Music Life

Tkay Maidza, Lolo Zouaï and Chiiild discuss why making music feels like having a superhero persona, the importance of sticking to the truth in lyrics, enjoying the search for inspiration, and why song writing is mostly just about talking to your collaborators.Tkay Maidza is a Zimbabwean-Australian multi-talented singer-songwriter and rapper. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe before moving to Australia when she was five years old, she originally trained for a tennis career, then studied architecture, before becoming a full-time musician. She also supported Billie Eilish on tour earlier this year. Yonatan “xSDTRK” Ayal is a singer and producer who leads the Canadian experimental Soul group Chiiild. He blends psychedelia, retro soul, and modern R&B. He’s also produced the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Iggy Azelia, Rob Thomas, and former Music Life guest Jacob Banks. French-born, American-based R&B and Pop musician Lolo Zouaï grew up on a musical diet of hip-hop, classic French chanson, and Algerian rai music. She's recently supported Dua Lipa on tour.

Nandele, Batida, Turkana, and TYGAPAW discuss how the sounds of Africa, and the African diaspora, influence their music, as well as the links between music and movement, how they make music to connect to home and the country they were born in, and why being ‘okay’ with your music is not good enough. Nandele is a DJ and producer from Mozambique, whose journey has taken him from the city of Maputo to the worldwide stage with his Afro-futurist sound, fusing instrumental hip-hop, dubstep, trap, and psychedelia.Batida is a musician and producer who was born in Angola, and is now based in Portugal. He’s become a major player in Lisbon’s underground electronic scene with his Kuduro-influenced sound. Turkana is a South Sudanese DJ and producer who was raised in a refugee settlement in Kenya, and is now based in Uganda. Her hard dance style has taken the Ugandan electronic scene by storm, and has led to performances for the hugely popular Boiler Room. TYGAPAW is a Jamaican DJ, producer, and multidisciplinary artist who brings techno and Jamaican dancehall music together in the nightclubs of Brooklyn, New York.

Ahead of the End of the Road festival in Dorset, England, Lynks, Xenia Rubinos, Bingo Fury and NewDad's Julie Dawson discuss the power of specificity when writing lyrics, how they find inspiration by writing from the perspective of fictional characters, and how the moment that you feel most creatively stuck is the moment just before you figure it out.Julie Dawson is the lead singer of the Irish alternative indie rock band NewDad. They formed as teenagers in Galway, inspired by bands such as The Cure and Pixies, and crafted a sound that brings together elements of shoegaze and dream pop. They’ve only released two EPs so far but are already creating a buzz with indie music fans. Lynks is regarded as a cult sensation in London’s underground music scene. Known for their hard-hitting lyrics and incredible outfits, their exciting and unpredictable brand of industrial pop is selling out live shows across the UK, bring together music, drag and theatre.Xenia Rubinos is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn, New York, whose music combines aspects of R&B, electronic pop and Caribbean rhythms. With her powerful vocals and raw energy, she has been critically acclaimed for a sound that crosses genres and breaks boundaries.Singer and musician Bingo Fury conjures up dark experimental post-punk-inflected jazz. His way with words has been compared to American beat poets from the 1950s, and he’s an exciting name in the diverse music scene of Bristol, UK.

ANOHNI, Hannah Peel, Hayden Thorpe and Purity Ring's Megan James discuss questions including what their music might sound like in an alternate universe.Hayden Thorpe is the frontman from the now disbanded Wild Beasts, and has moved to the north of England where his solo albums are inspired by the nature that surrounds him. UK-born singer, songwriter, and visual artist ANOHNI has had an eclectic career as a solo artist and as a member of the Mercury Prize-winning Antony and the Johnsons. She’s also been nominated for an Academy Award, and creates thought-provoking music that ask questions of those in power, gender imbalances, and climate change. Megan James is a member the duo Purity Ring. Formed in Edmonton, Canada, they are known for their crystal clear synth sounds, hypnotic melodies, and corporeal, metaphorical lyrics. Hannah Peel is a composer, producer, and radio broadcaster born in Northern Ireland and raised in the North of England. Her music explores electronic, classical, and traditional sounds, and is often inspired by science and nature.

Otura Mun, Matthew Halsall, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Maria Chiara Argiró discuss how capitalism affects their music making, how the weight of history can alter their own creations, and the role of competitiveness has in the creative process.Otura Mun is a producer, percussionist, and band leader for the Afro-Caribbean ensemble ÌFÉ. He mastered the art of DJing, then got into west African drumming, before making a trip to Puerto Rico and staying there for 19 years. Matthew Halsall, is a composer, trumpeter, producer and DJ who’s at the forefront of the UK jazz music scene. He’s also the founder of Manchester's well-renowned Gondwana Records. American jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant is known for her unique voice and passion for storytelling. At 21 years old she won first prize at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, and since then has received various accolades for her dynamic musical style. Maria Chiara Argiró is an Italian jazz musician based in London with an incredibly diverse musical background. After training as a jazz pianist she played in the post-punk band These New Puritans, and has now released an exciting electronic concept album, Forest City.

