2U4U are not your prototypical hip-hop collective. The group’s original members ATMA and My Rugema met in school, bonded over the intricacies of music production. They spent their free time crafting beats they imagined would alter the hip-hop landscape.

On Rugema’s return from Hong Kong, producer Ranbir, ATMA’s older brother, secured the group’s first major breakthrough when his remix of A Tribe Called Quest’s “1nce Again”, as a tribute to Phife Dawg – which he aptly named “2U4U Remix” – was picked up and spun by BBC 1Xtra DJ Benji B.

For all this, Ranbir was adamant that 2U4U needed a second emcee to give the group another level of dynamism. My Rugema recommended his south London based friend cal – a concise lyricist drawing from his unique perspectives. Shortly after, he was enlisted by Ranbir and the group spent the spring and summer of 2016 working on a thematically-driven rap musical concept.

Following the release of their sonic thesis ‘Kings of Africa’, it piqued interest from publications Dummy Mag and The 405. The release of ‘Home’ garnered attention from XL Recordings, being added to their infamous XL PLAY playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. The breakthrough came with the first single from their upcoming Butter EP, titled ‘Fall’ – the song immediately picked up traction by its inclusion on Spotify’s Alternative Hip Hop playlist, also being spun by Jamz Supernova on BBC Radio 1Xtra.

30/70 is a cosmic mélange of boom-bap dynamics, neo-soul harmonies and jazz-funk licks, all steeped in a deep spiritual tradition. Despite their influences coming from across the pacific, the 30/70 sound is unmistakably Melbourne and for anyone admiring the scene from afar, it would seem fair to wonder if there was something in the water.

Returning to Brainchild are Alex Rita and Andwot – the leading lights behind London’s Touching Bass: a movement of London-based soul disciples who hold down a biweekly NTS Radio residency, a regular discussion series at Brilliant Corners called Speaking In Sound and a monthly dance (communicated via texting service) among other creative endeavours.

Over the last three years, the latter has become a playground for soulful music of all kinds. As residents, Alex and Andwot (alongside the rest of the Touching Bass selectors), have cultivated a space for musical exploration where emphasis is firmly placed on dance and community above all. A space unbounded by genre and lead by feeling instead, with talented local selectors and heavyweights equally likely to grace the decks.

The pair have been slowly taking this approach across London and international dancefloors, with appearances at Dimensions (2016/2017), Sunfall (2017 after party) festivals. Plus multiple appearances at cultural institutions like the ICA and TATE Britain/Modern. All grounded by the intent to make listeners think and feel.

Ariwo are a London based Cuban/Iranian quartet, focussing on the unexplored intersection between electronic and afro-cuban music.

The word Ariwo means “Noise” in Yoruba. The name underlines the band’s emphasis on sound and its desire to combine traditional rhythms into a live electronic performance that challenges perceptions of ancestral music, and connects diverse cultures from around the world.

Longstanding Brainchild family, Ben is a South London-based producer, DJ and sonic experimenter. With him there is never a dull moment – he’s always finding new projects and sounds to explore, from beginning Woop Records to crafting sound-scapes to the short stories in our recent book THOUSAND.

With influences of house, broken beat and 90’s hip hop, his recent EP ‘First Takes‘ has been on constant play in at Brainchild HQ. Check it out and get ready for his set at The Shack this year. 

“The debut album from William Wiffen is a real homage to those early motorik records, arpeggios and sequenced rhythms aplenty. He glides through five tracks of Tangerine Dream/Cluster influenced electronics that also seem to draw from that Prins Thomas space disco sound” – Bleep.com

In his their own words: “Producer k3mp and rapper cecil b, combine trap house spoken word punk poetry in an attempt to create an awkward commentary on the ever changing state of Deptford, Lewisham and South East London, trying to navigate in an area that feels less and less like home.” Their work is introspective, powerful and unforgettable.

DJ Ketosis is the alias of a.h.h., a half Japanese producer whose enigmatic debut track ‘not yet’, recently opened Zaltan’s NTS show. In his DJ sets, he aims to bring together different styles in an attempt to capture the mysterious semiotic spark created when placing together fragments of music which are not typically associated, interrupting normal pattern-recognition.

