YAM CARNIVAL!!!

I haven’t really updated this site for a while… well. There hasn’t been a lot going on has there. Yam Carnival was the first festival I’ve been to in what feels like.. forever. With an interesting line up – I was excited to be offered press passes to head on down there, friend in tow. And when we arrived it looked like half of London had been invited down as ‘press’ or ‘VIP as the queue to get in rotated a few miles round the large exterior fence. Already late, panic set in as security guards gave us fake names and alternative routes to get in. It appeared that we might not be seeing anyone at all. Thankfully a twist of fate later (and my tenacity haha)– we bumped in to someone who could help and found our way whiling onwards to the stage! We needn’t of panicked. Times lagging and issues with sound systems meant that nothing inside was going to plan either. Yam Carnival’s first year it seemed that ‘technical issues’ stood out… That’s not a band by the way...*smirk

Inside the arena, after we had queued amongst the many queues (needing the toilet is such an inconvenience) – we managed to see Koffee, Kehlani and Davido. All three amazing artists – I am really grateful that I had the opportunity to see them. If they have not fallen onto your radar yet – consider this it.

It was one of those festivals I’d like to do a second time, with less faffing about. The vibe there was so good – and all in all the patience and friendly atmosphere of the attendees was what really made it in the end.

This week I am addicted to Koffee’s song – Rapture and am in danger of overplaying it.

Becki BXx

… I’d quite like a new lens.. I’m shooting on a Nikon D7500.. any thoughts..

Beam me up Scotty..
Camera crew…
Kehlani
Glam audience member
Davido looking happy ‘as dancing about the stage
Kehlani
Waiting for the sound to pick up
Salvation
How rude..
Davido on the main stage

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MUSIC: CHROMEO ‘QUARANTINE CASANOVA’ EP

Chromeo are one of my favourite duo’s. So when this email bounced into my inbox with some new quarantine lockdown tunes what else could I do? Yes! To not bounce it right on back – but to pass the good news on.. to you. YOU. You’re welcome. Check out the new EP below..

CHROMEO’S QUARANTINE CASANOVA EP OUT TODAY FIVE NEW SONGS WRITTEN AND RECORDED UNDER LOCKDOWN PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CAMP’S COVID-19 RELIEF FUND 

June 12, 2020—Legendary funklordz Chromeo debut Quarantine Casanova, an EP of five new tracks written and recorded under lockdown, today. In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and in recognition of COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black and POC communities, 100% of net proceeds from digital downloads, physical sales and merch will be donated to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Relief Fund. Chromeo is also working on an animated short for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, to accompany the EP and raise awareness about mental health issues surrounding the global pandemic. Stream Quarantine Casanova here and get physical formats, merch and digital download here.

“Honestly, it started as a joke,” says Chromeo frontman Dave 1. “At the beginning of quarantine, we hunkered down in our studio, freestyled a song called ‘Clorox Wipe’ and posted it online to cheer people up. The response was overwhelming. So we wrote another one, and another one. Fans kept asking if we were going to release them for real, so after a couple of weeks, we obliged.” “As usual, it’s a high brow-low brow thing with us,” adds synth master P-Thugg. “These are obviously the funniest tracks we’ve ever written, but they connected in such a visceral way. We figured if we were to put them out, there would have to be a charity and an awareness component.” The band took two weeks to properly record and produce the tracks, and Quarantine Casanova was born. With titles like “6 Feet Away” and “Stay In Bed (And Do Nothing)” the songs touch on all the topics du jour, including paper towel shortages, social media cooking crazes, avoiding Zoom meeting and yelling at people who don’t wear masks. But they’re also disarmingly honest about anxiety, depression and existential ennui. Set to Chromeo’s signature catchy melodies and analog grooves, they happen to be the funkiest synth jamz this side of 2020.  The EP is the first new music from Chromeo since 2018, when their fifth album Head Over Heels was released to critical acclaim. Since then, the duo has kept busy with two years’ worth of shows and more recently, the launch of their very own label Juliet Records, which will see the release of inaugural signee Ian Isiah’s forthcoming AUNTIE project this summer. This marks a new chapter for the band, and the first time they’re stepping out to produce and mentor other artists. Chromeo is the Grammy-nominated duo of Montreal natives and high school best friends David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel. The group — now 15 years into their storied career — rose to prominence with their seminal 2007 release Fancy Footwork, heralding the dawn of the ‘80s electro-funk revival. Their five LPs have been hailed as modern funk masterworks and Chromeo has toured the world over.

