Akara Etteh

YVONNE C - DAVID F WALKER - MADDY CARTY - ROZEN CHILD - CECELIA - JEAN-MIKHAEL - GABS - SEARLS - TXXRXS RXSXNG - AKARA ETTEH - GEORGE BURGESS - J MITO

What makes a song a song? What makes it special? Is a great song difficult to write…and is that more difficult than a terrible song? Does depth of emotion make a song better or worse?

Akara Etteh has been battling these questions over the past year, and finally presents a collection of a dozen songs as a continuous soulful experience. The story of his move to London from Yorkshire, and the life and love lessons learnt, are told by and through his musical companions.

Expect a narrative that flows throughout the evening and an incredible serving of soul. Groove descendant from his Nigerian ancestors, shaped by gospel melodies, and a hip hop swagger. Featuring Rozen Child, SEARLS, and the rest of the TxxRxS RxSxNG crew, it’s their “Anatomy of Amore”

Ever self-deprecating, even so Akara was invited to perform his solo material by Richard Strange at his iconic Kensal Rise music event, Cabaret Futura

https://www.facebook.com/AkaraTheMusic/videos/1842380522458060/

(vid snippet from that gig)

With the encouragement of friends and family, Mr Etteh is emerging as soulful tour-de-force, from his rich baritone, to jazz-soaked arrangements on keyboard, with one ear firmly on current-charting hip-pop. The lead single for his first set of material “Yes You Are” was born out of the descent of an intimate relationship into chaos and separation, and before release it was picked by BBC 3CR. Akara features on their BBC Introducing slot on Sunday 1st October 2017

To read more about this tempestuous affair and how it birthed this track, head to his website http://www.akaraetteh.com and pop your email address in. You'll be intrigued by this rollercoaster, all the way.

Lineup

SEARLS - A chance meeting brought SEARLS and Akara together at a music industry night (on an evening that co-incidentally changed Akara’s life completely, for reasons apparent when heard in person)

SEARLS, is an Irish born, London based singer/songwriter and performance artist.

Following the release of his 2015 debut single Doing Time, he set about creating a sound entirely of his own with producer LJ Looper. In June 2016, SEARLS independently released his Clash/Wonderland acclaimed debut EP Follow. 

In January 2017, SEARLS released 3 YouTube performances commissioned by Finsbury Town Hall, London. He is currently working on new music with Tileyard's Gil Lewis, is a member of Urban Voices Collective and a graduate of Marisa Carnesky's Finishing School.

Rozen Child - Rozen Child & Akara met early in Akara’s London adventure. Initially working together  on part-time marketing contracts, the 2 progressed to tight friendship and frequent collaboration.

Rozen is an exciting and provocative singer/songwriter who offers a classically soulful voice with a modern twist; main influences including Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Musiq Soulchild and Otis Redding.

Despite performing regularly over the past 10 years, Rozen has yet to officially release any of his material – but from October 2017, he’ll also be releasing 6 singles and 3 EPs as we gear up to the launch of his debut album, This Life, which is due for release in October 2018.

Yvonne C - Akara and Yvonne met through their mutual friend - Akara’s bro-in-arms Sam Sench. Over the course of a few months the friendship developed and Yvonne’s clear soulfulness – modelled on SOULECTION, Ms Lauryn Hill and similar ilk – continuously grows in authority.

First single, Gold, produced by Akara and Sam Sench, is available on soundcloud.

DAVID F. WALKER - Akara was catching up with some Manchester school-buddies in Shoreditch, and by the end of the evening, the three of them couldn't stop talking about the music selection. Whilst he popped to the bathroom, Akara's two friends struck up conversation with the unassuming gentleman who picked the neo-soul-influenced list. Returning from the bathroom break, contact details were swapped and a few months later, David and Akara recorded a demo called "Lost," which you'll hear this evening.

Born in Hackney, East London, David F. Walker grew up surrounded by music. Influenced by the diverse music surrounding him, David began a journey finding his own voice and sound, displaying consciousness as well as soulfulness to his writing. Hard to Say is David’s Debut EP, available now.

Maddy Carty

Soulful singer/songwriter Maddy Carty met Akara 18 months ago at London's iconic Tileyard studios. Soon after, the 2 worked on a few songs together, developing an easy relationship and mutual appreciation of each other's musicality, to add to the shared love for the music of Tracy Chapman, and India.Arie

Beyond her easy-going nature is a wealth of experience: Maddy's first album, 'Come and Get It' received support from Radio 1xtra, BBC6 and BBC London amongst others. Her new feature track 'Got No Love' has been championed by Mistajam and DJ Target on Radio 1.

Maddy is now writing for others as well as working on her new project, 2 endeavours that Akara will definitely try and be involved in! Her latest single 'Same Way' is out now.

JEAN-MIKHAEL - Jean-Mikhael’s manager met Akara by chance at a coaching seminar, and suggested the two work together. Prince-influenced “2 X Thing” and “Diamonds & Pearls,” by the London based singer-songwriter, were the result. 

Creating a new-age following with his fans, he is like marmite — you either love him or hate him, but you will never break him. Jean-Mikhael will always push the boundaries, work outside of the box and be a visionary with his gift.

A BRIT School graduate (Jessie J, Katy B, Marsha Ambrosius, Adele, Loyle Carner), Jean-Mikhael also cut his teeth performing as the young Michael Jackson in "Thriller Live." Expect to be blown away by soaring vocals.

GABS - Gabs and Akara realised they had mutual, talented friends through infectious Instagram stories of their musical endeavours. Akara's now a huge fan of her songwriting and singing skill…alongside her big heart and her even bigger voice! 

The London-based electro-soul singer ‘Gabs’ is never one to shy away from personal experiences to drive the creative process and prides herself on wearing her heart on her sleeve.

She has an unforgettable, unique tone to her voice and writes compelling pop hooks and simple, strong melodies.

Her vibrant energy and charismatic vibe make her stand out providing a truly fresh perspective on the popular, electronic scene.

Gabs’ voice has already made an impact on the dance scene having already been featured in four tracks all achieving significant Spotify plays and traction online.

Gabs is now ready to release her own sound and her own story into the musical wild. Her debut single ‘Controller’ is released on the 13th October 2017; you better get ready for the noise!

TxxRxS RxSxNG - Sam Sench has been looking for an outlet for his musical ideas for years - his grandfather's soul and blues clubs in London's west-end begat a passion for musicianship, passed down to his mother, and then to him Sam himself. When he sings voice notes into his phone as a means of expression in today's world of constant pressure, and brings them into the studio with producer Akara Etteh, the soul, the blues, the rock, the anguish and the occasional hip-hop swagger, is what comes out, and they all it TxxRxS RxSxNG. What's TAURUS RISING? (or TxxRxS RxSxNG as it's written) Clue: amongst other things, the name's inspired by a particular day of the year...

Akara Etteh - as part of Mickey Lightfoot, Akara has had his musical contributions on records played on BBC Radio 1, Channel 4, as well as performing on a mini European tour that included The Great Escape, Field Day, Plissken and Lunatic festivals. More recent appearances were support for Petite Noire and at AfroPunk London 2017.

He’s also released music and performed across London as part of the collectives JammHot, DelphiOfficial and TxxRxS RxSxNG. Currently in the studio up to 5 times a week with London's most talented soul musicians.