Heading a new army of YBSSs (that’s Young British Singer-Songwriters), Jamie Woon’s personal, heartfelt and funky tunes have had critics fawning recently. Ahead of the Londoner’s gig at the Rescue Rooms, Shariff Ibrahim sat down with him for a parlay…

What can people expect from your live shows, and how do they differ from your album?
I’ve come from a live performance background – singing, playing guitar and using Loopstation, then I moved into producing my own records which I’ve been doing for the past couple of years. But then I got to the point where I wanted to play the album live, so now I’ve got a four-piece setup with myself and three other guys. There’s a lot more freedom for me now to really get into having a little groove on stage and being more of a frontman.

You’re often categorised in the same bracket as dubstep artists. Is that a fair assessment?
It’s been really nice because I’m into that kind of music and am always interested in working with different producers and getting remixes of my tunes. My own stuff doesn’t come from that background but Iʼm inspired by the sounds from a distance, without knowing all the tunes and all the DJs.

It’s been a long wait since your first EP came out in 2007. Are you a perfectionist?
I think that’s a big part of it. And also I didn’t have enough songs and I didn’t have the sound. I was just having a lot of fun doing my solo shows and making a living from doing that with selling my CDs at shows and doing the whole troubadour shtick. I was just about scraping by, living at my mum’s. Then it got to eventually a couple of years ago when I was ready to start, so I got my laptop and took it from there. It did take a bit longer than I wanted it to, but twas ever thus.

How did the title Mirrorwriting come about?
Mirrorwriting is a code that Leonardo da Vinci used to write his notebooks in, which is basically just writing in mirrored characters. People didn’t know it then, but obviously once you realise, it’s a stupidly easy code to crack, but I like the idea that all these songs are personal, coded notes about myself. There’s a song on the album called Street which is about a really beautiful day in the city when possibilities seem so huge and endless – it’s almost a bit scary and a bit sad. At the end of the day I’m singing these coded messages to other people and I want those people to hear them as well, so it’s kind of like a crap code.

What did you grow up listening to?
A whole bunch of stuff. My mum’s folk singing and commercial session singing career got me into folky singer-songwriter stuff, but also a lot of pop radio like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, things like that. My dad’s more into Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon and other well written songs. So I was exposed to both of those communities and then I personally got into things like Britpop which made me want to pick up the guitar and write songs like Oasis. I became a massive Radiohead fan and that got me into DJ Shadow and then more into hip-hop. Plus, I was always into Michael Jackson as a kid. You’ve just got to love a bit of Jacko.

You attended both the BRIT School and the Red Bull Music Academy. How did your time there influence you?
Red Bull was a big part of it actually. Also just growing up in London and making music and having mates who got strongly into dubstep when it first came about. I’d always been messing about with computers and making tunes, but just for a laugh. But when I started making my album, I got a laptop and just got into it really. I realised I probably could make my own album and I liked working in that way on my own. I met a couple of people in my band and a lot of mates at the BRIT School, but most of the people who are now quite famous happened after I went there in the pre-Myspace days. Before I went, there was Dane Bowers from Another Level, Lynden David Hall and Imogen Heap. It was a good place to go.

Apart from your own voice, what’s the most low-tech instrument you use on the album? Any cowbells or triangles?
I’ve got a very nice shaker that I got free with a Havana Club cocktail. It’s the best shaker in the world. I don’t take it on the road because I’m scared of losing it as it’s only small. But there’s also some ambient sounds on the album, recorded from down by the sea in Cornwall with drums made out of gravel and grass. I really like natural sounds and what you can do with samples to attach meaning and take it to a completely different place.

Has being nominated on the BBC Sound of 2011 list with winner Jessie J been a help or hindrance?
There’s definitely the hype and exposure with their associated pros and cons. Just because there’s so much good music out there that doesn’t get recognised. But I’m getting such great publicity from it and have sold out nearly all the dates on this tour off the back of that, pretty much. I’m lucky in that I finished the album by the time I got nominated so I wasn’t feeling any sort of mad pressure to finish it. It hopefully means a few more people are looking out for my record.

