VANESSA MOOD (Vanessa Moodley) is a South African born singer, international award-winning songwriter, producer and entrepreneur. A newcomer to Canada, her music is soulful, passionate and often tells stories of intimacy that leaves one feeling less alone in this world.
Her sincere and heartfelt new song, ‘Work Things Out,’ is about forgiveness—for ourselves and those we love. Faced with a challenging situation, this one felt unique, as previously in other relationships that had reached this point, Vanessa was willing to walk away. But with this one, that was not an option.
Her life kicking off at the tail end of apartheid, Vanessa had no idea that a career in music was something that was available to someone of her skin colour or gender. It was only after completing a degree in music, which started as an escape from the pain of her father’s death, that she realized that she needed music. She hoped for more than her early learnings of jazz and began by exploring her love for pop music.
Have a listen to the stunning ‘Work Things Out’ below…
Released on EMK through Kartel Music Group, LIV EAST’s latest single ‘So Badly’, is a kaleidoscopic concoction of dance, alt pop, R&B and neo soul, which captures the vibrancy and diversity of her East London roots.
‘So Badly’ is Liv’s second solo release, and the first of many works with South London producer Lokes LDN. The track also features some of London’s best jazz musicians – Benedict Quinn on guitar and Callum Connell (Secret Night Gang) on Saxophone.
“So Badly was born out of a time when I knew I had met someone of importance but the timing just wasn’t right”, explains Liv, “I had to remind myself of the mantra ‘nothing real can truly be threatened’ and step back with grace. I felt parallels with many other situations in my life. We had just come out of a pandemic where we were all forced to surrender to redirection and hold our hands up to the universe. No matter how badly we want something, it won’t always (or rarely ever) pan out the way we want it to. So Badly, for me, is about the art of surrender but still keeping faith”.
For singer songwriter Liv East, allowing life to follow its natural flow is vital. It’s about bending and swerving with the punches and trusting the path that you’re on, confident that in the end, everything turns out exactly as it was supposed to.
Liv’s musical career started off in 2019, working alongside Hackney’s grassroots label Root 73 (also home to the Silhouettes project) with a collaborative hip -hop / neo-soul EP. Then later on that year came the soulful dance track ‘You’re My’ on Defected’s well known disco label Glitterbox – a balmy, summer day anthem that’s just soared past an impressive four million streams. Fast forward to the present day, where it continues to receive support from house music Dons such as Moodymann & Jayda G.
And then there’s ‘I Miss Having Someone To Talk To’ (2020), another dollop of buoyant grooves that’s elevated by Liv’s distinctly fluid delivery. Produced with Folamour and released on his FHUO label, the track currently sits at over seven million streams.
Since life has started to open back up again post pandemic, Liv released her first solo track ‘Kitchen’ which landed heavy support from BBC introducing. Followed by another epic dance collaboration ‘I Need You’ with hugely successful producer duo KOLIDESCOPES via Defected’s latest imprint, The Remedy Project.
New York City’s artist CHARLES ON TV gets vulnerable in his groovy, indie-pop/disco single ‘Quarter Century.’ Filled with colourful, impressionistic and soulful instrumentation, the single documents the rising artist’s internal dialogue as a quarter life crisis washes over him in waves.
On the inspiration behind the single, Charles On TV explains, “I’m sure many people can relate to the idea that sometimes, we wish we could go back and do it all over again. For me, I think about how I should have come out earlier, chose my friends more wisely, and maybe even approached my music career differently. I have been stuck in an unhealthy cycle of comparing myself to others; Instead of being encouraged by my achievements, I’ve been feeling discouraged by what I haven’t achieved. This song is the devil and angel on your shoulder, one telling you to give up and one telling you to never stop believing in your dreams.”
The single is accompanied by a stunning official video shot in Los Angeles and directed by Dylan Siegel, where Charles On TV traverse across vast landscapes, alone and on a mission to deepen his understanding of what his future has in store. These remarkable, desolate nature shots almost feel symbolic of a monk’s retreat, as he dances his way through an infinite universe searching for existential answers.
Charles On TV’s fans pour in from all over the city for his one-of-a-kind live performances, taking the stage at iconic NYC venues including the Bowery Electric, Union Pool (where he performed his debut headlining show), and Knitting Factory. An incredibly intuitive, introspective artist, Charles On TV has created a streamline of tunes with the natural ability to cross oceans and decades, and is sure to make a lasting mark on the world of music for years to come. Check out the video for ‘Quarter Century’ below…
Manchester MC and vibes queen ONEDA collaborates with Mr Scruff to drop a new double A-Side on Heavenly Recordings. ‘Warrior’s Daughter’ / ‘Rollin’ is the latest release from Ms Manny On The Rise.
