We Speak Music
Phonseca release pulsating “Staring At The Sea”
Phonseca is a Synthpop/Ambient/Electronica project, which brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and brilliant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard.
Matthew has a rich musical background, bringing his talent to bands across the musical spectrum from House to Shoegaze, Psyche to Soundtrack, Electronica, Britpop and Rock. Both touring and featuring on albums released on labels as diverse as Rocket Recordings, Invada Records and Dishy Recordings, his creative input has featured on many projects. Inevitably the urge to form a more personal musical landscape saw him starting to write his own music. This began the process which resulted in “Between A Dream”, the debut Phonseca album, which came out in 2019.
The album was championed in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music by both Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq. With Steve Lamacq featuring it in his “Recommends” show. It also picked up lots of airplay and excellent reviews around the world. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. In addition to Phonseca, he has composed Library Music where his work has been synched on primetime TV like BBC1’s – The One Show, Channel 5 programs and National TV in most of Europe. This was the catalyst for first writing with Kristina, initially working on songs for a Disney project which followed a chance meeting at a wedding fayre, where they had stalls directly opposite each other. Since its release, the pair have spent the past few years promoting the debut album while writing/recording the second “Everything Lasts Forever”, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.
The first taster of the new album is heartfelt, pulsating, all-out pop single “Staring At The Sea”. The track is a declaration of love and wasting no time with a sense of urgency. The track’s wide-eyed cinematic pop sentiments feel immediately familiar as Matthew’s 80s style drum machines and synth moods combine with Kristina’s soaring vocals for epic effect. The lyrics of the song follow the very relatable theme of ultimately two friends falling for each other and Kristina switches to Swedish language in the middle section which adds an intriguing touch. In its original form this was one of the first songs Phonseca ever wrote together in their “Disney Sessions”.
“I was asked by a Library Music company to write some positive upbeat songs for a Disney video, sadly it wasn’t accepted, but thankfully we kept it, sat on it for a while and tweaked it to become one of our best pop songs so far and an obvious single”, explains Matthew. “We acknowledge the genius of Prefrab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon in the opening lyric who I’m a big fan of. It’s also one of the songs that shows off Kristina’s vocals. I also wanted the talking bit to be in Swedish, to give the track an otherworldly feel”, he further adds.
We Speak Music
Naud Takes Flight with ‘Un Gars Bian’: A Wild Ride of Music & Madness
Photo credit: Isis Mecheraf

After ten years of musical mischief, Naud has finally dropped anchor, or rather taken flight, with Un Gars Bian, an album that feels like a hug from an old friend and an impromptu dance party all at once. This high-energy, genre-mashing adventure blends alternative pop, electro, funk, and whatever else Naud felt like throwing into the mix. Think Marseille’s “joyous chaos” bottled up into soundwaves, bursting with playful unpredictability.
Leading things off is “Déjà Vu,” a sweet-and-sour love song about a romance that spanned across Europe but never quite took off, kind of like booking a first-class ticket to heartbreak. It’s got just the right mix of experimental vibes and catchy pop magic to make you groove while overthinking your past relationships.
The album title, Un Gars Bian, is a cheeky play on words, merging Marseille (city in France) slang for “seagull” (gabian) with “un gars bien” (a nice guy). It’s basically Naud in a nutshell: a free-spirited, big-hearted artist who wants to spread good vibes, reckless creativity, and a touch of joyful madness. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also launched an Un Gars Bian t-shirt line, because what’s better than wearing your philosophy on your sleeve, literally? Grab yours here!
So, are you ready to embrace the joyful chaos? Un Gars Bian is the perfect excuse to dance like nobody’s watching and live life with a little more mischief. Let’s gooo!
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