Now & Next: Soul Groove

Now & Next is a quick-fire interview series built around two simple but telling questions. We ask artists to reflect on where they’re at in their career and creative journey, and where they’re headed next. For each answer, they pick two tracks: one that sums up where they’re at right now, and another that hints at where they’re going. The artists also drop a few lines about each track, giving us a peek into their creative mindset.

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Now & Next is a quick-fire interview series built around two simple but telling questions. We ask artists to reflect on where they’re at in their career and creative journey, and where they’re headed next. For each answer, they pick two tracks: one that sums up where they’re at right now, and another that hints at where they’re going. The artists also drop a few lines about each track, giving us a peek into their creative mindset.

Now & Next: Soul Groove

Where Am I?

Asking me to put down on paper my current state of mind feels unnatural to me. I always think what you want to say and what you should say are two very different things. Maybe trying to have a little bit of both is the right answer, so here goes. The last year has been a real whirlwind for me and I've had to take a step back from creating music. I've relocated with my family and began building a new studio in my home. Sitting in it now, for the first time in a long time I feel a sense of calm and relief. Maybe that's what made me choose this track. I feel for the first time in a long time I have time. I can begin to focus on the things that I love again. I don't feel rushed and I can breathe. Trying to balance my family, day job and passion for music has always been a difficult scale to balance. The older I'm getting the more I'm realising there is no perfect solution to this. You just do your best and make sure you take the time to reflect on the choices you've made.

Where Am I Going?

My sound is always changing and my influences even more so. I couldn't say where I'm going but only where I'd like to go. Music has always been my true passion, and I will never have a future where it is not there. With my new surroundings I'm pretty hopeful that I will return to a more regular release pattern of new music. I want to keep learning and deepen my understanding of the theory behind why the music I love sounds so great. If not that then just keep on listening to more and more music right! I mean, that is what it is all about.

Track (Now):
Heather
Billy Cobham

"There is something about the way Billy Cobham's track Heather makes me want to stop and listen, but at the same time start making music. The spacing in the track is just perfect. It's a simple track (in the best way) and feels like it could go on forever. It's the perfect track to sit and reflect but also inspire."

Track (Next):
Siempre Hay Eperanza
Sade

"When I think of the sounds I would aspire to make, this track always comes to my mind. Its funky baseline, hip hop snare, smooth pad and one of the sexiest sax lines to ever exist. It always makes me want to try something new and different. It pushes me to continue to want to keep making new music. To keep getting better and better every time I step into the studio. Siempre Hay Eperanza (There's Always Hope)."

Where Am I?

Asking me to put down on paper my current state of mind feels unnatural to me. I always think what you want to say and what you should say are two very different things. Maybe trying to have a little bit of both is the right answer, so here goes. The last year has been a real whirlwind for me and I've had to take a step back from creating music. I've relocated with my family and began building a new studio in my home. Sitting in it now, for the first time in a long time I feel a sense of calm and relief. Maybe that's what made me choose this track. I feel for the first time in a long time I have time. I can begin to focus on the things that I love again. I don't feel rushed and I can breathe. Trying to balance my family, day job and passion for music has always been a difficult scale to balance. The older I'm getting the more I'm realising there is no perfect solution to this. You just do your best and make sure you take the time to reflect on the choices you've made.

Track (Now):
Heather
Billy Cobham

"There is something about the way Billy Cobham's track Heather makes me want to stop and listen, but at the same time start making music. The spacing in the track is just perfect. It's a simple track (in the best way) and feels like it could go on forever. It's the perfect track to sit and reflect but also inspire."

Where Am I Going?

My sound is always changing and my influences even more so. I couldn't say where I'm going but only where I'd like to go. Music has always been my true passion, and I will never have a future where it is not there. With my new surroundings I'm pretty hopeful that I will return to a more regular release pattern of new music. I want to keep learning and deepen my understanding of the theory behind why the music I love sounds so great. If not that then just keep on listening to more and more music right! I mean, that is what it is all about.

Track (Next):
Siempre Hay Eperanza
Sade

"When I think of the sounds I would aspire to make, this track always comes to my mind. Its funky baseline, hip hop snare, smooth pad and one of the sexiest sax lines to ever exist. It always makes me want to try something new and different. It pushes me to continue to want to keep making new music. To keep getting better and better every time I step into the studio. Siempre Hay Eperanza (There's Always Hope)."