In the run up to the release of his EP ‘ The Little Things, London-based singer/songwriter/producer, MARLON PERCY unveiled his latest single, ‘Your Fool’.
Boasting an eccentric and alluring mix of jazzy keys and soulful vocals, ‘Your Fool’ documents the power a woman has over a man, both sexually and psychologically, in today’s society.
Having gained support from BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Introducing, Marlon recently had one of his collaborative projects, ‘Leaving’, released and promoted by The Vibe Guide. He also features on the single ‘Pay Your Way’, by Fat Lion Hi-Fi, recorded at Red Bull Studios, which was supported by SBTV and DJ David Rodigan.
Marlon has played at venues across London, Brighton and Bristol, as well as at festivals including Boomtown and Farr Festival, showcasing his distinctive live set which blends keys and vocals with triggered beats and bass all going through his laptop for manipulation.
‘The Little Things EP’ explores human experience of love, loss, fear and purpose. Of the EP, Marlon says:”‘While all of the songs deal lyrically with potentially heavy issues, the melodies and the chilled electronic production style creates an uplifting atmosphere. To echo the fluctuating nature.”
So here’s your chance to check out the first installment of the EP…
Forward-thinking Welsh electronic artist MARGED cuts through the clamour with ‘Call From U’, her smooth return to the fold after adopting an updated moniker.
‘Call From U’ is a song exploring the very first sexual encounter with a new partner from a female gaze. Greeted by Rhodes- style chords, the track begins to carve out its sultry journey, offering an emotive layer of jazzy inflections to its already charming demeanour. The gently confident and rapturously seductive voice of MARGED then breaks through the dusty understated R&B atmosphere.
Having received praise from the likes of Idolator, Indie Shuffle and Clash with two previous singles as MRGD, the Cardiff born artist is re-emerging from her creative South London scene in 2017. Her new material takes influence from the honesty and emotional vulnerability present in the work of Sade and Princess Nokia, and as an active feminist, she uses her writing to challenge the notion of what it is to be a modern, empowered woman.
Here’s your chance to indulge into the world of MARGED.
Nicki Wells – aka TURYA – made her first entry on NEW LEASE MUSIC with debut single, Rain, which was named Song of the Month by the blog in June. The accompanied video was named Music Video of the Week for two consecutive weeks (check out the chart showon Instagram). With growing interest surrounding the South Londoner, it’s only fair to invite her to the interview hot seat.
NLM: Hey how you doing? Thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC.
T: Thanks for having me.
NLM: First of all, can you tell us the meaning of your stage name Turya?
T: It’s interesting because I was searching for names for ages. I had a list of about 150 names and words and I wanted to have a name that meant something profound to me. I found Turya spontaneously. It is originally a Sanskrit word: ‘Tooriya’. There are several meanings of it, the most commonly known being the Fourth state of consciousness after dreaming, dreamless and waking. But what resonated with me, is that it also means the Silence one experiences after Sound.
I loved the idea of that and wanted the word to manifest my artistic persona in the sense that, after hearing a Turya song, one could be left in a moment of silence…
NLM: Your latest single Rain was the most popular track on NEW LEASE MUSIC in June. What’s the public’s perception of the single beyond the blog?
T: Wow that’s cool, I didn’t know that. Thank you. Well, we’ve had a great response considering it’s the first single I’ve ever released as a solo artist, (as Turya), even though I have done many things as Nicki Wells. So it’s daunting but exciting at the same time. ‘Rain’ has also already been used in a Ridley Scott produced film ‘India in a Day’ which is cool.
NLM: How would you describe your sound?
T: It’s definitely a singer/songwriter approach with folk, soul, cinematic and Indian classical influences.
NLM: Where do you get your inspiration from to create such unique sounds?
T: It’s all a culmination of what I listen to and absorb subconsciously.
NLM: If you were to collaborate with ONE mainstream artist, who would it be and why?
T : Um mainstream, ok… Maybe Ed Sheeran, why not? He writes catchy songs and seems like a down-to-earth kinda guy.
NLM: If you had three wishes to change the music industry today, what would they be?
T : That’s a hard question because it DOES in fact change so quickly. I would probably say I wish it wasn’t so utterly full and saturated. In a way it’s a good thing because there is so much music available for our consumption but now it’s almost become too much because every Tom, Dick or Harry can write, record and upload an album in his bedroom so it can be overwhelming because everyone and their dog wants to do it and be a Taylor Swift or an Ed Sheeran. Lol!
Number 2, to have more support and exposure for upcoming unsigned songwriters and artists and number 3, to have more government funding for young musicians and youth projects to create music.
NLM: So what plans do you have for 2017? Any upcoming gigs or album in the pipeline?
T: I’ve got (drumrolls please) my first gig as Turya on the 25th July at the Union Chapel with Common and Kind, which a fantastic cause about how music creates a sense of unity and integration in these trying times: (Grenfell tower, London Bridge and Manchester incidents). So it’s essentially about artists and musicians coming together to spread good energy and a sense of hope. So I’m happy to be a featured artist in that. And I will eventually do some of my own gigs around London.
NLM: How can potential fans get in touch with you?
NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what would you do?
T: I would try to make it exist by banging two rocks together to form a sound and then do a repetitive rhythm and then gather my fellow villagers and say: “Guys! Check this out! Now you do it with two rocks and let’s try to do it together!”
Acclaimed indie rock collective ISLAND APOLLO released their new infectious track ‘Feeling You’.
Produced by Eric Lilavois (Saint Motel, Atlas Genius), the single features driving drums, layered vocals, upbeat guitar and synth bass riffs. ‘Feeling You’ is an anthem of true loyalty and devotion, Kilpatrick “it’s a song about standing by someone even when they’re at their lowest point: because that’s really when they need you the most”.
Since their inception in 2014, ISLAND APOLLO has established themselves as one of Southern California’s hottest bands who has seen success with being featured on various Spotify curated playlists and VH1, CBS, PBS, USA Network, Fox Sports, and numerous national ads including Sprint and Sobe.
Combining a classic surf vibe with funky urban grooves, ISLAND APOLLO captures the spirit of a West Coast daydream come to life. With members from Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, ISLAND APOLLO is authentically Southern Californian and isn’t afraid to show it. The band has been named Orange County’s “Best Pop Artist” from the OC Music Awards.
British/Jamaican/Nigerian singer-songwriter BIANCA ROSE has been writing and composing for the best part of a decade. In 2007 she self released her debut EP ‘Truth and Tiny Tragedies’, and has continued to collaborate and write songs for other artists ever since. Accompanying herself on guitar and ukulele, Bianca’s live shows have included sets for Sofar Sounds, Tigmus, London Jazz and One Taste Festivals, City Showcase, The Vortex and the CrimeJazz Festival in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, along with additional performances for Playstation, OH TV, & radio play on Radio 1 and 1Xtra. As a lyricist in the Ready Riters song writing collective, Bianca recently co-wrote X-Factor contestant Annastasia Baker’s debut album, resulting in Annastasia’s 2014 MOBO nomination.
Bianca has decided that 2017 is the right time to focus on her own music again, and release some of the songs she’s written over the last few years. Her debut album ‘No Fear Here’ (released in January 2017) is an expansive interpretation of the singer songwriter genre, fusing Bianca’s folk/gospel sensibilities with both Bianca and Femi’s African diasporic perspectives. It was part-funded by the PRS for Music Foundation and produced by critically acclaimed jazz musician and producer Femi Temowo, (George Benson, Andrea Bocelli, Amy Winehouse, The Roots, ESKA & Soweto Kinch).
‘Hidden’ is the third single from Bianca’s debut album ‘No Fear Here’. Directed by Dominic Döring, the visuals are set around the issue of men and mental health and how difficult it is to share these particular struggles with those closest to us. Bianca adds: “Even as a woman, it is never easy to reveal you have battled with any kind of mental oppression. But sharing is often the first step to breaking its power.”
New Lease Music 