No1 Music Blog News
The Sissala Goddess sets festivals alight across UK & Europe
“The only woman in the world singing in Sissala, s..
Published
6 years agoon
By
admin
“The only woman in the world singing in Sissala, she will mesmerise you” – CNN Africa
“Amazing African Women 2018” – BBC News Africa
Wiyaala met K.O.G and Franz Von (from Jamaica) at a rainy muddy Shambala Festival in Northamptonshire last year where they were both performing as separate acts, Wiyaala with GRRRL and K.O.G with Onipa.
Recognising each other as fellow Ghanaians, they greeted each other in the traditional Ghanaian way as brother and sister despite never having met before. They agreed to get together in Sheffield in October 2018 to record at MU studios after the touring season finished.
They were as good as their word and duly set about putting down some music vibes characterised by an explosion of African energy, Brand New Day was the result and there’s more coming and Wiyaala has now joined K.O.G and The Zongo Brigade as a guest on their European tour 2019.
Wiyaala, one of the world’s most charismatic artists, has released her second album, Sissala Goddess, a fascinating, often moving glimpse at Africa old and new through the Young Lioness of Africa’s eyes. Sung partly in her home village Funsi’s dialect of Sissala, one of the world’s most endangered languages, she is both celebrating the stoicism and love of those who have supported her as well as challenging traits which are sadly not confined to her local scene – bigotry, jealousy and greed. The album also features Wiyaala’s interpretation of the legendary band Osibisa’s “Woyaye (We are Going)”, a song she has performed live with the band’s founder and singer, Teddy Osei.
Known to her legions of fans as “The Young Lioness of Africa”, Wiyaala has won over fans across the world, all the more remarkable due to her coming from Ghana, a country with a notoriously conservative music industry, where any challenge to the norm is frowned upon. Her music is a potent fusion of West African folk songs and stadium Afro-pop, brought to life with spectacularly energetic traditional dance moves. “Wiyaala”, which means “the doer” in her local Sissala dialect, is from Funsi, an African village in the Upper West Region of Ghana close to the borders of Burkina Faso and Cote D’Ivoire. Thanks to a musical mother, she “dodged” FGM and child marriage, whilst also being encouraged to be an entertainer, dancer, artist and athlete, despite growing up in a patriarchal society frequently hostile to artistic growth.
In 2012, she made the long journey to the capital city, Accra, and against the odds won an emphatic victory in the Vodafone Icons Reality Show. After being “spotted” by Rita Ray of BBC’s Global Beats in 2014, the door opened and Wiyaala has emerged as one of Ghana’s leading international touring artistes performing at top events and festivals all over the world, including the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia, WOMAD in the UK and Timitar Festival in Morocco.
The ever-resourceful Wiyaala, who designs and sews her own unique stage costumes, is finding more and more ways to charm audiences with her warmth and unique talent. Wiyaala is also a committed supporter of the arts in Northern Ghana having created and organized the The Djimba World Music Festival now in its third year. She is also an active influencer for UNICEFGhana and fights for the abolition of FGM, Early Child Marriage and the rights of children”. Ignore Wiyaala at your peril!
11/07/19 Kenako Festival Berlin Germany
13/07/19 Riddu Riddu Tromso Norway
12/07/19 The Rollright Fayre Rollright Stones UK
17-21/07/19 Welcome to Village Leewarden/Gronigen Netherlands
18/07/19 Quartiers D’été Rennes France
19/07/19 Transfert Nantes Nantes France
20/07/19 Festival Relache Bordeaux France
21/07/19 Festival Lagrasses Lagrasse France
25/07/19 Kendal Calling Kendal Deer Park UK
27/07/19 Deer Shed Festival Thirsk UK
01/08/19 Helden in Het Park Eeklo Belgium
03/08/19 Eastern Electrics Morden Park UK
04/08/19 Underneath the Stars Festival South Yorkshire UK
08/08/19 La Plage de Glazart Paris France
09/08/19 Rockland Clohars-Carnoet France
10/08/19 Festival Belle Ile On Air France
16/08/19 Soul Circus Gloucestershire UK
22-25/08/19 Shambala Festival Northamptonshire UK
30/08/19 Woodstower Festival Lyon France
27/09/18 Landes Musique Amplifiées St Vincent de Tyrosse France
28/09/18 L’Accordeur St Denis de Pile France
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wiyaala
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wiyaala
Instagram: http://instagram.com/wiyaala
Website: http://wiyaala.com/
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music
Scottish Band, Tom Adamson Band, and Their New Album ‘Old View of the New World’
Published
2 years agoon
February 17, 2023By
Aanchal
If you’re a fan of prog-rock, then you need to know all about Tom Adamson Band! Coming in hot with his latest album, ‘Old View of the New World’, which was released in December of 2022, it’s got tonnes of quality alongside inspiration from Adamson’s homeland of Scotland. A musician who has been practicing his craft for decades, mixed with the sound of prog-rock that is reminiscent of legends such as Deep Purple, you can be sure that this album is one that you cannot afford to miss.
