Shuffle West

06/12/2021

Sam Akpro // .akpro
 
Drift EP launch party
 
Following on from the release of debut EP, ‘Drift’, Peckham punk artist Sam Akpro rallied a beloved crowd full of friends and fans in Hackney last week. Accompanied by his closest , the soloist & band flaunted a fusion of electronica, grunge and darkwave synths, underground at The Glove That Fits. Akpro briefed us on how he got here musically, his new EP and why ‘Ben’s house is the vibe’.
 
Recently touring in the UK with the likes of Shame & The Goa Express, Sam and the band have been busy boys. At the same time, of establishing ‘Drift’, the artist had to say his thanks to all manager & film directors for “patterning up everything”. The evolution of his sound has majorly been made from his bedroom, Akpro reveals. The artist adores his visuals and especially when listeners describe him as ‘cinematic’ too. Rightfully, as all tracks emotionally story tell relatable problems some of us have within.
 
Akpro hooked on with music, after realising studying Bio-Medical Science really wasn’t for him. “Scrap that!” he cheers. Exuberate by his path, the Londoner is relieved it’s worked out. In the middle of a creative circle, “it’s a manifestation, and influence from friends as well” Akpro details. After the performance, the celebration continued with Sam undeniably excited on continuing his night to Ben’s House. “1am, it gets started! Good vibes!”
 
Extended interview in Print soon.

30/11/2021

Geese //

Brooklyn born, rock quintet Geese arrived in South London to play at presenting enticing debut album ‘Projector’. Signed to Partisan Records, this young band have rapidly evolved themselves as the next big thing. While tanking their first pint, the boys let us in on their new album, their favourite London spots & why cookie dough is similar to their sound.

“The album very much represents us as a band”, bassist Dominic reveals. Starting at the School Of Rock (not the film), the musicians all met when very young. After jamming to the likes of Green Day and Led Zeppelin, drummer Max tells of how Cameron (vocals) introduced him to The Velvet Underground. “I think we all grew up listening to to classic rock with our parents”, Dominic adds.

During their visit, the band were offered your standard walking tours & fish and chips from their favourite - The Kings Head. Ecstatic on eventually performing at The ‘legendary’ Windmill, the band were astonished of how ‘intimate’ their first UK gig was. Following on from their three shows in the capital, Geese further projected themselves in both Paris & Berlin. Expect a cookie dough like sound, the boys say, as Cameron and Max make clear they have the ‘crunch’.

Extended interview in Print soon.

30/11/2021

25/11/2021

Geese //
Windmill Brixton

Brooklyn born, rock quintet Geese arrive in South London to play at presenting enticing debut album ‘Projector’. Signed to Partisan Records, this young band have rapidly evolved themselves as the next big thing. While tanking their first pint, the boys let us in on their new album, their favourite London spots & why cookie dough is similar to their sound.

“The album very much represents us as a band”, bassist Dominic reveals. Starting at the School Of Rock (not the film), the musicians all met when very young. After jamming to the likes of Green Day and Led Zeppelin, drummer Max tells of how Cameron (vocals) introduced him to The Velvet Underground. “I think we all grew up listening to to classic rock with our parents”, Dominic adds.

During their visit, the band were offered your standard walking tours & fish and chips from their favourite - The Kings Head. Ecstatic on eventually performing at The ‘legendary’ Windmill, the band were astonished of how ‘intimate’ their first UK gig was. Following their three shows here last week, Geese are now projecting themselves in Paris & Berlin. Expect a cookie dough like sound, the boys say, as Cameron and Max make clear they have the ‘crunch’.

22/11/2021

Kojaque //
at Village Underground

London Town was not ‘dead’ or ‘dormant’ when Dublin rapper Kojaque arrived on the scene

Striking a blazing performance, the sharp-tongued storyteller shone his new album ‘Towns Dead’ & favourite past tracks to his fans. Kojaque narrates both love & societal dilemmas within his debut album. Flowing both jazz and ravaging punk rhythms, the rapper morphs sounds and stories.

Accompanied by friend & fellow musician the pair enthralled a wowed crowd at the atmospheric venue.

📷 &

28/06/2021

PHOTO
Pete & Bas X ForeverGood
Bermondsey, London. 12th June 2021.

