Poppy

Describe your style in three words?

Depends on mood?

The first track you played on repeat?

Sly & The Family Stone - If You Want Me to Stay

The fuzzy bassline and ad-libs make you feel like you’re in the room with Sly himself. It’s perfect for winding down. I don’t remember how I first heard the song but it opened up the world of Sly & The Family Stone and I haven’t looked back since.

A song from your favorite album?

The Rolling Stones - Moonlight Mile - 2009 Mix

It’s such a beautiful song that can either make you so happy or cry (or both) depending on the day. It’s the break in ‘Sticky Fingers’ where everything is released and is the most magical song on the album.

A song from your most memorable gig?

Maisha - Eaglehurst / The Palace

My mum took me to Maisha’s gig at the Village Underground a few years back and I didn’t know anything about the band. That was the first time I saw Nubya Garcia play sax and she’s fully my jazz role model.

A song that always gets you up and dancing?

Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

Pet Shop Boys, Womack & Womack, Dépêche Mode, Madonna. My love for the '80s is a recent one but at least one of the above needs to make an appearance for it to be a good night.

A new song you're listening to?

Jockstrap - 50/50

Jockstrap didn’t have to go that hard but they did! A song for energy, energy, energy.

Best song to turn up loud?

Rachid Taha - Rock El Casbah

I hold that this cover is better than the original by The Clash. It’s full of charisma and has amazing and electrifying raï instrumentals through the whole song.

A song that defines the teenage you?

Drake - Too Good

I used to be obsessed with Drake because he was from Toronto which is where I’m from. I remember going to his gig at the O2 when I was 16 and waving my Toronto Maple Leafs jumper around hoping he would see. He didn’t to the best of my knowledge.

An anthemic song?

Pulp - Common People

I almost prefer the live version from Glastonbury 1995 just so I can mouth along to ‘this is our last song… it’s called co-mmon pe-ople’ and pretend I was there. I still haven’t been to Glastonbury so maybe Pulp can make a reappearance and I can do it in the flesh…

Best song to end an all-nighter?

The Jesus and Mary Chain - Darklands

The main character anthem for when the sun rises at the end of your own coming of age movie.