Presse bilder til det nye Dagny albumet / januar 2020
Norwegian cult pop icon Dagny has released her new single ‘Somebody’ via Universal / Ingrooves. Dagny [Norvoll Sandvik] has officially solidified herself in recent years as one of Norway’s most exciting artists, live performers and songwriters: yielding over 450 million streams, as well as selling out international headline tours along with critical acclaim from Nylon and Billboard to The Guardian and Harper’s BAZAAR. Debut EP ‘Ultraviolet’ received unanimous praise from critics with features such as Billboard’s 10 Pop Stars To Watch In 2017, and VEVO’s Ones To Watch 2017. Among her many achievements, Dagny also co-wrote Katy Perry’s recent single ‘Never Really Over’ – racking an impressive 300 million streams on Spotify alone – again confirming Dagny’s undeniable talent as a songwriter.’Somebody’ is the second track to be lifted from her upcoming debut album. Today Dagny has also announced that her long-awaited debut will be split into two parts, with the first 6 tracks ‘Side A’ available for streaming on May 22nd and the full album (Side B) to arrive in September later this year.
‘Somebody’ is a sparkling refreshing guzzle of pop. The dance-floor coaxing rhythm and elevating soundscapes rush with Dagny’s pearly radiant musicianship. The track flows with grace and a bubbly lightness. Shimmering synths ooze cool, sun kissed vibes. The pulsing beat lays down the spongy exhilarating foundation while Dagny’s clear smooth vocals drift sweetly over the melty infectious melody. Saturated in gripping, light, synth pop euphoria with an 80’s sheen ‘Somebody’ is a groove infested catchy bop sure to charm its way into your head. Dagny has created another intoxicating pop track that exudes passion and heart racing emotion.
A song written with a goal of conveying the ultimate “in-love” experience, Dagny explains “It’s the all-consuming and exciting feeling when everything is still new. I’ve been lucky to experience it. I find that when I’m in love I feel everything ten times more than usual. With ‘Somebody’ for me it’s not just the lyrics but the whole vibe of the song that represents that: when I listen to it I get a lot of positive energy and I just wanna throw myself into something new and exciting.”
Cork based solo effort, Mechner has released his new single/music video ‘Do You Wanna Go?’.Mechner; is the latest foray for Cork based artist Jack Ahern, completely self-funded and self-produced, Ahern had great success with debut single “Surfacing”, notable for its music video which garnered over 25k views and was included in Indie Cork’s Film Festival to great crowd reaction.’Do You Wanna Go?’ is the first glimpse into CLUB IDEM a mini-LP which will be released later in 2020. Mechner has supported the likes of Dermot Kennedy, Delerentos and The Coronas amongst many others.
With a catchy guitar refrain biting down into the alternative stained backdrop ‘Do You Wanna Go?’ presents Mechner’s enticing sound with an anthemic punch and irresistible melody. The guitar weaves its buoyant way through a swirling soundscape while the snappy beat and cinematic tension create a tantalizing listening experience. Mechner uses unique and dramatic musicianship to entice the listener. The rumble on bass coils beneath the light dance infused agitation as if foreshadowing an ominous event while the irresistible melody ferments through the verses. This push and pull effect creates sublime apprehension before the track erupts into its exhilarating chorus. The layering is superb, we see glimpses of pop, smeared upon jaunty indie rock while a bracing alternative soundscape brews a thick sticky concoction through the tracks underbelly, this is all seasoned with a fleshy light coating of tempestuous dance elements. Mechner displays a sublime ability to provide tantalizing intricacies within this track and he does this with dark atmospheric brooding that asphyxiates beneath light pop flashes and chilling vocal manoeuvres. ‘Do You Wanna Go?’ is an infectious, thrilling, juicy and well crafted track from Mechner.
Bio : Broozer are a Wolverhampton based Punk Rock Outfit. Since their formation they have played at iconic venues in Birmingham and the West Midlands. In their first year they were discovered by Wyatt Wendall of Planet Rock and featured on his New Rock Show several times and supported The Virgin Marys. They have now added long term good friend and previous drummer Dan Collins to their lineup.
