Jess Cav is the lead singer with acclaimed Dublin-based 'agrosoul' outfit BARQ. The band launch their new single, I'm Blaming You, tonight (November 21st) at Dublin's Button Factory - Jess also performs with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at The Story of Hip Hop Part 2 at 3Arena, Dublin on 28th December 2018. We asked Jess for her choice cultural picks...
Film
I have been saving the new Netflix Documentary Quincy for some time. Hopefully after our single launch, I can sit down with an earl grey and have my mind blown. A lot of musicians are saying how crazy-motivating and inspiring it is. I have some awareness of his career, but without a doubt there’ll be some very interesting discoveries.
Music
Shamelessly check out our new track I’m Blaming You, in which I gave my maladaptive defense mechanism a voice, as a way to face my demons ;-)
Me and my boyfriend are heading over to the EFG London Jazz Festival next week and are obsessed with some of the bands coming out of the scene. Groups like Ezra Collective, Joe Armon Jones and Nubya Garcia are on heavy rotation in the house right now. To get a taste of the vibrancy of the scene, I would suggest the album We Out Here that features multiple new artists emerging in London. Think of somewhere between Fela, Snarky, Kamasi Washington and Terrace Martin. Note: the women are repping hard too.
Book
I just came back from Plum Village a couple of weeks ago, which is a meditation retreat in Bordeaux, France. It’s important for a musician to look after their mental health, so to be able to slow down for a week was a gift.
To take some of that serenity back with me I am reading Thich Nhat Hanh"s The Art Of Living. His book reminds you to breathe, to remind us that we’re all connected and warns on the destruction of dualistic ways of thought. A very important book in this current climate.
TV
I just binged The Chilling Tales Of Sabrina on Netflix, and I’m not sorry. It seems to be gaining polarising opinions online, but I loved the Buffy-style fix I got from the aesthetic, and I thought the costumes were fantastic.
No matter how deep into my adulthood I go, I still love any coming of age narrative that explores fears of mortality, family dysfunction and the breakdown of romantic relationships. Who doesn’t?
Gig
Shout-out to our single launch TONIGHT in The Button Factory, with support from Haiku and Chief Keegan. We will also have visuals from Ross Ryder who has worked with Meltybrains? And Wastefellow. I am very excited to see what he will comes up. I’m quite disappointed I won’t be able to experience it though, as it will be behind me. So come to the gig so I can live vicariously through you. Also because we’re brilliant.
I went to see Joey Dosik last week in The Sugar Club and he blew me away. Vulfpeck are saturated with incredible vocalists (a part of their unique charm), so it was fantastic to see Joey as a solo artist. The band were excellent, Joe Dart on the bass, James Cornelison on guitar and BV, James Williams on Drums and Lilliana de los Reyes on percussion. They were Incredibly tight, and finished off the show with some Marvin Gaye. Enchanting stuff.
Art
Gallery X have just re-opened on Golden Lane, so I’m looking forward to dropping in this weekend. I love the dark, transgressive and sexy artwork they exhibit and I always find some inspiration for a song.
Podcast:
When I was a student in the mid-noughties, I became a little obsessed with Simon Pegg in Spaced and later Shaun Of The Dead. So when he featured on The Adam Buxton Podcast I was very excited.
Pegg has always played slightly emotionally inept characters, so one thing I didn’t expect was Pegg’s beautiful descriptions of young love and his humble and fascinating ways he described his career. Not to mention his candid discussions on alcohol and excess. A must-listen.
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Tech
Lofi Hip Hop apps that work without Wi-Fi or Data. Anyone who has listened to lofi Hiphop will understand it’s intoxicating quality. Or "ear-crack" as it’s called in my house. I would suggest checking out some of the apps for when you’re travelling or flying. They are the business.
The Next Big Thing...
Two hot takes for you: Zaska’s new album is about to drop and it has some serious Irish music royalty on it. The songs are mesmerising, emotional and funky as hell. One thing that he is not necessarily known for is his lyrics. Max’s lyrics are heartfelt and poetic exploring love, faith and mortality. As Zaska have primarily nurtured their following through their live shows, I urge you to buy the album and give yourself time to absorb not only the music but his lyrical skills. They are really something.
Also: Mango and Mathman are killing it right now and I have been hearing little gems about the album over the last couple of months. I am super excited about them releasing a body of work and it will really change how Irish hip-hop is seen internationally. I am so excited for the two of them.
