She Rules..!

Can we take a minute to talk about Kate Nash?

Despite being on the scene since 2007, let me tell you why she's a breath of fresh air:

She's a talented singer/songwriter and has written not just for herself, but other artists such as Willow Smith for the recent track 'I Am Me'. Kate's discography is even being used as the soundtrack to a new musical!

When artists have image overhauls it's very easy to see that it's their management re-branding them in a bid to reach new audiences. But Kate's transition from vintage dresses and acoustic guitars to punk rock bass has been a gradual and genuine one. I'll admit, comparing Made Of Bricks to Girl Talk sound like two different artists, but if you look for the clues, you'll see that the bad-ass elements of Kate have been there all along: listen to the 2007 b-side Model Behaviour or the 2010 album track Mansion Song (My Best Friend Is You) and it's clear where her third album's sound came from.

She's multi-talented! As well as a songwriter and singer, she's utilised her performance skills learnt at Brit to appear in several indie films! The British comedy 'Powder Room' and 'Greetings From Tim Buckley' show Kate in a new light and who'd have though, she's actually good at acting!


She's actively trying to make a difference in the world! Kate is a proud feminist, and spreads the message of equality through her music as well as setting up youth groups to get others to embrace girl power! 'Kate Nash's Rock N' Roll For Girls After-School Club' teaches girls how to use musical instruments and encourages joining together to create bands, while her Girl Gang (currently based in LA) get together to discuss things going on in the world, injustices, prejudices and things that they want to change. Her 'fight it' attitude to make waves is truly inspiring.

MØ

MØ MY GOD, have you heard No Mythologies To Follow? It's the debut album by Danish singer/songwriter MØ and it's really really great. Yasmin introduced me to her at the end of last year, after playing the video to XXX 88 during pre-drinks. Something about the cinematography of the video along with the electro-pop beat stuck in my mind, and the next day I listened to everything she had put up on YouTube.



I see similarities between her and Grimes in the electro/vocal elements of their tracks as well as their physical appearance, but something about MØ just feels more accessible; her songs appear more commercially successful, they're the type you could hear playing on a night out and sing along to with ease.

I was lucky enough to see her perform (for free!) at the Kopparberg Music Festival, a month-long event held in a corner of Dalston. I went along with Yasmin and we divulged in traditional Scandinavian food (Elk meatballs and mash, anyone?) as well as an obligatory Kopparberg or two before watching MØ take the stage. From the first track it was clear we were in for a treat, as her energy and stage presence brought the crowd to life! I loved the fact MØ was not impartial to audience interaction, as crowd surfs and jumping alongside everyone else occurred every few songs!

Amazing cover of the Spice Girl's 'Say You'll Be There'

If you're yet to listen to her stuff, I wholeheartedly recommend Walk This Way, Don't Wanna Dance and Maiden.