Caleb Kunle

Photo by Jonny Storey

Name, where are you from?
Caleb Kunle, I'm from Lagos, Nigeria and raised in Laois, Ireland.

Describe your style in three words?
Elegant, breathable and unique.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Jeremy Pelt live at Ronnie Scotts has been one of the most memorable music performances I've ever seen, I love most shows I witness at the iconic Ronnie Scotts, a Jeremy Pelt show I witnessed in October this year really sparked my inspiration, something about the masterful playing and such humble presentation showed me how captivating Jazz can be.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
I would have loved to have shared a line up with William Onyeabor or Francis Bebey and Billie Holiday. They are both enigmatic examples of artists who broke the mould, they shifted seamlessly through genres and created timeless works. I can only imagine what their live performance would have been like! In the case of Francis Bebey and William Onyeabor, it would have been a marvel to watch their blending of traditional African instrumentation and electronic music! In regards to Billie Holiday, she truly was and is a wonder and it would have been an honour to share a stage with her.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Having been raised in a rural and quite isolated community I found subcultures through searching the internet, subcultures such as Anime. I love anime and its fantasy realism take on storytelling. When I set out to write music, what I truly aim to achieve is to tell a story and anime, being quite immediate and imaginative, inspires me. Namely, I associate the music of the late producer Nujabes with anime. 

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would have loved to spend an hour chatting with the Legendary musician Sun Ra. I find his philosophical and spiritual creative process hugely inspiring, he seems like a soul with the burning quest to actualise itself authentically and in my view, I feel he found it!

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
'Tis sad but one of my favourite venues may have just been closed. It was KOKO Camden! I just love the decor and preserved details! I felt that venue enhanced the artistry of every show I'd seen in the space.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
To Say Nina Simone is unsung may be untrue but I feel she is yet to receive the full accolade I know she deserves. She is by far my greatest artistic inspiration, in regard to her genius I feel she's on par with the greatest composers to have ever created!

Caleb Kunle recently released his new single 'Could Be Good'. Listen, purchase or stream it via bfan.link/could-be-good-2.