Welcome to another edition of ‘Get to know’ where we have the exciting new genre-defying artist Bklava in the hot seat.
An artist who has honed her craft in recent years and has recently played with the likes of Annie Mac, M.O.A.D, Conducta, Roska, Matt Jam Lamont, Wookie at his month-long Camden Assembly residency, she’s certainly on the rise.
We asked her about her hometown, influences growing up and a certain collaboration with the aformentioned UK garage legend, Wookie!
Where are you from?
Was raised in Mitcham south London but currently living in Brighton.
How has growing up in South London influenced the style of music you produce?
I love south London, I think it?s got a lot of character and in the last 5/6 years has really come into its own with a growing community for underground music. I went to the Brit school in Croydon for two years to study my musical theatre A-level, so naturally it meant meeting lots of people from all over London and the U.K which opened my eyes to a world of different styles of music. I?d say it?s helped me shape my sound today.
Tell us about your favourite home-town hangouts…
Brighton
Presuming Ed?s for a coffee or a banging chai latte and they?re open late night so when I didn?t have internet for a while, I?d head there to do my emails /write/ produce.
Twisted lemon – for a boujee cocktail.
London
Troy bar in Shoreditch. Open mic nights and banging Caribbean food.
What artists are your biggest musical inspirations and why?
Imogen heap because she?s a wizard at technology and she?s a complete one woman show. Something I?m definitely aspiring to be.
Kelela – she?s managed to incorporate a variety of styles/genres with her music and yet still create one recognisable sound with her voice. All her collabs are insane too.
My other big inspirations are Hiatus Kaiyote, Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, Kate Bush, Nao, Kali Uchis, Chaka Khan, Todd Edwards, DJ EZ, Oneman, Disclosure, Peggy Gou, Four Tet, flava d, bonobo , kaytranada
Talk us through how both your parents have had an influence on your music?
My dad got me into singing and playing guitar from a young age and would sing/play rock/country growing up. My mum always loved to dance to Lebanese music/pop and also 90s/00s house so my taste in music has always been quite wide!
Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?
Who I?d like to collaborate with: If Amy or Aretha were alive, they would be the dream, I?d love to do something with Disclosure, Nile Rogers or Mark Ronson.
How was it working on your debut track with the legend, Wookie?
I remember going to Wookie’s studio for the first time and the week beforehand I?d rewatched a documentary on the rise and fall of garage in the 90s/00s talking about his involvement in the journey and it all sort of hit me at once that I?m actually getting to make music with one of the pioneers of ukg. Unreal.
What’s next up for you?
What?s next? You?ll have to wait and see!
You can keep up to date with bklava on her socials below!
