocalist Maisie Johnson,Brodie Carson on drums, Piers Jarvis on Bass and Ruby Augar on lead guitar. Known for singles ike ‘Show & tell’, ‘A Song About Consent’ and ‘Calm’, Queen Cult’s music is often political charged and their emotive lyricism, alongside their powerful pop punk accents, have landed them some incredible collaborations with the likes of ARXX, Loose Articles and The Menstrual Cramps to name a few. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lavender Rodriguez (@ohitslavender) Lavender Rodriguez Where: Off the Square When: Saturday 12th October @ 14:00 Known for their creative mix of classical, pop and electronica experimental music, Lavender is known for their ability utilise each and every instrument – although the violin is a firm favourite for them! Since they performed in Salford earlier this year at Sounds From the Other City with a live band, Lavender released their latest single ‘Sweat’ earlier this year, and will be releasing an EP later this year. Lavender’s sound bends each and every boundary that often creates a crackling atmosphere and a wild frenzy behind in its wake. View this post on Instagram A post shared by charlieeeee (@charlieeeeesworld) Charlieeeee Where: Soup, Manchester When: Saturday 12th October @ 21:00 Having worked with the likes of Raye, FRED and James Bay, Charlieeeee is THE producer, writer and artist that’s been bouncing between festivals all summer . After releasing their debut EP ‘Dog Bowl’ earlier this year, they have been commended by critics for their playful rhythm and delicate mix of hyper-pop and jungle beats that often explodes into colourful sound in their performances. Not one to miss. You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
We Out Here
The Grove stage by @hirobjones_@khromacollective We Out Here: Gilles Peterson’s St Giles festival is a magical fairyland of a festival we couldn’t help but be enchanted by 24 September 2024 This was the fifth year of We Out Here and it seems to be truly finding its place as a festival that masterfully mixes what could be opposing vibes. If Leeds is a teen paradise and Boomtown is a theatrical wonder, We Out Here is a fairy garden. It’s arguably the ideal getaway with smoothies and yoga by the river in the morning and raves at night. The age range also skewed a little older than say Reading or Truck, with groups of people in their late teens seeming very rare and more young families with babies. But that didn’t mean it didn’t get wild once the sun set, with DJ sets until 4am on the Friday and Saturday full of electronic, house, and DNB hits. Words by Caitlin Taylor Mount Kimbie were truly a showstopper on the first night. The crowd were already hanging on their every word but after they announced King Krule as a surprise guest, they went wild. I feel bad for everyone who decided to come down on Friday because despite the quick downpour, it was an amazing way to start the long weekend. As the music began again midday Friday, we came to a halt after hearing the power coming from the main stage as Cassie Kinoshi’s Seed played their set. They were incredibly loud but remained smooth and we sat captivated as Kinoshi explained the meaning behind certain songs from mental health to British colonialism. Everything felt so intimate despite the very large crowd they managed to attract. Bel Cobain was on a few hours later and she was clearly popular; I even got stopped on the way there by a group of young girls who were double-checking they were going the right way. During her set she radiated warm positivity, smiling in between songs as her adoring audience. All weekend there was a really great array of female and non-binary talent given full focus on the main stage from spoken word artists Kae Tempest to R&B sweetheart Corinne Bailey Rae to the aforementioned Cassie Kinoshi. It’s great seeing so much natural diversity at a festival that can attract such big names as Andre 3000 (PS – guys give the flute a chance, it’s really great). Ego Ella May by Caitlin Taylor Ego Ella May had two slots and we managed to catch her later one at the Brawnswood stage which throughout the day doubled as a restaurant. I’m sure the intention was for the artists performing to entertain the dinner crowd, but May attracted such a large standing audience there’s no way that those sitting would have been able to catch a glimpse. Her performance was gorgeous and she had her audience spellbound. Amaliah played a set on the incredibly large Rhythm Corner Stage while it was still daylight, a difficult feat for any high energy, dance-focused DJ when most attendees were more in the mood for live music. She had a super London sound with good beats and great mixing. Honestly, she deserved a later slot or to be put on a more intimate stage as her audience remained incredibly engaged despite its small size. I’m keen to catch her next London set and have been listening to her Boiler Rooms since I’ve been back. My favourite stage by far was the Grove, a giant forest bowl where the crowd stood gazing down on whichever artist was performing. It felt so immersive and community focused, especially if you were there at the end of the night, smiling at strangers and making friends. I also loved the Tomorrow’s Warriors Big Tent, an entire decently sized covered stage with a carefully chosen selection of up and coming artists. Too often are smaller artists shoved in a corner and easy to miss, but