Larry B
Larry B, a twenty-something musician and DJ from South-West London, comes from a huge family, the “first boys of 4 girls and 1 younger brother”. The all-around love and high-energy dynamic associated with big families is prevalent in his work as he is best known for his dynamic sets at PDA club nights in London and, more recently, his moody, alone-in-your-bedroom, rnb tracks from his aptly titled “5 Sad Songs”.
Crooning over the tracks, Larry B’s vocals complement the intimate, dreamily bittersweet musical production perfectly capturing (or transporting) anyone deep in their feelings. The British-Ghanian singer shares with us his inspirations, current musical obsessions, and musical history.
What inspired you to get into music?
Life! I've been into music, I guess, since I was really young. My older sisters used to listen to lots of music in the house when I was growing up, I guess I saw its importance from early!
When did you start curating mixes? Producing your own music?
I started DJing in maybe 2010 and started producing or trying to in like 2013/14! My good friend had bought herself a Maschine Mikro and I used to fiddle around with it when she'd let me and a little while later I bought one for myself!
Your own music is a huge departure from the mixes you play at PDA and other similar settings. How do you find balancing the two? Do you prefer one to the other?
No I don't feel I have a preference of the two, they’re both parts of the equation! And I think I need the two to be separate, then there’s some variation in the mix! To be fair, it’s really it's not that huge a departure because a big factor to a PDA party is that anything goes!
What was the inspiration behind “5 Sad Songs”?
Uhm, again life! The struggle! Feeling bad, feeling sad!
There are a lot of interesting things happening in the experimental music scene right now across the world especially in bringing DJs and musicians to unlikely places both in the scene of different contextual settings as well as geographical—online and physically. What unique situations, challenges, and opportunities have you found in this?
I'm not too sure! I guess all my situations are unique, I do think I've been quite lucky in terms of this, I've seen a lot over the years in clubland.
With the settings concept mentioned above in mind, where has been your favorite place to play thus far or where is your dream place to play?
I’m really happy to play anywhere to anyone that's happy to hear and that goes for both performing live and DJing!! I’m not too bothered about locations, I'm way more of a vibes kinda gal!
What are you currently listening to on loop?
Kelela - Enough
Any future projects you can share with us?
I'll be putting out a mini EP thing
Images courtesy of LARRY B
interview PERWANA NAZIF
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