BabyStep Essentials: 001
We decided to launch BabyStep Essentials as a way of bringing the creative community together, to help support each other! We really hope this column can bring people together and allow you to discover some really amazing people, doing amazing things. Without further ado here is BabyStep Essentials 001.
Events
The return to live music and club nights in Leeds has genuinely been so lovely to see. Seeing our favourite nights return to Leeds, whilst discovering some new ones has been a ride. Make sure to get down to these ones:
Bars Club Presents: Otis Mensah (Hyde Park Book Club, 4th October, 8pm)
Yusuf Yellow has been absolutely flying recently, it's been so great to see his recent EP received so warmly. An aspect of his recent shows I've loved are the Cyphers, where artists are invited to get up on stage and freestyle. This monthly event Hyde Park Book Club is a hiphop open mic night that encourages producers, rappers and singers to collaborate with aims to build a hiphop community! We’ll be starting the night on October 4th with the incredible Otis Mensah headlining and then go into the open mic
SAVVY & FRIENDS: 1-800 GIRLS [FREE]
Our music editors' first night of SAVVY & FRIENDS with the wonderful 1-800 Girls. The London-based DJ and producer is heading to Leeds to grace us with his playfully melodic take on house and breaks. -The line up is insane for this one, it's free as well so what's not to love. 1-800 GIRLS are set to headline! FELIXCW is going B2B with LILA (Deepfry), their recent set at Sheaf Street was a real standout for us since clubs have re-opened. Our very on Phasmid and SAVVY will also be going b2b, so be sure to show some support. Repping 199 will be Steve's Mate going b2b with Ols, they've announced some incredible upcoming nights at Wire and Hi-Fi. Be sure to head down.
Link here
Come Play With Me Presents: Dialect (Headrow House, 28th September, 8pm)
This really is set to be a special one, happening tomorrow! Northern hip-hop and R&B icons Dialect, Laeeqa, and Yusuf Yellow take to the stage live at Headrow House on the 28th of September for Come Play With Me.Dialect has consistently been a leading figure in Leeds' rap scene. With a relentless output that's seen him appear on Radio 1 Xtra, Lord of the Mics, and Red Bull's Grime-A-Side. Consistently championing the North, Dialect is a force that can't be missed
Leeds and Manchesters' Laeeqa channels the soul of Lauryn Hill, Jorja Smith, and Arlo Parks into a stunning package of emotive, smooth songwriting. Capturing stories of queer love, self-acceptance, and self-discovery, Laeeqa has seen herself appear on stages at Yes in Manchester and on the airwaves at BBC Radio 1 Xtra. Find her latest single on Come Play With Me's Boundless album. Yusuf Yellow is a Leeds-based rapper who shares his personal experiences through relatable and honest lyrics. His music is "a sonic elixir of Hip Hop's past, present and future" that navigates through the different stages of his life.
Link Here
Papa Nugs Presents: Benton, ALETHA, Mi-El & Moova(Headrow House,1st October, 11pm)
Papa Nugs is back for his first event at one of our favourite venues Headrow House with 4 of our favourite selectors ready to provide all of u lucky sods with a propa boogie. Expect to hear Breaks, UK Funky, Garage, Ghetto business, Jungle, Electro nd ALL O DAT. Its the usual multi-genre business from his parties. Mi-El is one of the head honchos of london collective Late Night Shopper, get set for a scorcher of a b2b with Papa Nugs. Moova who will be opening proceedings with a bloody bang, nothing but big moves from the Leeds based selector. Leading proceedings will be Benton, he's a frequent collaborator with the famous Swamp 81 (check out his 2014 boiler room its nuts), as well as being the founder of his own heavyweight label BBS who have put out some absolute killer EPs. If u dont know get to know this sets gunna be a madderz
Link Here
Readymeal X Outhouse Sounds (Eiger Studios, 1st October, 11pm)
Our good friends over at Ready Meal invite Alfredo Romero down to Leeds on Friday evening at Eiger Studios , With releases on ec2a, Bump , Outhouse Sounds and his own label Tapas Wax , Dansu Discs Alfredo has been supplying the label with some unreal contributions to the minimal garage scene. As one of the founding members of Readymeal we had to get him back to Leeds for a night like this. Ansza is set to play, since hearing his Ama Lou remix we've been following him closely. Be sure to also listen to his ec2a and Bumpcast.
Link Here
Bubbly Social: Kessler, Al Wootton, NIKS & Jameela
After their launch in Brighton at Patterns with Jossy Mitsu, Tim Reaper, Ell Murphy and more, Bubbly Social lands in Leeds with a stacked crew of top-bubblers. They've absolutely smashed it with this line-up, really can't wait to see them grow and grow. One of our favourite producers Kessler will be heading down to Leeds on a stacked line up featuring Al Wootton, NIKS and Jameela. Never to be confined by genres, we’re setting out to provide you with cutting-edge, diverse line-ups with a carefree vibe at the beating heart of it all.
