Five Favourites: ĠENN’s Sofia Rosa Cooper

Having completely blown us away playing for us at both The Finsbury and The Five Bells over the last year, we cannot wait for ĠENN (fka Cryptic Street) to headline The Finsbury for our gig there this Friday!

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking them what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with ĠENN‘s drummer Sofia Rosa Cooper to talk about her ‘Five Favourites’ – five songs that have influenced her playing and songwriting techniques, or simply take her back to a specific feeling or time. Check out her choices below, and make sure you listen to the band’s ‘Let’s Go Suki’, ahead of the gig this Friday, at the end of this post!

Kashmere Stage Band – ‘Kashmere’
Sounds varying from jazz to rare groove/funk have always been an inspiration source to me, no matter what style I play and this is just one example. The drums are tasty af and worth grooving to if you can keep up (I can’t!).

Angel Olsen – ‘Woman’
This song!!! I can’t be the only person to have stumbled across Angel Olsen and wondered why it took so long. It’s just so nice to see a rise of powerful and raw artists that are striving unapologetically. Writing music almost always serves as an outlet for me and I’ve found that part of putting pen to paper is being open and honest with myself. I can’t imagine the process being any easier without influence!

Funkadelic – ‘Maggot Brain’
I don’t need to say much! but Funkadelic have definitely played a part in my growth as a musician and I just love ‘Maggot Brain’. Unrelated to this song, one of my favourite drummers of all time Dennis Chambers played for Parliament/Funkadelic and this was the connection that brought me to them. If you’re unfamiliar with Dennis but a Santana fan like me, Dennis was also an asset to Santana’s never-ending supergroup and toured extensively with him. Watch some Dennis Chambers content today!

Yellowjackets – ‘Summer Song’
Yellowjackets are a band I revisited after listening to a bunch of my dad’s records and I instantly felt nostalgic. I love this song so much and it’s definitely my favourite of theirs. Also, I always associate these kinds of songs with nature and being outdoors, and they’re usually the type to get my creativity flowing!

Hollie Cook – ’99’
A sweet and tropical song to finish, and an easy choice really! I first saw Hollie Cook when she was supporting The Skints a while back and I’ve been following her ever since. It’s really cool to see artists really innovate with genres like reggae and dub whilst staying true to their foundations, and she’s done exactly that.

Big thanks to Sofia for sharing her Five Favourites! Make sure you catch ĠENN live headlining The Finsbury, this Friday 11th October, and listen to their immense track ‘Let’s Go Suki’ below!

 

Photo Credit: Maria Galea

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Projector – ‘Superstar’

“Don’t wanna be a woman with a smile like flat champagne” sings Projector vocalist & bassist Lucy Sheehan on the band’s latest single ‘Superstar’ – and we couldn’t agree more. Filled with crashing drums, powerful vocals and strung out guitar riffs, ‘Superstar’ is an immersive, raw exploration of the uncertainties that come with trying to make it big.

Based in Brighton, Lucy, Demelza (drums) and Ed (vocals and guitar) formed Projector in 2017, and began creating music together, creating sounds that were influenced by the 90s grunge era. Their blend of cathartic lyrics and abrasive, catchy sounds caught the attention of PRS and Festival Republic’s ‘Rebalance’ initiative this year, and since then the trio have been busy recording and gigging across the country.

Listen to the track below and follow Projector on Facebook for more updates.

Projector UK Tour Dates 2018
Oct 15th – Electrowerkz, London (w/ Thyla)
Nov 7th – Green Door Store, Brighton
Nov 8th – Paper Dress Vintage, London
Nov 14th – Heartbreakers, Southampton

Photo credit: Jessie Morgan

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

LISTEN: Maija Sofia – ‘The Glitter’

Following the success of last single ‘Flowers’, Irish artist Maija Sofia has now announced the release of her debut album, Bath Time – a collection of songs that were written in the run up to the Repeal The 8th Movement, and all addressing the issue of the silencing and misrepresentation of women.

In keeping with this theme, new single ‘The Glitter’ tells the story of Jean Rhys, a Carribean novelist who came to England aged sixteen and struggled with feelings of displacement. Flowing with beautiful, folk strewn melodies and Sofia’s rich luscious vocals, it sparkles with a raw emotion, creating a poignant, stirring slice of alt-folk. 

Listen to ‘The Glitter’ here:

 

Bath Time, the upcoming new album from Maija Sofia, is out 22nd November via Trapped Animal Records and Cargo Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

LISTEN: GRAE – ‘Woman’s World’

Turning frustration in to fighting spirit: Toronto’s GRAE has shared her new single ‘Woman’s World’. The track is accompanied by a self-directed set of visuals that GRAE worked on with collaborator and friend, Lizzie O’Donnell.

Though GRAE’s vocals are soft, her defiant lyrics reflect the despair she feels at the demoralizing street harassment women receive whilst trying to go about their ordinary lives. Her mix of catchy electronics and marching beats provide a strong soundscape to protest to.

Speaking about the track, GRAE explains:
“’Woman’s World’ was written from a place of disappointment and anger after a night out with my best friend. After having experienced my first real encounter with street harassment. It’s infuriating that women continue to get harassed, yelled at, even grabbed and touched by men in public places. What’s even more upsetting is how often it happens and how it’s almost deemed as this regular thing that we need to just “deal with” as women. It’s a topic that upsets me and one that needs to be talked about more. I have many friends who have experienced sexual harassment, and I myself have too. After having heard stories from many who are close to me, and then having experienced it myself, it was clear that I needed to say something.

Fueled by her desire to empower women and right the wrongs she’s experienced, ‘Woman’s World’ is a promising start from this exciting new musician. Watch the video for the single below, and follow GRAE on Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Lizzie O’Donnell

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment