Sound of 2019

Fresh Forward: October
Dermot Kennedy is the act of the month (see above). They also spoke to Tove Lo (back with a new album), Joel Corry (also see above), and Moss Kena. Yinka did most of the presenting this time.

Kiana Lede: Upfront
She calls herself alt-r&b, akin to SZA and Kehlani. She was glad to work with Offset on her hit Bouncin'. She was dropped by her 1st label, from LA. She clicked when she worked with Ella Eyre. She feels empowered by her personality traits. I hope she does alright.

Lewis Capaldi's big year continues as "Someone You Loved" becomes Billboard #1, the first solo Scottish act to do that since Sheena Easton back in the 1980s. He continues to maintain the fiction that the success has nothing to do with a video starring internationally recognised actor (and relative) Peter Capaldi.

Fresh Forward: November
Hamzaa was the featured act this month, a female singer-songwriter from London, and not to be confused with Kamille, also a singer-songwriter from South London, or Lily Moore, a singer-songwriter from Brighton in the neo-soul idiom.
Also interviewed was Cam Edwards from dance duo Sigma, who met his pal Joe when they were at Uni, is on tour and will be playing New Zealand on New Year's Eve. He also spoke of various collaborations, such as Jack Savoretti and Take That!

Fresh Focus: Hamzaa
She grew up in Hackney, and started piano lessons at 5, then sang gospel in school assemblies. She worked in the cloakroom at Brixton Academy, which is a modern spin on an old story. Her songs are OK, which is perhaps the main thing.

Lily Moore: Upfront
She's a singer-songwriter who grew up around music (though she didn't say how). She had a tolerant upbringing, and uses music as a form of counselling. She's only 21, and has no 5-year plans yet.

Kamille: Upfront
Having a name already used before is clearly not an issue. She's a singer-songwriter from South London who's already had much success for others - 22 songs for Little Mix for example. She was over the moon to work with Wiley on her current single Don't Answer. She has Jamaican/Cuban roots.

Why Don't We: Upfront
A 5-piece boyband from LA. They were solo acts, but became friends and decided to become a band instead. They get camaraderie on the road as a band. They can play instruments. They've done a song with Macklemore.

Moss Kena: Upfront
A singer-songwriter from London. He's a diehard Amy Winehouse fan. He co-wrote with Dan from Bastille, and has toured in support of Bastille, Rita Ora and Jess Glynne. He has a natural falsetto.

Fresh Forward - 2019's Best Bits
Yinka and Abbie fronted something of a back-patting compilation, enlivened by new chats with Aitch and L Devine (one of whom had a lot more success than the other). It's enlightening to watch things like this because it presents an interpretation which doesn't fit the narrative that the facts would seem to. Aitch has done well in the last few months, but there have been far bigger acts, and far bigger songs around than any of his.