Sentric Digital are chuffed to be working with Atlanta based rising star, Raury. At the tender age of 16 this musician and singer is making bold strides to and planting his flag firmly in the ground.

‘Bloom’ is the first single to be released by Raury, who looks set to add further weight to the adage that this decade has undeniably been about youth. Whilst the music in the ten years that preceded it had been dominated by the breakthrough of artists in their mid twenties and beyond – LCD Soundsystem, 50 Cent, Coldplay, Kanye West, the White Stripes all grasping the mantle – now the control has been wrestled back by plenty much younger.

Hip-hop is in thrall to the likes of Chief Keef, Joey Badass and the OFWGKTA collective helmed by Tyler the Creator, electronic music to Madeon, Disclosure and Bondax, and even on the opposite end of the spectrum Pop is dominated by One Direction and Justin Bieber – all starlets who made their breakthrough before turning twenty. And now a new name enters the teen canon, Atlanta troubadour Raury.

His mix of bluesy Folk splattered with Hip-Hop lends an obvious comparison to the city’s most famous oddball prince, a certain Andre 3000. Whilst it’s a link that carries a degree of weight, Raury is clearly an artist ground in his own personality. His musical landscape is gloriously wide ranging, with a litany of influences that stretch from the Psychedelica of The Flaming Lips and the ethereal Folk of Nick Drake, right up to the classic multi-racial super-groups Sly and the Family Stone, Arthur Lee’s Love and Prince and the Revolution.

‘Bloom’ opens his genre hopping account, an acoustic effort that boasts his ethereal vocals at their most whimsical, eerily exploring the depth of the quality of his delivery. It’s a ballad of dreamy proportions, achingly delivering his desires towards his muse in a record that harks to the classic nu-soul R&B of the likes of D’Angelo, Maxwell and Frank Ocean and even evoking the gothic pop of Lana del Ray.

It forms a tantalising glimpse into the musical make-up of Raury, an artist set to shatter genre conceptions in 2013. Forthcoming album ‘Indigo Child’ is set to offer a further snapshot of the musical terrain of someone who feels un-shackled by expectation or limitation, with ‘Bloom’ the opening salvo on a musical journey that promises much. It’ll be quite the trip.

Raury Facebook
Raury Twitter
I Love Raury

French Lord of the Dance and Gaelic EDM DJ Tristan Garner is no stranger to hard work…Tristan has been commissioned to work on remix projects for high profile artists such as Armin Van Buuren, Erick Morillo, Avicii and Tiesto. In addition to this, Tristan’s own Xtra Life Records imprint (a subdivision of Strictly Rhythm) is consistently expanding.

Sentric Digital have been working with Tristan since January 2013.

Sentric Digital handle all PR and social media management for Tristan.

Tristan Garner Website
Tristan Garner Facebook
Tristan Garner Twitter

Sister Bliss half of Faithless who are undoubtably the masters of stadium Electronic events, and all things Rave on a grand scale…

Sentric Digital have been working with Faithless, Sister Bliss and Junkdog since February 2013.

Sentric Digital manage the online communities for Faithless, Sister Bliss and newly formed Junkdog recordings.

Faithless Facebook
Sister Bliss Facebook
Junkdog Facebook

Faithless Twitter
Sister Bliss Twitter
Junkdog Twitter

The grip of Disney on Popular culture has been huge over the last century, and no more so than within fashion. At the back end of last year Harrods department store in London brought us a beautiful array of stunning garments, a collective effort of high end fashions designers work for the store. Marchesa, Elie Saab, Valentino, Versace, Escada, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Jenny Packman, Oscar de la Renta and Ralph & Russo all created spectacular designs for the modern day princesses Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Snow White and Tiana, all from the traditional childhood stories.

The photo shoots showcased a sophisticated princess that has the crown jewels, accessories, setting and picture perfect model to match, and enhance each fairy tale to truly bring the themes to life. The shots are exquisitely designed throughout every fine detail, emphasising the Disney princesses for the mature audience who still hold on to those youthful magical memories.

