Issue 21 – In Conversation with .. 10!

and I think the new music relates more to that than
any of my previous tracks. I’ve navigated the impact
that various features have had on my career (a classic
dance singers tale i think) and how it’s almost set me
back. HOWEVER, it’s never final… and the impact
I hope for this mixtape, will be a reset and hopefully
a deeper understanding to my listeners of what my
sound really is.
You’ve mentioned your upbringing in a household
filled with classic rock and a mix of Irish and Lebanese
backgrounds. How have these diverse musical
influences shaped your artistic identity and sound?
I don’t think any of my influences are directly heard
in my music. I’m inspired by so much so I think there’s
little pockets from each corner of the musical entities
I've drawn from over the years. Although saying that,
I intend to do a project focusing on the music from my
heritage and getting more percussive! It’s something
I've said before that is still an ongoing conversation!
As a multifaceted artist with a background in singing,
songwriting, and DJing, how do you navigate between
these different creative roles when working on new
projects like "c u l8r"?
In your latest project, you mentioned collaborating
with underground artists like bullet tooth, Big Ang,
and MJ Cole. How did these collaborations come about,
and what did each collaborator bring to the mixtape?
I’m honoured that such esteemed artists want to work
with me! It’s truly a joy and honestly some of these
were like a masterclass. It’s taken me a while to get
others to really understand my vision but with this
mixtape, it came together so nicely. It was patience,
trust and a shared love and vision with each collab.
I’ve never felt so blessed to work with people who
just fucking get it! The priority in all these sessions
was about the feeling and the purpose of the song:
what does this song mean, what are we going for,
what inspirations do we want to draw on. These things
sound simple but are not prevalent in every session,
let alone the core focus. I honestly felt the same level
of care amongst each collaboration.
Your mixtape emphasises the darker, speedier DJ tools
you've utilised since the beginning of your career. How
do you balance showcasing your powerful vocals with
the production elements in your music?
It’s not been easy! As a singer in the dance/electronic
sector, there’s always a stigma that singing can
take the underground credibility away once vocals
are brought into the mix- especially amongst the
“headsier” listeners or fellow peers. However, I think
this was a bigger problem way back when.
The general tastes and inspos of listeners today feel
more open and varied now than ever before, with
more artists bringing forward a blend of genres rather
than a straightforward sound. This is essentially the
purpose of my mixtape - to showcase the sonics and
prove that my music can transpire into club spaces
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This last year I've had time to write and studio time has
taken the reins and all my focus - it has been tunnel
vision onto this project really! This mixtape draws on all
my creative outlets with singing and songwriting - along
with taking musical inspos from my DJ playlists so yeah
it’s definitely not left anything out!
The mixtape celebrates the energy and essence of club
culture. How do you hope listeners will connect with
your music on a personal level and experience the
same sense of euphoria and emotional connection you
draw from club settings?
I want new people to find out about me through this
project and kinda neglect my previous work hahah
and i want my DJ friends to play it :D. If you’ve ever
had a strong connection to dance music or can relate
to the rush of euphoria and the essence of community
within club spaces, then this mixtape is for you. I want
it to transport everyone to a place of sanctity. It’s
not the kinda music to listen to before ya go to sleep
though, it’s first thing in the morning and late at night
before or during the shubs hahahah.
With the release of "c u l8r," your move back
from Brighton to London, and your journey as an
independent artist, how has this period of transition
and artistic growth shaped your perception of success
and fulfilment in your career?
I think most people assumed I was still in London
because I was basically commuting there 5 times
a week before anyways haha but being back in
London feels like home to me. I love the new little
pockets I've been finding since being back here and
also surrounding myself in the greener parts of London
has been a bit of a blessing too. I’m always inspired in
London, it’s hard not to be when so many wonderful
people reside here from all walks of life. When it
comes to my independent journey, it all stems from
taking matters into my own hands and having more
control in my narrative. It’s not something I've always
been able to emulate but I do believe these are the
steps to come into my own.