this was the closest stage to general camping and had its own bar. It was the perfect place to hang out in between the larger artists and discover some genuine talent – a couple highlights were Victoria Jane and Maddy Coombs. We Out Here Stage by Caitlin Taylor My one main criticism was wifi and phone signal. As much as I think for some this would be the perfect excuse to log off, turn off, and focus on community, music, and nature for a few days, as someone who was trying to show off the best parts on our TNAM instagram stories, having to run back to the press area (or trying the cheeky ‘throw your phone so high in the air it maybe gets signal’ tactic) every time just to post one story was exhausting. It also made meeting up with friends horrendously difficult but that did lend to the creation of many “artistic” totems that are present in most of the photos you’ll see of the crowds. If you’re going next year, make sure you have some gaffa tape, a big stick, and an easily noticeable item (we used Dublin socks and a can of WD40 – see final note). Overall, WOH 2024 was one of the best, most community focused and impressive festivals I’ve ever had the pleasure to attend. Giles Peterson deserves a hand for being the most personable festival founder I’ve ever seen. You could catch him walking around, chatting to people and joining in on other artists’ sets. He also actively invests in new talent with his Future Bubblers program for exciting musical projects, something we’re all for here at TNAM. We can’t wait to see what next year brings and no doubt we’ll be there. Final Note – special shout out to Coex who drove us down and somehow managed to play a great set despite having to fix a synth live on stage with just a screwdriver and a bottle of WD40. View this post on Instagram A post shared by We
Brassworks: Woolwich’s jazz festival is getting set for rhythm, roots and revolution
Brassworks: Woolwich’s jazz festival is getting set for rhythm, roots and revolution 20 September 2024 South-east London is set to come alive this Saturday, September 21st, as the Brassworks Street Carnival and Festival of Horns hits Woolwich. Nestled in the creative heart of Woolwich Works, the carnival, festival and finale concert promise a day of raw energy and ferocious talent. Evening Finale Tickets! Words by Heather Collier Woolwich has always had brass running proudly through its veins. From the regal sounds of the Royal Court in Greenwich to the thundering Artillery Bands of the Woolwich Arsenal, to the intoxicating pulse of London’s South Bank jazz scene, it has long been a hotbed of horn-driven music. With its deep-rooted musical heritage, this vibrant corner south of the river provides the ultimate backdrop for a festival brimming with life and brass-powered brilliance. This is not just any festival – it’s a moment for both seasoned jazz heads and first-time listeners to experience music together in its most explosive, joyful form. Here are our ones to watch for the 2024 lineup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht4H_eKjb0w Chineke! Orchestra Once the street carnival has quietened to a dull roar, Chineke! Orchestra will set the tone for the rest of the day at 1:30 PM with a traditional yet transformative performance. As Europe’s first major ethnically diverse orchestra, Chineke! have always set out to challenge the status quo of classical music and the outdated ideas that often come with it. Bollywood Brass Band By 2:30 PM, the Bollywood Brass Band will guide festivalgoers on a whirlwind journey from India to Woolwich with a hypnotic blend of trumpets, saxophones, dhol drums, and colossal sousaphone. The group have metamorphosised the traditional brass ensemble into a dancing, breathing embodiment of Indian cinema at its finest. View this post on Instagram A post shared by She’s Got Brass… 🍑 (@shesgotbrasslondon) She’s Got Brass At 3:45 PM, prepare for a colossal shift in the festival’s vibe as She’s Got Brass takes to the stage. This 10-piece, all-female-fronted brass band aren’t just going through the motions – they’re completely rewriting the rules of the game. In a genre that continues to be dominated by men, She’s Got Brass are expected to arrive with an electric stage presence. The band features some of the most accomplished female musicians on London’s jazz scene who have brought an extraordinary level of mastery to their instrument, with members having played alongside respected acts like Seed Ensemble, Colectiva, and the New Regency Orchestra. Camilla George Visionary saxophonist Camilla George promises to kick the party up a notch as the first headliner of the finale concert. Her sound is rich and layered, drawing listeners into a beautiful concoction where Afrofuturism, hip hop, and jazz have a musical meet-cute. Her playing is more than just technical brilliance – it’s a personal form of storytelling. The politically-charged undercurrent in George’s work is impossible to ignore – this is jazz as activism, a form of cultural reclamation where every composition becomes a way of voicing the things that truly matter. Having jammed with the likes of Nubya Garcia and Shabaka Hutchings, George is undeniably the embodiment of everything modern jazz is striving to become: a fusion of sounds and styles that nod to the past but move boldly toward the future. Ife Ogunjobi, Theon Cross and Steam Down Jazz lovers are in for an even bigger treat as the night