Baby Queen, Powfu, Mae Muller, and Dylan Fraser discuss why there’s always a little bit of “theft” in trying to sound like your heroes, why writing a song is multiple moments over extended periods of time, the snowball effect of starting in one place and ending in another, and how putting your phone down will inspire you.Music Life this week – once again – covers the musical spectrum in one show. Baby Queen is a South African pop singer who got her record deal during the first lockdowns of 2020. Her music covers themes of insecurities and self-esteem, and this this year she made the longlist for BBC’s Sound of 2022 in the UK. Lo-fi Canadian singer, rapper and record producer Powfu’s lyrics talk about the perils of adolescence. His track Death Bed (Coffee For Your Head) dominated TikTok in 2020, and achieved over a billion streams on the big music platforms. English singer-songwriter Mae Muller's soulful blending of pop and R&B is turning heads, and her lyrics are known for being frank and funny. Scottish musician Dylan Fraser's 2020 debut EP received 5 million global streams, and earned him fans including Sam Smith and Sir Elton John. He makes brooding alt-pop inspired by everyone from Nine Inch Nails to Joni Mitchell.

Rostam, Lykke Li, Hatis Noit, and Barrie discuss what their favourite sounds are, their favourite stages of the songwriting process, and why they dislike working with producers, preferring to go it alone.Born in Washington DC to Iranian parents, Rostam was a founding member of Grammy-winning indie-pop band Vampire Weekend, and is now an in-demand producer and musician. He has worked with the likes of Haim, Solange and Frank Ocean, as well as releasing music under his own name.Lykke Li is a Swedish singer and songwriter who has perfected the art of the sad song that you can’t help but dance to. Since 2007, she has released five studio albums blending elements of indie, pop and electronic music. Hatis Noit is a Japanese vocalist with an impressive range. Originally from Hokkaido but now based in London, her influences range from classical Japanese music to Bulgarian and Gregorian chanting, avant-garde sounds and pop music. Barrie is a singer-songwriter and producer based in Brooklyn, New York, who makes lush, wistful art-pop.

FINNEAS, Maggie Rogers, Sigrid and Röyksopp's Svein Berge discuss sticking to one musical identity, how making songs is like preparing a meal, and how to navigate other people’s expectations of their music.Sigrid began playing the piano aged seven. She’s released two studio albums, including 2022’s How To Let Go, and is currently one of the most essential names in pop. Viral folk-pop sensation Maggie Rogers is a multi-instrumentalist from Maryland, USA, whose music combines Folk, RnB, and electronic sounds. FINNEAS is probably best known for his work with his sister Billie Eilish. In a short career he’s already won 8 Grammys, co-written an Oscar winning James Bond theme and released his debut solo album in 2021. Svein Berge is one half of iconic Norwegian Electro-pop duo Röyksopp. They’ve released six studio albums of boundary-pushing music over a 24-year career.

Gwenno, Lleuwen, Adwaith's Hollie Singer and Lloyd Steele discuss how they’ve been welcomed by the Welsh language community in the UK, why Welsh music needs an image change, and how they use language to express themselves through music.Gwenno is a Welsh singer, songwriter and electronic musician who started her career in the retro indie-pop group the Pipettes. She has three albums to date, and sings in both the Welsh and Cornish languages. Hollie Singer is the vocalist from Welsh indie lo-fi group Adwaith, whose debut album Melyn won the Welsh Music Prize in 2019. Guitarist Lloyd Steele, formerly of noisy five-piece Y Reu, is gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting Welsh musicians as he embarks on a solo career. Lleuwen is a jazz-folk singer and classically trained vocalist who takes inspiration from Welsh hymns and Celtic musical traditions, writing and performing in the Celtic languages of Welsh and Breton.

Poliça's Channy Leaneagh, Erika Dohi, Real Estate's Martin Courtney, Twin Shadow and Bessie Turner discuss the creative process during the pandemic, learning to not put too much pressure on themselves, and what dream concept album they would make if they had infinite time and resourcesChanny Leaneagh has played violin in folk-rock bands, played as part of 25-piece Minnesotan indie-rock group Gayngs, and collaborated with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. In 2011 she founded the band Poliça, who fuse elements of RnB, experimental indie, dance music, and electronic sounds.Erika Dohi is a New York-based pianist originally from Osaka, Japan, with an eclectic musical background. She has worked on everything from traditional classical music to improvisation, and her debut album I, Castorpollux is as technical as it is emotional. Bessie Turner is a singer songwriter known for her stunning soulful voice, whose beautiful brand of alt-pop has received praise from DJs across Europe. Martin Courtney is from the indie-rock band Real Estate. The American singer and guitarist is known for his dreamy soundscapes and jangly guitar sounds that have dominated the genre during the last decade. Twin Shadow is a Dominican-American singer, songwriter and record producer whose energetic synth-pop sound takes inspiration from Dominican bachata and has achieved huge critical acclaim.