Track: Taste For Blood
Why We Like It: Wrapped in gritty riffs ricocheting off a booming raw wall of sound, ‘Taste For Blood’ presents a more alternative blistering sound from Broozer. From the resounding guitars slicing with slinky raw stamina to the rampant bass and pounding drums the band wallop out a scorching new track. The track travels full throttle as the driving rhythm and sweat and leather rock persona spiral the track into a bloodthirsty frenzy. With panache dipped vocals slipping from spine chilling howls to sultry falsetto ‘Taste for Blood’ is a red hot mammoth ready to invade your brain.
Bio : With a distinctive,soulful vocal, James Burrage has been surprising many over the past year, making himself known in his local area of Colchester.
Track: Back In The Days
Why We Like It: There is something truly special about this track. Burrage has a sublime ability to create honest, pure and beautiful tunes. His emotive songwriting hits you hard in the chest and ‘Back In The Days’ strikes with a warm, bitter sweet melancholia. His comforting velvety vocals coo with a balmy rasp as the atmospheric guitar adorns the backdrop in ethereal twinkles. Utterly mesmerising this mature and charming track builds softly adding a clapping rhythmic buoyancy to the heart rushing crescendo. It’s simple, sweet and truly compelling as both the vocals and guitar ooze emotion while exuding a soft lamenting tone which flickers through a nostalgic haze.
Bio : California-based indie pop foursome Fialta have released their first original song in two years. The single is called ‘Made It This Far’, and is from their upcoming full-length album. The folk-rock anthem is a departure from the synth-driven sounds of Fialta’s sophomore record, ‘Shadow of a Drought’. Fialta are Beth Leibovich, David Provenzano, Michael Leibovich, and Sarah Shotwell).They have received over two million plays on Spotify, and have been featured on TV shows including Parenthood, Atypical, Awkward, and Bojack Horseman
Track: Made It This Far
Why We Like It: It’s a cheery upbeat ditty wrapped in a warm indie pop blanket of bliss. With sun kissed acoustic guitar gliding effortlessly over a pulsing rhythmic backdrop the track has a vibrant and buoyant atmosphere. The radiant strings drift in and out with a mellow warmth while the wonderful organic harmonies and catchy sweet melody lift the track into a euphoric and uplifting state. ‘Made It This Far’ is the adrenaline inducing feel good track that injects sunshine, wonderful nostalgia and joy into your day.
Bio : West Marsh, Grimsby band Mint have enjoyed UK radio support from Radio 1 and playlisting on Radio X and have performed at all major UK festivals.Recently they have begun work with award-winning production team Sugar House and taken on management.The band have released their new single ‘Turbulence’. The accompanying video ostensibly appears to be the fulfilment of a male fantasy – the horny teenager and the sexually available teacher. It was filmed during the Coronavirus pandemic adhering to safety measures. Keen-eyed treasure hunters will also find an easter egg somewhere in the video
Track: Turbulence
Why We Like It: Once again Mint knock it out of the park with their rampant, stuffy and exhilarating sound. The band whirlwind into a neck snapping frantic run from the get go with jabbing drums clammering through a fuzz fuelled backdrop while the chorus swivels around acid eroding guitar lines. The track is hinged around the infectious vocal hook “this is your captain speaking / Never forget this feeling” as the vocal exclaim grabs your mind with force until your singing along by the second chorus. ‘Turbulence’ is a intoxicating, punk-punched, grunge-smeared alternative track from Mint.
About the track Rashid says“it’s a nod to mental health seen through a cinematic plane crash.”
Bio : Having initially built a healthy fanbase in their home county via their dynamic live shows, Nick Acton (vocals/guitar), Will Daly (drums), Steve Wheate (bass) and George Wood (lead guitar), took their cinematic indie to towns and cities across the UK, from Brighton to Manchester, as well as across the channel in Paris They became in-demand contributors to the soundtracks of primetime TV shows, including Queer Eye, Made in Chelsea and Catastrophe, while the four-piece have also served as show-stopping support acts for such artists as Nothing But Thieves, Bloc Party, Magistrates, Asylums and Ed Sheeran.
Track: The Coast
Why We Like It: ‘The Coast’ is an infectious delight. It’s a sun baked jaunty slice of indie pop sure to cheer up your day. A glistening tropical guitar injects a balmy radiance into the track while the infectious drum bounce and wiggle infused bass embellishes the song with an infectious groove.With shimmering pop melodies atop a luminous backdrop ‘The Coast’ is a refreshing new single sure to charm its way onto repeat.