CHROMEO—QUARANTINE CASANOVA             

1. Clorox Wipe
2. 6 Feet Away
3. Stay In Bed (And Do Nothing
4. ‘Roni Got Me Stressed Out
5. Cabin Fever

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NEW MUSIC: Artcha ‘AVALANCHE’ ft. Benny Bizzie

Artcha James

“Don’t fall a victim to your fears… must be a story to your tears”

The song is called Avalanche to depict what can happen when one event goes unnoticed and can lead to catastrophic events.

Current location: North London
Current happiness levels out of 10: 6
Favourite film: Do The Right Thing (Spike Lee)
Favourite musician: Difficult but I have to say the late great TY was and is phenomenal 
Favourite artist: I am obsessed with Eska. She is out of this world
Favourite book: Brave New World
Favourite colour: Blue

Hey Artcha how you doing!? How is 2020 going for you!?!?! So your new release Avalanche was released at midnight ‘last’ night. What’s the track about?

Strange times, right? Understatement. Weirdly enough Avalanche was written and recorded before recent events (lockdown, George Floyd) which actually speaks for itself as this is exactly how I felt in general back in February. I had written the first verse in Jan originally for an extended freestyle I wanted to record but the more I read the lyrics, the more it was obvious this was actually the beginning of ‘a’ song (the music had not been written yet). As the year progressed and I found time to compose, the melody hypnotised me for a week and I hadn’t written any drum pattern or baseline, I was just obsessed with this melody that was forming. It felt haunting yet angelic and there was something anti-cerebral about the process.

It sounds cliche but the song began to write itself…

I just need to catch up to the pace of mind. I heard it before it was finished. From this point I knew I had a song, it was just missing another verse and a chorus. Originally I wanted several artists on the song so I sent it out to about seven artists… but no-one replied…Lol (there is a lesson here).

Released 5th June 2020

Anyway I continued adding to the record with various sounds and different arrangements and finally an artist came back to me. Benny. However we are now in full lockdown so collaborating in the studio was a no no. Thankfully, Benny has his own set up and was able to record at home. For context, Benny was planning to have a musical break at the moment he received my call… thank God he changed his mind! Our chemistry from a distance was great, we began to be in constant communication about ideas, direction, details in my verses that would shape his chorus. Long story short through various voice notes, texts and emails we began to shape Avalanche. 

You’re releasing this during the George Floyd tragedy in America and #blacklivesmatter. Was the timing of it’s release purposeful?
What is so uncanny, is the timing of the song. We scheduled the release at the beginning of May – song was mixed and mastered, artwork had been signed off and the campaign had begun.

All before the disgusting murder of George Floyd and the protests in America and now London. As time was getting closer to our release date I became nervous and felt uncomfortable releasing music at such a time. I did not want to self promote when there were bigger more important issues to focus on. However, talks with the Club FRSHRZ team and Benny made me realise, actually, this song in retrospect was prophetic and was timely and spoke to the feelings of the time. We must release it.  

Can you introduce us to @bennybizzie
I love the fact you picked out “Don’t fall a victim to your fears… must be a story to your tears” as it is one of my favourite lines from Benny. Benny Bizzie is an incredible singer-songwriter from North London and you all need to follow him and listen to his extensive catalogue. I am really thankful, proud, overwhelmed and empowered about Avalanche, the responses have been incredible, many connected with the song personally. 

You mention MC Hammer – was he a big influence in your music?!

Lol. Yes! MC Hammer was a legend growing up, me and my sister used to practise dance moves to his videos. I also admire what he did for popular Hip-Hop, a really important link in the chain to many artists after him. Plus its a great double entendre. 

 
What are your influences musically wise – and who should we be listening to!? 
Undoubtedly, TY, Radiohead, Mos Def, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Wretch 32 and you all need to listen to ESKA and her 2015 album of the same name. 


How is your corona lockdown going!? 
It’s tricky. I’ve experienced personal tragedy so of course I feel cheated. My big bro TY was just one of those tragedies. On the other side it has forced me to be more creative. I became a film-maker. lol. Filmed, edited, storyboarded and animated my first music video/short film. Thank God for Amazon prime, YouTube tutorials and bottomless creativity!

So sorry to hear this. Xx

 You’re releasing this during the George Floyd tragedy in America. Was the timing of it’s release purposeful? 
This is a great question and the question I expected from many, but as I explained earlier this was completely unplanned by me, us, but I do believe God has a different plan. I believe that more now that it has been released from the reactions we are receiving. The making of the video was heavily influenced by recent events hench the phrase ‘I can’t breathe’ because I wanted to document this moment in history more explicity than the lyrics of the song.