goes on, with the remaining three headline acts boasting some of the brightest talent in UK jazz today. Expect to see Ezra Collective’s Ife Ogunjobi, whose trumpet cuts through with razor-sharp precision, the unstoppable Theon Cross, whose mastery of the tuba has redefined what the instrument can do, as well as the Deptford-based powerhouse and artist collective Steam Down. Add them all into the mix, and you have a night that’s simply unmissable. Woolwich remains a beloved, eclectic tapestry. The festival isn’t just a celebration of sound, it’s a celebration of ancestry, of stories and romance passed down through music. It’s a reminder that every beat is tied to something much deeper, something that speaks to where we’ve come from and where we’re going. Each note carries the weight of generations. At Brassworks, the music never stops, because the past and future are always playing in harmony. Brassworks Street Carnival and Festival of Horns takes place on Saturday 21 September. You can grab tickets here. You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
TNAM’S Ones to Watch at RALLY Festival 2024
._.)/ RALLY (._. TNAM’S Ones to Watch at RALLY Festival 2024 Words by Caitlin Taylor 12 August 2024 You may not have heard of RALLY yet, considering it only debuted last year, but it’s the sister festival to the Peckham favourite GALA. It’s a festival with a goal close to our own hearts: beating the algorithm and discovering new talent. We’re buzzing for the return of Mount Kimbie who will be playing their first London festival in seven years after recently expanding to become a quartet. This is a festival that, despite multiple dropouts and heaving rain, managed to be a hit in its first year. We’re ridiculously excited to see what this next edition brings, but first here’s some of our favourites from 2024’s insane lineup. It really is crazy they’ve managed to get all this talent in one place. Sorry For fans of: Bar Italia Genres: Trip-Hop, Alt Rock SORRY are both a London and TNAM favourite, with a totally unskippable discography. They’re great live, with a grungy sound that serves as a clear influence to many of the smaller indie bands coming up recently. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to catch them at one of their local haunts (their set at MOTH earlier this year was beautiful), then this will be the perfect introduction. Must Listen: Swans, Cigarette Packet, Screaming in the Rain bar italia For fans of: Genres: Post-Punk, Alt Rock, Grunge bar italia have never been a band that shouts about how great they are, but trust us, they are great. Surprisingly, despite being a London based band, they perform higher in the USA so this is your chance to catch them before their shows sell out here as fast as they do there. They’re a jumble of genres, a truly exciting guitar-rock band. Must Listen: my little tony, Split Ends, Nurse! Montañera For fans of: Genres: Ambient, Electronic, Folk Montañera’s music is enchanting. Her vocals are delicate and graceful, the harmonies she creates are beautiful. She’s originally from Columbia and her sound is clearly influenced by it’s folk music, but with modern electronic twists. A summer day in Southwark park seems like the perfect place to see her live. Must Listen: Como Una Rama, Santa Mar, Me Suelto al Riesgo Fabiana Palladino For fans of: Genres: Synth-pop If you know (or you are) one of those people who claims music just isn’t as good as it used to be, then Fabiana Palladino is a must-see at RALLY. She wears her eighties influence on her sleeve, making pop that’s both deeper and smoother than most of the charts at the moment. She also has the backing of Jai Paul, which to put it lightly, is a massive brag. Must Listen: Stay With Me Through the Night, Forever, I Care Debby Friday For fans of: Genres: Synth-pop, Experimental, House We usually only feature artists from the UK & Ireland but Debby Friday is so good I’m breaking the rules for her, something she’s not a stranger to doing. Her music is all over the place in a really great way. She plays around with genre, language, and style to create something truly exciting. Super high energy, catchy lyrics and lots of experimentation. Must Listen: let u in, What A Man, I Got It You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
BOOMTOWN 2024: Top 5 Ones to Watch
✿ ⋆｡ Boomtown ☁︎｡⋆ BOOMTOWN 2024: Top 5 Ones to Watch Words by Isla Mcrobbie 6 August 2024 It’s one of the most hotly-anticipated line-up drops of the summer. The full bill for Boomtown 2024 – Chapter 3: Revolution of Imagination is finally here, and it’s a sprawling mix of over 450 names heading to Winchester’s Matterley Bowl between 7th-11th August. This year’s lineup isn’t just about sheer volume; it’s a vibrant showcase of incredible female and gender minority-inclusive artists that really has me buzzing. Boomtown is sticking to its roots of merging music, culture, entertainment, and activism, but this time with a lineup that reflects a broader spectrum of voices and perspectives. Alongside the immersive storytelling, modern circus acts, and jaw-dropping set designs, the diverse roster is a testament to the festival’s commitment to inclusivity. With such a dynamic range of talent, this is definitely one of my top 5 ones to watch! Jayahadadream For fans of: RUBII, Bel Cobain Genres: GRIME, RAP, HIPHOP The Glastonbury 2024 Emerging Talent Competition winner Jayahadadream has firmly landed on the scene with her praised debut EP ‘Redemption Songs.’ The 24-year-old independent artist brings narrative flow back to UK rap, offering versatile critical commentary on subjects such as youth culture and self-identity. “Ego needs to stay on the stage / the bars are the proof,” states Jaya Gordon-Moore. Her music, edged in deliberate lyricism and grounded strength, is nestled in a soundscape of sunset textures. TNAM.UK fully supports her commentary on the fluidity of female rappers and the damage done by archetyping them into being roadman, sexy, or conscious – declaring, “I want to be all of those things.” Jayahadadream keeps her audience engaged by teasing freestyles and singles from her catalogue, often performing tracks in her bedroom adorned with a Jamaican flag and posters of artists like Bob Marley. Meanwhile, she’s also been gracing summer stages with performances, the Cambridge-born Jamaican-Irish artist now illuminated on LED screens. This is undoubtedly the time to catch Jayahadadream as she takes her first steps into the spotlight. Jaya will be performing on the Wednesday 18:30 – 19:30 on the Tangled Roots stage. Talk Show For fans of: Nightbus, DEADLETTER Genres: Post-Punk, Dance, Dark Wave Remember the “You wouldn’t steal a car” advert that threatened the lives of late 90s early 2000s kids if they ever watched a knockoff DVD? That matrix-fused trip-hop dark-wave post-punk audio that I can hear so well while writing this is what I am certain the South East London four-piece were inspired by. The last time we spoke with Talk Show was back in November 2023 to chat about their album release, Effigy. Since then, they’ve been hitting the stage hard with a slew of gigs. The album was met with roaring acclaim from publications including DORK and The Line of Best Fit, propelling the outfit into an extensive tour across the UK and EU in March, followed by a festival circuit in July and August. Fans attending this one can expect to be thrust into the mosh pit. Over the past five years, the band has evolved their sound into a fresh dance take on the legacies of The Chemical Brothers and, hopefully, Sunday’s secret headliners, The Prodigy. If it’s not clear yet – you need to see this band live. Talk Show is committed to reviving the mid-80s DIY ‘in the moment’ performance, and I’d bet frontman Harrison will be as much a part of the crowd as he is on stage, swanning through the chaos with matched crowd energy. Gen and the Degenerates For fans of: SPRINTS, Coach Party Genres: Rock, Punk Rock Calling Liverpool home, it is hard to not envy such a vibrant five-piece revelling in fun and theatrics arguably imprinted from their musically rich city landscape including local predecessors Space. Gen and the Degenerates could quite literally summon a storm of thunder triumphant in its drama as they bare their souls on stage, nothing with this band ever appears half arsed. I was first introduced the band after their 2022 breakout sharp playful seductive single ‘Girl God Gun’, which sits comfortably on my greatest 30 singles of all time. Since then, they have gone on to hit bullseye on underground old-school rock with aggravated, sure, confident and firm red-carpet bitch behaviour. Mix greater world liberal commentary using humour and colour to blur the line of darkness and political and self-despair they are genius in their collective character. They are a band that will dominate both loud rock and quiet acoustic spaces, and the perfect fit to round off the weekend. Catch Gen and the Degenerates at Hanger 161 on Sunday at 18:30 Nubiyan Twist For fans of: Yazmin Lacey, Azamiah Genres: Jazz, Rhythmic Soul, Big Band If I were granted three wishes for this weekend, they’d be for big bands, brass textures, and no hangovers. Nubiyan Twist can make two of these come true, though they might challenge the third. This tight-knit, talented 9-piece ensemble is based in London and brings to life vibrant scenes reminiscent of Archibald Motley through their fusion of jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, Latin, soul, reggae, and dance music. It’s a dazzling experience that I anticipated enjoying in the daylight, but instead, it’s set to unfold in a special hour-long performance starting at 11:00 PM. This set will bid farewell to Friday with the rich texture and rhythmic reverence it deserves. Fronted by Tom Excell, 2024 also welcomed a new voice, Aziza Jaye, who debuted with the eclectic group on their album Find Your Flame. This is a thrilling moment to experience the big band’s latest formation, showcasing their soul, spirit, and passion for music. Nubiyan Twist will be performing at 11pm on the Nexus stage. Natty Lou For fans of: Oppidan, Meg Ward Genres: DnB, Jungle, Liquid International nomad Natty Lou is the Drum and Bass DJ and Producer known for her stage performance in both decks and dancing. Having first been introduced DnB mixing through a friend while
TNAM’S Ones to Watch at Deer Shed Festival 2024