Who do you rate most off the list?
I really rate James Blake and Jai Paul too – I can’t wait for his record. The first time I heard BTSTU was just bananas. Those XL Recordings boys always come correct, don’t they.

What was the last record you bought?
I do get a lot given to me. I hadn’t bought records for a long time but I’ve just been on a bit of a splurge and got the Dirty Projectors’ last album, Hudson Mohawke’s album, Arthur Russell’s World of Echoes. I think when I was making my record I was just so tied up in my own stuff that it’s been nice to listen to something different.

Originally published at LeftLion.co.uk, June 1, 2011.

In hip-hop, there are few artists who can command the stage with a live band as well as they can hold it down on record. However, The Roots have forged a reputation for exactly this and Notts’ own Duke01, along with hip-rock-funk-hop combo Papa La Bas, do the same.

Release The Kraken sees the former Non Thespian frontman clashing with production titan Dwyzak the Elevator for five tracks of quality local hip-hop. Clarence Boddicker sets the tone, with Duke01’s quick-fire raps supported by some live funky drums and guitars from PLB, as well as Dwyz’s scratches and the inviting “Here we gooooo” refrain. Dwyz then steps out from behind the decks to lyrically partner Duke01 on Delta Squad, along with fellow PLB member Suzi Ruthless. Things take a rockier turn for the title track, with action-movie guitars supplying the MC a platform to verbally wile out, as opposed to the more electronic Infinite Blast Radius, with the Duke supported by Suzi’s MIA-esque chorus and some Malcolm McLaren scratches. The synth-heavy Crashing Down closes the EP perfectly. The close musical relationship between Duke01 and Dwyz is evident. The raps have the old school vibe of Hijack or Blade, matched perfectly by an energetic live band and solid production.

Release the Kraken is available to download from duke01.bandcamp.com.

Originally published in LeftLion magazine Issue 40, April – May 2011.

Karizma - photo by The Elementz

MC Karizma – Nottingham’s own Alex Mighten – is something of a legend on the local hip-hop scene. From his debut with fellow Notts hip-hoppers Out da Ville in the 90s, his mic skills and nice guy persona have seen him firmly cemented into gig schedules. Since LeftLion last caught up with him, Karizma has released his first official mixtape.

Commanding the stage in note more than a black shirt and an almost apologetic personability, the singer serenaded the audience at Stealth with some of his dubstep inspired soul. He’s probably best known as being something of a Loop Station master, so it was good to see him putting that tech to good use with the aid of a guitar and drums. Oh my, those drums.

The lovely lad from London lad ran through a couple of his best-known tunes mixed with some material from his upcoming long-player Mirrorwriting, before the absolutely massive Night Air. The double-time snares and escalating guitar mixed with Jamie’s Milk Tray-like vocals were just irresistible.

He then ended with a souped-up version of his now-classic Wayfaring Stranger. The tune just encapsulates his whole vibe as well as showing off his voice – that soulful crooning that drips black America and UK folk. Sounding like Deep South blues put in a Moulinex with heartfelt lyrics inspired by Dwele and D’Angelo, this was a perfect end to the set.

It was testament to the Woon’s wide-ranging appeal that on one side of me were some dubstep-loving student types with lurid t-shirts, and on the other side were a couple who were tersely discussing the babysitter implications of such a late performance. That’s diversity, right there.

At just 30 minutes long, Jamie’s tight set packed more into the short slot than some hour and-a-half gigs. It will be good to catch him in a few months time at Rescue Rooms, rather than the tiny sweat pit that is Stealth Room 2. This kid should be playing the big rooms!

Jamie Woon played at Dollop at Stealth on Friday March 4, 2011.

Originally published at LeftLion.co.uk, Monday March 7, 2011.

Award-winning burger van owner, discount retailer, gang show entertainer and plastic carrier bag devotee: Angelos Epithemiou’s CV is an impressive read. He’s bringing his show, Angelos Epithemiou & Friends, to the Playhouse for an evening which promises the same kind of surreal shenanigans that earned him a regular slot on BBC’s Shooting Stars. Shariff Ibrahim intercepted him on the way to his favourite cafe for opinions on Paul Daniels, the French and everything in between…

You’re in catering yourself, aren’t you?
Yeh, I used to do catering in the burger van, but I’m out of that game now because the van – I don’t know whether you know this or you don’t know this – has been blown up my mysterious forces. I say mysterious forces; it was my brother what done it, so I do know actually. Luckily no-one was injured apart from my van, which was absolutely buggered. The stock’s all gone too, it went up in flames and ended up in the river. Disgusting, innit.