You can see the photo shoot come to life here on video Once upon a dream | Womenswear fashion shoot | Harrods Magazine.

As well as doing the PR for the NuNorthern Soul Record label, we have designed and built their new website. The requirement to match the look and feel with the musical output and its audio texture was required, we think we have got it spot on, and so does the NNS team!

Hi Guys,

Here’s a round up on all of my freelance writing work that I have done through the month of January. This is going to be an ongoing post monthly, so you can see what I’ve been up to, where I’ve been going and the people I’ve been meeting. All of my work can be found on my personal Tumblr too, Little Miss Rehab.

Enjoy

L x

“Circus on Boxing Night was going to be nothing short of a well-rounded celebration to bring in the Christmas spirit that everyone was feeling. With a line up of leading man, Yousef on the bill and friends including headliner Loco Dice, Jamie Jones, Lewis Boardman, Scuba and Scott Lewis this was one Boxing Night in Liverpool not to be missed…”

“New Years Eve 2012 was one of those exceptional occurrences that had to be commemorated in style, so making a trip to one of worlds best nightclubs would be ‘the’ exception to see some of the most amazing DJ’s and Music Producers of today. It would be a perfect highlight to end any raw raver’s year in their social calendar…”

“LA born band, Fol Chen will be realising their third compilation ‘The False Alarms’ on Asthmatic Kitty Records on April 2^nd…”

“Jump up people! It’s only a few days into our shiny new year and we’ve got a great reader giveaway for you in the form of two tickets to the Bedrock Warehouse Party at Camp & Furnace! Featuring a 5 hour extended set from label boss John Digweed plus a host of other names including Jemmy & Friendly Fires, this is a night to get to 2013 rocking like a good ‘un…”

“Düsseldorf based record label, Desolat was formed in 2007 by two extremely prominent names in the underground music scene, Loco Dice and Martin Buttrich…”

“Adele Moss is a rising DJ and aspiring Music Producer from Liverpool who is set to take the underground music scene by STORM…”

“John Digweed’s ‘Live in London’ compilation was released on vinyl and digitally on December 3rd 2012. It’s a four CD compilation of nearly five hours of music recorded live at the Bedrock Anniversary party at Fire & Lightbox, in London. The compilation has over 50 tracks compiled with some of the subversive artists of today. This four disc compilation holds exciting things and we sure enough grabbed hold of the first two CD’s to feast our ears into…”

“On Friday 22nd February Circus London brings Yousef, Hot Since 82 and Pirupa to Egg London. This will be the second instalment from Circus this year and it’s providing an awesome line up of artists marking the 12 months of Circus’ clubbing in the capital. If you fancy bagging yourself x2 FREE guest list places to the event, then get following @pumpedaudio and answer the following question. We will choose one very lucky winner at random…”

I got sent the new remix sampler for Crazy P earlier this week, which is released on 2020 Vision shortly. The three tracks are pretty special, and perfect listening material to take you away form the dreary grey skies of now. Read what I had to say about them here.

Eclectic label NuNorthern Soul are releasing two classic soulful Hip Hop covers, these are Mos Def ‘Umi Says’ and The Pharcyde ‘Runnin’ by BJ Smith from Smith and Mudd / White Elephant.

It has been picked up by Gilles Peterson and featured on his eclectic Worldwide Radio6 session on Saturday 15th December and is also scheduled for plats from Craig Charles (radio6) and Rob Da Bank (Radio1) both in the new year prior to the release date of Monday 28th January 2013.

Feedback

Joe Muggs – The Arts Desk / Mixmag

BJ Smith ‘Umi Says’ on Gilles Peterson Worldwide BBC6 15th Dec 2012 by NuNorthernSoul

Limited Vinyl available here

“The result is that rather than being a blockbuster movie, what GTA V really represents is the game equivalent of something else. That being the sprawling and vividly wide-ranging TV programmes which have become another of our new cultural obsessions in the twenty first century, shows like the Sopranos, Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Wire.”

