An eclectic line-up of performers will descend on Sefton Park throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend, as the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) brings its Summer Jam to the city.
Whilst big name acts including Basement Jaxx, Labrinth and Echo and the Bunnymen are gearing up to top the bill, the free event is also the perfect opportunity to catch some stars on the rise. We caught up with some of the hotly tipped musicians taking part in this year’s festivities.
Rae Morris
You’ve toured and collaborated with the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club and Tom Odell. Is there anyone else you’d love to work with?
At the moment I’m really open to anything and I’m having some time to be
creatively free and open! I recently wrote a song with a guy called Fakear who is so
talented and we performed it for the first time at Montreux Jazz Festival, so I’m
very excited about working with him. Also, a huge hero of mine is Kate Bush so I’ve
always got my ear to the wall for any sign of her looking for collaborators! Your album, ‘Unguarded’, has been described as a coming-of-age album.
How would you describe your style of music?
The most important thing to me is that my music is very honest and my writing has
so far been very uncensored and true. I like to look at each song as having a life of
its own, then decide on how it should live and breathe through instrumentation
and production. There are different shades on the album. Some moments are calm
and intimate, others are wild and sweeping – just like the tilt and shift of everyday
life and the experiences we have.
You’ve been regarded as a ‘musician’s musician’, do you view yourself this way?
I think if you’re a music fan and you’re passionate about what you do, naturally
you are drawn to be friends with like-minded people. There are some truly
wonderful people who I’ve met along the way and I feel very lucky to have friends
to talk to and discuss ideas with.
Catch Rae Morris on 31 August @ 5.50pm
Becky Hill
You’ve already featured on Rudimental’s No. 1 album and Wilkinson’s top 10 hit ‘Afterglow’. What can we expect from your solo album?
My album will be what I’m calling an electro soul left-field pop vibe. I wanted to make it interesting and as timeless as possible, and I really feel I’ve achieved that over the past three years.
You performed during last year’s LIMF at the MTV Brand New event in Camp and Furnace. What are you mostly looking forward to on your return to the festival?
I’m looking forward to it being outside this year! It’s going to be a nice festival open space, and should be a great lively crowd!
What other projects have you got coming up after LIMF?
I should be having my own mini tour in the autumn and another single coming out too.
Becky Hill will perform on 30 August @ 5pM
JP Cooper
Where do you find musical inspiration?
I guess I draw from everywhere really. Inspiration is something you have to hunt for,
you have to give it an opportunity to get into your life and, most importantly, you have
to write about things. That’s what I tend to do – every now and then I write something I
like and it gets past my notepad and into the studio.
You’ve been touring the UK. What’s the best thing about being on the road?
There’s nothing better than seeing people enjoying your work first hand and it’s great
meeting the people who are supporting me. Also, there are so many places I may have
never visited that I get to explore a little. It’s a real privilege.
You’re currently working on your debut album. What can we expect?
I’m in the studio at the minute and it’s sounding incredible. There’s so much going on
in there that it’s hard to explain really, there are definitely a few curve balls! It’s
actually nearly finished and I’m really proud of it. You’ll have to wait a little longer but
I’ll be sharing some of it soon.
Watch JP Cooper perform @ 4.50pM on 31 August
Zak Abel
You’ve worked with the likes of Gorgon City and featured on 1Xtra’s Hot for 2015 list. How do you feel such exposure and recognition is impacting on your career so far?
Touring with Gorgon City was one of the most invaluable experiences I’ve ever had. Having a connection with 12,000 people whilst you’re on stage is one of the best feelings in the world. I was really honoured to be included in 1Xtra’s hot for 2015 list. I make music for the inherent reward of making music so any recognition is just a bonus!
Who are your main musical influences?
My influences change all the time, but the artists I keep coming back to are Bobby Womack, Al Green and Amy Winehouse, to cut a long list short.
What can music fans expect from your forthcoming LIMF performance?
I’ll be playing some stuff from my debut EP ‘Joker Presents…’, which came out earlier this year. I’ll also be playing a couple of tunes from my upcoming mini album which I’m really excited about!
Zak Abel will be on stage @ 2.50pM on 30 August