Deer Shed 2024 Lineup ⊱ ☆ Partnership ☆ ⊰ TNAM’S Ones to Watch at Deer Shed Festival 2024 Words by Kyle Roczniak and Matilda Whitaker 22 July 2024 We’re well in the swing of festival season, and The New Age Magazine are taking you along for the ride. Next weekend sees North Yorkshire’s annual Deer Shed festival return to Baldersby Park, headlined by the likes of The Coral, Bombay Bicycle Club, and The New Age Magazine favourite CMAT. We’ll be dancing and singing our hearts out at Deer Shed from July 26th-29th, but for now, here’s a guide to the key artists you should be looking out for at this year’s festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOmykcBX4IU Home Counties London-via-Buckinghamshire six-piece Home Counties are a relatively new act on the indie music scene, creating a buzz through their unmissable live shows, and their no-skip debut LP ‘Exactly As It Seems’. They cast a large net of influences ranging from LCD Soundsystem to Confidence Man, and their songs have a political underbelly – ‘You Break It, You Bought It’ – a fiery anthem about the housing crisis and sh*tty landlords. Their raucous live shows are not to be missed and to see them on the Sunday at Deer Shed in the height of Summer is a real no-brainer. Los Bitchos With an all-female lineup from all corners of the world, and a musical style that is folkloric and takes inspiration from the 1980s instrumental music of the Spanish-speaking territories, Los Bitchos are the perfect tequila-fuelled, guitar-wielding party band for those warm Summer days. Ahead of their upcoming album ‘Talkie Talkie’ (expected August 30th), the band are set to grace the Deer Shed Festival stage on Saturday 27th July. Picture Parlour Garnering attention from huge support slots with The Last Dinner Party over the past few months, Manchester-formed indie-glam-rock group Picture Parlour will bring their unique guitar music sound to the Deer Shed mainstage. Expect huge debut single ‘Norwegian Wood’, the beautifully angular ‘Judgement Day’, and deep cuts from their debut EP, ‘Face In the Picture’. July also saw the group play in London alongside other Deer Shed acts Bombay Bicycle Club, CMAT, and Liz Lawrence. Bess Atwell “The love of singing is something I think most people realise at a very young age,” says Bess Atwell, a Brighton-based singer-songwriter from London known for her raw and beautifully crafted folk-inspired sound. Her latest album ‘Light Sleeper’ is a poignant dose of escapism, one that encompasses the feeling of embracing life at its fullest with a real sense of honesty and openness. Atwell is set to bring her tenderly cinematic live show to Deer Shed’s main stage on Sunday 28th July. Liz Lawrence Also set to take the stage at this year’s Deer Shed Festival is Liz Lawrence, a Stratford-upon-Avon born indie pop singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer considered a “starlet in the making” by Q Magazine, and a familiar face to any fan of Bombay Bicycle Club, having been a long time collaborator with the band. What defines Lawrence, though, is her industrious, affectionate but ever-evolving sound. 2012’s Bedroom Hero is a quirky, dreamy collection of indie folk bangers, reminiscent of the early work of Laura Marling, although Bedroom Hero seems cast a larger net when it comes to influences, with Lawrence herself having a background in punk and ska. She seems to be an artist who has continued to further find herself more and more after every project, and so there’s never been a better time to catch a Liz Lawrence set. Lawrence is set to play the Deer Shed Main Stage on Friday 26th July. Katie Gregson-Macleod Having sang solo first in public as an eight year old, Katie Gregson-MacLeod can only be described as the sort of talent that is not particularly easy to come around, and has come a long way as she prepares to perform at Deer Shed this year. Rising to fame after her song ‘complex’ made waves on TikTok in 2022, the Inverness-born artist has since released the ‘Big Red’ EP, utilising a larger soundscape than her previous songs written for piano and acting as a huge, exciting evolution of her sound. Still containing the unmistakable melancholia of her previous work, Gregson-MacLeod’s creativity is just being pushed further and further as time goes on, and her live performances are the best way to fully experience the delicate devastation of one of her tracks. Watch her open the Deer Shed main stage on Saturday 27th July. Frankie Archer Sparking some of the more exciting developments in modern folk music, Newcastle’s Frankie Archer perfectly blends traditional fiddle with complex synths, manipulated samples and potent lyrics examining timeless gender issues while bringing to the forefront the stories of those without a voice themselves. Unmissable track ‘Oxford City’ tells the tale of a woman’s drink being spiked out of jealousy, and while it features a traditional Northumbrian sound and voice, the track contains a “future facing sound” incomparable to any others in her genre. It’s guaranteeable that, should you find her on Saturday performing on the Lodge stage, Archer is sure to sound like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Fat Dog Being described as “the most exciting breakthrough band of the past few years”, Fat Dog carry a buzz around them like few other in – well – whatever genre you believe Fat Dog to occupy, with people’s interpretations ranging from dance, to punk, to klezmer, and according to Rolling Stone, ‘just about anything else’. What they are best known for, though, is their infectious, raucous and riotous live performances, becoming something of alternative music’s worst kept secret. It’s hard to imagine a world in which Fat Dog don’t boom in popularity, especially after the release of their upcoming album, WOOF, which is why it’s only correct to urge any Deer Shed-goer to buckle up for their boisterous set on the Sunday of this year’s much-anticipated festival. You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
