The British Music Embassy typically takes over a venue every year at SXSW in Austin, Texas, putting a spotlight on the best new music from around the UK. As the festival is virtual this year due to the ongoing global health crisis, the British Music Embassy has recorded live performances which can be watched on the SXSW portal. A selection of performances will also be made available after Easter for all to view on SXSW’s YouTube channel.

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The full British Music Embassy line-up for SXSW Online 2021 includes 404 Guild, Afronaut Zu,  Anna B Savage, Baby Queen, Beauty Sleep, Black Country, New Road, Chubby and The Gang, Connie Constance, Do Nothing, Drug Store Romeos, Ego Ella May, Enola Gay, Finn Askew, The Goa Express, IDER, Katy J Pearson, Lau.ra, Lilla Vargen, Matilda Mann, The Mysterines, Nayana IZ, Olivia Dean, Onipa, Penelope Isles, Phoebe Green, Porij, PVA, Ryan McMullan, Sinead O’Brien, Squid, Tayo Sound, TV Priest, Virginia Wing, Walt Disco and Yard Act.

Speaking about the event in a press release, Paul Pacifico, Chief Executive Officer at AIM said; “We’re delighted to be returning as a British Music Embassy partner for SXSW 2021. It has always been a key stepping stone for the careers of independent artists, and a valuable way to accelerate their journeys on the international stage. Although we can’t attend in person this year, the positioning of British Music within the virtual showcase platform is the next best thing and a crucial moment to showcase exciting British talent to the world.”

Northern Irish singer-songwriter Lilla Vargen shared her excitement about being on the virtual line-up saying; “The past year has been devastating for live music, and SXSW being able to go ahead in some form is a light at the end of the tunnel, and hopefully can signal the return of more opportunities like this. I can’t wait to head to Austin when it is safe to do so.”

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The British Music Embassy is brought to you this year by AIM, BBC, BPI, the Department for International Trade, PPL, PRS for Music, and PRS Foundation, with further support from ATC, media partner DIY Magazine and Belfast City Council. Since 2008 it has hosted over 450 UK artists, positioning them in front of a global audience in order to help them to break into new markets and advance their careers. The British Music Embassy also uses UK-only production and equipment, giving artists from the UK an unparalleled platform on the world music stage.

Check out the SXSW showcase at The British Music Embassy through the SXSW portal or on SXSW’s YouTube channel.

Funky, stylish and uplifting, ‘Blend‘ more than meets the expectations of the stellar collaboration. The single perfectly captures Rudimental’s signature upbeat brass sections and positive pop vibes, Netsky’s smooth liquid funk and jazzy influences, and Afronaut’s afrobeat-infused rap vocals. A powerful blend of styles, one can hardly imagine a more fitting title for what is certain to be an upcoming chart entry.

On top of teaming up with Netsky, Rudimental also premiered an official live video of their recent track ‘Come Over‘. The single features Anne-Marie and Tion Wayne as guest vocals and was released in late August this year, making it their third new song of 2020 following the release of ‘Krazy‘ (ft. Afronaut Zu) and ‘Easy On Me‘. Rudimental’s last full studio album Taste To Our Differences came in January 2019 and was their first record failing to top the Official UK Albums Chart following the hugely succesful double platinum debut Home (2013) and its gold-certified successor We The Generation (2015).

‘Blend‘ is set to feature on Netsky’s fourth studio album Second Nature due out on 30th October through Hospital Records. Born Boris Daenen, the DJ has been active since late 2009 with his debut self-titled debut released the following year. Hugely successful in Belgium with two records topping the local charts, and a leading name in the European drum’n’bass scene, he is yet to land a commercially succesful release in the UK and the fresh collaboration with Rudimental might be just what he needed.

@netskymusic and @Rudimental have cooked up an absolute storm! ‘Blend‘ features live brass, a shredding bassline and @AfronautZu‘s infections vocal cuts. This is a certified D+B banger taken from Netsky’s forthcoming album ‘Second Nature‘ which lands at the end of the month! pic.twitter.com/WntorNjMtS

— Hospital Records (@HospitalRecords) October 2, 2020

In recent years Afronaut Zu has been gradually building his reputation as a popular solo artists with powerful collaborations and infectious live performances. Known as the former singer of Damian Lazarus & Thr Ancient Moons as well as being part of the hip-hop band Orphgang, he has been acting as the live singer for Rudimental and have recently featured on two of their official releases – ‘Krazy‘ and now ‘Blend‘. His debut EP MELANALIA came out in 2018 via OFF BALANCE and he is currently preparing a second release, following a productive 2020 which included recent featuring on Steam Down’s ‘Etcetera‘ that made it into the official soundtrack of FIFA 2021.

‘Blend‘ is the first time Rudimental and Netsky have collaborated on official track release. Earlier this week Netsky took it to Instagram to express his excitement of finally working together and enjoying the recording process. Talking about the track, he teased his followers to “expect live brass, [Piers Agget, Rudimental] taking you to church, [Amir Amor, Rudimental] taking you on a vibey trip and a drum & bass drop that’ll make you shake in public” and after dancing all day to it we couldn’t agree more.

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Finally releasing a song with Rudimental! Had such a good time recording this song with the guys. Expect live brass, @piersrudimental taking you to church, @amiramor taking you on a vibey trip and a drum & bass drop that’ll make you shake in public. ‘Blend’ with @rudimentaluk @afronautzu This Friday

Публикация, споделена от Netsky (@netskyofficial) на Сеп 29, 2020 в 12:34 PDT