We Speak Music
Rare London shows with awesome Franco-Japanese artist Maia Barouh
Off the back of critical acclaim for her recent album release ‘Aida’, Franco-Japanese singer, rapper, producer, and musician Maïa Barouh will be heading to London this April for a string of solo dates across the capital which will show her performing both a full electronic and acoustic set.
“Aida” means “between” in Japanese: between France and Japan, between the mainland and the islands, between the ancient and the modern. The character for the word is 間, a sun caught between two doors and it also means “silence”.
Written, arranged, and produced by Maïa over the past few years, she has built a distinctive soundworld around her two main instruments, flute and voice. The resulting album is raw, spacious, and thought-provoking whilst also being playful, quirky, and sometimes disconcerting, for example when she explores anti-Asian racism and feminism.
Tracks like ‘TOKYO ONDO’ and ‘HAFU’ are fierce, bass loaded, explorations of unconventional beats and tasty Asian motifs that twist and turn embedding more and more in the psyche on each listen. Elsewhere on the album, Maia moves into more ambient cinematic territory with the intriguing & surreal ‘RINGO’ and the experimental flute-bounce of anti-Brexit anthem ‘EXIT’, with its loaded Theresa May sample and hook line “Do you wanna Brexit with me?”.
Embracing the challenge of combining her two native languages, Maia collaborated with rapper Elea Braaz to find the perfect French lyrics for traditional Japanese melodies and to find a Japanese rhythmic flow when rapping in French.
Daughter of French film composer Pierre Barouh, Maia comes from a rich creative lineage. Her lyrics and production take inspiration from the eccentric Tokyo underground scene, traditional folk singing, tribal grooves, French rap and electronic elements: a sonically and culturally blended album which fluctuates between roots and reinvention.
Maia Barouh April 2023 London tour:
21st April- Finnish Church
22nd April- Brave Poets, Cromwell Place
23rd April- The Tent At The End Of The Universe (with surprise full band show)
Returning with his second studio album, “Pure and Simple”, Norfolk-based singer-songwriter Ervin Munir impresses! Following his first album, “Broken Compass”, Ervin does not fail to enthral with a sound which is uniquely his own. Moreover, he emphasises love, grief and loss in this album which will take you on a trip to remember.
One of the highlights of “Pure and Simple” is its many collaborations with a versatile list of musicians, which give the album depth and edge. Tina Blaber’s vocals on “King and Doors” add extra dimension to the album and Aeron Z Jones’s contributions on bass, electric, and slide guitar bring newfound energy.
“Pure and Simple” finds the perfect mix between grandeur and intimacy right from beginning to end. ‘Felixstowe”, is one of the album’s best and it captures its emotional depth and employs a strong drum solo to accentuate its poignant delivery. It is stripped-back but very touching and it is a magnificent distillation of Ervin’s musical vision. “Doors” highlights Munir’s adaptability as his delicate piano playing accentuates Blaber’s harmonies and it produces a very personal feeling.
“Pure and Simple” is evidence of Ervin Munir’s musicianship, honest candour, and engaging songwriting. For everyone who values sincere narrative via song, this album is a must-listener providing times of contemplation and pure musical enjoyment.
-
We Speak Actors1 week agoInterview with Leonid Andronov, author of ‘First Draft Survival Guide’
-
We Speak Music1 week agoRising Stars Roundup: Ant Cee, Apollo Forbes, and More
-
We Speak Indie Artist1 week agoRapper 4t9 Sets The Tone For His Career With Powerful Debut Single “Freedom”
-
We Speak Health3 days agoGino Black Premieres Powerful New Video Series: “I SURVIVED A LIVER TRANSPLANT”