Link Here
Watch
Assembly: A Film By Will Smith (Premiering at Brudenell Social Club on the 30th September)
Saw this one over on Welcome Skate Stores socials, it looks like a seriously interesting watch. They'll be premiering the skateboard film put together by Will Smith at Brudenell Social Club on the 30th of September. Even if skating isn't your thing be sure to head down, looks like a really interesting watch!
PRETEND MAGAZINE/ WE OUT HERE 2021- Interviews with Soccer 96 & Plumm
James and Maddi appear to have been working harder than ever on Pretend over the past few months, it's been dead inspiring to see some of the content they've produced. I really love the concepts they have for content, as well as the personable touch to it all. This piece they filmed at We Out Here really captured the vibe on the day, reminding me of just how special live music can be. Big up Pretend!
Team Picture 'The Big Trees, The Little Trees' (Clue Records)
Team Pictures new single 'The Big Trees, The Little Trees' is out today on Clue Records, one of our favourite labels around. It touches on the shit show that is the incel community. The video is shot and edited by Lily Fontaine, who absolutely smashes it, a great listen and watch, get behind it!
COP
So many unbelievably talented creatives in Leeds, cop their merch and show some love!
PEAKY BEATS MERCH
Peaky has an incredible sonic output, having created some of my favourite releases over the past year. The vinyl only independent artist has matched that output with some great merch too, whether it be hoodies, tees, Totes and shorts. If you are a digger you need to get going on his records.
Link Here
Tracks Magazine (Printed Magazine)
I met Tracks Mag down at the recent Freedom Mills day event we put on, I can't emphasise the quality of the submissions featured in the print, as well as the quality of the print materials. It's 172 pages rammed with content on the highest quality paper. He has a ton of amazing prints too! I also was able to grab a Leeds Steppa Print, which you need to be sure to check out, you can grab them on White Bricks Distribution!
Link Here
Peppy (A print designed by Brianna Bartlett)
Peppy is a collection of work curated by Brianna Bartlett, featuring all her editorial features in the likes of London Book Arts, Peach Fuzz Magazine and Hyde Park Art Club. Talking on the collection she desrived it as "an exploration of my findings surrounding the theme of 70s disco and the societal issues that have emerged from this genre. As well as showcasing my findings, I have incorporated the identity of my own ‘fake club’; Peppy a utopian night club that never really existed."
Link Here
Sound Mag
Jack over at Sound Mag invited us down to Freedom Mills this weekend for the Freedom Mills opening market. Soudn Mag have been a big source of inspiration for BabyStep, especially as we approach putting together a printed issue. They are an independently printed magazine showcasing and promoting reggae, dub and sound system culture. Sound systems, producers, promoters, DJs, pressers, designers, photographers, filmmakers, artists, customers, and more have contributed to this culture, and we aim to document them all.
Alongside our regular magazine, we also produce online features here on our website, hubfidub, and videos and guest mixes on YouTube and SoundCloud.
Link Here
BOOK TO PLAY
I think for this section, we'll let the music do the talking. These are DJ's who've blown us away with their sets during and after lockdown, get them playing at your parties!
Special Blends (Maleek Aveli)
First saw Maleek play in Leeds at Gimme A Break's night, absolutely ridiculous stuff. A highlight was him blaring our Tim Reapers 'Pull Up', as well as playing out he runs all things over at Special Blends(check them out). He released this high energy mix an hour ago, soooooo good!!!!
Nova Cheq
I'll always be beyond grateful to Nova for playing at our first night back, it's a night me and many others will never forget. He's working harder than ever on releases, with some really exciting things in the pipeline. Be sure to tune in to this one he did for Trax Haven!
NICE1TOM
Leeds based Hardcore & Hoovertown Mayor, we've got so much love for this guy! His Narr Radio shows have always been a favourite to listen to, boy does he know how to get a crowd going. Recent sets at Old Red speak volumes of the time he puts into digging and working on his DJ'ing.
Blasha and Allat
On Saturday I headed over to Wharf Chambers for the Chorus night. Blasha and Allat delivered a Techno vinyl set that honestly blew me away. They have played some unbelievable nights in Leeds over the years, they run the iconic Meat Free night in Manchester. Check them out!
Read
Nickon's Music Pot
Nickon is a Manchester based artists whose wonderful productions and live set up have secured BabyStep coverage several times. He is a top person, who you can tell absolutely loves all things music. He's started an incredible blog, that I've really loved checking out.
Listen
Wide Eye Reviews - Pass Me The Aux
A new show where longstanding contributor and great friend George Webb talks through some tracks he loves, as well as a breakdown of this month's music news. All for your own listening pleasure, it's a belter of a show I promise x
This interview was written by Josh Crowe, head to his Instagram to read more content or get in touch about coverage.