As part of our work with AppToyz we’re asked to deliver blog content on a number of things including the wider world of gaming, and there simply hasn’t been anywhere near as big a story in recent times as the launch of GTA V. Click on the above quote to see what I wrote concerning the release of the most hyped computer game in history.

Some great news for the city of Liverpool. The Masque, which has been shrouded in uncertainty since its closure towards the end of last year, has now officially been taken over by the MAMA group who have a cracking track record in revitalising troubled but special venues. Ticket links for Circus is here and Chibuku here; and the official blurb is as follows…

Following a long 12 months since the demise of the previous operating company, promoters Chibuku and Circus can finally proudly announce that a major deal has been completed regards the Masque venue sealing its long term future in the city. On December 9th the promoters of both clubs will handover the premises to a new partnership with the MAMA Group, for immediate commencement of an amazing renovation programme. MAMA Group are owners of major live venues including London Forum, Jazz Café and Ritz Manchester and leading UK festivals including Global Gathering, Lovebox, Wilderness festivals and many more.

Richard McGinnis explains that, “We have worked tirelessly every day since The Masque closed to bring the right deal to the table and make the venue everything it should have been. We are hitting our 13th year in The Masque next year, and finally we will be able to bring together all the great promoters in the city in a venue which Liverpool will be proud of. We have worked with MAMA in various forms over the last ten years and their success in transforming the iconic Manchester Ritz really was the trigger for us. Liverpool for too long has been second best for touring live acts and right now needs a venue of merit for local bands to aspire to play in. We are going to create that venue. We have had a few close calls and a few false starts in getting this deal across the line, so I’m over the moon finally we can announce it to everyone. We need to take time to thank Tony Mutch and Tony Rothwell, the freeholders for their incredible patience, vision and support over the last year. Without them the city would have lost this incredible space.”

As part of this amazing news for Liverpool, two of its most revered clubs, Circus and Chibuku, have announced their final parties taking place across the remainder of December. Both clubs are crowning momentous years, with Yousef’s Circus reaching its X anniversary in September, and Chibuku continuing its vibrantly eclectic template. The action moves across town, from The Masque to The Camp and Furnace, utilising two of the city’s most iconic venues.

Yousef’s Circus ends 2012 with its annual Boxing Day bonanza, as a riotous ensemble of house and techno stars grace Liverpool. 2012 has been an extra special year for all involved at the club, which celebrated its 10th X anniversary in September, capping an epoch-breaking decade in dance music. Yousef has enjoyed a meteoric 12 months too, including his recent Essential Mix on Radio 1 and touring the world to some of its finest clubs.

Taking place at the Camp and Furnace, Circus’ Boxing Day party features sets from some of the club’s favourite performers, including Loco Dice, Jamie Jones, Heidi and a debut from Hotflush’s Scuba. And of course don’t forget Yousef himself, who after his spectacular year will be showing why he is one of the planet’s most in-demand DJs. This promises to be an epic festive Circussession.

It has been another remarkable year for Chibuku too, with a series of brilliantly eclectic shows keeping the club right at the fore of electronic music culture, with two final shows in 2012. Saturday December 8th sees the club sign off from The Masque until the New Year, with headliners Chase and Status, arguably the UK’s biggest crossover dance act. They have maintained the independent creative kudos and continue to dominate the scene; their birth in drum and bass has evolved to a wider-ranging stylistic template, which sees them revered as both champions elect and champions for everything that’s great in electronica. Huge support comes from Friction, Dillinja, justin Robertson, True Tiger and more.

And finally, Chibuku are also very pleased to announce they are also returning to the stunning city-centre space for their annual NYE bash, at the Camp and Furnace tucked away in the Jamaica Street area of Liverpool. It’s an evocative and breath-taking venue, a true warehouse environment, which will host several huge guests including 2manyDJs, DJ Fresh, Redlight and Dread, Subfocus, Rudimental, and Futurebound & Matrix, continuing a new direction in bringing global stars to Liverpool club to spectacularly conclude the year.