The Dylema Collective is a poetry-music project with sounds combining Neo-Soul, Contemporary Jazz and floaty R&B carefully blended with a cross-over of Funk, Latin and poly-rhythmic grooves and spoken-word poetry. Thematically, their feminist poetry addresses head on matters of race, gender and individuality, values reiterated by the hidden message within their name’s acronym: “Do You. Let Every Man Adapt”. In short, they love sharing music and poetry that truly makes your brain and booty dance!

We are so excited to welcome these guys back to the festival. They’ve got a sound and a feel that we cannot wait to hear more of and share with as many folks as possible.

Childhood friends from Brixton, Elisa Imperilee and Srigala have been making music together since 2012, growing and developing their sound since. Their blend of hip hop/soul has a nostalgic and reflective tone that is bound to get your head nodding.

Released early 2017, their debut EP ‘1 o’clock club’ is an honest and self-aware reflection on experiences of love, loss and growing up. A heady blend of melodic, neo-soul vocals with a hip hop heritage, it’s a homage to the city that raised them, but also on a more personal level it’s a tribute to three friends who passed away in 2011.

Tipped by Lonely Table as up and coming artists to watch in 2017 the EP followed the release of ‘Differences’ which was selected by Gilles Peterson for ‘Brownswood Bubblers 12 Pt. 2’ with a successful release on vinyl. Following support from Thris Tian, Brownswood Recordings and Worldwide FM.

The end of 2017 found the duo supporting Loyle Carner on his UK tour, and to kick off 2018 they have released their new single, ‘Carefree’ check it out here.

Emma-Jean Thackray is an award winning composer, trumpeter and producer. She is currently part of the Red Bull Music Academy’s Class of 2016 and has recently received the Emerging Excellence award from Help Musicians. On top of this, Emma released one of the most exciting and unique jazz records of 2016, “Walrus”.

“Walrus” has been daily listening since we first heard it, and we thoroughly recommend you dive straight in, bop your head & dance around. Check out the amazing artwork too, by Jack Greeley Ward (his vimeo is here).

London-based composer, arranger and alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi is known for her work with jazz septet NÉRIJA, Afrobeat band KOKOROKO and her own large ensemble SEED. This year she will be joining us at the festival to lead a jam, along with a new selection of musicians with her as part of the session. Open to all, the jam will be built with a central focus on supporting female musicians, creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable to jump up and get involved.

Footshooter is the production moniker of south-east London based producer, DJ and musician Barney Whittaker. His production style blends the rhythms of UK dance music with the melodic textures and instrumentation of jazz and soul, alongside vocals, rapping and poetry from some of London’s most compelling new artists.

His last release, Strange Days EP ( released on Famous Friends), has been well received, gaining regular plays on NTS, Balamii, WorldWide FM and, most recently, by Bonobo in a DJ set at his NYC Boiler Room. He has cut his teeth over the past few years performing live and Djing in support of the likes of Yussef Kamaal, Alfa Mist, Vels Trio, Andrew Ashong and Max Graef, as well as regularly performing at SE London night Steez. This will be his fourth year performing at Brainchild Festival.

His live set features extended, improvised versions of his tracks, with help from vocalists Izzy Risk, Brother Portrait, Slam The Poet & And Is Phi, as well as Vels Trio’s Jack Stephenson-Oliver on keys. The aim is to keep the live energy flowing through the music so that no two performances are the same.

Harri Pepper is a well known Welsh man based in London, as a disc jockey he continues to represent Stamp The Wax as their chief resident whilst also throwing parties in both Bristol and London.

A natural digger since he was 15, known for his eclectic taste, cruising warmups and hectic closes Pepper has built up a reputation for his no-nonsense party starting.

On Saturday night Ahnansé (Wayne Francis, founder of south London’s Steam Down and member of United Vibrations) will lead the headline jam. Exploring afrofuturism in sound, Ahnansé’s jams are a sonic exploration of the past, present and future of the African diaspora. Think African traditional rhythms, left field beat music, spacey electronic textures intertwined with the improvised explorations of jazz.

From Berlin via Israel comes the funk-lite sound of mid-70s synth-phonic soul.

If the Weeknd’s dad had made an album of louche soul in 1975, during that period between the heyday of Philly and the advent of disco, just before Giorgio Moroder/Donna Summer’s electronification of dance music, it might have sounded like Hush Moss.