Earlier this month, geezers celebrated the release of both their ‘Quick Little Mixtape’ and new limited edition lager in East London. With the help of creative collective , many purchased and shared a crate at this inviting social.

Since embarking on to the UK Drill scene in 2017, the pair of Londoners have grown into being both music and internet sensations. Throwing a fierce sound that thrives, the duo also prosper off their street savviness.

Sold out of their drinking material, it’s certain Pete & Bas have more musical material to come. On top of this, ForeverGood will be showcasing further radical, but marvellous events for the future. Be sure to check them out.

&Bas

04/06/2021

CREATIVE COLLABZ
w &

Introducing both London-based producer Reek0 & streetwear brand Zeruch. Familiar with each other’s brands, the creatives talk to us about their projects, lives, and co-working relationships within the industry.

Combining jazzy rhythms and garage melodies, we welcome you to versatile producer & rapper Reek0. Raving out of Tottenham, North London, the rapper’s raw narrative overflows his music, with his lyrics noting what his upbringing has been like.

With cameras rolling, Jay Douglas Mitchell (JD) & Joseph Craven present lifelong project ZERUCH – a creative movement exploring today’s culture through a youthful eye. Constantly sharing a narrative path of their brand through videography and photography, the two students originally from Devon touch on current issues and topics that interest them. Additionally to these stories they focus on producing streetwear to grow their brand.

ZERUCH certainly matches both Reek0’s sound and his “cool, retro and relaxed” look. Appreciative of their work, the rapper respects the “proper comfy” clothing. “I totally f*ck with the aesthetic, the kinda skater-street thing like”.

As both JD & Joseph are filmmakers, they’ve been creating Reek0’s new music video out tonight at 9pm. Track ‘Be With Me’ is all about the artist’s balance between love and music. Expect smooth flows and a romanticised groove with Reek0’s new number. Focusing visually, the film electrifies with spellbinding sequences. Over a few months, both JD and Joseph have created this piece of art. This is only the start for the filmmakers’ and upcoming artist Reek0.

15/03/2021

SW’s UPCOMING
Safiyyah // .d

Elegantly finding her soulfully melodic tone, Safiyyah treasures her lullabies with stories relating to her past and background. The neo-soul songwriter's latest number ‘Free’ narrates the basis of female empowerment, she tells us. Flourishing from this release, the West Londoner lets us in on her life, lockdown, and musical inspirations.

Eternally having that spark for singing, Safiyyah remembers the memories of being an exuberant child. “Always playing and dancing". From expressing her past passions of yelling Dirty Dancing songs to then studying Law at University, Safiyyah has explored her future endeavours. Decided on music, the artist reveals her mind was made up when she met many people from the industry.

Collaborating quickly, the songstress has already worked with the likes of Finn Foxell and RADA. “Nowadays, everyone knows everyone,” Safiyyah says. The artist is right in the centre of a community that cares about music. The travesty of Grenfell Tower is around the corner from Safiyyah, as she openly tells us how much it means to her. "Somewhere I grew up, as a young girl playing around this area used to be so different."

Never comparing yourself and learning things on your own is key to being successful, she noted. Lockdown has been downgrading for many of us, but Safiyyah explains adapting to what you have, is what you need to open your creativity. The likes of Eryka Badu, Tu-Pac, and Prince influence her, in terms of creating and how they present themselves.
Contemplating gigs, the artist reveals her live music stories in the capital. “The first time I ever performed was in a pub called The George in Kings Cross. I performed a lot of intimate gigs there and remember being so nervous". Intimate gigs are one of a kind, as she admits a secret gig at The George, instead of a concert at Wembley Arena would be tempting.

Joyous on hitting 20K streams with ‘Free’, Safiyyah teases that she is working on an EP this year too. With plans out of lockdown hitting these heights, she adds “gigs and having fun” are her other intentions for 2021.

- art.

26/02/2021

OUT 6PM SUNDAY!! IGTV.
SW presents EP.2 w Max Fosh // .fosh

Known for his ‘chap’ on the street personality, Max Fosh lets us in on his YouTube life, his past favourite StreetSmart videos and what he’s planning for the future.