Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Free / PWYC entry (please donate though). Saffron does it best, and that’s why we love them: elevating and nurturing talent to secure a more hopeful future for a lopsided music industry. Head down to this joyful showcase of rising voices with lush Kelela-infused rnb from My Midnight Heart, Rhythm Section-approved streetsoul from Private Joy and much much more!"
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A gig held at Strange Brew on Friday 19th July. The event starts at 19:30.
LINEUP: Rebekah / GAROËSS / Leena / My Midnight Heart / SHEIVA / Marla Kether / Private Joy (DJ Set)
Over the past 9 months, Saffron has been working with four emerging Bristol-based music producers on a programme of artistic development. The project has centered around creativity, exploration and innovation through tech, facilitating the artists to invest in their practice and self-release their music.
Join us at Strange Brew to honour and celebrate this group of emerging music creators, who will be sharing their music for the first time. Also performing is Saffron’s latest label release Sheiva, Artist Development alumni Marla Kether and Private Joy, who has been supporting the participants on their journey throughout the program.
ABOUT SAFFRON'S ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Saffron Emerging - our latest artist development project reflects our core mission of addressing the gender imbalance in music tech, with particular support for Black and Black mixed Heritage women, non binary and trans individuals. The project has aimed to provide each participant with the tools, opportunities and support to develop their careers.
Aside from the paid commission, programme activity has included access to 1-2-1 mentoring, Saffron membership and a 5-day retreat at Hawkwood College in the Gloucestershire countryside. The retreat gave space for the artists to share, create and reflect together with workshops facilitated by the likes of Afrodeutche and Sunun on topics such as advanced Ableton production, digital distribution, connecting to physical sound and more.
The latest Annenberg report shows that less than 3% of professional music producers are women, with even more dire stats for Black women and gender minorities. Since being founded in Bristol in 2015, Saffron has been working to change these statistics.
Saffron’s artist development programme has been made possible thanks to PRS Foundation funding and additional support from Viagogo.
--------------------------
My Midnight Heart
@my.midnight.heart
Singer/Songwriter My Midnight Heart creates self-produced Alt R&B characterized by dreamy vocals layered over dark, hip-hop influenced beats.
She effortlessly combines the avant-garde stylings of artists like Kate Bush and Björk with the infectious rhythms and pop inflections of Janet Jackson and Sheila E. Equally danceable as it is meditative, her work explores duality: feminine and masculine, organic and digital, fierce and serene.
As a woman of colour, she uses poetry and music as an act of rebellion and self-preservation. Creating a sacred space for herself and kindred spirits that exists beyond the constraints of a shadowed global history and an often harrowing present.
--------------------------
GAROËSS
@garoess
GAROËSS, is a British-Namibian-Indian DJ and aspiring Producer who thrives on her passion for multi-genre music! Born and raised in Bradford, she found inspiration in her sister's R'n'B tunes, the energetic atmosphere of local Bashment clubs, the rawness of Grime, and the Niche and Bassline CDs that were sold in the school playground. Embarking on her DJ journey in 2021, GAROËSS has since been infusing a dynamic array of Afro-diasporic beats into her sets, currently influenced by the growing landscape of percussive, African Diasporic sounds in the UK. As one of the mentees on last year's 'Afro Energy' Residency, creatively directed by Karen Nyame KG, GAROËSS started her production journey, by collaborating with fellow Black artists to produce music, and had the opportunity to learn from guest contributors Gina Jeanz, Ikonika, and Fiyadred.
GAROËSS is excited to get started on Saffron’s Artist Development Program, where she aims to craft her distinctive sound by fusing the rhythmic beats of Indian percussive drums, sounds coming out of the UK, and music from the African diaspora.
--------------------------
Leena
@leena.zhane
Bristol-bred and classically trained, Leena seamlessly fuses the worlds of Classical, Ambient, Techno and beyond, crafting a genre-defying sound. Transitioning from DJing to composition, their music evokes everything from melodic melancholy to hypnotic electronic soundscapes.