Originally hailing from Birmingham, Jossy Mitsu has been shelling down clubs around the country since the age of 18. Now 23, based in London and affiliated to Astral Black, she’s well known for her technically-savvy eclecticism – whether that’s rinsing out a twisted concoction of sweaty house, club and techno heaters, firing heavy-weight jungle sets or serenading you with her certi 2-step vinyl collection.

2018 has already seen Jossy join house sensation Mall Grab on his Nonstop Feeling Tour, and with her ever-growing schedule and emerging anticipation for her own productions, you won’t want to miss this rising star as she brings her sound to the masses this year.

The L.A.B Collective are a family of DJs, producers and animators working together to push underground music culture. Their London based producer community event, Beat Meet, gives a platform for upcoming beat makers and established producers alike, nurturing the UK Beat scene.

This hub is coming to Brainchild so that beat lovers to network, chill and listen to producer showcases, DJ sets and live beat jam performances. Accompanying the latest underground sounds you never knew you needed, there will also be a chance to enter King of The Hill – a Beat submission competition. Keep your eyes peeled and one ear open for how to get involved!

We’re very happy to welcome back the lovely Laura Misch to Brainchild this year.  Since she performed on the Brainstage in 2017, Laura has been performing her one woman show all over Europe, and has recently released her new single ‘Lagoon’. Her music delves into the way that music can create sonic environments and realities: her performance promises to transform and transport us, with talk of special collaborations coming into the mix too.

We are in love with Legüme. They’re a new collective exploring sonic discourse, expression and storytelling through sound. They’ll be opening the Brainstage this year.

Hemi Pod – vocals 
Sophie Plummer – vocals, drum sample pad
Marysia Osuchowska – harp
George Melton – guitar
Evan Abell – Saxophones and reeds
Lluís Domènech Plana – flute
Benji Forster – alto saxophone
Matt Gedrych – bass
Ewan Moore – drums

Mafalda is one of those DJs you stumble across and instantly fall in love with. Originally from Portugal, Mafalda grew up listening to music and started to learn English from her father aged 5 so that she could translate Pet Shop Boys lyrics.

These days Mafalda co-runs Melodies International with Sam Shepherd (aka Floating Points), which is rapidly becoming one of the most highly regarded reissue labels out there. She’s also a resident of the label’s much-loved party, You’re A Melody and works behind the counter at the incredibly well curated Cosmos Records.

Aside from digging, licensing and re-releasing some of the best-lost records from the last century, Mafalda frequently appears on the radio including Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM.

Malena is an Argentinian born artist, producer and film maker. Influenced by guitar players such as Blake Mills and Venezuelan American singer-songwriter / visual artist Devendra Banhart as well as the psychedelic and dreamy sounds of Tame Impala, Beach House, Malena explores a free thinking and forgiving approach to her work. Her debut album ‘Aliso’ is due for release on 13th April via Yucatan Records.

Max is a DJ you’ll never forget and a friend you will treasure forever.

As a producer, his credits are seemingly endless. He’s at the electronic and spiritual heart of so many of London’s brilliant jazz and improvisation based projects – from mixing Where Pathways Meet, to doing the mastering on the We Out Here film, to collaborating with Joe Armon-Jones in their outstanding record IDIOM.

He’s currently sat on many many unreleased projects that we are very excited to see hit the airwaves soon. But in the meantime make sure you’re at the Shack to listen to all the gems he’ll bring to the dance floor.

‘Notes from the Basement’ is a collaborative and experimental piece inviting writers and vocalists into a place for storytelling lifted with the movement of music. 

The piece is inspired by intimate jam sessions held by artist And Is Phi in the sound heavy hug of a Deptford basement. There, music and song was given room to become a journey, with space for realisation, release, and break through. There was no tangible goal or form, just an open armed mood and communion. 

Somewhere between narrative archs and intuitive detours ‘Notes from the Basement’ is an invitation into a hidden but very living place. 

Artists include Belinda Zhawi, Tracy Sada, And Is Phi, Maria Osuchowska, Matt Gordon, Hannah Hever and Elisa Rheya…

Purveyors of enigmatic dreamscapes and organic, danceable electronica, Leeds-based, electronic-soul quartet Noya Rao have blown us away with their debut album Icaros, released on Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana Records at the end of last year.