Cross The Tracks Festival 2024
Cross The Tracks by Gabi Machen ⋆⭒ Review ˚｡ Cross The Tracks Festival 2024 The fifth edition of Cross The Tracks touched down at Brockwell Park just over a week ago, the south-London festival celebrated another glorious (albeit rainy) day of jazz, funk and soul. 05.06.24 Words by Gabi Machen Cross The Tracks by Gabi Machen For many, it’s the annual signifier that summer is almost here and a sun-soaked season filled with live music is just around the corner. The festival featured a varied line-up spanning decades, showcasing an eclectic mix of up-and-coming UK artists, heritage names and global icons to draw a devoted crowd of music lovers. That familiar buzz of excitement felt like an old friend as festival-goers gathered at the Brixton site in anticipation. Shortly after the gates opened, an announcement rippled through the crowd: the beloved queen of neo-soul herself, Erykah Badu, would not be appearing. Despite the setback, Cross The Tracks emphasised that the festival ‘isn’t just about one act, it’s about 70 incredible acts, shaping and defining the genres we love globally’. While disappointment was felt among fans, the overwhelming spirit of community prevailed. Before long, attendees were navigating between stages, ready to sample everything the festival had to offer. A last-minute adjustment to the set times brought hip-hop legend Freddie Gibbs alongside Madlib for a spontaneous mainstage performance, while US girl group En Vogue rose to headliner status with an electrifying medley of their greatest hits. Jamilah Barry by Gabi Machen Amongst the 70+ acts were some fantastic emerging female artists. Arriving early for these slots is always worthwhile, offering a valuable chance to discover new music and explore the stages up close. Ella More opened the Caboose with a powerhouse performance. As the audience steadily trickled in, the singer-songwriter commanded the stage with stunning vocals and a natural confidence. Joined by her band, she treated the crowd to a live set of R&B-tinged alternative love songs, including the stand-out ‘You Know’, before wrapping up with her latest single ‘Balance’, a track that demonstrates her newly refined sound and ample potential. If you’re eager to support an artist at the beginning of their career and witness their growth, Ella More is one to watch. Ella More by Gabi Machen Meanwhile, at the D-Railed stage, The Blues Project curated a sensational line-up of artists, each bringing their unique flavour of R&B. Highlights included performances by London-based Natanya and Jamilah Barry. With a minimal setup and stripped-back arrangement, all attention was on Jamilah’s dazzling voice, accompanied only by a guitarist. She delivered a heartfelt dedication to those ‘facing unspeakable, unimaginable atrocities’, captivating the audience completely. During the rest of the set, fans grooved along to notable tracks like ‘Merlot’, ‘Uber Ride’ and ‘Woman’s Touch’, a song she collaborated on with Cross The Tracks alumnus Yussef Dayes. At one point, the crowd sang in unison under Jamilah’s direction, creating a magical moment within a wonderfully vulnerable performance. Cross The Tracks by Gabi Machen For a fix of jazz music, oreglo’s high-energy set had the crowd jumping, while Ife Ogunjobi gave a truly special performance. The trumpeter and composer, who previously played Cross The Tracks as a member of Ezra Collective, effortlessly took to the spotlight to showcase his exceptional musicianship following the release of his first solo EP last year. The atmosphere inside the tent was palpable from the start, it was evident everyone sensed they were watching something remarkable. Finally, Girls Love Soul expertly took over the booth, supplying a soulful soundtrack to the day and championing a selection of talented female and non-binary DJs. Overall, this year felt like a triumph for the underdogs, as the smaller stages shone through and delivered. With the departure of Erykah Badu and a lack of sound at the two larger stages, festival-goers were particularly inclined to embrace emerging artists. One of the great strengths of Cross The Tracks is the diversity embedded within its lineup. This day festival presents a fantastic opportunity to witness rare performances and serves as a springboard for discovering contemporary artists on the rise. Click here to get email updates for 2025 Tickets! You Might Also Like
★⋆ Interview . ✦ Iyamah @ Cross The Tracks Festival
Credit: @iyamah_artist Instagram ★⋆ Interview . ✦ Iyamah @ Cross The Tracks Festival “The name stands for ‘I am’ and it’s to remind people that you are whoever you want to be; we don’t have to be defined by any one thing”, Brighton-hailing musician Iyamah (pronounced eye-yam-ah) tells me during our interview at Cross the Tracks. 