What kind of business do you do now?
I’ve got the pound shop now. Everything in it’s a pound, apart from the things what are a tenner; they don’t sell so well. I just get stuff off Ebay, flog it, then charge people more money. ‘Cos there’s this recession on, I would have thought I’d be cleaning up, but I think the problem is what I sell is mostly shit. People don’t want it, really.

How was trade over Christmas?
With things like Christmas lights, Christmas trees, decorations and all of that sort of stuff I make a killing. But then people get it home and none of it works so they bring it back and I end up losing in the end. There wasn’t a big Christmas toy though, not in my shop. You’re talking about Hamleys and erm, whatshisname, Buzz Lightyoung and Argos and stuff.

Now you’re on Shooting Stars. What’s it like working with Vic and Bob?
They’re idiots, they’re chancers – members of the ‘lucky club’. They just turn up, make stuff up and then go home again. If you’re telling me that stuff wants bunging on the telly then you’re as big an idiot as what them is.

But Ulrika is a bit special?
That’s another matter all together. That reason on its own was why I did the show, and I’m getting closer to her now [voice gets very high], let me tell you that for nothing. I’m outside her bedroom window nowadays, rather than just the kitchen window, so I’m nearly there. I’ll soon be sidling in there big time, giving it to her both barrels.

No girlfriend on the go at the moment then?
I’ve got one or two. I’m after getting on with that Kate Moss, but she keeps ringing me and I keep ringing ‘er and we keep missing each other. It will happen, it’s just a matter of times. I mean, she likes an egg, I like an egg, we’ll go and have an egg.
I can see myself in all of them hotshot places and parties what she goes to but she’d have to dress up a bit cos I don’t want her embarrassing me, looking like an idiot. You know what she’s like.

Have you had any holidays recently?
Yeh, with Mortimer. He tricked me – this is what I’m talking about with him. I says “I’m going to the EEC”, perfectly simple, off to the EEC, and he says “Alright, I’ll drive you there”. Then he took me to bloody France! I had what is called these panic attacks. They’re a dirty bunch, y’know, and I don’t want to be anywhere near ‘em so I got out of there quickly.

What’s so bad about France?
Well, it’s full of the French, innit. They crawl through that tunnel like they’re blinking rats. And you can’t get a good burger over there, no way. You get a lot of other muck, but you don’t get a good burger. I’ve heard that they’re cannibals and they eat each other. I’m not a dirty bugger, I wouldn’t go near it… unless she was very nice and then I might have a munch. But only in some kind of tomato sauce or yellow sauce or any brown sauce.

I hear you’ve also been to Nottingham recently…
I went to Nottingham, I went to a place called the Glee Clubs. If you’ve never been there, don’t bother – it’s like going to a blinking youth centre. It’s all funny floors and iron bars in the way and all that sort of stuff. So I’m looking forward to going back and going to a good place like the Playhouse, where I shall be playing around!

What can we expect from your show?
I do a bit of lecturing, I tell my jokes, I do my impression and I do my dance. I’ve got three jokes – the Trilogy – because I think three’s quite enough for an hour and an ‘alf. I don’t want to work too hard. I also do some experiments, you get to meet all my friends and my dog, then we have a big old quiz and a couple of dances. It’s mainly pop dancing, break dancing, breakings, popping, poppy-poppings – that sort of stuff.

You’re something of a magician too?
I am the best ever at magic. I’m trying for the Magic Circle but they’re hard to get into, that lot. I like Paul Daniels, he’s a good fella and good at what he does but he’s not as good as me. We could have a magic-off and I’d win by a mile. I’d definitely pull something out of somewhere, never you mind.