With a dynamic stage presence and an impeccable selection of tunes, Leena takes audiences on a captivating journey through techno, bass, and ambient realms. Rooted in Bristol's cultural tapestry, their sonic exploration mirrors the city's diversity. Watch as Leena continues to push musical boundaries, offering a unique fusion of classical elegance and contemporary electronic innovation.
--------------------------
Rebekah
@rebekah.wav
Rebekah is a Bristol-based experimental reggae and dub artist. Incorporating rich melodies and captivating harmonies, she draws on her Jamaican roots to combine the modern and traditional, creating a contemporary sound made for people to feel seen.
--------------------------
Private Joy
@privatejoyhq
A key player on the Manchester music scene is charismatic vocalist, composer and producer Pops Roberts, aka Private Joy. Founder of the Lovescene neo-soul collective, Private Joy has released with Gerd Janson’s International Feel, Local Action/2 B Real, soundtracked Pikes Ibiza and won Bill Brewster’s much coveted "Furtive 50 Track of the Year".
--------------------------
Marla Kether
@marla_kether
London-born to Congolese parents, Marla Kether is a bassist, DJ and producer based in Bristol. Having cut her musical teeth doing session work and tours with Yazmin Lacey, Oscar Jerome, Loyle Carner and Obongjayar, Marla is now taking centre stage and establishing herself as a solo artist for the first time since starting to produce music in lockdown 2020, fuelled by a desire to use the time away from touring to develop her own musical identity.
The different strands of her musical career are almost as diverse as her influences; her music features a unique blend of live Latin percussion, Theo Parrish-style groove and driving basslines. With the backing of Saffron Records, Marla released a self-produced 5-track global dance EP in October 2023, preceded by 4 singles with features including K.O.G and Solomon O.B. The first single, ‘Revolve’, lands on February 22nd and features vocalist and Future Bubbler, Plumm.
--------------------------
Sheiva
@sheivasonfire
Unrestrained, genre-defying and unapologetic, SHEIVA’s music is a culmination of the themes of nonconformity that they encompass in every aspect of their life. Drawing upon their experience as a queer Brit, raised by Iranian parents in South-East London, SHEIVA’s music boasts livid lyricism paired with rule-breaking musical stylings, and through ineffaceable live performances and radio appearances, has quickly cemented their spot as a central figure of London’s underground music scene.
Entry requirements: 18+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio
Over the past 9 months, Saffron has been working with four emerging Bristol-based music producers on a programme of artistic development. The project has centered around creativity, exploration and innovation through tech, facilitating the artists to invest in their practice and self-release their music.
Join us at Strange Brew to honour and celebrate this group of emerging music creators, who will be sharing their music for the first time. Also performing is Saffron’s latest label release Sheiva, Artist Development alumni Marla Kether and Private Joy, who has been supporting the participants on their journey throughout the program.
ABOUT SAFFRON'S ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Saffron Emerging - our latest artist development project reflects our core mission of addressing the gender imbalance in music tech, with particular support for Black and Black mixed Heritage women, non binary and trans individuals. The project has aimed to provide each participant with the tools, opportunities and support to develop their careers.
Aside from the paid commission, programme activity has included access to 1-2-1 mentoring, Saffron membership and a 5-day retreat at Hawkwood College in the Gloucestershire countryside. The retreat gave space for the artists to share, create and reflect together with workshops facilitated by the likes of Afrodeutche and Sunun on topics such as advanced Ableton production, digital distribution, connecting to physical sound and more.
The latest Annenberg report shows that less than 3% of professional music producers are women, with even more dire stats for Black women and gender minorities. Since being founded in Bristol in 2015, Saffron has been working to change these statistics.
Saffron’s artist development programme has been made possible thanks to PRS Foundation funding and additional support from Viagogo.
--------------------------
My Midnight Heart
@my.midnight.heart
Singer/Songwriter My Midnight Heart creates self-produced Alt R&B characterized by dreamy vocals layered over dark, hip-hop influenced beats.
She effortlessly combines the avant-garde stylings of artists like Kate Bush and Björk with the infectious rhythms and pop inflections of Janet Jackson and Sheila E. Equally danceable as it is meditative, her work explores duality: feminine and masculine, organic and digital, fierce and serene.