“Enhance the youth and tell the truth to yourself and mean it…”I love that sentence.. can you expand on this.. 
Thank you. It is a motto I try to live by. I think our responsible is to ensure the next generations have guidance and encouragement but in order to be fully effective we have to be true to ourselves and admit where we have gone wrong.

“I see injustice and my blood boils and curdles they speak more Gummidge than Wurzel.. I got my ‘Blue Peter’ Badge in survival…” can you expand…
Ha. Yes I do like to include pop culture references for those of a similar age or experience. The start of that lyric is raw and really reflects how much corruption we have experienced, this is countered with ‘Gummidge’ suggesting sh*t or rubbish and by saying I got my Blue Peter badge I am suggesting we have been here before, we have the t-shirt, the official badge! More metaphors and double entendres. Sometimes only I get it.  


You’re based in Tottenham – how has it been in that area with the protests and lockdown? 
Tottenham is a real community area contrary to media publicity, people generally look out for one another – it is so diverse it would be extraordinary to witness blatant racism or discrimination. A few protests have passed through the area, all calm and specific. I have noticed a heavier police presence all of a sudden. Regarding lockdown, again the community has complied with government rules, forming nice queues outside of Tesco.  

How do you believe we can all support #blacklivesmatter … how can people become more educated – do you have any links to films or significant documentaries that you believe are an important watch? 
I truly believe more open forums are the best ways to learn and educate ourselves. I think not having the conversation at all is unhealthy but I understand some people may be uncomfortable, but regardless the conversations need to be had, not lectures, but conversations with questions and informed responses. There is too much online and I would not want to direct people to unvalidated sources. Speak, talk, discuss, learn. I think we should all invest in Black owned business, media platforms and of course education. The curriculum in the UK urgently needs to change to reflect the ethnicity of our schools. The song is called Avalanche to depict what can happen when one event goes unnoticed and can lead to catastrophic events.


How do you write your music – does it just flow!? Or do you sit down to write?
How long is a piece of string? It varies. Lines will come to me shopping or walking through the park. I do like to write lyrics to music to really capture the energy of the song and the cadence but Avalanche came in parts and I put it together like a meal or a puzzle, Benny added the spices. Benny and I recently talked about the writing process and it seems I lean more into writing on my phone then on paper; a sharp contrast from the yesteryears of multiple A4 books (I still have these from the early days).

What book are you currently reading?! 
At the moment I am reading ‘Battlefield of the Mind’ by Joyce Meyer and recently finished ‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight – I like contrasts.   

Favourite 80s film!
Oooh. This is almost impossible. My favourite century of film. For today it will be ‘The Breakfast Club’, tomorrow it will be Platoon.  

Your song talks about the PM and him being untrustworthy – thoughts on Boris.. and er Trump..
….I have no good words to say about them.

Heh heh. Fair enough. If you enjoyed this – then please share, tweet and support.

You can purchase Avalanche HERE! Watch the video again HERE!

If you enjoyed this – then please share, tweet and support. Oh I just said that.

Thanks for reading.. BeckiBXx

#avalanche #blacklivesmatter @Artcha @clubfrshrz and distribution @believemusic_uk

You can hear more from Artcha here:

My albums #urbantalesvol1 and #urbantalesvol2 are now on my artcha.bandcamp.com

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INTRODUCING: MONTRELL ‘MORNING’

Montrell Band


“Love is just a language we could never speak..” 

“We were trying to connect with those who often turn to a stranger’s bed to alleviate all the pressures of the contemporary world. People are often waking up next to someone they’ve just met, and almost living out a condensed relationship in a matter of hours. We wanted the listener to be in that room, with that feeling, in the song.”

I first saw this band last year at Wildfire Festival last year.. a small and fun festival in the woods just outside of London. A slightly drunk and friendly Jonny Taylor ambled passed my table with a smile beaming after his set, in the only music tent there. An add on Facebook and a year on (blink and you’ll miss it..) and out of the blue..(I’ve been posting a lot on Facebook about certain current topics) a bit of support of solidarity fell into my inbox. Gratefully received and much more pleasant than the porn I was receiving from strangers…(after my post about the tragic Grenfell Tower tragedy – I had a lot of adds coming from many different countries).

On the tail end of that Jonny mentioned what he was up to currently. His band; Montrell, consist of Jonny P Taylor, Danny Monk, Dave Persiva and Sam Delves and they came onto the London music scene with a sold out show at the Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston in March (2016?). Their first EP has been released..(above) named ‘Morning’, a song which gets to grips with the idea of ‘disposable relationships’ (more on that later..)..