Your fashion sense is very distinctive. Who’s your style icon?
He’s called Barry and he used to run the bookie’s. He was always turned out very nice and I thought “I’ll ‘ave some of that, I want to look like him”.

Anything else you want to say to the people of Nottingham?
Cheer up. I’ve seen the place. You walk out of your door and it’s just a mess, it’s grey and all the rest of it. So just try to cheer up and bear with it until you get out.

Originally published at LeftLion.co.uk, March 1, 2011. Angelos played the Nottingham Playhouse on March 4, 2011.

Muse continued their run of superb Word of Mouth nights with more live hip-hop and soul to mark the quadrennial festivities; perhaps in special honour of rap footnote Ja-Rule, who saw his first glimpse of bling on this ‘Leap Day’ 32 years ago. The line-up was an impressive roster of Nottingham talent, with local boys Ill Citizen topping the bill once more.

Warming up the crowd was hip-hop stalwart DJ Squigley of OhMyGosh Records, spinning some anthemic classics from his extensive crates. Once proceedings had begun proper, soul siren Jay Thomas took to the stage to deliver a soothing performance which was greeted well by the now near capacity audience. Next up: Lady Paradox, who with her assured set and solid delivery broke my previous conceptions of her, demonstrating why she is the eighth most downloaded female artist in the whole of Japan! (apparently).

Local favourite Karizma dropped by later for an unbilled but more than welcome appearance, spitting some of his well-known tunes and indulging the throng before him with some improvised freestyling. Audience participation was a highlight, as the rapper asked for words and phrases to be shouted out for reference in the ad lib rap. Any man who can incorporate pork pies and nods to this fair city into his verse at the audience’s will deserves a pat on the back.

The headliners, Ill Citizen, whose devoted fan base had all but packed out the venue, continued with their winning formula of quality beats and rhymes, with production coming courtesy of Tom G, who also represents on vocal duties with Canni and Allergy. After numerous performances at different venues, the boys have now got rocking a crowd down to a tee. Some new beats accompanying classic material was the basis for a solid set, with the tune Now What proving popular with many of the revellers forcing themselves towards the front. It’s always refreshing to see fans at gigs actually enjoying themselves rather than the traditional image of independent hip-hoppers morosely nodding their heads at the back of the room. Ill Citizen certainly got the place livelied up.

The venue is always good for this kind of event, with acts taking residence on a raised seating area, and the crowd afforded a spacious dance floor and sofas. Publicity for the night was extensive, so the floor soon filled. This enlivened the atmosphere but also meant that getting a drink in/moving was sometimes a bit slow.

But for £3 on the door for a good five hours of top music, you have to try pretty hard to find something wrong. I’m glad I won’t have to wait another 4 years for such a good night out, as Taskforce headline Word of Mouth in a month’s time.

Ill Citizen played Muse on Friday February 29 2008

Ill Citizen MySpace
Ill Citizen website
Muse MySpace

Originally published at LeftLion.co.uk, Monday February 3, 2008.

Cappo, Ruddington’s MC extraordinaire, dropped in to the Maze this Tuesday to continue promotion of his latest release, the Directors Commentary mixtape. Mixed, scratched and cut up by the legendary Styly Cee, the album charts a strong rap career, with production spanning from the late 90s to brand new exclusives and freestyles.

The Ruby Kid, a young Notts rapper who has recently relocated to the Steel City, got things underway. Having never seen him perform before, he proved to be something of a revelation; shame that a mix-up on the door times didn’t ensure the crowd he deserved. His confident delivery and clever wordplay with the dynamic of a live bassist show why his gig diary is filling up.

Second on the bill were the always captivating Ill Citizen. Rhythmically monikered MCs Canni B, Tom G and Allergy made sure the floor filled, with their up-tempo, infectious beats, rhymes and commanding stage presence. Well-established tunes such as Brainwash Policy and newer cuts like Respect thy Neighbour were run through at break-neck speed, with no pause for breath. Due to time constraints their set was limited, but this only enhanced the party vibe and good-time feel that is the original hip-hop ethos – a quality that Ill Citizen maintain with every performance. They finished with the excellent Now What. Its refrain of ‘I don’t wanna work right now / I don’t wanna hurt right now / Now what?’ certainly resonated with the midweek crowd.