About the track vocalist Nick Acton says : “‘The Coast’ is about that situation we all find ourselves in from time-to-time – fundamentally disagreeing with someone who you have to spend time with, be it a family member, a friend of a friend, a co-worker. It muses on the things that you’d really like to say to that person, knowing that you can’t and never will.”
London alternative rock band Escape The Box will be releasing their new single ‘Grey’ on May 1st. The band comprised of Ziey Kizzy (Vocals),LouZy Hero (Drums), Stephen Smith (Bass) and Aaron Maullin (Guitar) formed in November 2018 and released their debut EP towards the end of 2019.
‘Grey’ is a robust alternative rock track that boasts Escape The Box’s frenetic crashing wall of sound. Raw, jagged guitar slashes through a punchy rhythmic backdrop as the band present a sound full of vigor. They swirl a catchy pop smacked melody over the brawny instrumentation to soften the punk aggro while the smooth expressive vocals hook the listeners ears. The verses bubble and build on a bright sun speckled indie backdrop while the chorus hits like a bolt of lightning setting the track ablaze with heavy guitars ricocheting off the meaty drums while the vocals soar above with thrilling intensity. The band utilise the raw bass and drum interaction to provide something to mosh and headbang to.
Escape The Box have created a tune that is loaded with rock heavyweights and immense intensity with short moments of release.
Barcelona indie pop band Hola Chica have returned with their latest album, ‘Marbella’. The five piece have been on tour since the release of their first album ‘Magnetism’ in 2016. Playing at Taubertal Festival and BIME Festival, as well as all over Spain they have been creating an energetic and psychedelic live show that is communicated through their latest release.
‘Marbella’ is a wonderfully colourful display of Hola Chica’s indie psychedelic pop as the band ease you into their smooth sound with intricate musicianship which leads effortlessly into their massive bag of sonic tricks. The band conjure disco funk and snappy beats to create a clean polished sound. With beautifully manicured synths weaving between floaty melodies and zesty radiant guitars, tracks like ‘Asleep’,Off My Mind’ and ‘Feels Like’ rush with a danceable groove that is infectious while velvety vocals coo through prismatic soundscapes and dreamy melodies.
‘Free Your Soul’ wraps layers of shimmering synths over catchy pop melodies while scorching guitars and humid beats intoxicate and smother the buoyant and vibrant background.The band glitter the album in 70’s disco elements and 80’s pop sheens as they inject a hazy shade of hippie splendour and trip hop hues through ‘Same Old Thing’ and ‘Falling Apart’. Hola Chica have managed to create a psych album that is so drifty and light however, they use dazzling soundscapes and adrenaline rushing instrumentation to keep the album rushing along.
‘Never Gonna See You Again’ slows the pace a little as brooding melodies float over a subtle bubbling soundscape and chiming light atmosphere. The lamenting guitars pine over the dreamy backdrop with a piercing sting while the keys twinkle through a steady beat creating a rich and wistful number brimming with emotive qualities.The detailed production and rich instrumentation throughout the album adds a dash of sunshine in each track. From the soft rock groove and elastic bass line of ‘Make It’, the glistening epic guitar in ‘Your Time’ to the glimmering suave charm of final track ‘Fade Away’, Hola Chica make sure you are bouncing and swirling in their trippy soothing sounds and lush instrumentation all the way through.
‘Marbella’ is a luminous album laced in fresh, sun kissed vibes, good times and utterly mesmerising instrumentation as Hola Chica blend, refine and brew their fruity, floaty psychedelic pop with a dash of indie and a hint of funk to create a euphoric and vibrant listening experience.
Columbia Mills have released their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘CCTV’. 2019 saw the band release two singles from the album; ‘Strange Game’ and ‘Who Am I Supposed To Talk To Now?’ which garnered huge radio support here at Indie Buddie and in the UK including John Kennedy Radio X, RTE Radio 1, Ed Smith (Today FM) choosing the band as his Play Irish Artist of the week and ‘Recent and Decent’ on Today FM, Dan Hegartys (2FM) Track of The Week, and heavy rotation on Paul Mc Loones Today FM show, as well as heavy airplay across all national and regional radio stations. 2020 has already seen the release of ‘UNDERSTAND’ (31/01/20), the third single from ‘CCTV’ which also received huge radio support.