‘Warrior’s Daughter’ is built on the feeling of needing to go out and move to music – and to dance the fear away. “That’s me,” says OneDa, who grew up in Hulme and Gorton and who started out in the church her family ran. “I’m a warrior’s daughter. I’m strong, I’m not going to be fearful.” The track took on new meaning after her father died at the end of last year, which also involved spending time in Nigeria for the funeral. “When I think about being a warrior I think about my ancestors. I come from warrior blood. I’m not letting anything get me down.” Producer Mr Scruff explained that the tune was inspired by Johnny Kalsi’s dhol playing. “It is like a rowdy, unstoppable march, rolling forward in a spirit of rude celebration. I hope this tune does justice as a fitting tribute to OneDa’s father.”
‘Rollin’ is a big beast with stripped back beats n bass grounding OneDa’s high energy flow, which gained airplay on BBC Introducing. “I loved writing it with OneDa,” said Factory Floor’s Gabe Gurnsey. “The vibe was there immediately. I wanted a foundation of pure danceable rhythm and simplicity coupled with a killer lead vocal hook and rap, which OneDa delivered, no messing about.” The tracks follow ‘Vibes’ and ‘Busta’ which came out on Heavenly last year. Last year OneDa also featured on D’n’B stormer ‘Ballin’ with Vibe Chemistry, picking up 20 million plays on Spotify.
The Rude Girl Soundsystem – “big energy, big vibes, mad energetic” – is her all-new live show. It features OneDa with one of her DJs (Stylie, Jazzy Lioness or Presh) playing hip hop, drum n bass, breakbeats and afrobeats, with Stylie coming out from behind the decks to pick up the mic and go b2b. When she supported KRS1 at the Blues Kitchen last November the show included their own freestyled tribute to his 1980s classic MCs Act Like They Don’t Know. The two artists chatted after the show – “a sick experience”.
OneDa has recently taken over a weekly drivetime show on Unity Radio, playing the music that moves her. “It’s me just spreading my good vibes, really, pussy power”. The show includes a 45 minute ‘On The Rise’ section championing up and coming artists. OneDa’s also running Herchester, which is a project for women, non-binary and trans hip hop artists, aimed at uplifting young female and non-binary DJs and Producers.
Delivering on the music and the positive vibes – that’s OneDa…check her out below…
Croydon songstress LEIYAH lets her intentions be known loud and clear as she explores the infatuation with a fellow love interest, in brand-new hypnotic single, ‘Reasons’. Underpinned with an irresistible and sultry feel, ‘Reasons’ is harnessed with a dark yet up-beat production courtesy of Rizmadeit.
Following a year-long hiatus, Leiyah boasts her rich and soulful tone over the beat as she delves into a relationship with a love interest. Connecting with someone who takes those darker days and brings out your inner glow, Leiyah makes her intentions clear as she no longer wishes to spend her nights alone. Speaking on the release Leiyah commented, “Reasons was a song I brought to life that I wrote during the lockdown, it was a plea for my lack of physical connection during the pandemic.”
Growing up in a musical family, Leiyah’s (real name Aaliyah Hibbert) late uncle Earl ‘WYA’ Lindo was an original member of Bob Marley and the Wailers not to mention her farther who’s a DJ – it was inevitable that one day the 22-year-old would follow in their footsteps. Growing up listening to the likes of Aaliayh, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Mary J Blige, Sade, Beyonce, and many more, Leiyah was also introduced to the sounds of both 70’s and 80’s Soul, alongside Hip-Hop and Grime. Going on to attend the famous BRIT School from the age of 14, she secured a BA in Music Industry and an MA in Music Business Management and Artist Development. Exploring her love for singing and song writing from a youthful age, Leiyah went on to share her debut album ‘Souls of September’ back in 2018 which led to her recording an acoustic session on BBC Radio Berkshire alongside a chance to perform at the Apple Store on Regent Street in London.
Swiftly building a name for herself and performing at various festivals including Metrofest (20k people) and Titanfest, Leiyah has since opened for R&B legend Meli’sa Morgan at the world-famous Jazz Café for two sold-out dates. Later teaming up with a Danish Dance producer for an infectious track that captured support from BBC 1Xtra and Kiss FM, Leiyah has since shared a string of successful singles and last year (2022) hosted for Nickelodeon and Netflix in partnership with Paramount for their ‘That Girl Lay Lay’ event for over 5,000 children. Back with a bang, Leiyah is gearing up for a year of unmissable music, kick starting with ‘Reasons’. Have a listen below…
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