By now, even the prospect of an early rise could not dim the atmosphere, and the audience were in the mood for more. Luckily, one of Nottingham’s finest was on hand to give them just that. The ‘self-styled one-man industry’ delivered a solid set of new and old material, showing that all the hard work pays off. Favourites from the brilliant Spaz the World LP from 2003 like Learn to be Strong, a Cappo classic, brought the Heavy Bronx sound of the P Brothers’ production, with its deep bassline testing the Maze’s sound system. On the ones and twos was DJ/producer/rapper and epitome of Notts hip-hop, Styly Cee. Styly has left his alter ego behind for some time to concentrate on producing quality hip-hop such as One in a Million from Directors Commentary, the tune from which the above and below quotes were taken.

Capps also spat a couple of verses over The Format by AZ (Nas’s mate) and his gruff yet clear and visceral articulation demonstrated how he can easily hold it down over the finest quality New York beats, such as this one from the king, DJ Premier. The behatted one was also joined on stage by his crew, Midnyte and Rukus Regardless, who ably coped but frustratingly never quite managed to produce much of a spark. On wax their flow is assured and exciting, flecked with accent and cheeky puns, but they never quite seem to transfer this energy to a live performance. The headliner, who by now had definitely fulfilled his promise to ‘for better or worse leave my clamp on proceedings’ then finished with a trio of new tracks from his upcoming album, leaving me eager for the date it drops.

Cappo played The Maze on March 11 2008

Originally published at LeftLion.co.uk, March 14, 2008.

Skiman - photo by David Baird

Daniel Waithe – otherwise known as Skiman – is a prodigy of Notts superproducers The Elementz, the latest in a long line of bar-spitting behemoths from the NG and the man behind dancefloor-destroying mixtape Afterdark. And he’s still only 18…

When did you first start rapping?
I used to rap in my bedroom with my brother to Mike Shinoda, the rapper in Linkin Park. I grew up with a lot of UK garage and grime; there’s always been people like Dizzee Rascal, Wiley and Pay As You Go on my stereo. I also used to watch Channel U a lot, or Channel AKA as it’s called now, so I would always see a lot of homegrown MCs.

How did the name Skiman come about?
It’s a bit of a boring story, really. It was more of a joke, going on my nickname Danski – like the Russian for Dan. Then my dad, who doesn’t even know why, just instinctively called me Skiman. So when I started rapping and I was looking for a name, I thought I might as well use that. I’ve never actually been skiing, but I’ve been water-skiing once in Turkey when I was twelve.

Tell us about Afterdark. Does it have a darker vibe than your earlier stuff?
The cover’s a bit scary, but I wouldn’t say it was dark, because there are uplifting songs on there. It’s for the club scene, more like dubstep for when the lights go down. If my previous mixtape Top of the World was me in the daytime, this is what happens at night. The beat on my new track Darkside was made by a good friend of mine called Fable. I heard the tune and thought: “I’m going to take that beat and do a dub to it.” It wasn’t supposed to be a big thing, but we really liked it and did a video with Faolan Jones, of Jungewire video. It got just under 5,000 YouTube views in its first week. There’s also a tune called Too Hard which is more grime. We got the beat from a guy called NAT, the producer from a group called Black Ops. Again, I dubbed that and did a video with Anthony Hopwood that’s also gone down really well on YouTube.

Are there any beats by The Elementz on the mixtape?
Yes, we added a track at the end called Afterdark. The beat was originally made for a group called T’SOTU which the Elementz were a part of, but then everyone went their own way and left the beats with them. I heard the tune on the studio laptop and thought “Yeah, I’ll vocal that.”

How did you hook up with The Elementz in the first place?
I was on holiday in Kavos and I met a guy over there called LA Golding who, at the time, I didn’t know rapped or sang. Then when I came back to England, he said he’d seen one of my videos on YouTube and he’d take me to the studio. So he brought me here, where I met Liati (one half of The Elementz) for the first time, booked myself in for an hour and got three tracks done. I’d never been to a studio before, but I was quick, the delivery was good and I impressed them. Then I rang them up and asked if I could come back to the studio and watch how other people do it. I didn’t want to be ignorant – you’ve got to learn from different people.

