RELEASE RADAR: NABI AIR - 'FLAVORLESS'

Nabi Air are a producer and singer duo consisting of Yoonha and Deric. Their latest release, “FLAVORLESS” is a smooth and dreamy track, featuring a wave of indie electro-pop sounds. It combes smooth electronic production and sultry vocals which draws listeners in an electrifying yet sentimental atmosphere.

Their music takes influences from their diverse tastes across the musical spectrum including electronica, downtempo, contemporary R&B, and hip hop. In the pursuit of their musical vision, Nabi Air hopes to act as a point of contact that bridges diverse genres, cultures, perspectives, and experiences.

RELEASE RADAR: OSCAR JEROME - ‘GRAVITATE’

Fresh off the back of a run of UK dates supporting Kamasi Washington and an Annie Mac Presents show with IAMDDB at Jazz Cafe, Oscar Jerome is today sharing his latest single ‘Gravitate’ – the South London artist’s first release since signing to Caroline International – as well as news of a lengthy European tour later this year that will culminate in his biggest headliner to date at London’s Heaven. Taking inspiration from the sounds of British broken beat and featuring Joe Armon-Jones on piano and several of his fellow band-members in afrobeat ensemble Kokoroko, ‘Gravitate’ arrives alongside a video of Oscar and his current band of collaborators performing the track live in the studio. You can check out the video, directed by CHILD, here.

The new single and accompanying video see Oscar Jerome at his best, his Trinity Laban Conservatoire training shining through in a way that's usually reserved for his exuberant, all-out live show. In the track Oscar delivers his jangly, shimmering guitar against a sun-soaked backdrop of jazzy keys, lush vocal harmonies and a gloriously polyrhythmic percussion section that drives the track from start to finish. Oscar says of the track: “This pays homage to a lot of the pioneers of the British broken beats genre as well as a lot of my soul, jazz and rock influences. The subject matter is both cosmic and personal. I reference a lot of imagery of the early life of a star in space as well as ideas of individuality and self-acceptance.”

Shouting out his collaborators and discussing the origin of ‘Gravitate’, Oscar says: “This is a tune I started writing with beat maker Ben Hauke which slowly worked its way into a much more live sounding piece after we experimented with it a lot on stage with the band and producer Beni Giles got involved. Special mention to Ayo Salawu [Kokoroko] for playing that drum beat so good! It also features Joe Armon-Jones [Ezra Collective] on piano, Crispin Spry on percussion, as well as George Riley, Sheila Maurice-Grey [Kokoroko] and Richie Seivwright [Kokoroko] on vocals.”

It’s been quite the few years for Oscar Jerome; through a steady release of singles and EPs he’s gone on to clock up considerable airtime and playlisting from the likes of 6 Music, Radio 1 and 1Xtra and become something of a mainstay of the London jazz scene, collaborating with peers in Ezra Collective, Sons of Kemet and Binker & Moses and consistently playing to sold-out crowds across the capital, including at such venues as Corsica Studios, Ghost Notes, Village Underground and most-recently EartH. On top of that he’s been busy taking to stages across the rest of the UK, Europe and the US too. With the Kamasi Washington tour behind him and a 15-date EU tour in his sights – as well as with the recent signing to Caroline International, who all but signed him on the spot after catching him play at this year’s SXSW – it’s clear that Oscar is only just getting started.

Release Radar: The One-Man Disco Band - ‘Flirty Sally’

The new tune from The One-Man Disco Band (by composer and percussionist, Eamonn Watt) lands in the form of ‘Flirty Sally’.

This track combines elements of reggae and funk in the first few bars, incorporating aspects of all kinds of soul - neo-soul, retro-soul as well as nu-disco.

Have a listen and allow the instrumental track to take you on a journey.

RELEASE RADAR: BO RILEY - 'SHE'LL NEVER BE ME'

Combining Soul, R&B, and Reggae elements, Bo Riley drops her latest single "She'll Never Be Me" today, and it is a true labour of love.

Produced by Jesse Barrera (My American Heart, Tori Kelly, Melissa Polinar), the song hits a special place with a combination of live drums, sweet background vocals and fun island elements sprinkled throughout.

As it’s only her second single, this is truly the beginning for Bo Riley and we’re only intrigued to see what she delivers next.

ONE TO WATCH - BENE with 'EVIL SPIDER'

After capturing hearts last September with her hit ‘Soaked’, 19-year-old New Zealander, Bene returns to us in the form of ‘Evil Spider’, a brand new release which sees the singer embody herself as a spider trying to weave a web around somebody she’s into.

The track is just an inch of the signature sound Bene has crafted over the years, with playful bass lines, chilled soulful vocals and a bubbly guitar melody.

