Sofar Sounds: Ones to Watch

We’ve teamed up with Sofar Sounds Bristol to bring you this ‘Ones to Watch’ feature, showcasing some Sofar artists that they believe to be this year’s rising stars.

Nat Oaks

WeNat Oaks is bringing new life to the British hip-hop and neo-soul scene. For fans of Loyle Carner and Arlo Parks, Oaks infuses her pop charm with a soulful allure, reminiscent in places of Little Simz’ scorching lyricism (Clash Magazine).

Having supported the likes of Pip Millett, Jelani Blackman and Manga St Hilare, the flexibility of her productions grip listeners across soundscapes with an insatiable energy. Back in March, at Sofar Bristol, we were lucky enough to experience Oaks’ first stripped-back set at our Sofars x Ivors Academy International Women’s Day show at John Wesley’s New Room. We can confidently say that Oak’s songwriting skills shine through when pared back to vocals and acoustic guitar, giving a performance that is just as engaging as one of their fully produced shows.

“Bristol is an incubator,” expresses Oaks when asked on her experience of the Bristol music scene. “The venues, mentors, practice space, network and jampacked events catalogue have enabled me to fully immerse myself in this scene, and feel like I’m contributing to the city’s special history.”

Follow Nat at @natoakss on Instagram

Anwen

Anwen is a jazz-folk musician who combines haunting melodies with profound poetry, exploring interpersonal relationships, love, grief and coming of age through metaphors rooted in the natural world. Anwen’s sound is influenced by a childhood spent listening to her dad’s eclectic mixtapes of jungle, bluegrass, country, metal and bossanova, which has resulted in a dissonant-yethomely writing style. “Bristol has been created over and over by the artists who live here, so there’s a real sense of community in creative spaces” says Anwen on the local scene. “ I feel really lucky to be part of something so strong!”

Follow Anwen at @anwenjd on Instagram

Lebo

Lebo is a living dichotomy. When performing live, the tragedy within his songs is punctuated by brief comedic intermissions between tracks. With a sound focused on piano-centric ballads, warm, emotive vocals support melancholic lyricism creating a songwriting style that references classic, Latin-style harmony, R&B and alternative pop. Having lived in Bristol since 2018, with his first gig in January of 2019, the Bristol music scene has allowed Lebo to explore numerous genres. “I hope I get to make the city proud one day! I love that everyone’s been so accepting and supportive and I hope the music scene keeps thriving.”

Follow Lebo at @lebomusic_ on Instagram

Hector Who Lived

Hector Who Lived is an enigma. Cutting their teeth in live performance as one half of the duo Try Me, the soulful and energetic singer has moved into a funkier electronic space. Their live shows are peppered with audience interaction, often inviting audience members to the stage for improvised ballads that inspire on-the-spot improvisational songs. Their self-produced tracks sound a world away from stereotypical downtempo bedroom pop, and infuse electronic beats with synths, guitar and expressive vocal lines. Their music videos are absurd and abstract, with the video for their track ‘Persona’ seeing them move from a bath of baked beans to dragging themselves around Bristol in a balaclava. “I have made lots of lovely connections on the Bristol music scene,” smiles Hector. “Old friends and new friends aplenty. Not to mention there are venues and nights to tickle anyone’s fancy!”

Follow Hector Who Lived at @hectorwholived on Instagram