KELBURN GARDEN PARTY Noisettes frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa returns with a new solo record of South African-inspired tracks. She speaks to Arusa Qureshi ahead of her upcoming headline set at Kelburn
KELBURN HIGHLIGHTS
LTJ BUKEM Jungle innovator plays an exclusive set on the mighty Electrikal Sound System. Fri 12 Jul, The Landing.
FANTASTIC TWINS Solo project of French producer Julienne Dessagne, who performs as part of the Optimo Music 10th Birthday Takeover. Fri 5 Jul, Viewpoint Stage.
MAN OF MOON Edinburgh two-piece who create atmospheric and psychedelic garage- infl uenced rock. Fri 5 Jul, Pyramid Stage.
ACID ARAB Parisian duo mix electronic music with Eastern sounds and vocals. Sat 6 Jul, The Landing.
MAKENESS Experimental and electro-pop sounds from the Scottish producer. Sat 6 Jul, Pyramid Stage.
HEIR OF THE CURSED Glasgow-based singer-songwriter pens ethereal music, taking inspiration from her dual Kenyan and Scottish identity. Sat 6 Jul, Pyramid Stage.
overall theme and feel of the EP, but Shingai is also keen to note the importance of her connection to Africa, which runs throughout the album’s varying soundscape. ‘Although I grew up in London, my culture has always been an intrinsic part of my nature,’ she says. ‘Music is a huge part of black identity in the UK and culturally it has given birth to countless subcultures such as reggae, sound systems, soul, jazz, rock’n’roll, garage and punk. I was really lucky to grow up in a household which celebrated all of this music and more. Music has played a massive part in uplifting the community I grew up in and bringing together people from all walks of life. Music is indiscriminate and can make you feel you belong in a place you might stick out.’
Having previously headlined festivals and sold out tours across the country with Noisettes, Shingai is no stranger to playing legendary live sets. And with summer festival season approaching, she’s excited to get out there and approaching, she’s excited to get out there and share Ancient Futures with fans new and old.
‘I love Scotland and it’s one of my favourite ‘I love Scotland and it’s one of my favourite places to play in the UK, with places to play in the UK, with authentic music fans,’ she says authentic music fans,’ she says about her upcoming dates. ‘I about her upcoming dates. ‘I feel this record is going to take feel this record is going to take on a whole new dimension on a whole new dimension a at at a rhythmic record with rhythmic record with lots of percussion, call lots of percussion, call and response that the and response that the crowd can sing along crowd can sing along with. Our band are with. Our band are lovely and the vibes on lovely and the vibes on stage will be infectious. stage will be infectious. It will be my fi rst time at It will be my fi rst time at festivals. festivals.
It’s It’s
A s the frontwoman and bassist of early 2000’s favourites Noisettes, Shingai Shoniwa is synonymous with a certain retro-pop sound that, at the time, distinguished her from her indie counterparts. It might have been a few years since the group’s last release but Shingai continues on as a solo artist, having just announced the next chapter in her career with debut EP Ancient Futures, set to be released later this year.
‘Making this EP has been a huge undertaking and a sonic adventure like no other,’ Shingai explains about the process. ‘The record was created in a number of different places including LA, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Brighton, Milan and London. Noisettes had some amazing musical experiences playing at Lake of Stars, Malawi and HiFA (Harare International Festival of the Arts), Zimbabwe. It further inspired [Noisettes guitarist] Dan and I’s musical process and was a natural step after three very different and was a natural step after three very different albums. For me, this project is an evolution of albums. For me, this project is an evolution of myself as an artist and, musically, is an evolution myself as an artist and, musically, is an evolution of Noisettes.’
The fi rst two singles off the new EP, The fi rst two singles off the new EP, ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Zimtron’, sparkle ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Zimtron’, sparkle with an energy that is wholly absorbing, with an energy that is wholly absorbing, radiating lively South African rhythms radiating lively South African rhythms and melodies. ‘They were both inspired by a lot ‘They were both inspired by a lot
is a is a of 70s and 80s Southern African of 70s and 80s Southern African rhythms. Thomas Mapfumo, rhythms. Thomas Mapfumo, my uncle, legendary my uncle, legendary musician. I grew up with musician. I grew up with such a rich musical culture, such a rich musical culture, so it may have been easy for so it may have been easy for me to take it for granted as it me to take it for granted as it was always there. “Coming was always there. “Coming Home” is more of a love song Home” is more of a love song and still shares the playfulness and still shares the playfulness of “Zimtron”, but this track was of “Zimtron”, but this track was designed to get people on their designed to get people on their feet dancing.’
The two tracks signal what the The two tracks signal what the
Kelburn though, so be gentle!’ NATHAN FAKE
Kelburn Garden Party, Kelburn Castle and Country Centre, Largs, Fri 5–Sun 7 Jul. Shingai plays the Viewpoint Stage, Sat 6 Jul.
Electronic wizard and Ninja Tune artist arrives at Kelburn, with a live AV presentation in tow. Sun 7 Jul, The Landing.
ANU London DJ, illustrator and radio host, who also happens to be a valued member of the Rhythm Section family. Sun 7 Jul, The Landing.
FUTURE
SOUNDS 38 THE LIST 1 Jun–31 Aug 2019