Former Love Island contestant Sam Bird has linked up with UK artist Papa Zeus to release ‘Run To You’, out 14th February.
Reworking Bryan Adams’ iconic 80s hit of the same name, ‘Run To You’ is a high-energy, feelgood jam that will fill dancefloors. It follows on from Sam’s 2019 DJ tour and official remixes for Example and Madism.
To coincide with the release of the track, fitness fanatic Sam is launching the ‘Run To You: Fitness Challenge’, using his influencer network to invite fans to go from the couch to 5KM. In the final week, all entrants will meet at Clapham Common alongside Sam and fellow ex-Love Islander Adam Collard to take part in the run.
Shifting his gaze towards the music world, Sam has since toured and played out across the UK, Mallorca, Ibiza, Bulgaria and the Greek Islands in support of hit-maker Joel Corry. Sam’s own Spotify playlist has also received social support from Grammy-nominated superstars Camelphat. As energetic as ever, the Norwich-born stud has just signed to Tik:Tok as an official influencer and starred in MTV’s Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love show in the US.
Blending mainstream accessibility with timeless songwriting style and soaring soulful vocals, Papa Zeus burst onto the scene with debut single ‘About You’, a feelgood, CeCe Peniston-sampling hit that many dubbed as the sound of the summer. The track received support from BBC Radio 1 mainstay Scott Mills and Mistajam on his ‘Dance Anthems’ show, going on to generate over 12 million global streams.
‘Run To You’ is a feelgood, fitness-focused dancefloor workout destined to become one of the sounds of 2020.
Jamila & The Other Heroes, a psychedelic, funk-rock group released their new album Sit El Kon (The Grandmother of the Universe) via SPRINGSTOFFon the 31st of January 2020.Â
The entire group is based in Berlin but all have varied backgrounds and ethnicities such as Middle Eastern, Latin American and Eastern European. The group is based on the belief that anyone can be a hero hence the use of the word Heroes in the band name.Â
Jamila Al-Yousef, the vocalist of the group studied politics, history with a particular focus on the Middle East. Besides their music, the band is advocates for the empowerment of women of colour in the music industry through their music. Their music combines the English and the Arab language.Â
The group elaborates on the new album, “SIT EL KON is dedicated to the many unheard voices of our strong and funny grandmothers whose sacrifices paved the ground for our freedom today. A freedom that makes us feel lost sometimes. A freedom that shall not be selfish but in which we can expand an attitude of solidarity and unconditional love. We wish to take our listeners on a furious journey through unconscious galaxies which unite us with the experiences and spirits of our ancestors that continue to exist on this planet in the here and now. May our grandmothers be playing Backgammon and drinking Araq together while protecting us from outer space.”
Singer/songwriter mp.oxford had built a universe with personal texts and where melody is everything. He creates a sound that, together with his unmistakable voice, slowly crawls under your skin.Â
Through his music, he wants to express the snapshots of everyday life from trivial feelings to experiences that leave a mark. He wants to paint these images as vivid as possible, so everyone who closes their eyes and listen can relate.  Â
See our exclusive interview with him below:
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
The earliest memory is within my family. My dad introduced me to music at an early age – He even bought me a drumkit, which I never used actually. But the clearest memory is me and him driving in his Fiat just playing his favourite Danish artists. It just stuck with me.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
I just looked at my memos. 533 recordings. I start with the melody or maybe a cool chord I heard in another song. Then I just do a quick topline and usually, the words I do can be used as a concept cause its right off the back of what I’m feeling at that moment. It should be that natural I guess. Then I put a lot of hours with producers getting the sounds and my ideas right.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
When I’m in the studio and creating new stuff – I have this idea in my head. If I can picture myself doing the songs live – then I know I got something good. It starts and ends with connecting with people. So I always look forward to interacting with audiences.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Imma keeps it simple with this. I once played some of my music to this guy who was a friend of one of my friends from Copenhagen. He hadn’t heard any of my songs before. He just looked me and said: “I don’t a lot about music – But I believe in the words you sing” – For me that’s is biggest compliment, cause that is exactly how I wanna feel when I’m listening to an artist. Props to that guy.Â
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
Easy. I would do a total mix. It would be named something like: “Have your heard this?” Just be a public service kind of Discover Music on the radio. Play some different songs from different genres and maybe get people to see that there is so much good music out there, they haven’t listened to yet. Just for an example. Fall 2018 I discovered Tierra Whacks ‘Whack World’-video on Youtube. The whole album in one video, because the songs are only a minute long. But they are all fire! Now she’s on Beyonce’s Lion King-album. It’s amazing. Or when I first heard 1975 from the UK playing the Itunes Festival back in 2013. Now, look how big they are.Â
And that would be the point of my radio show. People sharing music that they just discovered but are not necessarily a big name in the industry.
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
Frank Ocean ‘Blonde’, Kanye West ‘College Dropout’, Jordan Ward ‘Valley Hopefuls’ Lido ‘Everything’ and The 1975 ‘The 1975’
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
The biggest hit in the world – Of course. Well, that would be nice. But just get recognized for the work I do. That people interact and vibe with my music. Like the guy, I mentioned before. If some people get a feeling out of the words and instrumental of the songs – Then I’m all good. That’s the kicker right there. I mean – that’s the way it should be if you ask me.
One last thought to leave your fans with?
It’s gonna be a good year guys. Hope you enjoy this music! Thank you for your time.
