Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

First appearance in on BBC 2 Later with Jools Holland the May 2017

Sigrid has been named BBC Sound of 2018, chosen by a panel of more than 170 influential music experts including former winners and longlist nominees. The 21-year-old Norwegian pop sensation has gone from unknown to the most exceptional breakout star in the past year. From releasing her acclaimed debut Don’t Kill My Vibe EP last summer – which has amassed over 100M global streams – selling out her entire UK March headline tour, to the brutally honest A-List new single ‘Strangers’, now Sigrid joins Sam Smith, Haim, Years & Years and Jack Garratt as winner of the prestigious BBC Sound of 2018. Sigrid said to the BBC, “It’s a lot to take in to have won something as prestigious as BBC Music Sound Of. I feel honoured as there are so many other artists I look up to who have won this before me, and honestly, I’m just really happy and proud of what my team and I have achieved together. I’m from a small town called Ålesund in Norway. I’m still 21 and it’s quite crazy to get this recog...

Never the kind of band to act in uncertain haste when it comes to their music, each song off Flyte’s debut album "The Loved Ones" feels like something to relish, to mull over, with a deeper, unfolding resonance. The same goes for their visual identity, and today the London four-piece offer a glimpse into life over the past year and early recording sessions, with the second instalment of ‘Behind Sliding Doors’, created by good friend Balan Evans. Flyte also released the remarkable ‘Faithless’ video earlier this month, directed by Femke Huurdeman and CANADA (Tame Impala, Beck), the only band to work consecutively with the legendary production company. The London four-piece continue their live dexterity with a 14-date Lord Huron tour in January, following their Lemon Twigs support and sold out Scala-headline this year. Watch ‘Behind Sliding Doors Part 2 here’: https://Flyte.lnk.to/Part2FP Flyte separately admit that as early as age ten, a career in music was their only ...

Off the back of the release of his remarkable debut single, British singer, songwriter and producer Arjun reveals the video for 'Alone' today via Island Records. Directed by Luke Biggins, who most recently put out Stefflon Don's 'Hurtin' Me', 'Alone' emulates the explosive fusion of Arjun's strong Urban and Asian influences. Together, the exotic visuals see Arjun and The PropheC turn up the heat in the desert. The collaboration sets 'Alone' up to be one of the UK's most exciting Asian music releases in years, leading to Arjun's debut album 'Closer To Home', due for release in early 2018 via Island/Universal Records. Listen to 'Alone' here Since signing to Island Records via their Dcypha Productions imprint, Arjun has been developing a unique, contemporary sound true to his mixed musical influences and South Asian heritage. The first teaser of this new body of work, 'Alone' combines discernible R&B, H...

Chosen as one of the BBC Sound of 2018 artists, Sigrid has gone from unknown to one of the most exceptional breakout stars, in less than a year. Now the Norwegian pop sensation drops the video for ‘Strangers’, directed by Ivana Bobic (Stella McCartney, Bloc Party), which captures Sigrid’s effervescent performance with the camera following her around a surrealist set, which constantly spirals and reforms. “It was a joy making it. We wanted to take this feeling of seeing things differently to what they really are. The one thing that is realistic is me dancing around in my usual way,” Sigrid tells i-D.  WATCH STRANGERS VIDEO HERE: https://Sigrid.lnk.to/StrangersOfficialVideo    Sigrid’s rise has been unrivalled; from releasing her acclaimed debut Don’t Kill My Vibe EP, which has amassed over 100M global streams - to playing Hoxton Kitchen, two sold-out Scala’s and announcing a Shepherds Bush Empire headline, all in ten months. ‘Strangers’ is Sigrid’s arresting new...

Never the kind of band to act in uncertain haste when it comes to their music, each song off Flyte's debut album The Loved Ones feels like something to relish, to mull over, with a deeper, unfolding resonance. The same goes for their visual identity, and following the release of their critically lauded debut album, Flyte reveal the 'Faithless' video, a remarkable collaboration with Femke Huurdeman and CANADA (Tame Impala, Beck), the only band to work consecutively with the legendary production company. Flyte have also spent the last month supporting Lemon Twigs on tour, concluding at Kentish Town Forum, and will play at Communions Christmas Party at Notting Hill Arts Club on December 3, as well as supporting Lord Huron on their European tour early next year.   "It felt great to go back and work with Canada for a second time. We knew the 'Holy Mountain' and 'Paris, Texas' references were going to lead to something grandiose, and the director Femke...