When asked about the song, Bene explained: ‘Evil Spider’, is about wanting someone that’s already taken. When writing the song, I didn’t wanna make the lyrics too obviously evil, so I thought I’d turn myself into the spider, making it a lil lighter and making the song revolve around me weaving webs to lure the person, catch ‘em like a spider then reel them in. I remember humming ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ in the studio, which inspired the playful vibe of the song.”

Bene released ‘Evil Spider’ with the announcement of debut EP, which is set to be released on 28th June 2019.

PREMIERE: Danny G & the Major 7ths - Believing feat. Grainne McCarthy

We're delighted to give you an exclusive first listen to 'Believing', the 2nd single off the forthcoming album 'The Lookout' by Danny G & the Major 7ths, featuring Grainne McCarthy.

Funky riffs, positive lyrics and a distorted flute solo! This song is about the renewed optimism that comes with entering a new relationship and an almost newfound spiritual belief in love, life and humanity. 'The Lookout' is a collection of songs featuring the cream of Irish soul musicians and several wonderful guest vocalists.

Danny G & the Major 7ths will launch their new single, ‘Believing’ at The Underground, Dublin on Friday, 17th May - with support from up and coming jazz/hip-hop quintet, Shy Mascot.

If you're a fan of this keep your eyes peeled for more off the album, ‘The Lookout’ set to be released over the coming year.

Produced and mixed by Ken McCabe, Wolfhound Sound
Recorded by Jack Groenland, Timpada Studio & Ken McCabe, Wolfhound Sound.
Vocals & Flute - Danny Groenland
Vocals - Grainne McCarthy
Keys - Johnny Taylor
Drums - Dennis Cassidy
Bass - Graham Heaney
Guitar - Paddy Groenland
Percussion - Paul Kenny

Hipdrop Records 2019

ELKAE: 'SOLD' (PREMIERE)

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This Thursday, we are delighted to be able to bring you an exclusive first peak into the first release of Electro-soul artist, ELKAE with her debut single, ‘SOLD’.

ELKAE’s sound is a combination of upbeat electronic rhythms, soulful vocals and undeniable hooks. Even before its release, ‘Sold’ has claimed notable attention from the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) shortlisting the track in the top 10 for the Christie Hennessy Songwriting Competition, as well as SPIN 103.8 tipping ELKAE as their ‘One To Watch’.

In the opening air of the single, Laura Keane aka ELKAE describes the instant attraction between herself and a new flame after their first date together. The girl she is dating hasn’t come out to anyone yet and through an element of secrecy, she feels this instant connection - ‘There’s so much space between us, come closer now there’s no one here to see us’.

As the song unfolds and hits the chorus, now bubbling with musicality, ‘butter me up’ is a metaphor for this girl sweetening and complimenting ELKAE on the most personal part of herself, her music. And with ease, she is sold.

ELKAE celebrates the release of ‘Sold’ with a single launch in The Sound House on Friday, 16th November before joining us later in the month for a set with Oíche at our Ambient, Soul and Electro themed event on Thursday 29th November.

SOLD is a testament to how far Laura Keane has come as a musician, and for ELKAE to have established what is her own unique sound for this debut single. We believe it’s only a tantalising glimpse at what is to come for a promising artist and her career in music.

Written by Emily Shaw

PICK OF THE WEEK: ELLI INGRAM: ' SWEET & SOUR'

ELLI INGRAM, from gigging in small-town colourful Brighton to rocking a crowd of over 10,000 at Glastonbury, Elli Ingram is making them tidal waves in the music industry, and her time is very much now.

Ingram approaches music with a fearless and fiery attitude, which bursts through in her recorded music and live performance. This week’s Pick of the Week is ‘Sweet and Sour’, a flavoursome tune by the fast emerging young musician AND set to support Tom Grennan in our very own The Academy, Dublin this Saturday, 27th October. 

Backed by uplifting beats and joyful melodies, ‘Sweet and Sour’ takes us on an explorative journey through a winding relationship – the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, the Sweet and Sour. Elli provokes thought and reflection in her words in a unique way that remains fun and playful throughout and we find ourselves both uplifted by it’s endearing qualities and taken back by the raw honesty. In just one track, she manages to showcase many different angles of her insane talent. We witness an eclectic vocal range and a unique diversity in playing around with it, mixing alternate tones and tempos throughout. Elli delivers maturity and sophistication, while maintaining playful creativity in her craft. 

Owning a style which we describe as a modern blend of RnB, soul and jazz, Ingram creates a track that elevates the listener to a higher musical experience, stirring the kind of response every artist aims to achieve in their audience. We listen, we sing, we dance, and we feel.

Written by Aoife Chaney