Michael Kiwanuka
Michael Kiwanuka's musical journey is one of the most earnest, inspirational and exciting we've come across in recent memory. From his early days as a session guitarist for artists such as Labrinth, Chipmunk and Bashy to fledgling acoustic solo shows that caught the attention of London's Communion collective to being named as the winner of the BBC's Sound of 2012 Poll, Kiwanuka's time as an artist has been one in which we can all believe in and support. 2012 is set to be a triumphant and significant year for the young singer songwriter and we're proud to have him as our Artist Of The Week.
Tell Me A Tale by MichaelKiwanuka
All stories have to start with a beginning, an idea or a situation that have led to the tale being commented on or written about - Kiwanukas begins simply with a covermount CD. As a youngster growing up in London the singer had spent his time listening to artists that were popular with school friends: Blur, Nirvana and Radiohead were the key players on the stereo and offered an insightful introduction into the world of music and one he was happy with, over time one artist in particular, Jimi Hendrix, opened Kiwanuka's eyes to the power of song and what a man and his guitar were capable of. However, it wasn't Hendrix that changed the game for the singer instead, as mentioned earlier, a covermount CD featuring Otis Redding's 'Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay'. The version on the CD came with an out-take of Redding speaking with his studio engineer, Kiwanuka saw a humanity to a performer he could once only comprehend as a myth and took inspiration in the understanding that this was just a man, a man with a voice and guitar just like Kiwanuka had - if Redding could achieve such things with these simple tools then what would stop Michael? Another key play was Bob Dylan, a friend had lent him a boxset of the troubador's records and Kiwanuka was again amazed by the power and urgency made possible by those two simple entities, a voice and a guitar. The artist now had all the musical history he needed to begin his journey and began to get to work on his own recordings.
Interestingly, Kiwanuka did not intend to become an artist in his own right this was perhaps due to his own understated personallity - an almost inherent shyness - but instead was more than happy to be a session guitarist who could, if asked, write songs for other people. As a plan this was fair and understandable and Kiwanuka's own talents at playing the guitar led to him achieving an awful lot in a short amount of time. A guitarist for pop star Chipmunk and grime mc Bashy, Michael Kiwanuka the guitarist was in a good position but there was something missing, he had been writing his own songs and knew it was important to get them out there for people to hear if only to help people notice his skills as a songwriter and give him to opportunity to live out the second part of the plan and write for other people, Kiwanuka set up a Myspace page and waited to see what happened.
The singer put his first tracks online and began to book himself somegigs, solo and acoustic he played small venues in London for whichever promoters would put him on. Of course, with such raw talent it wasn't long before Kiwanuka was noticed and after people around the capital began whispering of a brilliant new singer songwriter with a show stopping voice, Paul Lambert of The Bee's got in touch and invited him to record some introductory tracks at his studio in the Isle Of Wight. Butler had seen something in Kiwanuka he hadn't heard in an artist for a very long time, he wore his influences on his sleeve and sang in deep voice both husky and smooth at the same time and with an emotive quality so rare, heavily indebted to the blues and rootsy folk music there was something very special here.
Those introductory tracks recorded by Butler were released on the brilliant Communion Records, the label had been responsible for putting out some of the best new folk inspired music in the UK and hosting brilliant club nights showcasing only the most exciting new artists, it was the perfect home for Kiwanuka. His debut EP 'Tell Me A Tale' received universal critical acclaim and served it's purpose in many, many more hearing his music than those at the small London shows Kiwanuka had been playing up the point of it's release. The record eventually reached Adele, seen by many as the most important artist of 2011, who was so impressed that she invited Michael to support on her European tour. Now the singers beautiful tales of life, love, loss and religion would truly be heard.
Worry Walks Beside Me by MichaelKiwanuka
Next came an invite to support another of his idols, Laura Marling on her tour and Kiwanuka was really cooking with gas. Another EP followed, again receiving critical acclaim across the board and this time earning him a chance to appear on Later...With Jools Holland his co-performers were Bjork, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Noel Gallagher but it was Kiwanuka that stole the show, in him viewers saw something real, without pretence or cynicism but instead hope and honesty, it was he that would be remembered from that night.
Michael Kiwanuka & Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) - "Lasan" by MichaelKiwanuka
2012 has already been an exceptional year for Kiwanuka, winning the BBC Sound Poll and finishing his debut record set for release on the 12th of March through Polydor. Kiwanuka's tale is true fairy tale but not one of chance or magic but instead one of passion, power and personallity, an artist we all root for is a rarity but in Michael Kiwanuka we have just that and in return all we ask is that he continues to make the beautiful and inspired music he always has.
Watch our Rockfeedback session with Kiwanuka filmed at the ever charming Toe Rag studios a few weeks ago.
Michael Kiwanuka's debut album 'Home Again' is released on the 12th March and is available to pre-order now.