Fat Chat: The talented Wreh-asha

Name: Wreh-asha

Occupation: Singer / songwriter /actress

Age: 23 (only just!)

Links: http://www.myspace.com/wrehasha


Hailing from the East Midlands, Wreh-asha .D. Walton is fast gaining a reputation as a gripping singer/songwriter who over the past year has embarked on aflourishing career filled with musical promise. Now at Twenty-two yearsold,with lippy lyrics and tones encompassing nuances of Neo-soul, Jazz, and even Reggae tainted tracks, ‘Seeking Searching’ stands as the first to come from her forth coming EP.

The Fat Blog caught up with the talented Miss Walton and she gave us an insight into her past, present & future.....

With the imminent release of your superb debut single,‘Seeking Searching’ it must be an extremely busy time for you. Tell us a bit about your background and how it all started for you?

Superb! Why Thank-you :) It's always a busy time for me..lol..I work, act, sing, perform and enjoy Hollyoaks when I can! Seeking Searching was the song that became the turning point for me gaining acclaim across the board. I sing that song to audiences from urban to mature from Christian to (you get the gist) and it’s always well received. I think as long as you have a message that people can relate to or want to hear then the genre doesn't matter and your voice is just the catalyst.

On your myspace profile, you mention some of your influences. To what extent has your mother influenced you as a person?

My mum is the highest earthly influence in my life. She is so positive, strong straight-talking and a blessing. We have such a laugh but at the same time she will still tell it how it needs to be told If need be :) Only last weekend she helped me with a new track of mine..she doesn't sing but she can hold a tune enough to help out with backing vocal ideas and she is definitely honest enough to critique if whether or not the track is whack!

We've been doing our research so please give us the ‘low down’ on your meeting with Estelle...how did it feel to receive positive feedback from one of the people who inspired you?

For me Estelle is living my dream, her along with Floetry gained the kind of success I am striving for and beyond. They have a credible background of live performance, a strong British following, have stayed true (to an extent) to their musical preference, and have broken America...Voila..Success! Estelle told me to keep at it and if I can't get signed do it myself buy setting up a label , or finding an outlet, or selling my music online. So after The MTV Hugo Boss Urban Rules competition where I met here, I

have been working harder and really took her advice on board. Hence Seeking Searching will be out for online download at the end of August.

Your track entitled “Lost in you” – this is a very strong and emotional song title. What was your inspiration?

My First Love.

Every teenager dreams of fame and all the trappings – was this ever your motivation or are you not really into the whole fame thing?

Of course..MUHAHAHAHA! No for real I just want to do the thing that makes me happy really really well, and in doing so make others happy...if this leads to nice houses cars and wealth who am I to complain!

Describe your music in 3 words?

Soul-ternative
Charleston
Jazz

What are your long term goals & ambitions?

After recently playing Nina Simone in theatre production 'Nina and Shaz' I know that acting is definitely in my future just as much as music. It's hard to plan but I like to take opportunities as they come and continue refining and developing my talent. Eventually I would like to have a career in the West End, on Broadway as well as in the music industry, a sort of Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Jill Scott, Jamie Fox, Fantasia kinda success but I'd have to say I'm aiming to be just as strong an actress as a singer rather than one over the other ( no disrespect!).

And we always like to end on a random note so tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself?

Fried Dumplins and Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie are my weakness'. I often sleep in rollers, I'm scared of the Thriller video and still haven't watched it in it's entirety.

Thanks for your time Wreh-asha and we look forward to following your incredible journey.

The debut single 'Seeking Searching' is out at the end of Aug so make sure you grab your copy!

Interview: Rhian Chodak

Fat Chat: Fairy Tale Folk from the Beatrix Players

Meet the Beatrix Players, a four piece female band formed very recently in May 2009. The songs are an original mix of fairytale folk, rock and classical melodies.

The ladies performed at Fat Talent LIVE back in June and went down a storm with their unique sound. I was eager to find out more about the band, the music and what makes the tick...read on

RC -What inspired/ influenced you to start composing your songs and why?

Helena : Life. Writing is a therapy, a need to create, and if you have it in you, then you can’t stop it. I have been inspired by many people and events, but I think I started when I had my own stories to tell.

Amy: I think I’d have to say my father. From an early age, my twin and I were introduced to the melodies of Simon and Garfunkel, the lyrics of Joni Mitchell and the pure genius of the Beatles! A great childhood of music makes all the difference!

RC - What challenges have you come across in the music industry, so far?

Amanda: It's hard to make a break, meet the 'right people' who can appreciate us & have confidence in us.

Helena : Nothing is a challenge, just an adventure.

Amy: I’m with you on that Helena love, go and get it!! Anything is possible if you let your

mind get over its own obstacles!

RC - If you had to describe the meaning of your music in three words- what would these be?

Amanda: FAIRY TALE FOLK! just kidding..meaningful, genuine, fresh

Helena: Quirky, Literal, Lateral

Amy: Packs a punch! :o)

RC - Which performer inspires you the most and why?

