CASEY'S CHOICE: SIX KENT ARTISTS TO WATCH OUT FOR
DJ & radio producer Casey Heyburn, of BBC Introducing in Kent, outlines his six bands to listen to this quarter
MOSA WILD
Ever since watching Ashford- based Jim Rubaduka (lead vocal/guitar/keys) and Alex Stevens (guitar/backing vocal) begin their musical venture as The Intermission Project, I knew that there were big things to come for these lads. Having disappeared for what seemed an age, December 2016 gifted us a trio of newness; a new band name - Most Wild - new band members (bassist, Edwin Ireland, and previous Intermission Project drummer, Charlie Campbell), and a debut single, Smoke.
The raw emotion, tight vo- cal arrangement and impeccable production saw Smoke picked up by the BBC Introducing in Kent team, who subsequently passed it on to BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, who loved it in equal measure.
2017 has seen Most Wild support Maggie Rogers on her European tour, as well as performances at a host of festivals including Latitude and Reading and Leeds on behalf of BBC Introducing.
If you are looking for a band who put their heart into everything they write and perform, Mosa Wild are your boys.
ART SCHOOL GIRLFRIEND
Let me introduce you to Polly Mackey. Polly is originally from North Wales, but has since moved to the creative shores of Margate following a five-year stint fronting a shoe gaze band in London - and boy, are we more than happy to have her.
Art School Girlfriend’s debut EP, Measures, is a four-track masterpiece in electronic pop. Released on Wolf Tone Re- cords (The Horrors, Glass Animals), Measures gives listeners an atmospheric air of calm and chaos in perfect measure. You can hear an experimental flare to each song, and by the end of the final (and title) track, Measures, you’ll be asking yourself when you can hear more of Art School Girlfriend.
I’m yet to see an Art School Girlfriend performance, but you better believe I’ll be vibing in the crowd at the first opportunity I get.
THE NEW COAST
Tunbridge Wells lads Nick Blyth and Chris Cheater are an indie pop duo who could compete with some of the best in their genre. They take influence from the likes of The Japanese House and Frank Ocean, which can be heard throughout tracks such as Home and Sleeptalk.
I hear essence of The 1975 in their instrumental layers, mixed with a distinct lead vocal like that of Everything Everything’s Jonathan Higgs. Synthesised harmonies build you up to the peak of the track in each chorus, with a complimentary falsetto vocal to ease you down and tell you their story.
I’m really excited to see how The New Coasts’ music progresses into 2018. Definitely ones to watch.
SOLOMONS GARDEN
I read their online bio which simply read “Misfits with a cause.” That cause? To make music to get you moving.
MKFWI, Chanel Hemmings, Erica Torres and Daniel Todd make up this Rochester collective, creating music which is a mix of R&B and soul, but they don’t stick to the normal rules. Each member has their part to play which makes a sound which is accessible to all - these guys can chill you out to the point of ultimate relaxation with a track like Good Things, only to get you up and moving with a tune like Ego.
I was fortunate enough to see these guys headline the BBC Introducing stage at this year’s Latitude festival, and I can say with 100% confidence that if you want a good time you have to get yourself to a Solomons Garden gig.
THANDII
Jessica Berry, aka Thandii, is another artist to be based in the creative hub of Margate. The forward-thinking pop artist has had support from BBC Introducing in Kent as well as Huw Stephens as part of his BBC Radio1 show-he even asked her to play one of his ‘Huw Stephens Presents’ events in London in September 2017.
Thandii has a strong mu- sic pedigree; regularly touring the world as a vocalist with Mr Jukes. All of this experience adds up to a live Thandii performance being one of confidence, strength in her ability, and pure emotion in every note that is hit with ease.
Thandii’s EP is called Forgetful. I think this is some kind of joke as it’s not music you’re going to forget in a hurry. read our feature with Thandii HERE
COALESCENT
Take yourself back to 90s Hip Hop. Now bring yourself up to the rise of Grime. Put both of those together and you end up with Coalescent.
A collective of two individual artists, Dux (Niall Sheerin) and Aftermind (Drew Dutoit), the music that these boys produce will leave you bobbing your head, raising your hands and bouncing your knees while your face does that screwed up “yeah I’m feeling this” look. (Feel free to look around, every- one will be doing the same).
I finally got to see a Coalescent performance whilst judging the ‘CENE BEATS battle, and it did not disappoint. The live performance of Aftermind on the keys/synth/drum pad mixed with the self-confidence in his ability of Dux meant not a single person in the room could look away or stand still. See a snippet of the Coalescent performance below.