Having completely dazzled us with their gritty compelling energy and utterly unique charisma when they headlined New River Studios for us last month, East London post-punk supergroup WIDGET (featuring members of Big Joanie, all cats are beautiful, Junodef and Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani) have just released their debut album, Classy Hits Vol.2. Filled with seething, satirical anthems, as fitting for the dance-floor as for taking to the streets and rising up against the powers that be, it’s a truly unique collection; a perfect glimpse into the wonderfully wonky, fantastically frenzied and deliriously dark world of WIDGET.
We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspires them the most. So, we caught up with Ky from WIDGET to ask about their “Five Favourites” and they’ve picked five songs that they feel most influenced the writing and recording of Classy Hits Vol.2. Have a read about their choices below, scroll to down to watch their latest video for ‘WHAT IF PHONES BUT TOO MUCH‘, make sure you check out the full album, and also listen to Ky and Estella from the band talk more about the album on our next radio show, which airs tomorrow Wednesday 13th May on Soho Radio at 8pm!
Shopping – ‘The Long Way Home’
I’ve known these lot for a really long time. I’ve actually just finished producing a record with Ray on fiddle/vox, Bianca (Island Girl) on mandolin/percussion/vox and Femi Oriogun-Williams on guitar/accordion/vox, which is honestly incredible. Black British folk at its absolute finest. Shopping were the first post-punk band I ever got truly into, something about the super stripped back arrangements, the overlapping vocals and the driving disco beats definitely planted the seed for widget even way back then.
Joey Fourr – ‘My Dolphins‘
Another seminal piece of ‘00s/’10s UK post-punk history that I was fortunate enough to be in the vicinity of for the albeit short existence of the band in this form. I saw them play an in-store in maybe 2014/5 and Joey said she liked my Bambi jumper which made my day. I’m still reppin’ this album to people wherever i can, it’s got such a unique sound and quality to it that really catches people. think both of these two entries were recorded at the legendary Power Lunches.
Sade – ‘No Ordinary Love’
I could never in all my life get enough of this song, or her catalogue in general. Absolutely exquisite voice, the subtle driving funk of the bass lines, plenty of space in the drums and that pre-chorus with the chugging guitars that hang over into the chorus hook. I listened to a lot of ‘80s post-disco pop when mixing the new widget record, trying to blend the clarity and space they had with the sad modern necessity for loud masters to cut through the crowd.
Solange -‘Cranes In The Sky’
This is simply one of the greatest songs of all time, off one of the greatest albums of all time. The drums are PERFECT in their simplicity, the bass is gorgeous and expressive and feels effortless and so conversational. the rising piano line in the chorus, the stunning production, the soaring vocals. Absolutely perfect work, zero notes whatsoever. a seat at the table is up there with ‘Blond(e)’ as two of the very best musical works of this century so far, and I’ll happily scrap anyone who disagrees outside the next widget show and Brooklyn Vegan can film it.
Minutemen – ‘The Glory Of Man’
My mate turned me onto this band a few years ago, and this song is still on regular rotation for me. I love the space that’s given for the vocals, saving the guitar stabs for the instrumental sections. The lead singer died tragically young – there’s a real nice doc on YouTube called ‘We Jam Econo’ that people should really watch. Sweet lil DIY punk boys doing sweet lil DIY punk boy stuff like jumping out of trees etc.
Huge thanks to Ky for sharing their Five Favourites with us! Classy Hits Vol.2., the debut album from WIDGET, is out now. Watch the band’s latest video for ‘WHAT IF PHONES BUT TOO MUCH’ below and, if you’re in London next Saturday 16th May, catch the band live (you won’t regret it!) playing a fundraiser for Lebanon with Nastazia Bazil at The Piehouse Coop in New Cross. Tickets here.
Get In Her Ears 
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