With passion exuding from each melty, infectious melody, rich rhythmic progression and superb guitar lament ‘CCTV’ is quite the first rate body of work from Columbia Mills. These guys don’t pull punches, they give this album their all, entwining electronic elements into their alternative indie rock to create an album that holds you in animated suspense while the spinning sublime instrumentation, intricate layering and wonderful pacing intoxicate and invade your mind.
From the start this album is a whirlwind. The gripping heartfelt ‘Car Crash TV’ begins our breathtaking journey into the album. To be honest, I was totally consumed within this track’s melancholic tone, soft instrumental build and utterly beautiful, raw presentation. The twinkling ethereal guitars encase Fiachra Treacy’s warm emotive vocals in a wispy delicate coating as the track progresses to its more distorted electronic half. Like a masterful puppeteer Treacy’s vocals control the tone and ambiance of the tracks within this album. He has the power to pull tears from your eyes as he digs beneath the surface and unravels the listeners joy, pain and thrills and it is from here the tracks flourish from.
The band use synths and dizzying electronics to build the songs and ferment them into either a dazing dark crescendo like in ‘Car Crash TV’ or spiral into an intoxicating, dance-evoking whirl as in the infectious pulses of ‘Understand’. The synth elements within each track either flicker with tantalizing illumination providing sweet flirtatious moments between the rich indie backdrop or drape the songs in crashing twisting and asphyxiating soundscapes.
‘Isolate’,‘Who Am I Supposed To Talk To Now?’ and‘The Greatest Love’ are a mesmerising display of artistic flair and proficient musicianship, evoking complex themes and emotions of lonliness, guilt and depression.
The band flood their tracks with emotive instrumentation as they surge smoky downcast atmospheres with lamenting pines or western- esque warm tones on guitar. The guitars soar and ooze rich textures and almost convey the characters within the tracks while braided beneath are rooted bass lines and pulsing drums. ‘You’re Not The Answer’, ‘Strange Game’, ‘Heart And Soul’ and ‘Trees’ convey this perfectly as Columbia Mills immerse striking earnest lyrics in time stopping soundscapes.
The lyrical content in this album is profoundly poetic. Lines like “You said watching you control yourself, Is like watching blood dry”, “Crawled through the shit of old romance” and “Or is it in the vacuum of the struggle Where our love always thrives” shroud the album in dark times and griited struggles. Columbia Mills present these honest and gripping themes with outstanding elegance and grace. At times Treacy’s vocals are icy and almost matter of fact in his portrayal of these lyrics however he still manages to depict heart breaking emotion through his delivery.
Columbia Mills bring the album to a sublime end with ‘Mirror On The Front Seat’. The track blossoms superbly with glistening guitars and a brooding indie rock ballad -esque soundscape. It is beautifully crafted, lush in its intricacies yet simple in its approach. There is a warm country element to this track that evokes images of a dry desert night while the glistening airy guitar paints the sky an indigo hue. The loneliness and isolation is briefly lightened with warm instrumental builds while a sustained fuzz and steady beat trap tension beneath the emotive velvety vocals. Once again the band build the track allowing it to unravel for the dynamic thumping crescendo. It’s a spine tingling and utterly superb finale.
There are so many textures, sounds and wonderful elements within ‘CCTV’. Columbia Mills are only on their second album and their maturity and ability to grasp your very soul with their tunes is so precise and powerful it is mesmerising. ‘CCTV’ is a moving, intoxicating album with solid musicianship. The listener beholds musical majesty, depth and a mystical quality which bewitches with every track. The bands layering and building of the songs is first rate and clean while the indie rock, electronic hybrid sound is seamless and exquisite. This is a band you need to know, they have achieved so much with ‘CCTV’. It is exciting to imagine what Columbia Mills will release next
Keywest have come together with Heroes-Aid to put together a music video with frontline workers at its heart, to raise vital funds for our Healthcare Heroes. The music video for ‘Ordinary Superhero’ features medical professionals Dr Matthew O’Toole, Nurse Emma Coughlan, Paramedic Steven Mangan and his daughter Saoirse. Heroes-Aid.com is the brainchild of Mary Leahy, Public Health Nurse & National Coordinator for Nurse/Midwife Safety, Health, & Welfare Reps and Damien Nee, a member of Covid-19 Expert Advisory Group The initial aim of Heroes-Aid is to raise funds through gofundme to provide practical support such as PPE and other resources to keep our healthcare heroes safe as they care for us. The fund also intends to provide longer-term psychological, educational and practical support for frontline healthcare workers, their children and families who have been negatively impacted by Covid-19.
