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[the7192]

GET TO KNOW: BRUCH

Following in the footsteps of pioneers David Bowie and Björk is BRUCH.  After the success of her EP Autis in 2017, the Dorchester native has yet again graced our ears with single ‘We Don’t Care About You’.

2019 was a great year for BRUCH, appearing on the BBC Introducing stage at Winchester Festival, her music is regularly given air time by the station. For her efforts towards helping the environment through music the artist was recently awarded the RoundTable Global Youth Award.

BRUCH’s passion for the arts is apparent, it comes as no surprise to hear she was involved with musical theatre and dance throughout childhood with her classical cello training translating into her music today. Her self-described sound is cinematic electronica with lots of acoustic drums, BRUCH is very influenced by classical music and traditional folk with K-pop playing a massive role inspiring the production (that she does entirely herself).

“My autism plays a large part in the sounds I create. I write from my soul, my peculiar thoughts regarding the world and my experiences as an 'outsider'.  Some people struggle to pigeon-hole it into a genre, and I'm fine with that. I create whatever speaks to me, and if that means each new track is different to the previous one, I'm happy with that, because it's me.”

BRUCH speaks candidly about her autism and how it reflects in her music which is refreshing to hear. “I love being able to finally be me. Because of my autism, I spent my childhood and teens trying to fit in with my peers. It never worked. As Greta Thunberg said, it can be a superpower, and I fully concur”.

The subject of her pieces revolve around issues she’s passionate about: climate change, insecurity, socio- political current affairs. Leaving home at 16 to pursue music studies in Surrey, BRUCH has created an audience that spans from London to Brazil.  Her followers love her for not fitting in, they embrace her quirks and differences and admire the fact that she wants to make our planet a better place.

BRUCH was seemingly selective with what she chose to share with me, leaving much up to the imagination, the mystery complimented her brand. Following the success of her latest single, I asked what else she had in the pipeline; “I’m a bit of a stickler for keeping new music secret so I guess you’ll have to watch this space!”.

‘We Don’t Care About You’: https://open.spotify.com/track/54qZauYoFswNq1diD8gLJF?si=4jJ9eWqaTcmSuQqbh1dJ9w

[the7192]

FKA twigs- MAGDALENE Review

Taliah Debrett Barnett, better known as FKA twigs burst back onto the artpop scene last week with second album MAGDALENE. In the five years since her debut album, the creative visionary has refined her sound and gifted us a true art piece that could rival Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds of Love’. 

It’s obvious Magdalene was written during a period of complete self-isolation as Twigs reflects upon the intimacy of relationships, “Why won’t you do it for me? When all I do is for you?” she explores on ‘cellophane’. ‘home with you’ draws emphasis to the futurism of the whole album, it’s electronic beat production takes centre stage, with a biblical sound running throughout. 

Inspired by Mary Magdalene, a healer and companion of Jesus who has sometimes been depicted as a prostitute, twigs uses the bible framework to test her own womanhood. “A woman's prerogative, A woman's time to embrace, She must put herself first” she considers on the song named after the anti-heroine. From Lizzo with ‘Soulmate’ to Ariana Grande with ‘7 Rings’, twigs manages to mirror trends of self-love and female empowerment that have run through pop music this year, whilst staying true to her sound. 

With the albums only feature including Future on ‘holy terrain’, there was a danger twigs would sell out and deliver us a more commercial tone for the album, but in fact she’s done quite the opposite, creating a perfect fusion of trap, electronic and pop. Listen to MAGDALENE

[the7192]

THE HACIENDA IS DEAD

Meet the women paving the way for a new music scene in Manchester.

@IAMDDB

Manchester has the best music scene in the world. From The Stone Roses to The Smiths and The Happy Mondays you’d be a fool to deny we’ve produced some of the best talent music has ever seen. Walk into any home in Britain and they’ll be someone (over the age of 50) bumbling on about the good old days at The Hacienda. But those days are over, Urban Jazz is the New Order. Pioneer IAMDDB, self-proclaimed ‘spoken soul’ artist combines elements of Trap, silky afro Jazz and spoken word to create a unique blend of sensuous harmonised heaven.

Following a musical history rich in ‘tortured souls’ (or indie white boys whose pounds are often heavier than their talent) is IAMDDB. An artist defined by her songs of fierce female empowerment, self acceptance, mental wellness and representation, is giving us something the Manchester music seen has never witnessed before. Whilst the rest of the world focused on which Gallagher brother was there favourite, Urban Jazz has been slowly growing ready to take over.

IAMDDB embodies everything it means to be a modern-day feminist. From bearing almost all at the Brits to embracing no make-up on social media, her confidence in loving and showing off her body has lead her genre of Urban Jazz to influence fashion trends as well as impacting an influx of young artists.

@layfullstop emerged onto the scene via YouTube in early 2016 with single ‘YinYang’. Her style, deeply rooted in soul encompasses rap and hip hop, lyrically she touches race, self-love, self-belief and self-acceptance, values held deep at the core of Urban Jazz. @evabee.mcr is a little more political lyrically, she encompasses satiny vocals with an electronic soul fusion of computer engineered beats. @nialashley a newcomer to the scene, shares her story by gracing our Instagram feeds with her freestyles over mainstream trap beats, spreading words of positivity, spirituality and third eye energy.

Underprivileged backgrounds is something these women all share, all council estate girls with a love for music and ambition to make it out. Urban Jazz has grown so fast because women can relate to the struggle. Such features are found in the origins of soul and hip hop from Nina Simone’s powerful tones in ‘Ain’t Got No’ to Missy Elliott with ‘Step Off’. People love music that makes them feel something, which more often than not is lyrics they can relate too.

The Hacienda is dead but where does that leave us now?

In the capable hands of a generation of women that believe in themselves and chose to inspire everybody else. With that out the way, there’s only one question left to answer. Why does Manchester produce such good music you ask? In a city of all rain and no sunshine, we have nothing better to do.

[the7192]

neLLa Live in London

French Singer Songwriter neLLa supporting Erin Durant at the Servant Jazz Quarters, Dalston. As I find myself running for the Overground home (something which I never do), I realise, I’m motivated to do my assignment; thinking what to say about you. neLLa. Taking inspiration from the likes of Hannah Montanna and Billie Eilish, your fusion of pop and alternative rock is completely unique.

‘Ghost’ is what you are opening with, for October 31st this seems fitting. When you start to sing I feel every lyric and every melody. Masking your melancholic pain behind a baby pink Stratocaster, it’s hard to believe this is your first gig.

Your orange hair and purple metallic platforms provide an illusion of stage presence, where your obvious nerves could hold you back. Your entourage, teenagers dressed in stripes like old school punks, in dog collars and thick black eyeliner transform the narrow stage into an arena fit for The Sex Pistols.

Under a haze of red and purple light, now as you perform Waste, confidence exudes you. With 100,000 total streams on that song alone it’s clear you outnumber the artists you’re supporting 100 followers to 1. It seems that you just haven’t had the opportunity to be put on yet, but after this performance, soon it will come.

I’ve almost reached Tooting Broadway, I’m only two stops away.  I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that this isn’t the last we’ve heard from you and I know I’m not the only one who can’t wait to hear what else you have to say.

neLLa’s setlist in full:

Ghost (coming soon)

Solo (unreleased)

Fool (unreleased)

Waste

Wind (unreleased)

Storm (unreleased)