...a soul/funk singer/songwriter with a huge passion for music. Raff started off in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he supported legendary soul-jazz diva Marlena Shaw, Carleen Anderson of The Young Disciples and UK soul singer Nate James, as well as featuring on four of the Playstation hit series, Grand Theft Auto. Radio plays and podcast features from Aberdeen to Washington DC followed, with great reviews in national press. This all led Raff to his current home of London, where he has continued to gain exposure and notoriety; performing at the World-Famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, supported Lily Allen and even started his own live soul night in one of London's top bars - Loungelover. And with his influences ranging from the old skool Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, to the nu skool Raphael Saadiq and Maxwell, it's no wonder that on stage is where Raff thrives and shines - his powerful and energetic live vocal performances have become a signature. Raff is currently finishing off some new material, taking it back to basics with a raw live sound, and actively seeking management and a record deal.
"(Raff) has a voice as smooth as International Velvet and the Mediterranean looks to match" Metro
"Raff puts Scotland on the map...this is something with longgevity" **** DJ Mag
"Raff has the style and stage presence, not to mention the talent of a true star" www.urbanscot.com
"Terrific voice, a good ear for production and his heart's in his music. What more do you want?" The Fly
"A genuine talent, setting the standard for modern soul" Subcity Radio
VALL
ON STAGE: 9.20
‘VALL’ is a sassy London based alternative ROCK/POP/SOUL singer/songwriter who initially travelled to London (from ‘Up North’) several years ago in search of work and by a strange twist of fate fell head first into music. For the past 4-5 years, ‘VALL’ (formerly known as the artist Ryez), has been a regular performer on the London showcase and small festivals circuit. Described as having ... ‘a voice almost too good for the confines of the studio’ (Guardian)...in her laid back acoustic zone she steps proudly in the footsteps of velvet toned soul/folksters such as Joan Armatrading & Tracy Chapman. Full tilt she exudes the energy and stage presence of a young Tina with a tinge of the White Duke and a hint of Skin - passionate, yet edgy, raw yet polished. A ‘visually engaging’ artist with a highly visible love and passion for live performance and a natural affinity towards her audience, few would have believed that for several years both on and off stage she had been battling with the life altering and debilitating illness Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (commonly known as M.E or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – artist Seal/ film producer Lord David Putnam/ ‘Seabiscuit’s author Laura Hillebrand/Olympiad Dame Kelly Holmes...). After taking a year or so out, VALL is now fully recovered – a 10 day trek in Peru at altitude at the end of 2008 officially confirmed that - aaaand like a school girl with a Quality Street toffee overload she is excitedly back on track.
MO MOLOKWU
ON STAGE: 8.40
Born and raised in London, Mo Molokwu is a hugely talented singer/songwriter, who combines her life influences and experiences to create her own take on UK Soul and R&B. As a child, Mo was exposed to various genre's of music and she knew from a very young age that she wanted to sing. Deeply inspired by artists such as Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder and Mary J Blige Mo Molokwu began to hone her sound and by the age of 12 she had already started writing music and developing her skills. Mo says "I sometimes found it hard to say what I really felt and found through singing ind writing I was able to express my inner thoughts, fears, sadness and joys freely. Music is such a creative force which communicates with people on so many levels". At 16 Mo joined a school Gospel choir and later went on to join a girl group which allowed her to experience the music industry professionally, helping her to grow as an artist and experiment with her sound and writing. Now working as a solo artist, Mo Molokwu's warm tone and charismatic melodic style makes her one to watch in the near future. Mo Molokwu has been working on her new E.P and performing at various venues across London and is ready to continue her musical journey and share her sound with the world!!
JESSE
ON STAGE: 8.00
A twenty-something acoustic soul singer/songwriter. who grew up listening to the classics and later developed further with the help of some of the more recent soul legends. Coming from london, i was lucky enough to always be able to find good live music venues, i'd been playing in and around central for a few years and found a place for myself on the stage, however it seems my major development as an artist came when i moved to oxford. It was here i grew up and matured. One of the biggest lessons learned was not to waste time, without devoting myself to music i was just procrastinating, i guess you know you're an artist when its all you're thinking of, you might be working a different job, living a different life, but every day you wake up and feel like you know exactly what you should be doing but just haven't found the courage to change it. Listen to your conscience, it knows what's up. My style is always developing, i don't pretend to know things i don't, but always keep an open mind to new ideas. The material i find myself writing is based around the reality, the truth, the hope for change and the fact that nothing in this world is ever just black and white, love or hate... never that simple.
Get 2 courses at Nove for £9.95 (or 3 for £12.95). Available any night if you are coming to The Source Below to see a show or for Karaoke. Call 020 7734 1590 now to book a table. Terms
6 July (Monday) - RAFF, VALL, MO MOLOKWU, JESSE
