whynow is the time to listen to… TS Lagga
We speak to emerging rapper TS Lagga about education, how to define success and why he decided to open his GCSE results on stage at Reading and Leeds Festival.
Interviews
Six of the Best | Dondre Green
From buying a camera with his first financial aid cheque to his work featured in Forbes, Dondre Green has crafted a compelling Bronx narrative. His work is an intimate look into a borough rich in culture and stories.
David Drebin: 'I just want to be classic. I don't want to be fashionable in any way'
Join us as we dive into the intricate worlds crafted by David Drebin, where aesthetics reign supreme. As we discuss his latest book, Flirting With Danger, and beyond, we get a glimpse of the man behind the masterpiece.
Irvine Welsh: ‘Trainspotting was a last chance saloon of creativity’
It’s been 30 years since Trainspotting and Irvine Welsh is the subject of a new documentary, 'Choose Irvine Welsh'. Should you?
whynow is the time to listen to… LEMFRECK
Newport rapper Lemfreck shares his second, and by far his most ambitious, project yet today. Divided into three parts, Blood, Sweat & Fears is a pensive, atmospheric project that pulls you into its orbit. Paying special homage to the rising rapper’s Welsh roots, the record also demonstrates there are plenty of sides to L E M F R E C K’s sonic craft.
Six of the Best | Reuben Radding captures New York City's heartbeat in monochrome
Reuben Radding has selected visuals that span years, narratives that weave much more than a casual first glance might reveal. These are not just snapshots; they're chapters of life intricately intertwined with art.
whynow is the time to listen to… Gretta Ray
Ahead of the release of her sophomore album Positive Spin, we speak to Australian singer Gretta Ray as part of our series on emerging artists.
Jungle: ‘Our new album is a real escape for us – and it can be the same for everyone else’
With their brand-new fourth studio album, Volcano, out now, we speak to London duo Jungle about the creation of their latest record, collaborating with the likes of Roots Manuva and plans to celebrate a decade since the release of their huge Mercury Prize-shortlisted debut.
Billy Porter: ‘It took me 25 years to get the gatekeepers of the industry to take me seriously’
With a new album, The Black Mona Lisa, set for release later this year, we speak to multifaceted talent and near-EGOT star Billy Porter about his upcoming record, staying true to himself even when society tried to silence who he was, and why he has to sell his house amid the actors’ strike.
whynow is the time to listen to… Being Dead
Some say they met while working at a Cinnabon, others claim it was when they were competing acrobats in the circus. We speak to Being Dead.
El Londo: ‘No matter who you are, we all connect over the love of making music’
Following the recent release of his THANKSLONDO project – a showcase in the UK rap scene’s thriving underground talent – we speak to producer and singer-songwriter El Londo.
Nell Mescal: ‘People love to f***ing tear women down when we’re just trying to get a foot in the door’
We speak to Nell Mescal about her confessional songwriting and development as an artist, brother Paul, and her new single ‘Punchline’, which is out now.
Do Nothing: ‘This album’s very insular, but it’s not negative or a long whinge’
After a handful of EPs and smattering of singles, Nottingham band Do Nothing are on the verge of dropping their debut album, Snake Sideways. An impressive, pensive record, in many ways it’s an album about making an album. We speak to the band’s lead singer and lyricist, Chris Bailey, to discover more.
Tom Walker: ‘I will die for these songs I’m about to put out – you’ve got to back yourself’
With an eagerly-awaited sophomore album in the works, Tom Walker chats to Ali Shutler about the success of his debut album What A Time To Be Alive, his success on TikTok and the response to his politically-charged track ‘Number 10’.
Wallice: ‘It’s hard not to compare my career’s success based on a Spotify graph’
Wallice discusses her touring experience with The 1975, her upcoming EP, 'Mr Big Shot', and the reality of fame from her unique Los Angeles perspective.
Blondshell: ‘I have more of an idea of my self-worth than I did before’
A little over two months on from her eponymous debut, Blondshell (Sabrina Teitelbaum) talks to whynow during her whistle-stop tour of the UK.
Louis Culture: ‘I’ve got no interest in being above anyone else’
Following the recent release of terrific standalone single ‘The City’ and with his first ever UK headline tour set for later this year, south London artist and Elevation Meditation collective member Louis Culture speaks to Ali Shutler.
Overtune | The A.I.-assisted app that turns your voice into a star’s
Fancy rapping like Snoop Dogg? Or singing in Elvis’ distinctive baritone drawl? Well a new A.I.-assisted app from Overtune allows you to do just so, at the touch of a button. With the new update live on the App Store, we speak to the Icelandic start-up’s founder and CEO, Sigurdur Arnason, to find out more.
‘Our legacy’s huge, but we’re a small band’ | How Godflesh smashed hip-hop into heavy metal
In the late ’80s, Godflesh used a drum machine and hip hop-inspired beats to make heavy metal even heavier. The sound earned them three decades of acclaim and the approval of Metallica. But – for singer, guitarist and programmer Justin Broadrick – it was moulded by a traumatic childhood in a Birmingham council flat.
Rare Americans: ‘We want people to embrace their individuality’
Upon the release of the first part of their endearing animated musical album, we speak to Rare Americans frontman James Priestner.
whynow is the time to listen to… Pupil Slicer
With their new album, Blossom, out now, whynow talks to Pupil Slicer as part of our ongoing series spotlighting new, promising artists.
When Chai Met Toast: ‘We try not to pick our favourite shows, but London was unreal’
When Chai Met Toast are at the top of their game. After a whirlwind tour of the UK, the band has just released their third EP, titled Love You The Same. whynow caught up with the Indian indie-folk outfit to chat about professional dreams, living together, and selling-out the iconic Garage in London.
Yonaka: ‘Everything about being in this band is about feeling right and feeling good’
At the recent Great Escape Festival, we caught up with Brighton three-piece Yonaka about their journey as a band and their forthcoming EP, Welcome To My House.
Xikers: ‘Xikers is ten of us or it’s nothing’
K-Pop’s hottest new rookie group speaks to whynow about who they are, who they hope to be, and their recent EP, House of Tricky.
BLUEM: ‘I won’t do anything that doesn’t feel completely authentic’
Fresh from the release of her debut album nou, we speak to Sardinian artist BLUEM about the traditions and folklores of her homeland, her artistic principles, and her love of tarot card reading.
The Shortlist: Joyce Muniz
Up next on The Shortlist – our series speaking to DJs and producers, who provide us with the tunes that have defined their lives – we speak to Joyce Muniz.
Frozemode: ‘We really believe we can get to the top of this game’
Still recovering from The Great Escape festival? You’re not alone. London alt-hip-hop trio Frozemode played out five sets across the weekend – as well as enjoyed all the shenanigans the Brighton-held festival has to offer.
Prima Queen: ‘This is definitely a movement – women are leading the way’
With a new EP, Not The Baby, out now, we speak to Louise and Kristin, about how Prima Queen formed as a band, their mammoth touring efforts and their love of service stations – especially new ones.
whynow is the time to listen to… Lexie Carroll
As part of our series on emerging artists, we speak to Lexie about her new EP, supporting her labelmate Matilda Mann and how her mum analyses her Spotify streams more than anyone else.
Brooke Combe: ‘I want to bring soul music back to Britain’
Fresh from the release of her new eight-track mixtape, Black Is The New Gold, we speak to British soul singer Brooke Combe.Â
