The enigmatic Plain Mister Smith continues to mesmerize his audience with his latest single, ‘Grade Five and the Axe’ (feat. Findlay Brown), which was released on February 9th through Popoganda Records. Maintaining a distinctive presence in the indie-folk scene, Plain Mister Smith showcases clever songwriting while embracing the introspective and emotional themes inherent in the genre. Formerly a guitarist for the Canadian darkwave band Moev, this versatile artist now plays cello for the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra. As Plain Mister Smith, his music has garnered significant support from publications such as CLASH Mag, NOTION Mag, Under The Radar Mag, EARMILK, NOCTIS Mag, METAL Mag and Atwood Mag, among others.
‘Grade Five and the Axe’ is an eclectic indie folk track that evokes memories of the clumsy mischief of one’s youth. Acoustic guitar interspersed with expressive cello notes and other atmospheric strings with simple folk-rock drums create a strong sense of a story being told – or reminisced. Plain Mister Smith’s and Findlay Brown’s lilting vocals further enhance the nursery-rhyme nature of the song’s story; a playful ode to preteen shenanigans.
Plain Mister Smith divulged: “Kids get up to crazy things. A blurry memory of getting drunk in the woods in Grade Five while a friend swung an axe around, and maybe at some point believing the axe has splintered me in two…”
London-born Dancehall and Hip-hop artist, freelance A&R, model and actor Yung Saber has just released an infectiously feel-good new single, ‘Gucci Prada’, on January 26th, 2024. Boasting over 10 million streams across all platforms, Yung Saber stormed the UK Dancehall scene with his track ‘Tump & Kick’, which became an international hit and earned radio plays across the globe in 2021. He went on to do two remixes, the first one featuring Stylo G followed by an All-star remix featuring UK Dancehall trailblazers Big Zeeks, Shanti Force, The Rara, Doktor & Irah. Saber has performed at MADEFestival, Brighton Harbour Festival, Glastonbury, Notting Hill Carnival with Amazon, +44, and many other venues throughout the UK. He has appeared on several BBC radio shows such as Rampage, Seani B and BBC 1Xtra. In February 2023, he attended BBC Maida Vale Session with Seani B and performed his hit single ‘Karl Kani’ with a live band for BBC dancehall weekender.
Influenced by the likes of Super Cat and Vybz Kartel, Yung Saber’s sound can be compared to J Hus, Govana, MoStack, Not3s, Krept & Konan and Yxng Bane.
Read our chat with him below.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
I’ve grown up around sound system culture – my mum’s a DJ, she used to run pirate radio stations, my uncle was a sound man (one of the founders of Coxsone Sound), and my older brother Brakeman being a well-known MC in the late 90s and early 2000s (at that time with it being hard to become a household name). This is what I was surrounded by and was my inspo very early on to become an entertainer.
Tell us about your first live performance – what was it like?
My first live performance was at Burgess Park in Peckham in 2005/2006. I was 15 and all I remember was that I was nervous but at the same time having the time of my life finally doing what I love to do.
What is London’s Dancehall scene like? Have you found it easy to build community through it?
When I entered the London dancehall scene it was a mess – no love, no unity, no support, there were certain gatekeepers but me and a few others were able to build a community in which talented individuals are now getting the right exposure that they deserve.
If you could paint a picture of your unique sound, what would it look like?
My sound is a combination of UK rap with dancehall.
Take us through your songwriting process. Is it spontaneous, or do you have rituals?
I can’t tell you my process but everything is spontaneous and off the top of my dome, and I’m a heavy believer in prayer and God guides me through the process.
What do you personally consider to be the highlight of your artistic career beyond your music (as an actor, A&R or model) thus far?
Finding fresh new talent and acting, one of my goals is to do more acting and to run a successful record label for young fresh talent.
Do you have any non-musical hobbies?
I enjoy cooking and gaming with my kids.
As an artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the industry. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
Yes, the way the females are treated the way they are sexualised and almost feel like they need to use their body just to get their foot in the door, obviously this isn’t every female’s experience but it is the vast majority.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Managing to create momentum around the viral hit song ‘Tump and Kick’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career to give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Believe in yourself, have the right people around you, and don’t trust so easily.
The acclaimed group KARMACODA unveiled their latest single, ‘Try At Me,’ on January 26th, 2024, through Sola Musa Music. Situated in San Francisco, USA, KARMACODA consists of Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett (aka B., vocals, and producer), and Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist Eric Matsuno (bass and various unique elements). Over the past two decades, KARMACODA has explored a diverse range of genres, evolving and honing their sound into a soulful, sophisticated blend of R&B and jazz lounge. Their music has garnered recognition from reputable online platforms such as EARMILK, CLASH Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, and NOTION Mag, among others. Additionally, their tracks have received airplay on NPR Music and Irish National radio RTÉ 2XM’s Dan Hegarty. With placements in numerous film and TV scores, the trio has earned several awards, including the Hermes Creative Awards (Platinum) for the ‘Lo-Fi Girl’ and ‘Make Me The One’ videos, the latter also securing an Unglued Music Video (Gold) and three Davey Awards for Video Entertainment, Best Use of Music, and Art Direction (all Silver).
‘Try At Me’ serves as a heartfelt yet powerful anthem of self-liberation and triumph over adversity. KARMACODA’s musical expression adopts a soulful, R&B essence infused with the sophistication of jazz lounge vibes. The listener is treated to a soothing, syncopated downtempo rhythm, minimal yet moving R&B bassline, and understated instrumental compositions adorned with the subtle touch of jazz piano. Vocalist Jessica Ford bares her soul in her passionate and impactful delivery, reminiscent of artists such as Adele, Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, and Lana Del Ray.
Jessica divulged: “I wrote this song about a young girl I teach singing to. She had been through so much loss, anger, sadness and so many trials; more than any little girl should ever have to endure. I watched her fall into a depression, so much so, she didn’t want to sing anymore. Slowly but surely, through love, time and a lot of work, she started coming back, becoming more confident. I watched her fight for it.The song ‘Try At Me’... the words are “it’s time to try at me”, in other words, it’s time to give myself some girl power. It’s time to find myself, it’s time for me to rise, take a chance on myself, get out of this dark place, be heard, grow, and take a leap of faith, even when I feel beat up, I know I can stand up, try at me. She did, and she is. She is singing again. I couldn’t love this more. To my girl, this one’s for you.”
LA-based rock supergroup Les Biches released a music video for their touching track, ‘The White Shape Of Noise’. The song is taken from their album The Mysteries, which was released on the 10th of November, 2023. Named after a Jaques Brel song and a 1968 French film, Les Biches began initially as an open-ended collaborative project whose sole constant member was songwriter KeithJoyner. The current lineup of Joyner, Chris Candelaria (bass), Dusty Starr (guitars), and Kevin Pinnt (drums) share a roster of bands including Twinstar, Revolux, Chihuahua, The The, Caterwaul and Seven Simons.
‘The White Shape of Noise’ is a moving rendezvous of epic sixties psychedelia, reanimating the sounds of legends like Pink Floyd and Procol Harum in its lengthy, full arrangement soaked in echoes and reverb.
The accompanying music video showcases the band performing the song, with frames full of overlays and kaleidoscopic colours, beautifully complementing the song’s dreamlike and somewhat melancholic hypnosis.
