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.
Delivering an introspective insight into both her characteristics and personality, CHERRI V delves into a self-aware mindset in her new single ‘Leave Me Be’.
CHERRI V is at ease on the record as her voice explores her depth and soul as a songstress. Jazz elements fuse with psychedelic rifts giving the record a dreamlike warmth and enchantment. There is a rich tapestry of emotion and musical understanding that radiates from ‘Leave Me Be’, capturing frustration and the need to be free, an ongoing theme which is captured in both the music, and concept choices, behind her forthcoming album, ‘Brown Eyed Soul’.
Produced by Joey Stickz, CHERRI V has also enlisted the talents of Nolay for a spicy remix that is set to make its debut in the coming weeks.
The visuals for ‘Leave Me Be’ captures an intimate yet fierce side to CHERRI V as she sports an array of different looks within the video, ranging from the chic black and white opening to a more Afrocentric style, where she is draped in vibrant jewellery. Directed by Asylum 33, the video oozes a sense of liberation as Cherri is able to channel her creativity with an artistic direction to the video.
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!”
‘ The Artform’ is a collaboration between two unique and very talented hip-hop artists: CONFUCIUS MC and MR BROWN.
The production showcases a classic sense of groove and masterful use of samples, producing a solid mixture of unique beats. Confucius’ intelligent lyrics and superb flow combine perfectly with the beats to make a riveting and dynamic collection of songs. The accompanied video was shot during a brief visit to Morocco, displaying a journey through the vibrant and art filled streets of the city of Essaouira, once the home of the late Jimi Hendrix.
Possessing a unique voice which cuts through the clichéd conversations, CONFUCIUS MC has been active in the London hip-hop scene for several years, garnering praise as one half of live act ‘Con+Kwake’ and supporting the likes of Mos Def, Public Enemy and Slum Village .His debut release ‘The Highest Order’ (YNR Productions) has firmly established him as one of London’s emerging new talents.
We Stay True’s recruit MR BROWN has been quietly producing tracks for nearly two decades. After a handful of releases including 2 volumes of his ‘Beats for Days’ instrumental series and a spattering of collaborations (Planet Asia, Copywrite, Beneficence, MCM) he crossed paths with CONFUCIUS MC through a mutual friend and instantly knew they could make something special. Henceforth… and ‘The Artform was born.
New Lease Music 