While the world is thrown into panic over Covid-19, 2020 is not letting down musically. And specifically, women in music are doing us right. The new music rolls in with exciting news of album and EPs soon to come from the likes of Marie Dahlstrom and Ego Ella May. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2020, read more about some women behind the music you should know right now down below and listen to their musical magic in our latest ‘On The Wave’ update.
P.s. we show the men some love too.
Marie Dahlstrom – Like Sand
Danish-born singer, Marie Dahlstrom has a flawless voice and a distinct ability to take us on an organic journey through her music. She amalgamates a myriad of sounds and make them her own. Her latest single, Like Sand delicately unites elements of R&B, jazz and hip-hop, and is Marie Dahlstrom at her very best. The track oozes Soul alongside groove-laden rhythm sections which guides us as she dazzles over the beat. All of this is complemented by Beau Diako’s sophisticated, impressive guitar performance.
Moving to London 6 years ago, Marie has been patient with her career, maneuvering her own space and on her terms, carefully plotting and building towards her first full length body of work. The past 12 months have seen Marie writing and producing the songs that will eventually form the debut album recently announced – ‘Like Sand’ set for release on 22nd May 2020. Marie is renowned for her warm, gentle jazz-tinged, soulful R&B. She has been very productive in this period also with several EP releases to her name.
Dahlstrom’s influences come in wide variety. She was raised on some soul and R&B’s greats; the likes of Edwyn Collins and Gloria Gaynor. She also cites the discoveries of Dwele, Dire Straits, Erykah Badu, Kirk Franklin and Fleetwood Mac in her teens as key points of inspiration.
Her upcoming full length album was recorded between LA, Copenhagen and London. Like Sand features collaborations with South London Soul singer James Vickery, producer Jeremy Passion, Elijah Fox, guitarist Beau Diako and more. It promises to be a treat. In the meantime, check the single above.
Nyah Grace – Sunday
As avid music listeners, we have all been in the situation where the distinct sound of a singer’s voice captures you right away. This is very much the case with the talented Nyah Grace on her brand new single ‘Sunday’.
Sunday simply exemplifies that feeling of a relaxing Sunday where you just want to chill. Nyah’s velvet smooth vocals provide a brilliant backdrop to this and set the tone fantastically well. Sunday is a track full of grace as Nyah tells the endearing tale of a weekend romance. The track is produced by the UK’s very own Grammy and Brit nominated Steve Chrisanthou, who is best known for his work with Corrine Bailey Rae. Sunday is a brilliant follow up to her first single Black Coffee which dropped last August.
Nyah’s story as an artist thus far, has also been a very interesting one. Originally nestled between Oregon Vineyards and abundant Hazelnut Farms was where 17 year old Nyah Grace discovered her musical roots. This was also where she found her core writing and performance influences in the works of D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Corinne Bailey Rae and Billie Holiday to name a few.
That said, Nyah remains very much her own artist with a remarkable maturity and unmistakable identity which is evident to hear and feel in her music. Nyah has recently relocated to London where she is working on her debut album for Palawan Productions.
Keziah Mallam – In Your Dreams
Keziah is a Londoner with Nigerian roots and has been writing for 10 years since she was a little girl having found music through her church choir. Her musical inspirations are Soulful yet varied from the likes of Emmavie, D’Angelo, Brandy, NAO, Mac Ayres and The Internet.
Her new track In Your Dreams is a love song rooted in finding and keeping the connection you have with that special person. In her own words, “The track plays with the idea of the dream realm. Dreams are seen as a space where you make things be what you want them to be. So the song plays with that idea saying that I know life is stressful but in the dream space, you’ve got me, you’ve got my love and it’s all perfect there. It’s a combination of whispery vocals and soft spoken poetry so it really gets you in your feelings when you listen to it at the right time”.
This idea is brilliantly executed on the track with Keziah’s subtle yet soulful voice truly resonating from the moment you press play. Her voice simply serenades over a blank canvas of acoustically led guitar based production and is one that really gives you the feels!
Interestingly, she only began releasing music and doing it with a real purpose this year. She plans on putting out an EP later in 2020. We are definitely looking forward to what is next to come from Keziah Mallam!