How many hours do you spend in the studio per week?
I’m there pretty much every day, just writing and stuff like that. But the studio is busy and usually booked up, so I only really get time to do anything when there’s a backing track that’s already made and ready to go. Recently I’ve been recording about two or three times a week.

If you weren’t an MC, what would be your ideal job?
I want to train to be a primary school teacher. I might not teach them all to rap, but I would definitely bring music into the lessons. I think that’s what kids want to do nowadays, they all want to be music stars.

Would you get the kids battling in their break times? Are you a bit of a battler?
I’d love to do some battle raps, but I can’t really freestyle. I’d definitely get the kids doing it, though. Like on a Friday daytime – “It’s ‘rap battle time, kids, write your own lyrics and battle each other.” I’d have loved that at school.

You competed in the Notts Unsigned event at the Arena last Summer. How was that?
Words can’t describe it – it was probably the best day of my life. They cut off half of the Arena. so it wasn’t as big as it can be, but it still felt huge. There were a lot of people there too so obviously it was quite nerve-wracking. Before I went on, my legs just wouldn’t stop shaking! But I did a good job and came second behind Long Dead Signal, who got the overall prize to perform at Splendour festival, so that was quite an achievement. I didn’t really expect to win, I just wanted to go in for the experience, but it’s definitely something to put on the CV.

What’s come of all that publicity?
I’ve had loads of bookings and people asking to do collaborations. But I work with lots of Nottingham artists anyway, people like Karizma, The Elementz and Nick ‘n’ Nash – who are doing really well and will be making a lot of noise in 2011. I’ve also just got back from doing a tour of a couple of primary schools with Dog Is Dead. We did a performance hosted by Mark Del from Trent FM who does the Notts Unsigned podcast. Afterwards we did a Q&A with the kids asking us how to get into music and what our interests are. It was really good fun.

What are your plans for 2011? Will there be an album coming out?
At the moment we’re just going to concentrate on the single. Then there will be my EP with a few tracks and a few remixes as well, so 2011 is looking good for iTunes. There will also be more bookings and gigs to look out for.

So when you’re a mega-rich rap star you’re not going to forget your Notts roots, are you?
Of course not, they’re all coming with me! As soon as I go, that’s it – Nottingham is on the map. But the first thing I’d do is buy my mum something nice, like a house.

What do you think of the music scene in Notts?
It’s really strong at the moment. You’ve got people like Wariko doing his projects in London with all the grime MCs. Then there’s also the indie rock scene that’s really taken off with bands like Dog Is Dead and Long Dead Signal. The club scene’s pretty good as well. It’s predominantly a student city so of course there’s a lot of them around, but if you’re from here, you know what it’s like – full of girls. I love it!

Skiman’s Afterdark mixtape is available to download free from theelementz.co.uk, or at gigs.

Skiman on MySpace
Originally published in LeftLion magazine, Feb-Mar, 2011.

Skiman’s versatility really shines on this sophomore release; Too Hard sounds like Boy In Da Corner-era Dizzee. There are also hard, angsty bars over Lil Wayne’s Drop the World beat, which contrasts with the party-time punchlines he drops on club tune Mine. It’s like  listening to a track by Devlin followed by a Chipmunk chart hit – except Skiman makes these songs specifically his own. Sorry sees a guest turn from fellow Elementz collaborator and all-round Nottingham legend, Karizma, with Starkey’s dubby bassline and relentless string sample providing a beat different to Karizma’s usual offerings.

For the closing track Try Me, Skiman flips genres and goes straight hip-hop. This gem from producer Onra sounds like a fight between a mariachi band, the Trojan back catalogue and a Vietnamese phrase book. Awesome! Then, after just 25 minutes, your time’s up. Fast, fun, and definitely not forgettable, you’ll be left reeling from a mixtape crammed with finely chosen beats and even finer raps.

Available to download for free from The Elementz website, or check Skiman on MySpace.

Originally published in LeftLion magazine, Feb-Mar 2011.