ON THE RADAR
In conversation with Brandon Wen
On the morning of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp’s fashion department's annual fashion show, we met with recently-appointed director Brandon Wen to discuss The Show 2023 and delve into the academic life at this renowned fashion academy. The Show 2023 is the first under Wen’s watch, so there is a palpable air of excitement.
Khamari, A Brief Nirvana.
Distinct, yet familiar: LA vocal visionary Khamari, defining the past, present and future of R&B to come, just released his debut album “A Brief Nirvana” with RCA Records. We chat to him at our studios, during his London visit.
Joe Unknown, an ideal for living
With just five songs gradually released since 2021 (“Ride”, “Kicks”, “Silent”, “Gang” and “Hell Of Mine”), this enigmatic British dude has become one of the fresher sensations in alternative music (call it punk, post punk, hip hop, urban or whatever you can think of). He will be playing festivals all over Europe this spring and summer. We caught up with him before his name is more known and famous.
The in-between worlds of Kat Duma
Singer, musician, writer and producer Kat Duma was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and now lives in Toronto. She’s making a name for herself in the electronic pop scene, with a very personal style that embraces mystery, imagination and avant-garde spirit whilst also being irresistibly catchy and cool. After releasing five singles over the last three years, she’s finally releasing her first album, Real Life. We caught up with Kat and found her very talkative and friendly.
Half Alive: Not just entertainment
Josh Taylor (vocals), J. Tyler Johnson (bass) and Bett Kramer (drums) formed Half Alive (also known as half•alive) in Long Beach, California in 2016. In just a few years, they’ve gained recognition and success in the modern pop scene, especially because of their dancey and uplifting electro songs and playful performances. We talked to Josh about the history and philosophy of the trio.
On the Radar: The Overland
If you haven’t heard about The Overland now is the time. We met the successful blood cousins from Tucson, Arizona in London and talked about their origins, the desert, the best about playing live and more.
On the radar – The Strays newcomer Maria Almeida
Starring in new thriller The Strays (in selected cinemas now and on Netflix Wednesday Feb 22nd), actress and dancer Maria Almeida takes on her first film role. She plays Mary, a normal teen girl who finds her family under threat from ghosts from the past…
The Liquorice Experiment, swinging Valencia
They play garage, beat and psychedelic rock in the best British 60’s tradition, but most of this band is from the coastal city of Valencia, in Spain. They’ve just released their first album, “How Many Lies” and they’re ready to take their energetic and pure live shows all over Europe.
On the Radar: Rosalind Eleazar. 3D Anthropology
We sat down with Rosalind Eleazar, star of Apple TV's Slow Horses, to talk about her journey from stage to screen along with the different methods she utilises to bring her characters to life.
HOT4U is delicious and fun
Matthew Scott started HOT4U during the pandemic, bringing Londoners a first-of-its-kind restaurant meal delivery experience. Since then, the nomadic chef has held a number of residencies across the city, currently residing at The Haggerston. We chatted with the chef about his unwavering commitment to sustainability, the sense of fun that’s essential to his cooking, and getting the keys to his first permanent restaurant PAPI, where staff wellness and a good time go hand in hand.
Sirkhane Darkroom
Sirkhane Darkroom is a mobile photography programme for vulnerable and underprivileged children residing in the south east of Turkey, near the Syrian border. With his caravan, photographer and Syrian refugee, Serbest Salih gives children the opportunity to shoot, develop and print their photography. He truly believes in photography as a universal and therapeutic language.
On the radar: Josie Man. Success, sincerity and growing up.
Up-and-coming musician Josie Man speaks to us about her relationship with her own career path and her new project, me at 23. She has headlined the BBC Introducing Stage , her music has been featured in multiple one to watch articles, but her new release reflects on growing up and the realisation that music doesn’t necessarily encompass the entirety of herself.
On the radar: Stella Explorer. Space is the place
Stella Cartriers Langefors, aka Stella Explorer, is one of the most promising acts in the global pop scene. Her debut EP, Dorkay House, makes us think about a renewed Lana del Rey, Lykke Li or Neneh Cherry, but with a strong personality of her own and both a classical and a modern electronic feel. We talked to her in London.
On the radar: Get yourself connected with Eli Smart.
He’s only 23 years old, but this kid from Kauai is building a promising career in pop music, that kept the attention from people like Elton John and Paul McCartney. The smart Eli Smart tells us about his life, philosophy and ambitions (and why he made up the label ‘Aloha Soul’ to define his music) in this conversation.
On the Radar: Gutié
A lot has been said about Ibiza, but away from tourism and clubbing culture there’s what some call the real part of the island. In one of those breathing spaces we met the sculptor Oscar Gutiérrez who kindly welcomed us at his home and showed us his monumental work.
On the radar: The Gulps
The Gulps are a band full of energy and passion, this band based in London with members from Spain, France, Italy and Lebanon met in Camden and their manager is Alan McGee, discoverer of bands like Oasis, Primal Scream or Jesus and Mary Chain among others.
A wave of fresh air
If you have been to Ibiza you know the island is pretty special – we went and met legends Mark Barrott and Pete Gooding at Mark’s place to hablar de la vida. The duo is responsible for the La Torre Ibiza compilations. The 4th volume has just been released – it’s a beautiful compilation that brings the Balearic feel to your ears and soul.
Call me Holly
A few months back our very loved junior writer decided to make it public and came out as trans. We asked Holly what this important moment means to her and how she feels about her new life.
On the radar: MAN ON MAN
MAN ON MAN are the new, cool, queer-pop-post-grunge, two-man, and indeed couple, band from New York. After an imposter showed up during soundcheck to take pictures of the band, our very own ZERO.NINE co-founder Christian sneaked into the dressing room just before Roddy and Joey got on stage in London. We talked to them a couple of weeks later when they just finished their first UK & Europe tour.
On the radar: L.A. Witch
California based band L.A. Witch is currently on their European tour. Their style evokes the psych and punk rock movements, both faithfully capturing and innovating the genre in a fascinatingly personal way. We spoke to them briefly in between shows.