Catching Flies
Catching Flies – aka multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ George King – is the very model of a modern musician. He blurs the boundaries between mainstream and underground, and between electronic and ‘real’ music, as easily as the biggest and the best. His music is a bass heavy yet melodic mesh of broody electronics and intricate rhythms, containing shades of everything from hip-hop to house, from soul to jazz.
Since the release of his debut album ‘Silver Linings’ in 2019, Catching Flies has steadily released a number of acclaimed singles and EPs whilst finishing his second album, scheduled for release later this year. Typically wide-ranging in genre, they highlight Catching Flies’ ability to effortlessly manoeuvre and experiment across the spectrum of electronic music. These include the ‘absolutely brilliant’ (Lauren Laverne, BBC6 Music) hit single ‘GLY’ which has received over 20 million streams to date and came with remixes by revered British dance/pop band Hot Chip, and Ninja Tune’s DJ Boring. Piano piece ‘Diamonds’ which garnered artist support across the board from the likes of Nils Frahm to Jungle. ‘Orsay,’ released through Cercle which included a live performance with a string quartet at the iconic Musee D’Orsay in Paris. Dancefloor banger ‘Oi,’ subsequently remixed by Sofia Kourtesis, and an EP on Anjunadeep. He was also recently nominated for a BAFTA for his soundtrack work on a video game. He follows all of this up with forthcoming release, ‘True Colours,’ a slice of catchy yet sophisticated electronica. It’s highly textured, deeply melodic and effortlessly marries live instrumentation (guitars, sax, a string quartet) with warm electronic beats. True Colours (Part 2) features Erick The Architect (Flatbush Zombies) and UK Rap sensation Lord Apex. The rest of 2023 looks busy with headline live shows lined up across the globe from Hawaii to Prague, Izmir to Tokyo.
Catching Flies released his debut album ‘Silver Linings’ in July 2019. Containing shades of everything from hip-hop to house, from soul to jazz, it was hailed as ‘a soundtrack to Summertime’ by the 405 – and was awarded album of the month by Future Music who described it as ‘a brilliantly eclectic record… a moving journey that will last long in the memory.’ Clash Magazine praised the LP’s ‘killer beats’ and ‘artfully orchestrated introspection,’ whilst London In Stereo praised it’s ‘exceptional production.’ Other press coverage for the album included The Guardian, Complex, Nowness, Mixmag, iD Magazine, Dazed & Confused, The Line of Best Fit and more. He has received radio support from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Pete Tong, Annie Mac, Lauren Laverne, Mary Anne Hobbes & Huw Stephens. Artist support for ‘Silver Linings’ has come from the likes of Bonobo, Caribou, Loyle Carner, The Blessed Madonna, Keinemusik, Rufus Du Sol, George Fitzgerald and Lane 8. He toured the album performing headline Live shows throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and North America, as well as DJ shows at Bonobo’s ‘OUTLIER’ event series in Europe and North America.
Silver Linings was followed by ‘Silver Linings Remixed,’ a remix album featuring versions of tracks from his debut album reimagined by DJ Seinfeld, Andhim, Soundbwoy Killah, Laurence Guy, Ron Basejam, Grandbrothers, Trim and more. Typically wide ranging on genre, the mood progresses from ambient soundscapes to hip hop beats, deep disco and house to breakbeats and emotive techno. Linking the album together includes a new Catching Flies track 'Daymarks', a „Part 2“ version of 'Yu' which features a transatlantic rap collaboration between the UK's Jehst and US's Blu (of Blu and Exile fame) and Catching Flies’ own „Ambient Reprise“ of 'Satisfied'. Speaking on air on BBC6 Music, Lauren Laverne said – ‘Remix albums – sometimes they’re great, sometimes they’re not so good with lots of filler… This is not one of those. This is one of the really great ones where every track is different and diverse and interesting. You never quite know where it’s going to go, and I’ve put aside so many tracks to play on the show from this remix album. I would heartily recommend it. It works brilliantly well.’
il:lo
French producers Dejan Dejado and Andreas Schültz prove that two heads are better than one. After meeting in Prague in 2010, the duo formed a fast musical connection that spawned their dynamic and sprawling electronic act il:lo. While working remotely by exchanging ideas from two different places, il:lo embodies a yin and yang style of complementary forces.
They describe il:lo as “difficult to capture or hold permanently, having wings.” This meaning can be derived from the definition of the world volatile and highlights their proclivity for shape-shifting moods and the uncanny ability to mutate between downtempo, electronica, and deep house. Their influences are as far ranging as their music, citing 90s IDM, trip hop, and even liquid drum & bass music as playing a role in their compositions. Throughout their career, il:lo have toured much of Europe taking cues from the exotic architecture around them. The angular aesthetic serves as a driving force in their bold minimalism. From 2015 EP Places to 2019’s Sloh, the duo’s creative vision is apparent in both their musical evolution and their visual identity.
Following the release of Sloh, il:lo took to the road once more touring with renowned beatmaker Blockhead as well as collaborating with electronic mainstay Emancipator, and the otherworldly CloZee on official remixes. They continued to broaden their horizons with remixes for Mt. Wolf, Panama and Jerro. At the top of 2022, il:lo unveiled their first live record with Anjunadeep Live Sessions, a culmination of their work with the progressive London-based dance label Anjunadeep.
Now, joining forces with Nettwerk, il:lo’s composition methods remain unchanged. Through their endless musical journey, the dualistic mindset continues to evolve and encourage listeners to let go and take flight. Stay tuned for more from il:lo.
This show is supported by Liveurope, the first pan-European initiative supporting concert venues in their efforts to promote emerging European artists. Liveurope is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union
