I’ve recently been expanding my musical horizons into the world music genre, with kibbokid’s track Follow the Leader fitting the genre well. It’s got an infectious melody with an afro-beat influence, making for one fantastic overall package. If you missed the song (and you really should take a listen), you can find a full stream at the end of this interview.
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a single titled Follow the Leader. What can you tell us about the track?
Follow The Leader is an upbeat, afro-beat influenced track that’s intended to be ‘catchy’ in the way that children’s nursery rhymes are. The title itself is reminiscent of childhood games/songs, and like many British childhood songs/games (Rock a-bye Baby, Ring a Ring o’ Roses, etc.), it has a darker side embedded in the lyrics.
How has the reception to Follow the Leader been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
I’ve been really pleased with the reception of the track, it’s definitely travelled further than I expected. In particular I was pleased to see that it has had a lot of traction in Ukraine, which made me quite emotional given the resonance the song has for those fighting Russian aggression there. The song can be found on iTunes and all streaming platforms.
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
I do (wink wink)… but no release date just yet.
Do you plan to release an EP or an album anytime soon?
Yes, this is coming down the pipeline. Follow the Leader is a single from an album coming later this year.
Have you got anything exciting coming up this year that you’d like to tell us about?
At the moment I’m concentrating on finishing the album and getting it out there, but I am also looking ahead to performing live… watch this space.
Your music has an electronic pop sound. What/who influences you most as artists? What have you been listening to recently?
It’s funny, my listening habits are extremely eclectic. I listen to anything and everything that comes my way. In general I listen to a lot of jazz, electronic music, film and orchestral music, but usually stuff that has a more experimental edge. I’m listening at the moment to Kyiv Eternal by Heinali, a formally Kiev-based composer now displaced to Germany. The music is made from recordings of the pre-war city interspersed with electronics. It’s moving and great.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing musicians at the moment?
Like everyone in Britain it is the cost of living crisis. Musicians are generally self-employed freelancers, which comes with a whole set of challenges, but additionally they have suffered through a loss of income during the pandemic and now the impact of inflation is biting too. Brexit has exacerbated the situation also, both economically and in terms of the viability of touring. It’s pretty bleak-sounding to say this out loud… but I’m confident that the tide will turn.
You’re based in London. What is the music scene like in your part of the world?
Incredibly varied. The UK in general is great (I grew up in the Midlands and love the music scene there too). London, however, is different in that it’s a global city – its culture belongs to, and owes its vibrancy to, the world as much as it does the UK. I love that on a given night in a week I could drop into the Southbank Centre and watch an Indonesian Gamelan workshop, go and see up-and-coming artists gig in a bar, follow it with a programme from the LSO conducted by Simon Rattle, go to a club for a bit and dance, and finish up at the Late Late Show in Ronnie Scott’s. Pretty special.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Not just yet, but it’s on the cards.
Any last words for the fans?
Thanks so much for your support. I have more music coming very soon!