‘Ordinary Superhero’ is an emotive passionate ballad as Keywest present their rich full bodied sound through this motivational tender number. With twinkling keys innocently wandering through a progressive backdrop the band evoke a sense of strength and resilience. With a cinematic crescendo and catchy chorus ‘Ordinary Superhero’ is that motivating anthem to rally the country together, making it the perfect track to support frontline workers.
Speaking about ‘Ordinary Superhero’ Kav of Keywest said: “We are honoured to be able to contribute in any way we can. It’s an achievement if we can move people to understand and empathise with what our frontline heroes face on a daily basis. It’s even better if we can remind a healthcare worker that we are thinking of them and what they are doing for us. And it’s amazing if we can help raise funds to protect them while they are exposed to covid-19.”
Speaking about the release of the Video and the launch of Heroes-Aid, Doug Leddin said “This Moving song & video uniquely captures the Fears and Emotions of Health Care Workers as they bravely go to work every day”
Train Room has released his new single ‘Hurricane Of Love’. Train Room is the brainchild of Co Mayo songwriter, musician and producer Joe Monaghan. He recorded the new single in recent Isolation. The song ‘ Hurricane of Love’ was recorded on St Patricks day in Mayo and mastered by Aidan Foley.
With its lo-fi hazy atmosphere, driving bassline and retro organ elements, ‘Hurricane Of Love’ displays the tightly weaved musicianship of Train Room. Warm jangly guitar drifts through the bouncy upbeat soundscape as Monaghan builds and layers the song superbly. The chiming keys teamed with the steady beat and smooth vocals create a psychedelic sedative effect that wisps with a soft feathery lightness and elastic buoyancy as the song glides to its catchy chorus. With the infectious bass groove and humid guitars adding an indie punch, Monaghan has crafted one mesmerising addictive gem.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Fiona Harte
With over a million streams on debut single ‘White Picket Fence’, Northern Irish award winning singer songwriter Fiona Harte returns with soulful new single ‘Sugar Coating’ ahead of her four track debut EP titled ‘Home Recordings’.
With its soft twinkling charm ‘Sugar Coating’ is a sweet and soulful gem from Fiona Harte. Her warm subtle smoky toned vocals caress the dreamy melody with whispered lulls and honeyed coos.There is a magical atmosphere throughout the track as Harte uses her refined and majestic song writing to create a swoony romantic delight without too much embellishment. Her striped back approach floods the track with an effortless ethereal quality creating a lush velvety listening experience with soulful glows and R&B hues as Harte uses her sublime voice to portray emotion, depth, power and richness.
About the track Harte says “Inspired by these trying times I decided to start a project during the isolation period writing and recording songs from my bedroom, no studio, no band, just me. It’s tracks I have written and recorded at home during this period where we can’t get out to studios. The project is DIY and has a live feel.”
On Wednesday afternoon I spoke to singer songwriter Miles Graham (who was sitting having a cuppa in sunny Sligo) about his new single ‘Don’t Change’ and upcoming EP. Originally from Dublin, Miles Graham is a musician & Indie Soul Singer/Songwriter that has been described as a talent rarely found, possessing a warm, magnetic voice and songwriting talent reminiscent of early Van Morrison. What sets Graham apart is that he marries this with the commercial appeal of James Morrison and Ray LaMontagne.
