The post Pretend You Know: Soham De (In Conversation) appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Infused with an abundance of vulnerability and honest expression, Soham presents his latest EP ‘Blue’, released May 2020.
Immediately, in the EP’s opening offering of the soul-stirring track Unstill, Soham’s wandering vocals and their marriage with a tender guitar accompaniment convey raw, candid emotion of an extraordinary depth and maturity. Both Hill House and The Other Side of Pain, the remaining tracks to tie together this musical trio, appear to further confirm Soham’s song-writing mastery.
Throughout the EP, the honesty found in the lyrics is made all the more prevalent through the slight gravelly undertones of Soham’s sensitive singing voice. This merely heightens the level of intimacy very clearly felt between artist and song – and thus between song and listener – to a space far beyond what many artists inhabiting the same corner of contemporary music achieve. Soham’s musical identity, established with his first single in 2018 and still today, is inextricably bound to this tenderness.
In light of the recent release, I spoke to Soham about his music: where it comes from, where it is heading, and what it means to him. As expected, Soham’s considerations of his songs and their situation in today’s world are every inch as thoughtful and honest as the music itself.
What would you describe to be the main source of inspiration for your music?
This year, I’ve been exploring my writing more and more and I’ve found that where I mainly draw inspiration from is ever changing. I’m continuing to realise and understand that a key part of writing is being comfortable and open enough to be inspired by many different things in your life and to take each moment as it comes. I try to stay away from writing songs about people (mostly) but more try to explore ideas and feelings, lyrics or melodies that resonate with me and can take my mind in different places depending on how I am. If something, whether it’s a book, a memory, a feeling or an emotion, stays with me and resonates with me, I find that it injects itself into my writing in some meaningful way.
When did music-making become something serious to you, and something that could lead towards a future career as a professional musician?
I started writing songs when I was about 9/10 years old. I loved coming up with ideas and just turning those ideas into lyrics and melodies. As I got older, I started playing to friends, then open mics and then a few official gigs. I realised from one of my first performances that there was something special about performing to an audience – whether that’s 1 person or 1000 – and connecting with them through something you’ve written, something that’s a part of you that you’re sharing and that people you’ve never met before, from different cultures and backgrounds, can share this feeling with you. There’s something incredibly cathartic and unifying whilst also being incredibly personal and individual.
What does your creative process look like when writing?
Now more so than ever, it’s about time – time to understand, refine and accurately portray what I’m trying to get across. I used to write songs upon songs but now do that less. Whether it’s the lyrics or melody first, whether the song comes in 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 weeks or 5 months, I want to give each song the time it deserves to fully understand and portray what I want it to.
My aim is to hopefully, connect with people through the emotion and vulnerability and that all happens when someone believes your performance. If I can’t believe what I write, then I can’t expect anyone else to.
Finally, if you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
I think if I could change anything about the music industry, it would be the way in which social media is used when looking at emerging artists. Also (and this is a big ask) but the exploitative and fickle nature of people in the industry and the way in which music is viewed as a commodity.
As with many things, the music industry isn’t a meritocracy. Being ‘good’ – an incredibly subjective term in music anyways – can take the side-lines for something else. Ideas towards music, the way music is marketed, how music is consumed – I think for emerging artists, a lot of groundwork is expected to be done before anyone in the industry pays attention and it’s very easy for emerging artists to be exploited by people within the industry. How people in the industry perceive you can be very fickle and numbers-based as opposed to who you are and what you’re trying to communicate with your music. I guess I feel that that the idea of what can do well within the industry is very unpredictable and doesn’t necessarily rely on the quality of the music and more so on external factors like social media and image.
Frankly, right now would be a great time to hop on board Soham’s journey, because it will surely not be long before his music will garner more recognition, more listeners, and larger audiences. I genuinely look forward to what is in store for Soham in the future, and urge anyone to listen and experience the emotional gravity that his music has to offer.
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]]>The post Pretend You Know: Rosehip Teahouse appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Why Should You Listen? Whether it’s a sunny afternoon in the park with friends or huddled in your undersized room in midwinter, Rosehip have a comforting sound that can either help lift your mood up to match good weather or help you fold into your own melancholy corner of the world. The sort of band you would fall in love with mid-afternoon at an outdoor festival.
Where to start? Handily, there’s a divine new single out on Sad Club now that is great for a summer afternoon that will take you floating through memories of how you could have used your time better before lockdown.
Talking about the single Faye says that “I found myself dwelling on a lot of this stuff over the lockdown as all the empty time allows a lot of room for overthinking and it felt like the right time to record it. Now it’s out of my system I feel a lot better and can kind of laugh about it a bit.”
A deeper cut… Not on Spotify, go back and check out some of the earliest Rosehip recordings. Raw but with the beatiful songwriting her later songs continue to develop. PAYF so be nice yeah?
What should you listen to next? Continue floating with a bit a Alvvays, drift over to London for some Tugboat Captain and then continue your spaced out acoustic session with some Lily Hayes. Guarenteed to leave you feeling like you’re the protaganist in a mid-00s artistic rom-com.
*Side note, if you google Faye Rodgers (guitar and vocals in Rosehip) the first result is an MMA fighter, to the best of my knowledge these are not the same person…
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]]>The post Pretend You Know: Fake Turins appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Why should you listen? With this band it’s not just a case of listening but also watching. The AV element of the project really helps set it apart from other bands in London at the moment. It’s something you’d expect to see in a art-rave rather than a live music space and it’s exciting to see.
