• Jess Kav – You Sound Like a Black Person

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    I have, over the years had a fair amount of punters look at me suspiciously when I discuss my racial background. There has been numerous occasions that enquiries on my ethnicity arises when someone hears me sing for the first time. It has gone something like this; Punter: (Eyes look around around to deter eavesdroppers) “Has anyone ever told you that *whispers* you sound like a black person when you sing?” Me: Yes! My mother is black. Punter: *Laughs uncomfortably* Me: … Punter: “Oh…really? You’re serious?” Many have looked curiously at me, eyes darting to the sploof of curly hair…

  • Watch: BARQ – Bear

    February 8, 2017 - By 

    Having been tipped from many corners for big things in 2017, Dublin’s BARQ commanded our attention early last year with their slick debut single ‘Gentle Kind of Lies’. A busy, increasingly impressive year followed, culminating in the release of ‘Bear’, a single – their strongest to date – confronting themes of loss and coming of age. Recorded at Westland Studios by Alwyn John Walker, mixed by Scott Hallidy and mastered by Andrei Eremin, the single now has a visual accompaniment courtesy of Crooked Gentlemen. Dig it below.

  • Track Record: Jess Kav (BARQ)

    October 8, 2016 - By 

    Dublin musician and BARQ frontwoman Jess Kav handpicks a selection of records that have left an indelible imprint on her music and life, including Chaka Khan, Jape, Ella Fitzgerald and Flying Lotus. Photos by Moira Reilly. Hiatus Kaiyote – Choose Your Weapon Future-Soul deliciousness from Australia or, to quote them, “polyrhythimic, multidimensional gangsta shit”. The album kicks you in the face with glitchy vocals and operatic intensity from the first song ‘By Fire’. Nai Palm’s voice can hold so much sass and vulnerability simultaneously, god I fucking love her. I feel like she’s life-coaching me with her lyrics. Listen out…