Founded by producer Tom Henry, Noya Rao was originally conceived as a solo project with a separate live band representation. Alongside bassist Jim Wiltshire and drummer Matt Davies, the project grew to become a collaborative effort mixing Tom’s production ideas with the attributes of Jim’s unique bass synth lines and Matt’s polyrhythmic beats. Their compositions drew on the influences of jazz, hip-hop and electronic music whilst incorporating the sounds of the bass-heavy-dub music synonymous with the Leeds music scene.

Their sound really came into focus when they met vocalist Olivia Bhattacharjee who brought her gospel style and complex choral harmony to the band. Developing from raw, psychedelic improvisations, their sound became more defined and minimal, underpinned by live instrumentation and more structured song writing. This co-existing electronic and organic thread gives the band a strong identity and their powerful live show sets them apart from other producer-led bands. Matthew Halsall from Gondwana Records saw the band perform at an intimate show in Manchester in 2016 and blown away, signed the band on the spot.

Oscar is one of our favourite guitarists and songwriters in the world. Since 2013 he’s been frequenting the stages at Brainchild – one year playing in 7 different groups, from KOKOROKO and SE Dub Collective to SumoChief, HYLA and Poppy Ajudha.

This year we’re delighted to be welcoming him back to play his own solo material, the first time since 2015. Believe us when we say you won’t see many men play like he does.

Penya are 4 piece percussion driven electronic quartet led by producer and multi-instrumentalist Magnus PI.

Penya’s percussive wanderings in Cuba, Turkey, Morocco, Peru, Tanzania and India have garnered a tribal, alternative dance floor take on Afro-Latin rhythms.

Many of Penyas’ songs touch on ancient Afro-Cuban melodies sung by the band’s multi-instrumentalist / vocalist Lilli Elina, whilst other tracks are wide open electronic groove scapes that draw on percussion don Jim Le Ms experiences as a ceremonial Bata drummer. Viva Msimang’s dubbed-out trombone improvisations, percussion and backing vocal contributions complete the Penya soundscape.

Penyas’ releases have been hailed by Gilles Peterson and Tom Ravenscroft, (BBC 6 music), Nick Luscomb (BBC Radio 3), Worldwide FM (Thristian and Will LV), Boiler Room, Stamp the Wax, the vinyl factory, NTS, and a host of other producers including Dengue Dengue Dengue, Bonobo, DJ Khalab, and DJ Jose Marquez

http://www.penyaofficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/Penya001/

PYJÆN a new collective of close friends with a common link of improvised music and the jazz tradition, and a shared intention to push into new directions, explore their lives through music and and draw from varied influences including rock, electro, afrobeat and hip hop. Having met at Trinity Laban College of Music, they formed at Brainchild Festival last year

There is something vivacious at the heart of Shanti Celeste’s work, a bounce, a swing, an uplifting lilt. Her career to date has been characterised by a contemporary, U.K. take on the classic Motor City sound. The expansive, emotional visions of the early Techno pioneers are reflected in Celeste’s open take to her craft. Her approach to production has leant her DJing a breath that has earned her a distinct enthusiasm amongst today’s electronic music base. This freedom is reflected on the platforms she shares her craft through – her regular NTS Radio show, and more recently, her label Peach Discs. These outlets provide Shanti with a place to amplify talent she meets, hears and wants to help along the way.

Joining the South London Music Service jam is producer, MC and vocalist, Shunaji. Originally from Rome, she currently lives in London. Shunaji’s music career began in early 2017 when she started making beats to rap and recite poetry on. She gives some insight into my inspirations in an interview with About To Blow, you can find it here http://www.abouttoblow.com/interviews-shunaji Shunaji is a Brownswood Future Bubbler, who describe Shunaji to have that most rare, vital quality in an MC: a distinctive, ear-pricking sense of flow.

“Her production style, like her club and radio DJ sets, is unique in its ability to fuse all of London’s underground subgenres of the past few decades into a completely coherent whole, always with a fine balance of soundsystem fierceness and soul/jazz poise and sophistication.” – Joe Muggs, The Guardian

Sons of Kemet is the iconoclastic mix of tenor sax, tuba and double drums. On this third studio album, they bring a genre defying approach which celebrates the restless exploration of identity within the Caribbean diaspora within the U.K. ‘Your Queen is a Reptile’ was recorded in london with a host of guests spanning the breadth of the UK scene including jungle legend Congo Natty and poet Joshua Idehen.

