TURNIP STYLE

Tag: venn smyth

  • POWER POP REMIX BRINGS BOPS

    POWER POP REMIX BRINGS BOPS

    [vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text el_class=””]The brilliant and super talented synth-pop artist Venn Smyth has taken isolation as an opportunity to actually make a connection and create a “power pop remix” with Glasgow-based electro artist Elisabeth Elektra.

    It is obvious that all Venn’s creativity is just too much for him to sit still, so I would venture it is little wonder that he has been keeping himself super busy making even more connections through music.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”” css=”.vc_custom_1622058648770{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: rgba(234,222,152,0.45) !important;*background-color: rgb(234,222,152) !important;}”]He shares; “I started the playlist [Venn’s Quop – which is now a radio show on GlitterBeam Radio] during the first lock-down in 2020. I had just released my debut single ‘Burn Me‘ and with no gigs on the horizon, it was a way for me to try and connect with other LGBTQ+ artists and shine a spotlight on their work.

    I had no idea what a rich, talented and thriving community of artists I would discover and how the play list would develop into something even bigger! I’ve made connections with other artists from the UK to the USA, Europe to Japan – the support everyone gives each other is amazing to see!“[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_raw_html el_class=””]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZvcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tJTJGZW1iZWQlMkZ0cmFjayUyRjZGNVd0dk1pQ2xuRGgyMWN4bU1yVGolMjIlMjB3aWR0aCUzRCUyMjMwMCUyMiUyMGhlaWdodCUzRCUyMjM4MCUyMiUyMGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyJTNEJTIyMCUyMiUyMGFsbG93dHJhbnNwYXJlbmN5JTNEJTIydHJ1ZSUyMiUyMGFsbG93JTNEJTIyZW5jcnlwdGVkLW1lZGlhJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNF[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text el_class=””]One of these connections is closer to Venn’s homeland of Scotland. Elisabeth Elektra (“Giddy electronic pop” MOJO, “Remarkable” Clash) creates ‘Queer Alien Art Pop’ from her home in Glasgow.

    The electronic artist fell in love with Venn’s song ‘They Come for You’ and asked to put her own spin on it. The result is the Elisabeth Elektra Remix (released everywhere 14 May 2021) that gives “great 80’s synth power pop vibes” (Track By Track Podcast), highlighting the important message of the song.

    Venn Smyth’s lyrics were inspired by the post-war poem by Martin Niemöller “First they came…”.

    It is very much music with a message for today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=””]Elisabeth Elektra’s remix of Venn’s work is not the only one to come from Glasgow.

    Last year, Glasgow based DJ Ben Howell shot to online fame and then quickly the radio airwaves with his mash-up of Dua Lipa’s ‘Hallucinate’ and the BBC News Theme. His next project was to create a summer-ready bop of a remix for Venn.

    Both tracks will form part of a remix version of his EP ‘Build This House Again’ which Venn is to release over the coming months, working with other independent queer artists. He has also started writing new material with his new-found online music community, and will be releasing these collaborations later in the year.

    Find more about Venn Smyth at vennsmyth.com
    Find more about Elisabeth Elektra at elisabethelectra.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • THEY COME FOR YOU

    THEY COME FOR YOU

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]I have another exciting song for you to check out!

    You may remember when I mentioned the new remix of Venn Smyth’s BURN ME, way in the early days of Rona 2020.

    A really brilliant remix by the talented Ben Howell, who become known after he released his remix of Dua Lipa’s Hallucinate and the BBC News Intro.

    Click here to listen to THEY COME FOR YOU on your favourite streaming service.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”5358″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://ffm.to/vennsmyth-theycomeforyou”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][adning id=”5751″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]They Come for You has a fun energetic bop-like 80s synth-pop feel to it. Very reminiscent of what this wee-gay-boy was listening to back in the early “turnip patch” days. The likes of; Erasure, Depeche Mode, Cyndi Lauper, Kylie Minogue, Abba (of course).

    Without fail I found the optimism, that seems symbiotic with Venn Smyth’s music. The kind of optimism that makes your bum want to wiggle.

    Let us take a moment to recognise that the inspiration for, “They Come For You” was taken from the poem “First they came...”, written post World War 2 by Martin Niemöller.

    A rather poignant and sombre reflection on times past and perhaps maybe a sad reflection on our performance today, thus far, as a society; many of us find ourselves standing and staring this paradigm dead in the face again.

    Venn Smyth has a clear warmth to his voice that is not only alluring but may be just ever so slightly intoxicating and without fail I not only want to wiggle my butt while I listen, but I feel a sense of energy and hope combined with his message, that reminds myself to pause and focus on; what I am doing, what is happening around me and importantly, the people that are around me.

    I am reminded of something really awesome that I read on Twitter this week; “It is our responsibility, when we are in the room, to look around and see who is missing.”

    Perhaps, “They Come For You” is the reminder we need to be sure that, from this day forward, when we look around, that no one is missing and we are all in “the room” – together?

    I am definitely looking forward to more![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][adning id=”5751″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

    WHO IS VENN SMYTH

    [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1612924647785-814c6e9c-2369-2″ include=”5332,5333,5334″][vc_column_text]Unashamedly pop with a strong message, Venn Smyth writes songs that dance around subjects and stories important to him.

    These include identity, queerness, community and finding your voice. He currently lives in London and alongside writing and performing, teaches and works with young people, including leading LGBTQ+ youth music projects.

    He grew up in rural Central Scotland and found himself captivated by music and words from an early age.

    More interested in making up new tunes than learning the scales, he eventually knuckled down and went on to study Classical Music at Edinburgh Napier University, with saxophone and composition as his focus.

    However, song writing always stuck, and he found further inspiration in the eclectic worlds of Rufus Wainwright, Prince, Laura Marling and Erasure to name but a few.

    Having performed in various bands and releasing music under different guises over the years, this new work delivers a culmination of experience, introducing Venn Smyth at his most honest, playful and clear.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”VISIT VENN SMYTH” style=”outline” shape=”square” color=”black” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vennsmyth.com%2F|target:_blank”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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  • BURN ME [ Ben Howell Remix ]

    BURN ME [ Ben Howell Remix ]

    It was a number of weeks ago when I stumbled on the creativity of Ben Howell when he released a video on YouTube. He knocked us all over with his remix of Dua Lipa’s Hallucinate and the BBC News intro-music.

    That was all it took. I was hooked. I had all I needed, to know that Ben Howell was one to follow.

    BURN ME

    Performed by: Ben Howell, Venn Smyth

    Written by: Jack Gourlay, Steven Smith

    Taking a listen to this remix of Venn Smyth‘s song Burn Me, with the above mentioned remix still in my mind; I feel a sense of welcoming in the energy. It’s like the “hum of engines” in the deck plates. The kind of energy from music that just makes its way up your soles and into your soul. You can’t help but be drawn in.

    There is an energy in the spirit of what Ben has brought to ‘Burn Me’, that makes me just want to get up and move. I think the term is called “bop”. wink wink.

    Do not get me wrong when I say hum. This is definitely not a sleeper. This is a “throw it on your playlist, get your walking or running gear on, and wiggle your ass down the street” kind of song.

    When you check out Ben Howell’s YouTube Channel you see that he is teasing us with a “Rain On Me” remix….and the wait is killing me!

    [We missed my Summer birthday for a remix release date and I can tell you as sure as heck I am hoping I don't have to wait for my Winter Birthday for this "bop".]

    Clearly, Ben Howell loves music and takes his time with his creations and knows how to get it right. All worth it. I certainly am hooked and look forward to much more.