Miles has been establishing his reputation relentlessly since first hitting BBC Radio 2’s playlist in 2015 with ‘I Can’t Love You Again’ and then with high profile Billboard Dance hits with Don Diablo and L’Tric. His new release ‘Don’t Change’ is quite the step away from the dance tracks. I wondered if he approached the writing process differently
“I think it’s definitely evolved to a certain extent. The dance music was totally out of the blue. I didn’t expect to do that at all. If you listen to the record that we put out ‘I Can’t Love You Again’ it was just a ballad-y love song and I got a call from Neon Records in Australia when the record was doing the rounds in the UK and they wanted to do a dance version of the song and they wanted to use the vocals. So I sent over the vocals and they asked me to re-record it in a different tempo, which I did but it just wasn’t really working for that particular song.So they ended up sending me some other music and asked me to write for that music. So I ended up doing that and I came up with a record called ‘1994’ for L’Tric and they released that.It was like number 2 in the UK club charts and number 3 in Australia and it was all very much a surprise. It was a side track to what I do but it obviously led me on to recording with Don Diablo and other DJ’s . It was fun and exciting. House music and dance music is such an interesting genre of music with so many different genres within it. It opened my eyes I think. The melodies that they use sort of changed my thought of melody.. Maybe because I knew I was writing for a young audience who are into pop melodies and just listened to the house and dance music that was going at the time, but it was a very fun experience but I’m not sure whether it has affected my own music that much, maybe a little bit, yeah.”
It can be daunting for an artist to release music to the public especially as a singer songwriter, (as it’s just you there is no band or other band members to share the load with).With the success of previous tracks Graham feels pressure with this new release
“Yeah absolutely. I always knew that with the likes of Don Diablo they have huge fan bases so there is less worrying about how well the track is going to do initially. You are just kind of putting yourself out there and because I’ve been doing the dance records I’ve come away from my own material quite a bit. But I do feel the pressure, I’m terrified, I’ll be honest with you I am nervous because it’s the most personal record that I’ve put out.Even like back with ‘I Can’t Love You Again’ and other songs I would have released and written back then, my writing would come from stories I might have heard of other relationships and put them into a fictional narrative, but this time around it’s definitely more personal.”
‘Don’t Change’ has a retro soul vibe and sleek presence, the funky groove in the track is extremely infectious
“It’s just something that came up in the studio. I started the song in Dublin with a guy called Greg Malocca who I worked with for many years now and we just got the groove together and we thought yeah lets do something a bit different and we got this Niall Rogers type of guitar line that we really liked and I had the rhythm guitar over it and then the melodies start coming and it just stemmed from that really. Lyrically it’s a bit more close to the bone but I wasn’t even thinking of the lyrics starting off, it just all comes out in melody initally.You don’t really know what you’re writing about until it’s done but it wasn’t a conscious decision, it just kind of came about.”
One stand out aspect about ‘Don’t Change’ is how Graham puts an upbeat and colourful perspective on the melancholic theme of a break up. It gives the track the ability to cheer up a possible saddened listener?
“Thats nice. That’s lovely to hear. It’s my one goal as a songwriter you know, because that’s what I get from music. If I listen to a song and it lifts me or inspires me or makes me want to dance or if you have that hair standing on the back of your neck – it’s those moments within songs that I’d aspire to have as a songwriter.So it’s great hearing that. This song in the chorus is basically saying don’t change who you are. Obviously the verses are about heartbreak and relationships and they are toing and froing between that but as it gets to the chorus it’s like look, whatever happened happened and I hope that you don’t change and that I don’t change in the process of the turmoil that comes with it, It’s that kind of positive feel. There is one lyric at the start of the song, “kept the colours of the moment” it means you can focus on the bad stuff in a heart break or in a relationship but you can also focus on the colourful things and I think that helps.It helped me through a breakup situation and I hope it helps other people.
When writing songs sometimes the initial idea an artist has in their head can be difficult to achieve in the recording process. Graham tries to keep things simple when approaching the producer etc with his ideas to get them just how he imagines them
“ It can be difficult, yeah. That’s probably the first thing that comes to mind when you have this vision in your head and nobody else knows what it is. The producer doesn’t know what it is, if your writing with someone else they don’t know what it is, so you have to get your point across.I think the best way of doing that is just strip everything right down to just sitting at the piano or with your guitar or whatever and just have the root notes. You might have a bass line or a guitar lick or just some chords and just be honest with the melody and with your idea. The production can go around full 360 with whatever way you want to produce it.But it can be difficult to get your imagery or idea across.”