03.06.24 Words by Amalia Castle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RS_a_8M1hw “Iyamah is open, as you can choose who you want to be at any point, any time, any day, you’re not tied down to one thing, you are not restricted”. When digging through to her catalogue, this candid illustration of her artist name rings true. Iyamah’s music seems to serve a greater purpose than just a great listen. It’s about community, transformation and self-enlightenment, all qualities I detect in full effect when sitting down for our chat. Having just settled down after an extensive UK tour, Iyamah set the jazz and soul lovers of this year’s Cross the Tracks festival alight. In a beautiful showcase of her instinctual bond with music, the Brighton-born songstress took her tour energy straight to the Caboose stage to put on an electrifying, powerful – at points stripped back – and vocally immaculate performance. Iyamah’s catalogue of celestial, neo soul melodies chronicle her vibrant upbringing in Brighton. She illustrates her colourful environments surrounded by world sounds, dance and the vivacity of the festivals she frequented on weekends, all through her conceptual works. Her vocals dance across jazz-injected production with dustings of reggae, hip hop and latin sounds. “My auntie was a dancer, she would do west african dance. It was very raw and organic with sounds of drumming, lots of rhythm, a heartbeat.” she tells me. Digging as far back to her first releases, Iyamah’s relationship with movement, this heartbeat she describes, is painted in vivid technicolor through her music. This same love of rhythm, bass and movement saw Iyamah forge a love for dance music from a young age. “I’ve always felt like beats are very important to me, so when I started clubbing, (way under age)” she adds laughing “me and my mates just loved drum and bass. It’s a similar feeling when it comes to community, when you’re listening to drum and bass”. This early pull to the genre led the Brighton songstress to start writing to these heavier, fast-paced productions, leading to releases with veteran producers like Pola & Bryson, Holy Goof and My Nu Leng. Though neo soul and jazz stands strong throughout her own releases, Iyamah pulls together an eclectic mix of influences through her collaborations, from Dance Music to Hip Hop and R&B. “Being a mixed race girl growing up in quite a white area I was drawn to a lot of R&B and soul singers, I felt a connection to that as well.” From the moment I sat down with Iyamah, I instantly eased into my seat as we laughed about the impromptu nature of our chat and the potential mishaps she might experience with her gorgeous patterned two piece – which of course stayed put during her performance. Iyamah radiates an inescapable lightness, and instantly the radiant qualities of her music to come to life. “I feel like they’ve given me such a great tent”, she exclaims, gearing up to her set a few hours from our chat. “We’ve just come off the back of a tour. So me and the band are in the zone right now”. During her performance we saw Iyamah bounce effortlessly off her accomplished band, with moments of calm for her power-house vocals and even a stripped back ukulele solo. View this post on Instagram A post shared by I Y A M A H (@iyamah_artist) Preceding her recent tour and her set at Cross the Tracks, Iyamah dropped an extended project titled ‘In Two Worlds’, which she co-produced. The production process was a luminary one, she tells me, that challenged her in a way she’s never been challenged before. “It’s all about someone trying to get their dreams,” she begins telling me, “trying to change their reality into what they see in their imagination and all the obstacles that they see along the way”. Iyamah’s storytelling throughout the project is often conceptual, painting pictures of her inner monologue and childlike daydreams. “It’s tapping into my inner child in a way, this little girl who had such a big dream, but with all these things that I felt were blocking me from being able to get there.” As she describes, ‘In Two Worlds’ depicts the journey one undertakes to achieve their dreams and pursuit of fulfillment. There’s a beauty in this journey which Iyamah paints in tracks like ‘ladybird’ and ‘ruler’. Yet there’s the risk of getting lost in this pursuit, she reflects, “what if you’re already living your dream, but you can’t see it, because you’re so focussed on trying to get something, that you can’t see what you already have”. These moments of realisation she mentions are seen unraveling as early as the album opening ‘Chasing Dreams’, and the soulful and minimal ‘8 Of Swords’ where she sings ‘sometimes we lose our insight / blindly alive, out of line’. The process of creating the album took on a similar and lengthy odyssey to the pursuit of ‘dreams’ that Iyamah narrates in ‘In Two Worlds’ – which feels symbolic. Having embarked on a two year process of creating the project, I was keen to ask her about this undertaking. Instantly, she let out a brief laugh, “I think the most incredible thing was releasing it, it was starting to become never-ending. Creativity is very close to insanity, they say it’s a very fine line, and I definitely felt like I was crossing that”. There’s a sense of relief, and then excitement, as her focus shifts on bringing the album to life through performance and “falling back in love” with every track. It’s clear that “In Two Worlds” was an enlightening process, that Iyamah wanted to showcase to
･ﾟ✧ Review ✧*: Sounds From The Other City Festival 2024
