14th (live) pe 24 martie la Atelierul de Productie
Detalii in curand.
14th
Debut EP
‘Hide Yourself’
out on Monday 14th November 2011
‘Every day the 14th, I don’t think ya’ll heard me!’ For the hardcore Outkast fans out there, you will know where this lyric comes from, for others maybe not but for Tracey Duodu and Tom Barber it was the inspiration for their band name after the duo got together over a dance battle at uni and a “let’s jam together sometime” proposition from Tracey.
The pair, one part South East London / one part West London, first got together two years after the “Let’s jam together” proposition, so what happened in between? Tom, an American Studies student was your typical ‘boy with his toys’ and began mixing and playing around with beats and ideas since he requested music software for Christmas in the early 2000s. Tom was sent to Santa Barbara for a year to study an American subject of his choice, his being African-American music and film. When Tom finished uni he poured all his energy into his music. Taking inspiration from his year in California and reminiscing on nights of parties, jams and discos with Tracey and a mere two years later Tom decided to text her, “You still singing?” and with that 14th were born and more importantly, their debut EP title track ‘Hide Yourself’.
So what had Tracey been up to? With her love of all things Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott and N.E.R.D. Tracey took up music at university alongside a course in philosophy. When she realised that being a philosopher would turn her, “Bald and cynical” Tracey turned to her other option: music. Despite taking to the stage in various musical productions and doing what she thought she loved best, she never felt totally fulfilled. Just as she allowed these thoughts into her mind, she got the unexpected text from an old friend from uni – Mr Tom Barber.
They describe their music as, “Influenced by old school dance and rave with 90s beats and UK garage sounds” as well as a mix of their own vibes. Reclaiming past music genres that had been partially forgotten in the music chasm, 14th are bringing back all the grooves and beats that inspired them growing up; breathing life into them, giving them a new heart and letting the living pulse set the rhythm.
The platonic couple are set to release a four track debut EP in November. Title track ‘Hide Yourself’ is the first we hear of their collaboration. It begins with a simple piano and stripped down vocals from Tracey which showcases her unique voice. The song brings in elements of 90’s R&B and UK garage to create a nostalgic bass line and beat-driven track. ‘Lights Off’ continues where ‘Hide Yourself’ ends – exploring themes of commitment, history and time. It’s almost like a reply to ‘Hide Yourself’, a second act if you will. “It’s more naive and less jaded than some of the other songs, reflected with quite a raw, exposed production” says Barber. The song is Tom’s vocal debut and is a stand alone entity worthy of release in its own right. A haunting and poignant number which leads to ‘Chimes’, a track that gets you out of your well of self-pity and turns the positive on. The last track on the EP titled Millionaire is an early song from the band. The original had big pop hooks but this newly remixed version is a showcase of Tom’s ability to formulate, mix and create – it’s the longest track on the EP and has elements of dance, electro-pop and glimmers of dupstep.
In 2011 current music is coming around full circle, with more acts responding to the music they listened to growing up rather than the classics that are usually referenced by musicians. 14th are doing exactly this, embracing the 90’s UK garage scene, adding elements of R&B and dance, creating a sound influenced solely from this era and turning it into 21st Century music with a big 14th stamp of approval.