Next Big Thing - TIEKS / Tom Misch / Sway Clarke II
For this week’s Next Big Thing we’re placing our bets on three individuals who stand out among other artists in the current music scene for their distinctive sounds, strong image, and ability to make us feel good!
So, hopefully you’ll be smiling by the end of this post (and our station, of course!) If not, then just give it another listen…
TIEKS
This particular Next Big Thing is hotting up fast! TIEKS is the London-born talent who has been making appearances all over the place this summer, from Reading & Leeds to Bestival - this guy clearly loves a festival! He’s also got the backing of top Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac who tipped his dark dance track ‘The Number’ for her Free Music Monday. His tunes are the perfect floor-fillers - laden with house beats, delightful harmonies (that remind us of TIEKS’ buddy MNEK), and a little bit of flashback synths thrown in there for good measure. This is probably the closest we’ll get to time travel… destination - the 90s.
Tom Misch
We’ve got another Londoner for you, but his music is a hell of a lot more chilled out. Singles like 'Memory’ from 19-year-old Tom Misch remind us that sometimes it’s good to take things easy, especially when there’s steel drums involved. A blanket of beachside melodies should help you drift off in that “happy place” in your head, or you could take a relaxation tip from Tom, who gently sings “Tonight I’m sleeping under the stars." Perfect for the end of summer and the start of sleepy autumn, we’ve got this one on repeat.
Sway Clarke II
Right, time to head out of Britain for our next newbie. Originally from Toronto, loveable singer Sway Clarke II made the big move to Berlin and starting putting out singles like 'Secret Garden’. We’re actually struggling to put him into any genre… R&B is probably the closest we’re going to get. As the artist explains on his Facebook bio under 'Influences’, "This a stupid section, but the answer is EVERYTHING! From Peter Tosh, to Peter Gabriel. From Bob Dylan to Bob Marley. From Steely Dan to Dan Auerback. From Deadmouse to Modest Mouse. Radiohead to Talking Heads. Jay Z to ZZ Top. All of it." So, if you want to hear what music sounds like when it’s inspired by 'everything’, then tune in.
