AFRICA BABA
For fans of: SAULT, Little Simz, Glass Beams, Cleo Sol, Fela Kuti, Joy Crookes
| Genre | Africa Funk |
|---|---|
| Format | VINYL |
| Cat. no | NR036S |
| Label | NORTHSIDE RECORDS |
| Artist | OWELU DREAMHOUSE |
| Release Date | 13/09/2024 |
| Carrier | 7" |
| Barcode | N/A |
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AFRICA BABA
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Owelu Dreamhouse (pronounced Oh-WAY-lew) the new collaboration from Nkechi Anele(Saskwatch, ex-Olympian, triple j) and Nic Ryan-Glenie (Saskwatch, Let Your Hair Down, The Meltdown, Vance Joy). A sonic combination of cinematic soul, psychedelia, and Afrobeat. The band's namesake is a play on Anele's grandmother's village — Owaelu — in Nigeria. Lyrically, the music weaves through the complexities of cultural ties between generations.
"I wanted to explore things outside of what you've heard me do before. I wanted to stretch my singing style to places I had yet to navigate."- Nkechi
Former Saskwatch bandmates, the two cut their teeth at the helm of the Melbourne soul resurgence, earning a reputation as one of Naarm's most electrifying live acts. Appearing at major festivals across the country and the world (Glastonbury, Edinburgh Fringe, CMJ, Splendour in the Grass, BluesFest, WOMADelaide, Falls Festival), released four albums, sold out tours and supported Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Maceo Parker, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and Earth, Wind and Fire.
Owelu Dreamhouse spent two weeks at Sound Recordings (Castlemaine, Vic) and Swimming Pool Studios (Naarm, Vic), recording 16 songs with, what felt like, an army of friends who just so happen to be this country's most dynamic instrumentalists bringing their vision to life. Co-produced and engineered by Henry Jenkins (Karate Boogaloo, Mo’Ju, Surprise Chef, Ella Thompson) and tape-operated by Alex Bennett (Sound Recordings), ‘can you believe it?’ is due in 2025.
Africa BaBa/Coffees & Milk {Feat. N'fa Jones} released by Northside Records is the first insight into what Owelu Dreamhouse has to offer.
‘Africa BaBa was the second song we wrote together. It draws on our shared love of UK rapper Little Simz,' says Ryan-Glenie. ‘Stylistically, it’s a mixed bag of cinematic, afro-psych, rock vibes. I loved the first time Nkechi sang that long "Looooooooooovveeeeee” note. Now, whenever other people hear it, their ears perk up and switch on to that moment.’ Anele adds, 'Africa BaBawas the catalyst for my songwriting and musical resurgence. I felt confident in what I had to say, and how I wanted to say it. Reflecting on the way black women are talked about, the line between masculine and feminine is often blurred (often not by us). The lyrics “I just want to be loved by you” comes from wanting to hold that part of my identity and celebrate the space so many others belong in, too. I originally wrote this to be sung by a man and a woman, but the more we listened back, the more badass it felt for me to take up both identities.’
The B-side Coffees & Milk takes inspiration from West African highlife rhythms from Ghana, made famous by Nigerian artists and activist, Fela Kuti. Wanting to give the track an edge, the two reached out to friend and hip-hop trailblazer N’fa Jones (1200 Techniques, Cool Out Sun). A longtime fan, Nic says the two musicians ‘felt honoured to have N’fa work with us on this project, his tone and phrasing are distinguished and recognisable, he elevated it to a place that felt perfect for the atmosphere we wanted this music to make.”