Influenced by artists ranging from George Harrison and Paul Simon to Foxygen, Cigarettes After Sex and Mac De Marco…the four-piece have been working on their sound in an underground Baker St studio…

Jonny P Taylor’s smooth yet vulnerable vocal sits on top of chorus-dowsed and brittle electric guitars, sitting somewhere in between Indie Pop and Psych Rock.

I love this song. I found it really beautiful to listen to. The mesh of both dark and light.. the loneliness of disconnection, the urge to connect paired with the beauty of story telling.. the self reflection of a sad story but a beautiful way to tell the story.

“The only one I know is in the mirror” .. I wonder how many people feel that.. and do we ever truly know anyone but ourselves…

Montrell play the main stage at ‘Smoked & Uncut’ festival in July.

To book them or for interviews please contact: talktomontrell@gmail.com

Have a great Monday y’all! This week I am going to educate myself on Tennis.. Andy Murray playing today..

Follow them on Spotify HERE

Best, BeckiBXx

@ohDearyme

www.instagram.com/ohdearymeTV

 

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MUSIC VIDEO: LUCY ROSE ‘NO GOOD AT ALL’

Lucy Rose


“There’s a fair amount of self-doubt in this song, but positivity for the future too.”
NEW! Video from Lucy Rose for her new single ‘No Good At All’. Taking a step back in time, the video finds Lucy and her full live band performing in a 1970’s TV studio, complete with a pastel colour palette and confetti. The project is Lucy’s second collaboration with Dusthouse who previously produced her emotional video for ‘Nebraska’ which featured none other than Danny Dyer acting in drag. 
Speaking about the song itself Lucy Rose has shared:  “No Good At All is the oldest song on the album and was written just before I went on my first trip to Latin America. When I wrote it, I was kind of feeling that maybe I wasn’t good enough for music and was re-thinking everything. Part of me wondered if maybe somewhere down the line somewhere (my great great great grand-daughter maybe?), there would be a girl who had a little bit of me in her and could achieve everything she wanted. 
“But it’s also got an element of love to it too, finding the one to start a new life with who one day you could settle down with and have a family with.
No Good At All’ is the latest single to be lifted from Lucy’s forthcoming third album ‘Something’s Changing’, following the release of ‘Floral Dresses’ (ft. The Staves) and ‘Is This Called Home’.
Something’s Changing is released on the 7th July through Communion Records. The album will be accompanied by a stunning short documentary, acting as a fly-on-the-wall account of Lucy’s debut tour of Latin America last year. The trip, organised independently by Lucy with the help of her Latin American fans, became a huge inspiration for the record and the film is an intimate account of how it all came together.
The documentary is Lucy’s support act for a Worldwide Cinema Tour, of which she has already completed the Latin American and Indian legs. The UK leg will start in July following Lucy’s performance at Glastonbury festival later this month. Scroll down for a full schedule of remaining Worldwide Cinema Tour dates + all of Lucy’s UK/Irish festival appearances this summer.
Lucy is working once again with her fans and Bandsquare to organise the next phase of her worldwide touring schedule in January 2017. Fans are being asked to vote for their hometown for the chance to help Lucy decide her tour routing, more details available here: https://www.bandsquare.com/campaign/lucy-rose/landing
Watch the documentary trailer HERE and pre-order ‘Something’s Changing’ HERE
LUCY ROSE LIVE DATES:
23rd – 25th June – The Glastonbury Festival
1st July – Barn on the Farm Festival, Gloucester
13th July – Rio Cinema, London SOLD OUT (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
14th July – Duke of York’s Picture House, Brighton (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
15th July – Latitude Festival, Southwold
16th July – Longitude Festival, Dublin
18th July – Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
20th July – The Poly Cinema, Falmouth (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
21st July – The Arnolfini Cinema, Bristol SOLD OUT (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
4th August – Intsikurmu Music Festival, Polva
16th September – Bandwagon Live, Manila, Philippines (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
18th September – The Projector, Singapore (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
25th September – Cine XIII, Paris (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
26th September – Stadtgarten, Cologne (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
28th September – Silent Green, Berlin (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
29th September – Alabama Cinema, Hamburg (The Worldwide Cinema Tour)
1st October – Seven Layers Festival, Amsterdam
Tickets for all headline dates are on sale now via LucyRoseMusic.com
LUCY ROSE: Official Site | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify

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