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?UESTIONS: Gnarly

    Producer and DJ Gnarly is known for her impressive live finger drumming performances. Her weapon of choice is the Native Instruments Maschine, where she creates jazzy, soulful beats with a helping of funk. Her skills in music tech are vast and Gnarly is the lead Mix and Mastering Engineer post-production for the UK Beatbox Championships.


    What was the first album you bought and how do you feel about it now you are a producer? 

    To be honest I don’t remember the first album I bought. My sister used to buy a lot of tapes and CDs when I was a kid and she was a teenager. I remember spending hours making mixtapes /mix CDs from them of my favourite selections including TLC, Eminem, Blink 182 and Aaliyah to name a few.


    I don’t remember when I made the transition from listening to her music to buying my own. It seems like such an archaic way to listen to music now by having a physical copy. Most of the music you’d listen to in those days was chart music and it would be a dream to appear on Top of the Pops. With the internet, anyone can distribute their records now and have them heard all over the world. 


    Where do your ideas come from before you make a track? 

    Sometimes I’ll hear a song or sound in daily life that will inspire me such as music in a game or a line in a TV show or a post on Instagram. Other times I like to sit and actively listen to music for hours to draw inspiration from. I like to spend a lot of time experimenting, sometimes it turns out great sometimes it doesn’t. 


    Do you have a favourite performance of yours?  My favourite performance was being in the Finger Drumming Competition at Sample Music Festival in Berlin last year. It was my first international gig and first time in the scene, performing for people that were there specifically to see Finger Drumming. I got to network with a lot of other finger drummers too which was really cool.


    Are there any artists that you draw inspiration from — if so who and what type of music? 

    Lido is my biggest inspiration. He’s a multi-instrumental live performing producer. His beats are kind of future RnB. Music that is full of emotion and well executed. Seeing someone create and perform with such good energy inspires and makes me want to level up.

    Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians and producers?  Stay consistent, practice daily and make an effort to be the best you can be. Set goals for yourself and be determined to achieve them.

    ?UESTIONS: Jose Ramon Nunez

      Multi-talented music arranger and composer, Jose Ramon Nunez was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. Influenced by the melodies and harmonies of Latin jazz and funk music, Jose plays both the trombone and piano. The mellow dynamic piano stimulates the senses and the distinct trombone leaves an energetic spark. Jose is a skilled and spirited musician.

      What is your musical background?

      I was attracted to music since a very young age. I started playing the piano at music school from the age of 8, then added the trombone in my teenage years.

      How has growing up in Havana influenced your journey in music?  

      I come from a family of musicians, my great grandmother was the first who created the women only band, La Charanga De Doña Irene in 1928. Growing up around her, influenced my taste of music. Cuba is mixed country, we have the African rhythm influences, the Latin music from the Caribbean, the jazz from the USA, not to forget the Spanish flamenco. It’s such a rich culture, that it’s hard not to love it and get inspired by it.

      What do you love about playing the trombone and piano?  

      The two instruments are very versatile, both gives me the freedom to create and perform different styles of music, from classical jazz and pop, salsa and more.

      Do you have a favourite musician – how have they inspired you?

      I get inspired by the musicians I work with, as well as by the big names in the music world, mostly jazz and funk, constantly searching for new inspirations and motivations, so if I name just few, will be not fair to others.


      C*LTURE: Marielle Franco

        Born and raised in Maré, a slum in northern Rio de Janeiro, Marielle Franco was a Brazilian human rights activist, politician and feminist.


        On a scholarship, Marielle was able to gain a degree in social sciences and later a master's degree in public administration. Her thesis focused on the law enforcement program to retake control of Rio's favelas from gangs. With over 46,500 votes, Marielle won a seat on the Rio de Janeiro city council.


        A black woman and single mother from the favelas, Marielle Franco campaigned against gender violence, for reproductive rights, and for the rights of favela residents. Before her murder, Marielle spoke out against the police brutality and violence.


        In March 2018, Marielle was assassinated. Two years on, the crime remains unsolved.


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