AlunaGeorge on Songwriting

A magical combination of Aluna Francis’ vocals, supported by the complex rhythmic beats and superb production skills of George Reid: it can only be the electronic r’n’b duo AlunaGeorge. Their huge hit ‘White Noise’ (a Disclosure collaboration) was swiftly followed by the enchanting single ‘Attracting Flies’.

The pairing apparently came about when George remixed a track from Aluna’s former band. As Aluna explains, “I really wanted to find a home for my voice. I knew I wasn’t a strong belter… I wanted something that wasn’t already stamped with what you’d expect the vocals to sound like: a blend of strong songwriting and strange futuristic beats.”

Reid has expressed pride at the fact that the pair “wrote an album that started in my bedroom studio.” While Francis said of the writing process for Body Music that, “It got to a point where we felt comfortable enough to bring some of our personal stories into the album”

And it’s the personal touch that really sets AlunaGeorge apart, because whilst their vibe perfectly chimes with the electronica trend du jour, the lyrics speak from the heart. Not to mention the fact that they come up with some seriously killer hooks, it’s no wonder that AlunaGeorge are no longer just ‘next big thing’ but have well and truly made their mark on the music scene.

 

Source: Metro Life & Style – Arwa Haider interview

Glastonbury Highlights

Here are a few performances from Glastonbury worth of a Popslutz mention.

James Blake was an unexpected, stand-out performance, a shining example of how electronic music can be performed live. Somehow just three people on the stage created the biggest, bassiest sound imaginable. What’s interesting about James Blake’s songwriting is that each song is carried by only one or two lines, only a handful of vocal hooks, that are then repeated over a steady build. Check out the BBC iPlayer highlights, and stick with it for a good three minutes or so until he first sings. What. A. Voice. Haunting, beautiful and so distinctive it is clear how he first burst onto the scene with his cover of ‘Limit to Your Love’.

Bastille were made for the festival stage. Chanty vocal hooks precede the majority of their songs so that the beer-infused sun-dozed audience can sing along. Their choruses are so catchy that you know every word by the second time it comes around. Some pleasantly surprising covers were embedded into their set too, including City High’s noughties hit ‘What Would You Do?’ (WHAT a tune).

Rita Ora exploded onto the Pyramid Stage like a small bundle of red dynamite (if dynamite had tassels). This girl has an impressive set of tunes to her name now (thanks to the excellent team of songwriters and producers behind her), and not a bad set of lungs either.

Listen to Daughter for some heart-renching vocals, impressive eerie guitar work and above all, outstanding lyrical content.  ‘Landfill’ is our fave.

On Songwriting: Tinie Tempah

Tinie Tempah has revealed he had come home to London from LA in order to finish his new album. Following his Brit-award winning debut, he is due to release his next album, ‘Demonstration’ in September.

He said recently at Esquire’s Little Black Book party: “I started recording in the US, travelling between these amazing studios. The lyrics were there and I was getting stuff down, but something didn’t sound quite right, something was missing. LA’s a strange place and you can get caught up in that world.”

“I came back to London and started working in this tiny, plain studio in Greenwich. Straight away it was like boom, boom, boom. The songs and the inspiration just came. It refocused me, and I think it kept me in check. I think it stropped my head disappearing up my backside and made me reconnect with my music.”

“I think with my songwriting, I learnt a lot about what works and what doesn’t work with my first record. I think it’s a process you get better at”.