Helena : I could give about a million answers. I love Ani DiFranco, she has a fantastic energy, and writes songs that are very emotive. But, the rest of the band also inspire me, Amys melodies push me to write in new and interesting styles, Amandas precision inspires me to achieve the best performance possible, and Rachels riffs make me dance.

Amy: Apart from the great ladies that I work with, who inspire me every practise, every gig, I’d have to say Eddi Reader. I love the warmth of her vocal and the way she appears perfectly at home on the stage. Inspiring.

RC - Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Amanda: Away from 9-5 office work and finally living off music touring the world

Helena: On tour, still creating music and noise.

Amy: With at least 1 timeless album under our belts and plenty of wonderful gigs booked and the best bit, lots of pairs of ears on our music!

RC - Amy other comments you would like to make?

Amanda: It's people like 'the fat talent' who inspire you to keep working harder for something you believe in.

Helena : Does anybody know the point of Golf Shoes?

Amy: England for the ashes!!!

RC - The last question is totally out of context: Lady Gaga or La Roux?

Amanda: neither..scary dresses and red hair..?

Helena : Are they brands of coffee? They are both successful and doing what makes them happy, but I’m more of a live band girl!

Amy: I’m stuck in the 60’s!! No further comment

Interview: Rhian Chodak

Fat Chat: hip hop's rising star.....Kobi Onyame

Fresh off the back of his Glastonbury debut, we get the lowdown on emerging hip hop sensation 'Kobi Onyame'.....remember the name as you'll be hearing plenty of it.

In 2008, he released his first CD album "Unsigned & Hungry Vol. 1" (released under his initial stage name "Jae P") through his 8182 Recordings imprint, before rebranding himself "Kobi Onyame" later the same year (Kobi being an acronym for his real name and "Onyame" being the Akan word for "God").

Kobi will be gracing the 'Fat Talent' stage on Fri 14th Aug so don't miss that one...this is what the man himself had to say....


Welcome Mr Onyame....tell us about your background and how it all started for you....

I was born in Ghana, West Africa and moved at a very young age to England. Since the age of 6 I have moved between the UK and Ghana regularly and thus been able to learn and use to my advantage the different cultures. I apply my multicultural upbringing to my music a lot.

I started making beats from about age 14 on a program called Cool Edit. I then started to write my own raps and record them on my tape recorder. I have always been interested in music but didn't take an active interest in it until during my undergrad studies in Ghana. I was part of a crew called the Haatsville Project and we recorded a couple of mix-tapes and albums that were never released.

Returning to the UK, I started to put my solo stuff out there (under the name Jae P initially) and then released my first album "Unsignd & Hungry Vol. 1" independently in 2008.



Listening to your music, you appear to have a love for positive and inspiring lyrics. Who Inspires you the most musically?

I get asked this question a lot and I've only recently been able to give a definite answer. Growing up, I've listened to many emcees and music styles. They each inspire me in their own way. I loved the way Jay-Z would rhyme and play with words. The conscious and thought provoking lyrics or Talib Kweli and Common would always make me step my game up. I would however say that the one rapper who has influenced me the most would be Kanye West. This is because I feel of all the rappers and artists I've listened to, I feel I can relate to him the most. He has never been afraid to speak for the common man. I remember listening to his record "Spaceship" on his first album and feeling like - there must be so many people out there who will be able to relate to this mans concept of hating your job and wanting to just fly away to another place and time. I didn't get that from any other rapper.


What are your short and long term goals?

My short term goals. Well I have a new single "He Said She Said" which features Sway. I want to give it the promotion it deserves and then go on to continue recording my next album Green Green Grasses which I want to put out next year. I also want to increase my awareness by doing more shows across the country.



One of my favourite tracks of yours is "who you no" and it appears to be getting radio play on some high profile stations... What's the story behind this track?

Who You Know is a club record. I was listening to a Jay-Z record "Encore" and decided to cut and loop a line he says "who you know fresher..." I just liked it. The funny this was, i made the beat with the idea of pitching it to a few other UK artists but wanted to record a verse to give people an idea of what it could sound like. DJ SHortee Blitz at Kiss was first to jump on that track and supported it from late 2008 on his show and blog. It was the first single from the free mixtape I put out recently called "Kobi Onyame Stories... The Best & The Worst"


If you could collaborate with any artist UK or international who would it be and why?

UK artist would be Sway. I have done that with my new single "He Said She Said" and I'm well happy with that! I'd say Kanye West on the international scene because I've always been a fan first and would love to see what him and I could come up with in the studio!


And finally we always like to end on a random note so here goes..... If you could have three super powers what would they be and how would you use them?

BIG question. I'd have 3 of the powers from the Captain Planet kids! Heart, Earth and maybe Water? With heart i could heal the world and we can all be friends. With earth and water I could feed the world?????????


