We Speak Music
Soul Singer Tawiah Shares Breathtaking New Album Ertha
Lose yourself in the soulful world of singer-songwriter Tawiah’s poignant second album, Ertha, created in collaboration with artist Al Moore.
Ertha is a concept album, created collaboratively through a process of storytelling and musical interpretation. Through a series of original writings and poems Al tells a story of the human journey as one of “getting lost in order to be found”, suggesting that, despite unavoidable suffering, there is great hope in this; it is by navigating darkness that we find light. Tawiah composed music in response to these writings. The album depicts Ertha’s life from birth to death; her journey represents that of the individual and the collective, we also hear from the ever present, objective Universe.
The pair describe the process as akin to an actor and director working with a script, and the outcome a cohesive musical story as opposed to simply tracks on an album. Ertha was written and recorded at their home during the Covid19 lockdowns, it was agreed that the raw first draft nature of the home recordings is part of Ertha’s story and charm. Co-produced by Jodi Milliner (Kano, Sam Smith), mixed by Blue May (Kano, Joy Crookes) and mastered by Matt Colton (Christina and the Queens, James Blake). The album also features collaborations with Matthew Kofi Waldren (Welsh National Opera, Opera North) and Lydia Marchione (English National Opera).
“The process of collaborating with Al within the limitations of my home studio has been liberating; it forced me to work in new ways and to push myself musically. My creativity feels limitless and unbounded. I see now that, like Ertha, getting lost is what gives us the strength of character we need to find, and be, who we really are. I’m grateful for this journey” –Tawiah
Tawiah was invited to join Michael Kiwanuka for a preview of Ertha on his sold-out UK tour in May. On her return she was part of the In The Black Fantastic Festival at the Southbank Centre where she performed Ertha with choir; For The Culture Collective and full stage design by Al. The show was met with standing ovations and wide acclaim. Adem Holness, Head of Contemporary Music at the Southbank Centre said the work was “radical, intentional and powerful”, and his colleague Emma Hayes said “the combination of the ghostly yet beautiful imagery alongside Tawiah’s vocal was utterly absorbing”.
Tawiah describes her music as spiritual and soulful, and the sharing of it as her truest purpose. The vestiges of Tawiah’s early church vocal training contrast subtly against a distinctive South London accent, beautiful melodies and pure vocals, all attributing to her original, undeniable sound. With a well-earned reputation at the vanguard of the British alternative soul movement and as one of the country’s most exciting live acts, Tawiah continues to deliver heartfelt music that connects deeply with her fans. Ertha is out now on all platforms: https://tawiah.lnk.to/Ertha.
Follow Tawiah: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Apple
‘Wild for the Weekend’ is the 2nd single from Zkeletonz’ forthcoming debut album ‘OUT!’—self-produced and featuring mixing and mastering by Sam Wheat (Nile Rodgers) and Alex Gopher (Chromeo, Ed Banger).
This is independent electro-disco at full power, channelling the spirits of Breakbot, Phoenix, Daft Punk’s Homework, and classic Ed Banger French Touch, but from the UK scene. The band blend synth-pop, disco, and indie and create music designed for movement, with a distinctively stylish and ironic edge.
DIY-built, the band is bringing synth pop to a new generation and selling out 500-capacity London venues 100% independently. Gracing festival stages in their hometown of Coventry and across the UK for BBC Introducing in addition to touring internationally in Berlin, Amsterdam and Malta, as well as hitting radio airwaves like BBC 6Music’s Fresh Finds and John Kennedy’s X-Posure, the band has built a reputation for high-energy performances, sharp visuals, and an uncompromising artistic vision.
Debut Zkeletonz album ‘OUT!’ is a sonic love letter to London club culture and late-night events. But with a focus on the unique and unforgettable experience only live music can provide. As the band continue to crowdfund the Vinyl / CD production of the Album, the album’s full supporting campaign for the album will launch Fri 30th May with an explosive free Gig at The Finsbury, in advance of in-store appearances and a physical Vinyl drop in August, before finally a huge show at Camden Underworld (500 capacity) on Fri 12th Dec.
This incredible achievement from Zkeletonz with no label, management or agency will follow self-promoted headline gigs at Highbury Garage and Hackney OSLO, plus regular slots at huge UK festivals like Feastival with CHIC & Nile Rodgers; All Points East, London alongside Foals and Jamie XX; and in Camden with Shalamar and Soul II Soul.
On the new single, Zkeletonz said, “”Wild for the Weekend” means the world to us. It’s the final track on ‘OUT!’—an epic, emotional closer that captures the essence of our recent experiences exploring music together. We’re lucky to be 3 best friends who have persevered for years as a creative collective, since high school. But this is the first song we’ve ever made entirely through a studio-based process, layering up that classic Korg M1 synth while we were deep-diving into Detroit Techno, Chicago House, and the many legends from postmodern French electronica. Lyrically it’s about how partying—those wild, crazy weekends—can sometimes be something that fixes or stabilises a turbulent romance. It’s raw, it’s alive, and we absolutely cannot wait to share this one with a crowd.”
As always, production by the band’s own electronic drummer and multi-instrumentalist member Ed Trotsky (also Runrummer, Coin Operated Boy) forms the centrepiece of Zkeletonz as a creative project and endeavour, weaving sonically from 1980s and 2000s synth influences including classic pop by the Pet Shop Boys and Human League, and tasteful, contemporary blogwave, alternative and indie sounds similar to Confidence Man, Sofi Tukker and The Dare.
Upcoming 2025 Zkeletonz tour dates:
FRI MAY 30th @ THE FINSBURY, ISLINGTON for GoToBeat, free entry:
https://gotobeat.com/gig/zkeletonz-live-in-finsbury/
FRI JUN 13th @ PAPER DRESS VINTAGE, HACKNEY with Concrete Natives:
https://paperdressvintage.co.uk/
SAT JUN 21st @ DASH THE HENGE record shop, CAMBERWELL, 5pm
https://dashthehengestore.com/
SAT DEC 12th @ CAMDEN UNDERWORLD (self-promoted Headline).
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