At Not Bad For A Girl HQ we’ve been busy bees. We decided it was time for a spring-clean, a touch of ‘out with the old and in with the new!’ So, for our latest edition, we’ve taken elements of our classic designs and reworked them to create a mini-biographical-patchwork in the form of ‘The Re-Edit’ tee. To celebrate the official launch, we asked the amazing Goldielocks and Sri McKinnon to step up, rock the tees and answer our famous five questions.
GOLDIELOCKS
Goldielocks aka Sarah Louise Akwisombe is a singer, producer and DJ from London. Known for creating her own unique electronic, dubstep influenced sound, she both produces her own beats as well as singing and rapping over them. She’s known for flying the flag for independent music and is a big one for doing things her own way, choosing to take the alternative and, let’s be honest, harder route rather than conform to the commercial rulebook. She recently launched her own record label ‘Gut Instinct Records’ with her first release being her own EP ‘I’m Not Her’.
Where are you from and how has that influenced you?
I’m from Croydon. I guess it’s influenced me because everyone has the same job and I didn’t want to have the same job so, I thought I’d do something different. It’s made me see that something can come from a small place, where everyone’s quite normal, and do worldwide things. In that way it’s quite inspiring.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I always think there’s more to achieve, I never look back at myself and think: ‘I’m so proud of myself for doing that’. There’s always so much more to do. I’m never like ‘I’m so proud of this gig or that gig’ it’s more when I make a song and I’m really happy with it.
What have you recently learned about what you do?
Having been in the industry so long, I’ve learnt a lot about how the industry works and what I stand for and where I want to be within it. I think I’m a lot more sure of it. When I first started out I didn’t really know what I was doing, I was just happy to try everything, I’ve learnt a lot about myself and the kind of music I want to make and the people I want to surround myself with. Just what I stand for really, music from the 60’s and 70’s people had stuff they wanted to talk about, that they wanted to stand for and no one now does that. I want to do that.
What’s your next project?
My album which is a load of collaborations. I’ve made all the beats and I do most of the hooks. I’m working on that with a variety of artists from all genres. Other than that I’m trying to do more writing and production for people and start pitching songs to other artist.
Which females coming up do you look to?
I really like Ikonika, she makes this weird computer game-esque, Dubsteppy weird stuff that’s really cool. Cooly G makes Dubby deep house and she’s really cool.
http://www.goldielocksworld.com/
SRI MCKINNON
Sri McKinnon is an artist and illustrator, currently residing in London. Sri recently launched her debut solo exhibition ‘Between Worlds’ at the Printhouse gallery in East London. When she’s not busy painting exquisite pieces, she’s hard at work juggling independent music and arts projects.
Where are you from and how has that influenced you?
Where I’m from is not always the most straightforward question to answer. Heritage-wise, my mum is Indonesian and my dad’s Scottish. I was born in Upstate New York and grew up in Indonesia. So, generally, I would say I’m one of those ‘Third Culture Kids’ who grew up in various places and doesn’t actually ‘belong’ anywhere as such. It took a long time to feel a solid sense of identity and belonging. For me, I think I eventually found my tribe and sense of rootedness in Hip Hop culture. Plus, i think a lot of the inspiration for my artwork is very heavily influenced by the experience of my dual heritage. I have a kind of nostalgia for the tropical lushness of my childhood, and a lot of my stuff ends up leaning towards the organic, natural and feminine. I’m trying to reclaim and explore the whole nature/female side, and am influenced and inspired by multiculturalism, South East Asian culture; everything from ancient civilisations and tranditions to art nouveau, anime and graffiti art.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I’m pleased with the fact that I moved to London and within 6 months managed to secure a debut solo show. It wasn’t a group exhibition, it was a solo exhibition and that was a massive personal milestone for me. It was someone actually taking the time to consider you and back your work and that was a really humbling and inspiring thing. It was a massive learning curve, and was certainly one of my biggest challenges to date.
Secondly, I’ve worked in the independent music industry and community music sector for a while doing PR and promotion. Its doesn’t always make for the most rewarding work as you don’t always get a lot of love or credit, but that’s not the reason you do it. You do it because you love it, because your passionate about supporting good quality independent music. Back in 2006 I was awarded with a National BBC Urban Music Bursary, it was a couple hundred people down to twenty finalists. I got down to the last three and then won ten grand which was awesome and really life changing. Again, was great to finally feel a sense of validation and was a significant milestone and experience.
Thirdly, I recently had the honour of designing the t-shirt, flyer and poster for the JDilla tribute event, which is in association with Doctor’s Orders. I was sent a photograph of Ma Dukes (Dilla’s mum) herself wearing the tribute tee shirt and she’s got a massive Colgate smile. Amaaazing! That was just a real honour to see my work going right back to the source!
What have you recently learned about what you do?
That you have to keep pushing and challenging yourself, that what your goals and ideas of where you want to be are constantly fluid and evolving things. You have to set certain goals you want to achieve but you also have to cut yourself some slack sometimes. Appreciate that it’s quite an evolving, changing thing, so not to be too rigid in your idea of where it is you want to go or what it is you need to achieve, you know? Basically be open and be malleable to changes. The good thing is to keep an open mind, do things out of your comfort zone and keep learning and pushing yourself.
What’s your next project?
After the solo show I wanted to do another one to keep the momentum going. Was recently invited to do this ‘Girl’s Love Eastpak’ event which is an all female event (female dancers, DJs, graff artists). They’ve invited me back to do a solo show in the Carnaby Street store so, that will be the next project I’m working towards, launching July this year. Basically go really hard with the all female angle and also, stop being a closet bedroom DJ and actually get round to learning Serato and get out there, play some tunes and have fun! A lot of it boils down to just being a certain age where you realise, you just have to be confident and just go out and give it a go you know?
Which females coming up do you look to?
This is a bit biased because she one of my dearest friends, but I think Andreya Triana is incredible. She’s worked so hard and her recent signing to Ninja Tune is testament to her unique talent and drive. I recently went to see Nneka perform. She’s amazing, so much passion and integrity rooted with a strong political message. She doesn’t present the whole ‘sexy female’ angle, rather she comes with hard-edged, conscious lyrics. I really respect that. On a UK tip, I like what Sabira Jade is doing, she’d definitely one to watch, and shout out to all my ladies over at Sirens Collective, a group of like-minded females doing it for themselves!
http://srimckinnon.com/
Words: MIlly Cundall @ Airs n Graces
Photography: Andrew Swanell
Make up: Lois
