BIMM up and coming: September artists to watch out for
With so many incredibly talented artists and music professionals at BIMM Institute, it can sometimes be hard to keep track of them all. Last month, we highlighted the ten artists to watch out for. Here’s round two of the artists and bands who are on impressive trajectories within their scenes, sounds and cities.
Wastefellow
Wastefellow is a forward-thinking producer, songwriter and vocalist from Dublin. Having first caught the ear of Irish blogs for his hip-hop beats, Wastefellow surprised listeners in 2016 with his debut EP Amazed, A Maze!. His use of voice and psychedelic sounds caught the attention of Irish taste-makers.
After ending 2017 strong with Enfold You, Wastefellow signed to Soft Boy Records, which calls itself home to Kojaque, Bríen, Gaptoof and other figures from the ever-growing Irish hip-hop scene. Wastefellow’s second EP, Post Human Potential, was released through the label, pressed on vinyl, and has since sold out.
CLT DRP
CLT DRP comprises Annie, Daphne and Scott, hailing from Canada, Greece, and Southampton, respectively. A collection of perspectives nurtured in the UK’s liberal capital of Brighton has lent CLT DRP the right to scream freely since 2017.
Truly genre defying, the group blends EDM, electro-punk and pop, drawing influence from The Prodigy, ho99o9, Death Grips, and Meshuggah, with a splash of Peaches. Wherever they play, the energy and intensity they bring to their live performances blow audiences away.
DeadPress gave their debut album, Without The Eyes, a 9/10 rating. There’s a very excellent remix album available. Check it out.
The Venus In Scorpio
Taking influence from 70s post-punk, 80s New Wave, and everything from the 2000s and beyond, it’s safe to say The Venus in Scorpio’s sound is unique. It’s often reminiscent of somewhere between David Bowie and Charli XCX.
The genderless and self-described “mysterious and moody they next door” caught the attention of BuzzFeed after their experience with selling underwear online to secret admirers, reinforcing their unapologetic message of self-empowerment and sex positivity. TVIS is a practising witch and got their band name while living in Los Angeles when they calculated their astrological birth chart and noticed that the planet Venus was in the sign of Scorpio.
TVIS is inspired by the influences of the moon and the zodiac on their personal life, their experiences and struggles in love and their mental health. The result? A difficult to define sound that touches on a dreamy nostalgia whilst being infectiously unordinary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfPoVUGLXU
The Murder Capital
Five-piece-post-punk titans The Murder Capital met whilst studying with us at BIMM Institute Dublin. It’s safe to say that The Murder Capital have already cemented themselves as a band to watch in the next few years. They’ve toured with the likes of IDLES, Slaves and fellow Dubliners, Fontaines D.C.
When I Have Fears, their debut studio album, was released in 2019 and peaked at No.2 in the Irish charts and No.18 in the UK charts. In autumn 2019, the band performed a sold-out tour across the UK and Europe to promote the album.
The band use their music to tackle complex subjects surrounding homelessness, suicide and mental health issues in their native Ireland – a place that is currently in the midst of a housing crisis.
Esther Eden
Esther Eden is a singer-songwriter born in Goa and raised in Dubai. In 2014, Jessie J visited Esther’s school and watched her perform an original song. Jessie J then invited Esther to perform at her concert at the RedFestDXB, and within a few hours, Esther was performing for a crowd of over 10,000 people.
Esther released her debut album Solitaire at just 17 via Universal and continues her pursuit of spreading positivity and inspiring the world with her latest EP, ‘My Way’. After experiencing the perils of bullying first-hand, Esther uses her experiences to fuel her music in the hopes that people who are going through similar experiences can use her music as a way to cope.
Femi Tahiru
Femi Tahiru combines smooth R&B vocals with vibrant beats and soulful chords through his self-produced music, bringing us a new individualistic approach to whatever Femi touches.
His anticipated debut EP, D.E.M.O.S. (an acronym for Definitely Emotional Maybe Overly Sensitive), was released in the middle of 2021. It’s an effortlessly polished piece from Femi, who has been honing his bedroom pop and RNB sound.
Femi has recently signed to talent agency CAA and was named track of the week by BBC Introducing East. CAA (Creative Artists Agency) has an impressive roster that includes AC/DC, Daft Punk, Dua Lipa, Fontaines D.C., and H.E.R, to name a few!
Gardna
Gardna is a Bristol-based artist who has achieved success thanks to his genre-defying approach to recording and energy-driven live performances. MC, songwriter, collaborator, host and promoter, Gardna is genuinely a man of the people, fusing elements from across the sound system spectrum to conjure up his unique rhythmic blends, which channel Bristol’s rich musical heritage and earn him critical praise from across the globe.
His debut project, Good Time Not a Long Time, received high praise and contained many influences. Whilst focussing mainly on dub and sound system culture, the project also includes style from garage, dubstep, dancehall, grime and even a sprinkle of house and techno – all crammed into 35 minutes. It’s worth checking out!
Bow Anderson
BIMM Institute London graduate Bow Anderson has been compared to the late great Amy Winehouse in terms of sound. Her use of catchy piano hooks also brings back memories of early Kate Nash.
Bow’s debut single ‘Sweater’ hit the hearts of tastemakers far and wide, including Sir Elton John, who played the track on his Apple Music show. BBC One also picked it as their Tune of the Week.
Bow has since released three EPs and now boasts over one million monthly listeners on Spotify, helped by Spotify including her in their prestigious New Music Friday playlist.
IDestroy
Since forming at BIMM Institute Bristol in 2015, IDestroy has played more than 300 gigs across the UK, Europe and Asia, sold-out shows in South Korea and undertaken multiple tours in Germany. The trio has taken their infectious brand of punk-rock (grown from sweaty DIY hometown shows in Bristol) to packed out venues worldwide.
The group has released two acclaimed EPs – 2016’s Vanity Loves Me and 2018’s Pure Joy of Life – but their debut album We Are Girls is a significant step up. On the record, they claim to have created an album that is “an adrenaline-fuelled joyride that fizzes with the spirit of sweaty live shows.” We agree.
SIPHO.
SIPHO. recently inked a deal with Dirty Hit, an independent record label based in West London. The 1975 were the label’s first signing, reaching mainstream success and carving a path for many artists to follow. Other artists to grace the label are BIMM alumni Pale Waves and Wolf Alice, beabadoobee, Rina Sawayama, Leo Banji, AMA, Mac Wetha, and SIPHO.
His first full release, ‘AND GOD SAID…’ is a dynamic and solid introduction to the man himself. Take a listen!
Wow! What a list. You can check out more successes from our outstanding students here.