Kicking off ‘Old View of the New World’ is the brilliant ‘Ballyhoo’, a minute and a half mood setter that is already showing a deep prog-rock similarity, delivering a Gilmour-like solo that has your attention straight away. The follow-up track, ‘See the Light’, is the first time we’re introduced to the vocals of Tom Adamson, and he does not disappoint. Suiting the feel of the music and able to build momentum, it’s another brilliant track that demonstrates everything you need to hear in a great prog-rock album, with yet more fantastic solos stealing the show. The following track, ‘Old View of the New World, solidifies the album as a real gem. Jazz influences shine for the first time with a saxophone, playing alongside the fantastic guitar riffs and drums that we’ve become accustomed to.
Moving through the album, tracks such as ‘The Black Dinner’, ‘Just Another Way to Make a Friend’, ‘Waiting for Life to Begin’ and ‘I Am Mean’ showcase everything that we loved about what we’d already heard. Impeccable vocals, fantastic prog-rock music with a unique and refreshing jazz feel that helps the music stand out each and every time. Released in the back end of December last year, this is an album that you cannot afford to miss. An overall brilliant project from a brilliant artist, ‘Old View of the New World’ is waiting for you to dive right into!
music
Dive In to ‘Leven the Vale’, the Single and Album by Bank Street Martyrs!
Published
2 years agoon
January 27, 2023By
Aanchal
If you’re a fan of Steely Dan, then you’re going to love this new release from Bank Street Martyrs as they prepare for the release of their new album! Here with their latest single, ‘Leven the Vale’, the track serves as a tribute to their hometown as well as a taster for what’s to come on the album release of the same name. With a sound that casts us back to the glory days of rock music, this is a single that you need to add to your playlist right away!
Kicking ‘Leven the Vale’ off is a drumbeat that’s quickly followed up by the immense talent of lead singer, Joseph Watema, whose delicate yet powerful vocals instantly give the song a calm feel that is welcomed with open arms, while also having you on the edge of your seat. Moving through the track, we see the same fantastic drums and vocals, mixed with fantastic guitar riffs from Andrew Marsland that carry the same feeling perfectly, allowing Watema to take centre stage throughout. With composition done perfectly with music from Marsland, vocals from Watema, and lyrics by Ian Retson all on point, it’s easy to tell that this will be on repeat again and again on so many playlists. Rounded off by a guitar solo and the same brilliant vocals, it only adds to our hope that this will be an album that will exceed each and every expectation.
Released with an accompanying music video, directed by local filmmaker Harvey Smart, it adds another dimension to the track that already has a personal feeling to it, keeping it all local making the homecoming track even more poignant. Released in December, ‘Leven the Vale’ as a single and album are ready to be enjoyed – make sure that you don’t miss out on this!
music
Same Old Tale are Here with Their Latest Single, ‘Look Down’, as they Prepare for New EP
Published
2 years agoon
January 26, 2023By
Aanchal
On the lookout for some barnstorming rock music that will have you turning the volume up to the max? Look no further than Same Old Tale, an Israeli outfit with an undeniably good sound and a clear command of music and lyrics that will knock you off your feet. Here with their latest single, ‘Look Down’, as the band prepare for the release of their EP, ‘Tales Are Yet to Come’, listeners will get a glimpse of what’s in store from Same Old Tale! Don’t miss out on this.
Written by the lead vocalist, Maor Shem Tov, while he was on active combat duty visiting the Hermon Mountain. The idea came as he watched the people below, thinking about how they’re heading to work, seeing loved ones and living their lives, it dawned on him what he could not afford to lose. Penning lyrics and music that were born from this epiphany, the result is a truly fantastic track for its lyrics and the resonance that it has on anyone who listens and thinks deeply.
‘Look Down’ is a single that shows us what’s to come on ‘Tales Are Yet to Come’, with not only a clear approach in the music, but also in the lyrics, as they come together perfectly to create a track that will have you wanting to be a rockstar with its solos and ass-kicking drums. Shem Tov manages to balance with the music like a pro, as he matches the intensity of the music and elevate it to a whole other level with his vocals and delivery.
A genuinely fantastic rock track, it’ll appeal to a wide spectrum of those who are inspired by rock music, from metal to alt-rock, this is the song for you. ‘Look Down’ is the perfect teaser for what’s to come, promising that there will be more music on the way that follows in the footsteps in terms of quality. Make sure you get to know all about Same Old Tale and their releases, or live to regret it!
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