‘Don’t Change’ was recorded in London with producer Paul Herman (Emeli Sandé, Dido, Corinne Bailey Rae) someone Graham has alway been a fan of and someone who shares his love for soul music
“ I’ve always been a big fan of Pauls.I know he did the Dido record and co writes but what really drew me to him as a producer was his work with Corinne Bailey Rae. It had that more soulful side and then I discovered the Dido music as well.I’ve always been a fan and I actually met him about 5 years ago. He was over doing an IMRO talk and I was heading to London the week after so he invited me down to the studio and very kindly gave me some good advice and I went on my journey and funny enough 9 years later I ended up working with him. Fortunately, since I’ve been working with peermusic London he was introduced to my music again in the form of a few demos and he said he wanted to work with me. He has definitely brought something to the table. In his work that he has done he focuses a lot on backing vocals and harmonies and he is really good at that. In the studio he was really pushing me to get a performance out of me.We were on the same page from the start because we both have a lot of soul music influences so I think those influences have become part of the EP as a whole.”
Graham has a velvety soulful tone to his vocals however at the start he wasn’t particularly happy with how his voice sounded
“I think melodies come naturally to me because I’ve been listening to soul music from a young age. The only singing lessons I’ve ever had was from a famous jazz singer Honor Heffernan, that was way back maybe 15 years ago. I was singing a little bit not like myself before that.I think everybody is starting to kind of sing the music that they like.Whether it be Ed Sheeran or whatever. You know people who are just starting and in their teens they just sing like who they listen to. I didn’t have a deep voice, I had a mid tone, a kind of high register and I didn’t like that about my vocal. I wanted to be a more low tone soul singer. She brought that out of me a bit and I began to use my natural tone and natural voice.I didn’t like it at first but it wasn’t until I put out some music and I was getting some good feedback and that, so it seems to be going ok. I was in no way confident at all to start.I had a lot of confidence in the song writing.I knew I could tell a story, write a lyric and I was pretty good rhythmically with lyrics and making them flow and I got a lot of fun out of that. I had a lot of belief in myself as a songwriter but as a singer that’s another thing and as an artist and putting yourself out there.It was a bit more personal. It’s not something that I really wanted to do from the start.I was just looking for publishing or whatever but it was when the publishing companies, record companies and just general audience gave positive feedback about my voice that I started to pursue a career as an artist.”
The connection an artist gets at a live show is incomparable and for Graham it is an important experience. So to achieve this everyone has to adapt with the current lockdown times.
“I love the connection with people and live is the best way to play the music and experience the music.Even if you listen to records of live performances they are the ones that really get you.I do miss the live connection, obviously with the lockdown and everything. I have been doing some personal gigs on zoom and instagram live for fans that have connected with me and are in their homes in Germany, Scotland and America from back a few years ago and have stuck with me. I just go on and play a few songs and whatever. It’s been a bit of fun actually.I did one with Hot Press last friday. It’s amazing how quickly the industry has adapted. Everyone is on live stream now.The internet where I am isn’t that great. Actually just before lockdown I went to get new broadband. The one I had wasn’t great but I’m still waiting on it so I’m just using the hotspot on the phone at the moment.”
Graham’s advice to budding young artists displays both the dreamer perspective and reality of the occupation as uses his experience in the industry so far to conjure some wise words
“Get ready for a really hard road.Believe in yourself. I know it sounds very cheesy but I think be as true to yourself as possible and try to connect with your audience. There are so many different genres of music and music is like food. You either like salt and pepper or you don’t, you know?. It’s important to channel into the right audience.Which is not easy to do but if you can manage to do that from the start hopefully you can build a fan base.Just be true to your music and don’t try to be anyone else.”
Miles Graham is gearing up to release his EP in the coming months with tracks that “are all very different”.
“ Choosing the songs for the EP was very hard.I have written so many songs but to get them all on an EP and to give people an idea of myself as an artist. There is one, kind of R&B soul tune, the melodies are quite R&B and then there is a ballad where I’ve got some lovely strings orchestrated by Sally Herbert in the UK who has won an award for orchestrating strings for the Plan B record The Defamation of Strickland Banks and shes amazing.I’m very lucky to have her talent on the record .There is another track called ‘All The Right Things’ which is the title track of the EP. I’m really excited about that track.It tells a story of my musical journey.It’s kind of funky and upbeat but it’s very different to anything else that’s out there at the moment I think.It will be interesting to see what people think of it.”
Sounds like Graham has something special planned for his upcoming EP. I can’t wait to check it out.