Sorority is the waking dream of seven of the best friends the world has ever seen. In this dream they stand together on a stage, primed with all the supple promise of a willow bough. What follows is a reverie of insufferable beauty and exquisite agony: Great times with bad mates new and old. Good times and bad laughs old and new. The good the bad and the cheeky. Will the dreamers wake? Or will you join them? Amen.

South London Music Service presents ‘Illuminations’, an open jam aiming to create a free and inclusive space for musicians. Holding it down as part of the majority female house band will be award winning trumpeter of RBMA’s class of 2016 Emma-Jean Thackray and Brownswood Future Bubbler’s own multi talented MC and beatmaker Shunaji. We aim to provide the fertile ground on which to illuminate those whose artistic expressions often get lost in the mire…

Slam The Poet has been running Spread the Jam for a few months now, and has begun to create a returning fray of beautiful performers and friends as part of its fabric. The night provides an open and supportive space for poets, musicians and performers to jump up, be free and to experiment.

In this spirit, he presents us a jam session for vocalists to experiment in freestyling together. The Spread The Jam Cypher will build up momentum over the festival: Slam will host vocalists in intimate workshops across the festival, working to encourage improvisation that is supportive and active listening. Then on Sunday he will open the Kite Bar in a freestyle jam for all to join in. Chat to Slam if you’re interested – poets, singers, rappers, vocalists of all kind are invited!

In little time London based artist Tash LC has established herself as an assured DJ, host and presenter across both radio and club mediums.

Tash finds herself at home on the airwaves with residencies on Worldwide FM and Radar, balancing highly palatable afro-jazz and highlife broadcasts with more up-tempo meetings of Kuduro, Gqom, and esoteric club sounds. With the backing of some of dance music’s most influential institutions and an effortless ability to command a dance floor, Tash is quickly becoming one of the UK’s most exciting new talents.

Where Pathways Meet are an ensemble that was born our of love for the otherworldly musical explorations of Sun Ra, made up of some treasured musicians and friends including Axel Kaner-Lidstrom and James Mollison. As a collective they’re involved in a host of other amazing projects, from Rhythm Section’s Mallard to Ezra Collective or Cykada.

“dedicated to making music animated by a reverence for his spirit, they went about their work with energy and enthusiasm. Any rawness in the execution seemed unimportant by comparison with the good feeling they imparted.” – Richard Williams, The Blue Moment 

Wu-lu — real name Miles Romans Hopcraf is a South London-based producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist. Raised in a creative environment built by a professional contemporary dancing mother and afro-jazz trumpeter, his run ins with music were early and frequent.

Fast forward to his self-released debut EP, Ginga. The 2015 cassette release — which featured Stones Throw’s MNDSGN and Gilles Peterson favourite, Andrew Ashong —combined the off-kilter brilliance of J Dilla’s hip hop with ounces of lo-fi, psychedelic guitar in a refreshing fashion.Wu experimented with the influences on his Brixton doorstep; the issues facing a young mixed race male in the centre of London.

Further afield, the talented bassist’s production credits are few and far between but weighty. With Brainfeeder stalwart, Ras G and also as the man behind “How Far” by the Omar Lye-Fook endorsed songstress, Ego Ella May, along with Reiss G.

2016 has continued on a similar trajectory. Along with Hector Plimmer, Wu-Lu created SAMPLED; an live audiovisual exploration of the divisive ‘world music’ tag with a 13-piece superband. The group consists of artists, producers and poets including the finest contributors to the burgeoning UK jazz scene. With Wu-lu at the helm, the group have produced to create an array of self-written arrangements. Most recently, they have taken the project to the Church Of Sound, a new church venue dedicated to bringing jazz-influenced sounds to a new audience. As well as performing a set of their own material, they present a refreshed take on the Minnie Ripperton/Rotary Connection songbook.

Whether on the decks or the airwaves, Zakia is one of our greatest sonic treasures. Her NTS show Questing is essential monthly listening, sharing gorgeous findings in spiritual jazz, psychedelic soul and all kinds of other celestial grooves. We can’t wait for what she’ll bring to the dance-floor at The Shack.

Zoe Pascal, Noah Stoneman and Laurence Wilkins together formed Zeñel in 2016 after meeting through the young jazz scene in London. The band delivers complexity and excitement true to their jazz improvisation background, cut up with experimental and unexpected electronic sounds. Although their young age emphasises just how much accolade is due to the trio, their extraordinary talent is impressive beyond their years.