As a woman of colour, she uses poetry and music as an act of rebellion and self-preservation. Creating a sacred space for herself and kindred spirits that exists beyond the constraints of a shadowed global history and an often harrowing present.
--------------------------
GAROËSS
@garoess
GAROËSS, is a British-Namibian-Indian DJ and aspiring Producer who thrives on her passion for multi-genre music! Born and raised in Bradford, she found inspiration in her sister's R'n'B tunes, the energetic atmosphere of local Bashment clubs, the rawness of Grime, and the Niche and Bassline CDs that were sold in the school playground. Embarking on her DJ journey in 2021, GAROËSS has since been infusing a dynamic array of Afro-diasporic beats into her sets, currently influenced by the growing landscape of percussive, African Diasporic sounds in the UK. As one of the mentees on last year's 'Afro Energy' Residency, creatively directed by Karen Nyame KG, GAROËSS started her production journey, by collaborating with fellow Black artists to produce music, and had the opportunity to learn from guest contributors Gina Jeanz, Ikonika, and Fiyadred.
GAROËSS is excited to get started on Saffron’s Artist Development Program, where she aims to craft her distinctive sound by fusing the rhythmic beats of Indian percussive drums, sounds coming out of the UK, and music from the African diaspora.
--------------------------
Leena
@leena.zhane
Bristol-bred and classically trained, Leena seamlessly fuses the worlds of Classical, Ambient, Techno and beyond, crafting a genre-defying sound. Transitioning from DJing to composition, their music evokes everything from melodic melancholy to hypnotic electronic soundscapes.
With a dynamic stage presence and an impeccable selection of tunes, Leena takes audiences on a captivating journey through techno, bass, and ambient realms. Rooted in Bristol's cultural tapestry, their sonic exploration mirrors the city's diversity. Watch as Leena continues to push musical boundaries, offering a unique fusion of classical elegance and contemporary electronic innovation.
--------------------------
Rebekah
@rebekah.wav
Rebekah is a Bristol-based experimental reggae and dub artist. Incorporating rich melodies and captivating harmonies, she draws on her Jamaican roots to combine the modern and traditional, creating a contemporary sound made for people to feel seen.
--------------------------
Private Joy
@privatejoyhq
A key player on the Manchester music scene is charismatic vocalist, composer and producer Pops Roberts, aka Private Joy. Founder of the Lovescene neo-soul collective, Private Joy has released with Gerd Janson’s International Feel, Local Action/2 B Real, soundtracked Pikes Ibiza and won Bill Brewster’s much coveted "Furtive 50 Track of the Year".
--------------------------
Marla Kether
@marla_kether
London-born to Congolese parents, Marla Kether is a bassist, DJ and producer based in Bristol. Having cut her musical teeth doing session work and tours with Yazmin Lacey, Oscar Jerome, Loyle Carner and Obongjayar, Marla is now taking centre stage and establishing herself as a solo artist for the first time since starting to produce music in lockdown 2020, fuelled by a desire to use the time away from touring to develop her own musical identity.
The different strands of her musical career are almost as diverse as her influences; her music features a unique blend of live Latin percussion, Theo Parrish-style groove and driving basslines. With the backing of Saffron Records, Marla released a self-produced 5-track global dance EP in October 2023, preceded by 4 singles with features including K.O.G and Solomon O.B. The first single, ‘Revolve’, lands on February 22nd and features vocalist and Future Bubbler, Plumm.
--------------------------
Sheiva
@sheivasonfire
Unrestrained, genre-defying and unapologetic, SHEIVA’s music is a culmination of the themes of nonconformity that they encompass in every aspect of their life. Drawing upon their experience as a queer Brit, raised by Iranian parents in South-East London, SHEIVA’s music boasts livid lyricism paired with rule-breaking musical stylings, and through ineffaceable live performances and radio appearances, has quickly cemented their spot as a central figure of London’s underground music scene.
Entry requirements: 18+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio
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