Where to start? Latest release Legs came out 10th June, as good a place as any to get into it.
A deeper cut… Their FAKE TV Broadcast is going out about now if you’re reading this on the 26th and if you’re reading it later than that then find the video below, if not then their facebook is here.
What you should listen to next. With with some Phobophobes followed by Team Picture’s (another band known for some great use of AV in their shows) excellent new album the Menace of Mechanical Music and then keep it classic with some LCD Soundsystem becauce of course.
Make sure you check out “Legs” on our “Pretend You’re Having Fun” playlist (updated weekly, Fake Turins featured 25th to 2nd July)
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]]>The post Pretend You Know: SIMBA appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Why should you listen? From his “Simba & Friends” mix series solidifying his place in the Leeds dance music community to increasingly regular features on Radio 1 and 1Xtra Simba is one of the DJ’s in Leeds who’s growing beyond the confines of a local scene.
Where to start? Latest release Resonate is a great place to jump in, a wicked use of the Love Sensation sample and a great groove. You can also find the single on our playlist (18th-25th June 2020), link here.
In a mix This silly, outrageous and fun genre mashup on Radio 1Xtra, you can find the full thing here for the next few weeks
What you should listen to next. Brushing at the edges of commericial clubs it’d be good to explore people in that scene. Prospa, Finn and Brame & Hamo would be great things to explore with a bit of Simba.
By James Ward
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]]>The post Pretend You Know: Lazarus Kane appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Why should you listen? Lazarus Kane might just be one of the most exciting acts in the UK right now, blending dance beats with indie sensiblities. While the likes of Working Men’s Club and PVA can take the dance floor to another level at 2am, Lazarus Kane’s brighter melodies catchy hooks are the kind of thing you need to get you started on a night.
Where to start? Latest release Night Walking can get you tapping your feet for the evening.
A deeper cut… Not a Lazarus Kane song but you’ll find Katy J Pearson as the backing vocals on a lot of his tracks so she is well worth a listen to get a deeper knowledge of the band
What you should listen to next. Smokey Brights have an incredible track called Flash Your Lights remixed by Rudy Willingham which has the same energy as Mr Kane.
Make sure you check out “Night Walking” on our “Pretend You’re Having Fun” playlist (updated weekly, Lazarus Kane featured 14th to 21st May)
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]]>The post Pretend You Know: VC Pines appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Why should you listen? One of the darlings of the indie press in 2020, VC Pines was one of those artists on course for a huge 2020 of shows before everything went into lockdown.
Where to start?
A deeper cut… VC Pines sets themselves apart from other singer songwriters with powerful production but this stripped back version of bones helps reveal the strong songwriting underpinning it all.
What you should listen to next. Definately go and check out Joesph, in particular “Think That I don’t Need Your Love” that came out earlier this year. Drugdealer would be a great shout for someone more established in the scene or take it back to some classic Badu just to feel the roots of VC Pines’ sound.
Make sure you check out “Taste Your Love” on our “Pretend You’re Having Fun” playlist (updated weekly, VC Pines featured 7th to 14th May)
By Rebbeca Cribb and James Ward
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]]>The post Pretend You Know: Kris Baha appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Why should you listen? Even if the latest record is acessible Kris Baha has built his following in european underground club culture. If you’re a Leeds based person then Kris Baha is the rare artist who could play Wire as easily as Brudenell Social Club.
Where to start? Listen through Palais, it’s a good introductiont to Kris’ brand of post-punk and EBM music.
A deeper cut… Die Orangen consists of Kris Baha and Dreems and is a similar but distinct sound if you’re looking to go further.
What you should listen to next. Tzusing take you down a heavier EBM route. Super Besse from Minsk, Belarus are making some wicked post-punk at the moment and released “Un Reve” in March that you should definately check out. For big name kind of in the scene then go back to your Nine Inch Nails days.
By Rebecca Cribb and James Ward
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]]>The post Pretend You Know: Walt Disco appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Who are Walt Disco: Hailing from Glasgow, Walt Disco bring dramatic, theatrical explosivity to their music and yet a sense of relatability to their lyrics. The band combine unique vocals with ambitious instrumental in songs such as ‘Drowning in Your Velvet Bed’, reinventing and pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a post punk band in 2019. An eclectic fashion style and attitude amasses to a wildly exciting live experience, each time unique. A support tour with fellow Glaswegians The Ninth Wave in November has helped them amass a devoted and swiftly growing fanbase.
Why should you listen to them? A bit of glam, a bit of drama and a heavy dose of glaswegian rock and roll sensibilities can snap you right out of a quarentine endused spiral. A band to dance round your room in a feather boa to.
Where to start…
A deeper cut…
What should you listen to next? Keep it in Glagow with Lucia and the Best Boys, hop to Edinbrugh for a bit of Young Fathers then maybe take it back to some queer punk roots with Jayne County.
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]]>The post Pretend You Know: Yaatri appeared first on Pretend.
]]>Why should you listen to them right now? Reach, their debut EP, came out on the 2nd of April providing asound track to lazy days in lockdown. Bethany Herrington’s etherial vocals soaring over DeTar’s guitar helps take the EP take you to a place somewhere between relaxing the spring sun and toe tapping in your room long past when you should have gone to bed. The inclusion of Indian Tabla player Zuheb Ahmed Kahn who recorded in Mumbai helps to the EP to stand out to ears not used to the instrument.
What was their latest release? Well… Reach. Listen below
If you like this then you might like… Slow Loris, Shaku and The Incredible String Band.
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