Tokky Horror – SFTOC WEBSITE ･ﾟ✧ Review ✧*: Sounds From The Other City Festival 2024 With summer around the corner, Sounds From The Other City Festival brought the sunshine early to Salford with a day of brilliant live music, DJS and performances that brought the city to life. 01.06.24 Words by Jessica Draper-Mann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PI4Fv7S5A0 Taking place across a total of 17 venues and spaces in the city including St Phillips Church, Bexley Square and Salford Museum and Art Gallery, audiences were spoilt for choice on who to watch, from the dreamy otherworldliness of TTSSFU and Halo Maud to the high energy fun and vibrance of Lavender Rodriguez (who we previously caught solo at Fair Play festival 2024), and Amaka. the sun brought warmth and the artists created live magic with their sets, much fun was to be had. Here are just some of our lineup highlights. ISHA Isha kicked off Sounds From The Other City at Salford’s Peel Hall with vibrance and an atmosphere of fun from the get-go. From electronic funk and jazz beats that made you want to dance to sweet vocals that brightened the venue and showed a clear love for performing, this set perfectly set up the festival and the fun that was to be had by all. Isha highlighted musical skill and exciting promise throughout the set, which certainly deserved to be noticed, as shown by the packed crowd of the Peel Hall stage who were sure to show their appreciation at the end of the set with a chorus of applause. A brilliant opening set that brilliantly set up a day of fantastic live music and performance. Track to listen to: Wherever You Go – Isha ft Alfie Neale AMAKA For those looking for a set to get up and groove to, Amaka had audiences covered in Salford’s Bexley Square with vibrant high-energy tracks and beats that brought people out of their seats and up on their feet from the get-go. Passersby couldn’t help but be intrigued by the set and were immediately drawn into the fun and liveliness. Amaka ‘s love for the music she was playing was clear in the way she engaged with both those grooving along and her own mixing, which made Bexley Square shine bright and truly brought it to life. Track to listen to: Cruisin’ – AMAKA Halo Maud by Jessica Blissitt Bella Chen Bella Chen performed at Salford Museum and Art Gallery which had much variety to offer during this year’s Sounds From The Other City, from electronic synths to experimental acoustics and heartfelt ballads. One of the key highlights was Bella Chen, a pianist who combined traditional classical piano musicality with melodic synth to create a passionate and breathtaking set that whisked the audience off to another world. From the get-go, there was a sense that this set was something special when entering the venue, a venue that was completely enchanted by the comforting silence and the distinct sense of adoration and appreciation which occupied the space as Bella played. This was An absolutely breathtaking set from a brilliant talent. Track to listen to: Passages Of Time-Bella Chen Lavender Rodriguez Lavender Rodriguez isn’t new to The New Age Magazine (see Fair play Festival review 2024) however, their Sounds From The Other City set was, with a new side to Lavender shown through the debut of a new full band, and a fantastic, reworked set that brought fun and a brilliant sense of community to Salford’s Peel Hall, as well as the classic Lavender Rodriguez alt-pop and experimental soul musicality. Confidence was abundant during this set, as well as a musical fullness that made this set one of an unforgettable nature. A hidden gem that everyone should be watching right now. Track to listen to: Sunrise-Lavender Rodriguez Free Love at Islington Mill – SFTOC WEBSITE TTSFU With a hypnotic stage presence that hooked you in instantly and a dreamy shoegaze musicality, TTSFU transported Maxwell Hall to another dimension during this year’s SFTOC festival and proved exactly why they should be the name on everyone’s lips. From the get-go, you couldn’t help but be drawn into their orbit, mesmerised by atmospheric reverb guitars and passionate, sonic youth-esque vocals that comforted and wrapped around your soul like it was meant to be there. If there was any set to get utterly lost in, then TTSFU was it. Track to Listen to: Wait It Out-TTSFU Halo Maud As the festival began to draw to a close, St Phillips Church had a treat up its sleeve in the form of headliner Halo Maud, who graced the historic church with an air of mystery and dreamy electronic magic that captivated and hypnotised an audience of new and familiar fans. Throughout this set, it was hard not to feel moved by the performance as passionate trance pop occupied St Phillips from ceiling to floor, and the crowd watched with anticipation and awe as songs of French and English settled in their hearts and created an enchanted atmosphere like no other. A truly magical experience. Track to listen to: My Desire Is Pure-Halo Maud Vindya & Mithushan – SFTOC WEBSITE Laura J Martin Sunset was upon Salford as Laura J Martin took her place on stage at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, and the timing couldn’t have been better. From the get-go, Laura J Martin bewitched the venue with a combination of keyboard lines, synth, flute and dreamy vocals that drew you in and held you close as if telling you the most brilliant secret of all. This set was so intimate and beautifully intrigued all those present, whether they were fans of experimental music or not, this was a musical experience to be shared beyond just the performance on stage, one that would stick with the audience long after the festival had finished. Track to listen to: Living On The Wall-Laura J Martin As the festival began to draw to a close, St Phillips Church had a