Thanks for your time Kobi and really looking forward to following your career....checkout the Kobi Onyame links below:

MYSPACE
TWITTER
BLOG


Interview: Emily J Harrison






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Introducing Musician Neil Thomas

Multi-instrumentalist Neil Thomas is currently working on his debut album.
A late bloomer, he began playing music at the age of sixteen and over the past
ten years has blossomed into a consummate songwriter and musician
(Read the full interview)

Fat Chat: Singer/songwriter Neil Thomas

Multi-instrumentalist Neil Thomas is currently working on his debut album. A late bloomer, he began playing music at the age of sixteen and over the past ten years has blossomed into a consummate songwriter and musician. His songs are varied in style but all originate from a deep love for melody and feeling. His solo act is based on him and a guitar, but he also has a few unusual vocal abilities which come into play with the use of a loop pedal. Expect the unexpected, as well as some classic songwriting and heartfelt vocals.


How would you describe your music?
i try to make music my heroes would enjoy listening to. so there's some folk to keep joni happy, some jazz for chet, soul for stevie, blues for ray and some big vocal harmonies for lewis. i haven't put very much guitar frippery in there for jimi yet, so p'raps i should get on the case! nor have i got all sampletastic for dilla/tribe. hmmm... what have i been doing?!

When did you discover you passion for music?
i was a mad elvis fan when i was a kid. i used to sit with my headphones on and the elvis songbook, gleefully singing along to mix tapes my uncle made for me. that was until my next door neighbour's daughter told me she could hear me through the wall. i was about 10... cue years of self-conscious adolescence. i started playing guitar at 16, drums at 19... gave up karate. got a bit disinterested at school. decided i didn't care about oxbridge. didn't get the grades necessary as i was doing much more music than anything else... hey presto, music was suddenly what i was best at! in the words of steve lukather, if i didn't make it work, i'd be saying "want fries with that?!?!".

Who are your musical inspirations?
see question 1 for some of my heroes. i don't really believe in inspiration. i think if you come at it from an interesting angle, you can turn any lyrical pine cone or musical acorn into a big ol' tree. i get excited when i hear good production but really it's all about the concept of the song; the lyrical voice. if you tell a good yarn, it's engaging.

When did you write your first track?
when i was about 8 years old. i rewrote the lyrics to "homeward bound" as "space bound", about being an astronaut and missing me missus. i've since heard rocket man by elton john and i'm convinced he nicked the idea. he must have a time machine. then i didn't write anything till i was 17, when i started making hiphop with school friends. i wrote my first "song" song at the age of 21. late bloomer i guess.

My favorite track is Before the Bells Ring. Is the song about a personal experience?
yep. i went to see a flat in notting hill before christmas and ended up having a bit of a thing with one of the current tenants. yes, it started there and then. "ah, you've come to see the flat, have you? well, this is the bedroom" etc... we then debated for a few weeks whether i should move in ("just so long as nobody knows it..."), and decided against it. no, we're not still seeing each other. she turned out to be a bit weird.

If you had a plane ticket to anywhere, where would you go and why?
Barbados. in a heartbeat. I haven't been since i was about 18. went with the family and it's my idea of paradise!!! you offering? ;-)

Check out Neil's music on MYSPACE....you won't be dissapointed!


Interview: Natalee Connally

Fat Chat: Fashion designer Zoe Thompson

Introducing the eclectic range of fashion garments and accessories by Zedhead Designs

This hip, young, womenswear label is the perfect fusion between quirky edgy style combined with sex appeal for fashion conscious confident women.

From funky graphic screen printed tee’s, customised individual made to order garments, and statement clutch purses.

This collection is forever expanding incorporating current and future trends but always with a Zedhead twist.

Keep a check for new products throughout the year .....and tell your friends!!

Name: Zoe Thompson

Age: ?

Occupation: Designer

Links: http://www.zedheaddesigns.com

Where do you get your inspiration? I get my inspiration from nature, animal prints/skins, exotic feathers, motifs, urban surroundings, graffiti, to street culture. These are then incorporated into unique and innovative print designs for fashion garments and accessories.

How would you describe your customer in 3 words?

Quirky, Hip and edgy

Do you have any advice to graduate designers ?

Stay creative. Don’t sell yourself short. I would advise that if they are not one of the lucky ones to go straight into a design field job, that they go solo. Get a collection together, attend exhibitions, get on every networking site out there, get involved in local fashion events, get a regular market stall to make some much needed cash and recognition. A good website is always a must.

Whos your favourite designer?

Basso and Brooke are my favourite designers, purely because their print designs are all digital , like myself. They have great bold colourful unique designs which really push the boundaries and stand out from the usual designers.

Wheres your favourite London hotspot?

Well, being based in Bristol, I only get to the capital now and then. My fav spots for inspiration and shopping would be Brick Lane, Portobello and Camden. There’s still so many places I still want to visit and will get around to at some stage!

What are you wearing at this moment?

Being a short ass I am really into chunky platform wedges at the moment and team them off with comfy Harem pants which I prefer to call “MC Hammer “ trousers! I also wear a lot of my own Zedhead tees and customised embellished tops. I’m also really into snakeskin, and fringing and making my own bits of jewellery at the moment. I’m really looking forward to the summer for a whole new Apache style wardrobe! I recently bought a pair of deep purple tasselled gladiator sandals which I won’t dare wear until the sun starts shining!

Interview: Lizzie Moir

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