Casey's Choice
DJ & RADIO PRODUCER CASEY HEYBURN, OF BBC INTRODUCING IN KENT, OUTLINES HIS SIX BANDS TO LISTEN TO THIS QUARTER - #KEEPITKENT PEOPLE!
Atlas 808
Whether you prefer to get your sweat on by standing under the summer sun, cocktail in hand on the white isles of Ibiza; or by dancing in close proximity to other ravers at one of the many boiler room sets that Kent has to offer, just close your eyes and this man’s music can take you there. His name is Atlas 808 - or Jak Wellard to those who know him best. He’s a 22-year-old DJ and producer from Canterbury who’s no stranger to the Kent club circuit, having supported the likes of Hot Since 82, Seth Troxler and Solardo, to name a few. He is also the founder and owner of Safari Records, Safari Underground, and Safari Artists. The Atlas 808 sound moved from Disco and Soul to House and Techno over a number of years. His track Body Shake - a Tech-House banger with a hefty bassline, which samples lyrics from Khia’s My Neck, My Back - was an instant favourite, and made it into the BBC Introducing in Kent’s ‘New Year Mixtape’ as well as my ‘That’s A Wrap’ dance mix for November 2017. If you’re looking for a vibe as we approach summer 2018, this man can hook you up.
SPORTS TEAM
When you think of Cambridge students, what do you see? If you just pictured a six-piece post-punk band making music reminiscent of that which your parents were strutting to in their teenage years, give yourself a point. Alex, Henry, Rob, Oli, Alexandra and Ben are Sports Team, and they’re here to make you think about where you’ve been and just where you’re headed. Their combination of lyrical cynicism with the musicality way beyond their years is what draws you in to Sports Team’s sound - their music feels like an old friend teaching you new lessons. Alex Rice’s vocals take me back to the first time I heard the likes of Mick Jagger and David Bowie, giving me a sense of nostalgia I didn’t expect to experience from a new band. Their debut EP, Winter Nets, was produced by Dave Mc- Cracken (Depeche Mode, Florence and the Machine) after meeting him at one of their early gigs. One of the tracks from the EP, Beverley Rose, has since been picked up by BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6Music - even winning one of Steve Lamacq’s infamous Roundtables.
HYDROMAG
Sometimes playing one instrument just isn’t enough, and that is definitely the case for Canterbury’s Josh Best- Shaw - A.K.A Hydromag. This singer, songwriter, and all-round nice guy is able to make a dreamy musical atmosphere from the comfort of his bedroom, and the quality of tracks he creates makes you wonder whether a high-end studio is all it’s cracked up to be? His latest offering, Words I Never Heard, features Jack O’Hea and fuses the riffy guitar sounds of bands such as Two Door Cinema Club with a soothing vocal overlay to form a Dream-Pop masterpiece. At just over 2 minutes in length, it leaves you feeling like you’ve woken up from one of those exciting dreams far too soon; leaving you with that wanting feeling that there is more to the story to be told. I had the pleasure of watching Josh perform as Hydromag for the very first time at the Social in London, and I’m pleased to say that the live atmosphere matches the recorded tracks his followers know and love. Get yourself to a Hydromag gig as soon as it’s announced; he will not disappoint.
BOBBY HARVEY
In a musical climate where you can make the next dance floor belter from the comfort of your own bedroom it takes someone with a real ear for a gap in the market to make you stop and take notice… Enter Canterbury’s Bobby Harvey. With 2017 being the year of Tech-House it was hard to tell one producer from the other just by listening, but Bobby was in there early with the release of his track Never Gonna Stop - the first thing I heard from this man. Following this I was sure to keep an eye out for any new music he released, and he didn’t disappoint. 2 of his later releases, People In The Club and Don’t Stop The Music, got the recognition they deserved through airplay on BBC Introducing In Kent, cementing Bobby’s position as one-to-watch in the dance music scene in Kent. This was proven when his next single, Keep This Thing Going, was signed to DJ S.K.T’s record label Stashed Music - and if it was good enough for DJ S.K.T, it was good enough for me, so I included the track as part of BBC Introducing In Kent’s ‘New Year Mixtape’. In January of this year Bobby recorded a workout mix for BBC Introducing In Kent using solely tracks made by Kent producers. The progression of his mix showed his musicality and ability to take his audience on a journey. If he’s playing a set near you any time soon get your rave face on and go and say hello.
MORO
I don’t know about you, but if it was suggested to me that I should partner up with my sibling and begin to make music I wouldn’t be able to think of anything worse. That’s not to say that it doesn’t work, however, as is proven by brother and sister duo Moro. The siblings in question are Rose and Tom, and the upbringing provided by their parents of mum’s Motown, Funk and Soul, and dad’s Rock & Roll and Blues has influenced their eclectic sound; fusing the perfect blend of Rose’s soul vocal with Tom’s experimental and extremely satisfying musicality. Their tracks first two singles Amazing and Mad demonstrate the duo’s freestyle method of writing; giving you a taste of the widespread potential and adaptability that these two musicians have. Their third single, Jealous, is the track that, for me, confirms your love for the music that Moro are making. The layers of vocal on vocal on guitar on drums, along with the introduction midway through of the offbeat synth are simply a work of art that will satisfy producers, vocalists, musicians and music fans alike; leaving you wondering how it all sounds so simple. I was fortunate enough to sound tech Moro when they came in to perform a session for BBC Introducing In Kent - the first time that their tracks had been taken from the studio into a live environment, and they did not disappoint. The companionship between the siblings and their band made for a truly special session, and I know that their future live shows will be a real moment for those fortunate enough to witness it themselves.
RAFFER
It’s a hard job finding your niche in a culture full of Indie music, but Callum Rafferty, AKA RAFFER, is doing his absolute best to find it - having been a part of various musical projects, it’s safe to say it’s definitely working. The first I heard of RAFFER was his track How You Lay in early 2017, and from then on I’ve been hooked. With riffy guitars and catchy lyrics homogenous to those of bands such as The 1975 and Sundara Karma, RAFFER walks you through the life of a young man trying to get by in the 21st Century. As you move along his library of musical offerings, you have a feeling that this lad has really found his stride as RAFFER, and goes from strength to strength with numerous radio plays of his tunes Starting, Together, and most recently I Need You - a tightly produced Indie banger that would fit into anyone’s playlist quite comfortably. Headline tours, sold out events and festival performances are on the horizon for this guy - he’s the kind of artist you’ll want to be able to say “I knew about him AGES ago” when he makes it.
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