London-based DJ and producer Alex Virgo is the latest artist to debut on TRICK, dropping ‘Cheap Thrills’, a club-ready, four-track EP, out 3rd April.
The title track kicks things off, a slick, synth-driven dancefloor-filler that sets the tone for the rest of the EP. ‘Flex’ then follows a similar route – high-energy, pumping house music that builds to a climax, before ‘Tallywhacker’ shifts things into more metallic, techno-oriented waters while losing none of the intensity. EP closer ‘Chorus Tool’ asserts itself with the kind of four-to-the-floor throb that the TRICK imprint is quickly becoming synonymous with.
UK Garage legend Todd Edwards and UK house producer Ten Ven have remixed ‘Won’t Let Go’, the debut single from French duo Picard Brothers.
The two-track release kicks off with a sensual, floor-filling remix from Edwards, punctuated by a driving bassline and maintaining the smooth vocals that made the original so special. Ten Ven’s ‘Nobody Remix’ then asserts itself with a soaring acid bassline that morphs into a disco-house groover.
Credited as one of the godfathers of UKG, Edwards can cite winning a Grammy and collaborating with Daft Punk amongst his long list of achievements. He has built a reputation around his hypnotic collage of cut-up samples over swung beats and lively disco-flavoured basslines.
House legend, Daft Punk collaborator, and Grammy winner Todd Edwards tipped for big things by the likes of Annie Mac and DJ Target, Ten Ven is an artist responsible for recent groove-heavy party vibes on labels including Greco-Roman, Noir, Partyfine, MTA, Weapons, Shadow Child’s Food imprint and Anjunadeep.
Alt-pop group Lycio have officially released their sultry single, ‘Nightfall’ via Lycio Records. Their previous achievements include, but are not limited to headlining at Sofar Sounds London, live acoustic sessions aired on BBC Introducing, and performing at Alternative Escape 2019. They have also supported acts Rae Morris and Self Esteem.
The group consists of Genie Mendez(vocals and writer), Charlie Kellie (keyboard) and Alex Lowe(drummer). Singer Genie usually writes lyrics about her current mental state, expressing her thoughts on life. Lycio’s main objective is to empower other females in the music industry, especially in terms of safety, where the band ensures that their fans feel safe and secure when coming to their live show venues . The group members cite various musical influences including Alt-J, Jack Garratt, Janelle Monae, London Grammar, Jungle, Bonobo, Grimes, Charli XCX, Haim, Tim Hecker, Fickle Friends, Imogen Heap, The XX, and Chvrches.
Lycio shares how ‘Nightfall’ came to be, “To be blunt, this is a sexy song. This song makes me feel sexy. Lyrically I don’t want to give too much away as I’d like the listener to draw their own conclusion, but the chorus line “keep your body close to heaven” in itself is fairly provocative. When I wrote the lyrics, I wrote them in a headspace of raw sexuality, I wanted there to be an air of hunger throughout. Down to the way it’s sung, the drawl of my vocal. I want this track to make people feel things and feel a certain way. Funnily enough I had two tracks in mind when writing the lyrics, Wicked Game (Chris Isaak) and Mondo Bongo (Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros), which are both equally saucy songs. So there you have it, Nightfall.”
Singer MACKandgold has proven the dedication she has to her career as she navigates every curveball life throws her way, turning those ups and downs into stories and songs we can all relate to.
MACKandgold has always been careful with her music. She finds ways to explore her sound with different producers at her side all while keeping the vibes consistent. As her work continues to trickle out into the world, she walks us along an honest path of self-discovery and experimentation.
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
My mom singing me lullabies. My wind upbears that would play slower and slower and slower till I fell asleep. The Wizard of Oz.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
The steps that seem to work over and over is finding the emotion first. Then the subject follows. What’s the story. From there its just beautiful chaos and hopefully freedom to explore. I don’t do so well in sessions with time limits.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
The studio work is fun and special in its own way, like creating a recipe. But performing and interacting with an audience is the whole cake.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Someone told me that watching me made them feel freer to be themselves, and love themselves…like I inspired that in them. That’s the coolest. I want to do that. And often Iv’e heard “you’re my spirit animal”, an animal I’m proud to be.
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
Everything that’s ever made an impact on me. The songs and artists that I feel like are part of my soul and can cover all my moods.
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
Chet Baker – Chet Baker sings, David Bowie – The rise and fall of ziggy stardust and the spiders from mars, daft punk – Discovery, Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the moon (+ have a cigar cuz it’s my favourite), LCD Soundsystem – this is happening (+someone great)
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
Connecting people. Success looks like being able to do this as much as possible. I know it can change the world. That woman who I can inspire to self-love, she’s gonna spread that around. It’s really infectious.
