Lakerama
Lakerama’s Graeme S (Hsuan Records) and Senita (Shookrah) are not artists unused to shy lending of talents to explore new soundscapes in their respective work. Since the debut EP release ‘One’ in 2015, the Irish based duo have received plaudits from several high profile, national online and press publications including Nialler9, The Irish Times, BBC Ulster, The Thin Air and have played support to Taylor McFerrin, SassyBlack, Princess Nokia and Saul Williams.
Lakerama’s follow up EP, ‘Contactless’, looks to explore ‘tapped in world’ dissonances we are shaped by, versus the vacancy and distance we create within as a by-product of this with their newest body of work. Weaving together a pulsating electronic hybrid grime and mutant house beats balanced dynamically over soft but powerful vocals combination. The duo have locked down a timely, infectious sound.
“A look into our era of cross communicative mediums, the ineptitude to connect to one another and ourselves, the efficiency, burst of the technological age and our heightened numbness within it and our perceived lack of control. It’s a personal recount of waking up, wondering where you fall in this and how it applies to you,” the duo explain about their new music. “Y0_(Why_Naught)” is the quick mantra starting off the EP. Addictive swirling synths and attention demanding vocals challenging it’s pushing, grime undertoned bassline. “Have Your Time” is a bitter-sweet love song explains Senita "I am not interested in anymore confrontations". “Walk” is a meditative song, soft, tentative, warm and lush. It embodies soulful harmonies and garage bassline pulses. “We Don't Even Matter” channels darkness and hopelessness themes “people close to me have often struggled to enjoy a safe, ordinary life. I take on an individual’s voice who's had to immigrate, hoping to advance somehow by leaving their home, only finding displacement and lack of support” Senita explains, misunderstandings, worthlessness and alienation drive this haunting, emotional song. Final track “Just Enjoy Yourself” lifts the tone to explore a more fun and playful affair. Imploring the listener not to take life seriously and let the good times roll - “It’s very much the glue to all the ideas running in this overall EP.”
Graeme: “The idea with this EP was to incorporate a palette of sounds and influences we wouldn't normally indulge in, from the sprawling UK sounds of UK Funky and Grime to hyperactive trap. 'Contactless' is meant to be intentionally darker and in many tracks the production is stripped right back. This gives Senita's voice vulnerability but there's also a strong sense of self and a confidence that comes through. Given that the EP was written over 2016, it reflected the state of mind that many of us find ourselves in, we are not overly optimistic about the future but neither are we nihilistic, ultimately we feel we are at a crossroad and it's not entirely clear if we have any control over our futures”
Senita has surfaced as a familiar name in the Irish R&B and electronic music scene with her band Shookrah collaborating with household Irish names such as Le Galaxie, Daithí and recently acclaimed Bantum. Meanwhile, Graeme runs the quiet success story of Hsüan records. Producing woozy, intricate fast-paced beats, his work has featured across high profile international publications (Complex, The Fader, Pitchfork, Dummy,) receiving airplay on BBC R1, BBC Radio 6, Rinse FM, NTS amongst others.
Live Show- Metropolis Festival, Dublin - 28th-30th October, 2017
Live Show - Open for Saul Williams, Cork - 18/07/2017
Video Premiere - District Magazine -06/07/2017 - https://youtu.be/YVLp9t0-PWs
Dan Hegarty - 2fm - 08/05/2017
Feature - EDM Boutique - 04/05/2017
Feature - When We Dip Mag - 29/04/2017
Mumdance/E.M.M.A - Rinse FM (London) - 25/04/2017
Premiere - Nialler9 - 26/04/2017
Jamz Supernova - BBC 1xtra - 19/04/2017
Angel Food - E.M.M.A & Aimee Cliff - NTS Radio(London) - 13/04/2017
Totally Irish - 98Fm - 11/04/2017
Live Show - Open for Princess Nokia, Button Factory - 10/02/2017
Feature - 'Ones to watch 2017' The point of everything - 03/01/2017
Live Show - Open for Taylor McFerrin Cork - 09/10/2016
Live Show - Open for Sassy Black Cork - 10/09/2016
Across The Line - BBC Radio Ulster - 11/04/2016
Live Show - Open for Rusangano Family Cork - 08/04/2016
Feature - Broadsheet - 07/04/2016
Live Show - Bernard Shaw - 25/02/2016
Live Show - Quarter Block Party Cork - 06/02/2016
Feature - I am Music (uk blog) - 14/10/2015
Feature- The Thin Air - 20/08/2015
New Irish Music - Irish Times - 21/07/2015
Live Show - Make a Move Festival Limerick - 07/2015
Feature, Thelastmixedtape - 14/07/2015
Premiere Nialler 9 - 13/07/2015
One EP - Released - 14/07/ 2015
