01Profile
A Kawala Photo
Kawala
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
We’re KAWALA & we’re from the mighty North London.
What do you do?
We’re a band desperately attempting to be the first artist to make you cut shapes to music fronted by an acoustic guitar.
Describe your style in three words?
Harmonies, upbeat and positive.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
May not be the best of all time but seeing Brittany Howard at the Kentish Town forum days before lockdown this year was absolutely magical. Maybe the mix of how flawlessly talented she is combined with the impending doom.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I think growing up in Camden it was a real blessing to be exposed to a beautifully diverse variety of subcultures. I’d say both our music taste growing up, our clothing and our music now has taken heavy influence from all over.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Would love to chance to meet and talk music with David Bowie. Always such a super fan as a kid!
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Always been big fans of the Brudenell Social Club up in Leeds. We studied up there and so the city means a lot. Also what a venue!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Our tour manager Joe and Sound Engineer Aoife for putting up with us on the road!
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Can’t entirely remember but a song that sticks out is 'He’s Misstra Know-It-All' by Stevie Wonder. Absolutely beautiful song and remember being addicted as a little one.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Teenage me was absolutely obsessed still with my parents’ music. So I’d have to say one of the greatest songs ever written, 'Marquee Moon' by Television (has to be the full ten-minute version which we no one could get away with now).
One record you would keep forever?
Old it’d have to be 'Innervisions' by Stevie Wonder and new may have to the electro folk pop masterpiece 'Sylvan Esso' by Sylvan Esso.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Eaves has this one lyric which we think is ingenious. His real name is Joseph Lyons and in the opening lyric to his song 'Pylons' he says "Raised by lions". Taught us that a subtle play on words like that could really make you feel something.
A song you wished you had written?
We feel like this about a different song every five mins. But it has to be 'Observatory Crest' by Captain Beefheart. So incredibly well written and fantastically simple.
Best song to turn up loud?
When on the road, for the last few tours our hype up song is 'Bafou Safou' by Amadou & Mariam. What a screamer!
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Unashamedly a super fan of Jason Derulo. Our semi-comedic dream collab. 'The Other Side' by Jase for me.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
‘Mayonaka No Door / Stay With Me’ by Miki Matsubara. Absolute masterpiece of Japanese disco that’s infectious in getting everyone up n throwing shapes.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Fairly self explanatorily 'The Sound Of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Loving Matilda Mann, Jordan Mackampa & Far Caspian!
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
We’re KAWALA & we’re from the mighty North London.
What do you do?
We’re a band desperately attempting to be the first artist to make you cut shapes to music fronted by an acoustic guitar.
Describe your style in three words?
Harmonies, upbeat and positive.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
May not be the best of all time but seeing Brittany Howard at the Kentish Town forum days before lockdown this year was absolutely magical. Maybe the mix of how flawlessly talented she is combined with the impending doom.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I think growing up in Camden it was a real blessing to be exposed to a beautifully diverse variety of subcultures. I’d say both our music taste growing up, our clothing and our music now has taken heavy influence from all over.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Would love to chance to meet and talk music with David Bowie. Always such a super fan as a kid!
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Always been big fans of the Brudenell Social Club up in Leeds. We studied up there and so the city means a lot. Also what a venue!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Our tour manager Joe and Sound Engineer Aoife for putting up with us on the road!
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Can’t entirely remember but a song that sticks out is 'He’s Misstra Know-It-All' by Stevie Wonder. Absolutely beautiful song and remember being addicted as a little one.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Teenage me was absolutely obsessed still with my parents’ music. So I’d have to say one of the greatest songs ever written, 'Marquee Moon' by Television (has to be the full ten-minute version which we no one could get away with now).
One record you would keep forever?
Old it’d have to be 'Innervisions' by Stevie Wonder and new may have to the electro folk pop masterpiece 'Sylvan Esso' by Sylvan Esso.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Eaves has this one lyric which we think is ingenious. His real name is Joseph Lyons and in the opening lyric to his song 'Pylons' he says "Raised by lions". Taught us that a subtle play on words like that could really make you feel something.
A song you wished you had written?
We feel like this about a different song every five mins. But it has to be 'Observatory Crest' by Captain Beefheart. So incredibly well written and fantastically simple.
Best song to turn up loud?
When on the road, for the last few tours our hype up song is 'Bafou Safou' by Amadou & Mariam. What a screamer!
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Unashamedly a super fan of Jason Derulo. Our semi-comedic dream collab. 'The Other Side' by Jase for me.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
‘Mayonaka No Door / Stay With Me’ by Miki Matsubara. Absolute masterpiece of Japanese disco that’s infectious in getting everyone up n throwing shapes.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Fairly self explanatorily 'The Sound Of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Loving Matilda Mann, Jordan Mackampa & Far Caspian!