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BBC World Service Music Life Podcast

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Really enjoyed interviewing fellow musicians Gabriela Quintero, Daymé Arocena, and Blick Bassy for Episode 19 of BBC’s Music Life podcast.

Music Life is a podcast from the BBC World Service where musicians from around the world discuss how and why they do what they do.

We discuss expectations placed on music from outside forces, how influences manifest in the music, and whether or not politics can be a creative force.

The episode will also be broadcast on the BBC World Service at midday on Saturday 7th December and 8pm on Sunday 8th December. Dayme’s playlist ‘Women Who Inspire Me’ will be available to listen back to on BBC Sounds after it is broadcast next weekend.

Listen to the episode now: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3csz550

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Essays Race

Essay in On Bodies anthology out now

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My essay in On Bodies, the latest anthology from 3 of Cups Press, is out now.

Featuring essays, poetry and prose, the anthology focuses on the relationships people have with their bodies. My essay ‘On Touch: The Desexualisation of Black Women’s Bodies’ focuses on the feeling of disconnection from sexuality and its connection with race and beauty.

You can order the anthology here.

Categories
Talks

Euronoize DIY music conference

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I’m happy to announce I’ll be giving a presentation at Euronoize conference at University of Reading on 21st September 2018.

Titled ‘Decolonising punk: What it means to redefine punk within racial identity’, the presentation will look at the origins of Decolonise Fest, a festival created by and for punks of colour, and what punk means to people of colour.

In 2016, after mulling over the idea for years Phillips’ posted on her personal social media page, asking if anyone wanted to see a festival for punks of colour to exist. The response Phillips’ received was immediate and it was overwhelming. With a few more punks on board she created Decolonise Fest, the first music UK festival created by and for people of colour. This talk will discuss Decolonise Fest and the history of people of colour in punk, ending with a Q&A. It will cover the following key areas: Why Phillips started Decolonise Fest; How and why punk history has become whitewashed; How to bring the history of punks of colour to centre stage and the impact it could have; Why Phillips wanted to make space for people of colour in the punk scene; Feedback the group received from other punks; Why in today’s political landscape punk is made for people of colour and; Does the future of punk lie with people of colour?

For more information about the other speakers, conference and ticketing visit euronoize.eu.

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Arts & Culture Talks

Soho Music Month x gal-dem

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Happy to announce I’ll be speaking on a panel at Soho Music Month’s event with gal-dem on Tuesday 12th June.

The panel at Platform LDN will focus on the importance of community in building a music career.

I’ll be speaking with DJ Manara (BBC AZN NETWORK, BBC, Night Slugs, Fade to Mind), and rapper Layfullstop (Roots Raddix); hosted by Grace Shutti.

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Article Arts & Culture

New profile of South London’s Sabatta on Bandcamp

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Enjoyed writing this profile of South London punk band Sabatta for Bandcamp.

South London band Sabatta don’t like genre tags. They also don’t like rules and they especially hate fitting in. After finding themselves on the receiving end of a few white gig-goers’ limited understanding of punk and who can play it, bassist Debbie Dee coined a catchphrase based on a popular British home decoration brand.

Read the full interview at Bandcamp.

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Arts & Culture Interview

Interview with Clara Amfo in London in Stereo

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Happy to get the chance to interview Radio 1’s Clara Amfo for London in Stereo and the Mayor of London’s Sounds Like London campaign, profiling the most exciting women in the music industry.

I spoke to Clara about finding her voice on the radio and becoming one of the most recognisable presenters around.

Read the full article at London in Stereo.

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News

Callout for interviewees for Solange Knowles project

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I’m happy to announce I’m working on a long-term book project on artist and musician Solange Knowles and I’m currently looking for interviewees for the project.

I want to speak to individuals whose lives have been impacted by Solange Knowles and more specifically her latest album A Seat at the Table.

Get in touch if Solange’s A Seat at the Table impacted your:

  • Art
  • Politics
  • Activism
  • Music
  • Blackness
  • Black womanhood

Contact me here for more information.

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Article Music

All the places musicians move to when London gets too expensive

Along roads blocked by construction work and shaking lorries carrying concrete blocks, buildings partly obscured by scaffolding hint at this part of east London’s constant “regeneration.”

I’m in Hackney Wick, what was once an industrial area of manufacturing warehouses, and now seems to usher in new-build flats at every turn.

But look, this is a music site and not one about the history of London, so I’m here to try and explore the ripple effects of this new construction on the musicians and producers who once used to consider this area the epicentre of their creative work.

Read the full article at Noisey.

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Music News

Essays to feature in Women Who Rock, out Oct 2018

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I’m happy to announce a selection of my essays will be featured in the upcoming music anthology Women Who Rock, edited by Evelyn McDonnell.

Published by Black Dog & Leventhal publishers, the book is a celebration of 106 musical artists covering a wide range of genres, showcasing the importance of women in music. Each essay includes a full colour illustration of the musical artist or group.

I wrote about Amy Winehouse, Aaliyah, Dusty Springfield, Erykah Badu, ESG, Poly Styrene, Ronnie Spector and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

To pre-order the book or read more about it please visit Hachette Book Group.

Categories
News

New essay to feature in new anthology On Bodies

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I’m happy to announce that I will be featured in the upcoming anthology from 3 of Cups Press, called On Bodies.

Featuring essays, poetry and prose, the anthology focuses on the relationships people have with their bodies. My essay focuses on the feeling of disconnection and desexualisation, and its connection with race.

On Bodies is currently crowdfunding to ensure they can put out this issue. If you have anything money to spare or want to pre-order the paperback or e-book version donate to the Kickstarter campaign.

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Article Food & Drinks

Non-alcoholic alternatives for Inside Drinks

Taking a new spin on the usual two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, discerning drinkers are searching for non-alcoholic versions of their usual beverages, making for exciting times in the market. Stephanie Phillips finds out more about the rise in demand for realistic non-alcoholic drinks.

Read the full article at Inside Drinks.

Categories
Article Music

Why Kah-Lo doesn’t want to be branded by her Nigerian heritage

Kah-Lo stands in a black fur coat with sunglasses, looking at the camera against a light blue background.
Image courtesy of Blaow Photography.

Kah-Lo knows her brand identity. The Nigerian dance artist was up into the wee hours of the night before speaking to me, dying a wig her trademark shade of luminous green. It’s a brand that works well, as paired with her rainbow coloured outfits and shimmering round sunglasses, Kah-Lo stands out. As she says herself, “I ain’t no basic bitch”.

Beyond the Kodak full colour image, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t torn it up to her breakthrough hit ‘Rinse & Repeat’, a thundering collaboration with UK house producer Riton, for which she received a Grammy nomination.

Read the full article at gal-dem.

I don’t always get paid for my work, so if you’ve liked my pieces and want me to write more you can donate a couple pennies to keep me going in between paid work.