Grove

Name, where are you from?
I’m Grove, originally from Cheltenham, now moved to the gleaming city of Bristol.

Describe your style in three words?
Androgynous… big shoes.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Seeing Lauryn Hill & Grace Jones consecutively at The Downs Festival is a *serious* life highlight. Two legendary + powerful black women gracing the stage with their talents. Grace Jones had something like 7 outfit changes, wore a massive pink strap-on dildo and hula-hooped for 10 minutes straight while 'Slave to the Rhythm' played, PURE GOLD. And I cried the whole way through Lauryn Hill’s set.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Would love to be on a line-up with M.I.A and Sevdaliza.
M.I.A been innovating with that spicy vibey dancehall/jungle/punk flavour since way back when, and I’m SO about it. And Sevdaliza is a visionary like I have never seen before. The artistry in her live shows & videos, the poetry she sings & sensuality of her music is all super inspiring. Both artists actively incorporate their culture into each offering they put into the ether, and as a result, I actively pursue more knowledge of that culture which helps better understand the world.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
The queer, black community in London has been crucial in my self-acceptance, and therefore my growth as a human. Shouts to BBZ + Pxssy Palace for cultivating that space and showing the diaspora that there’s a place they can call home.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Nina Simone. Visionary.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Properly love the Trinity Centre in Bristol. I remember rocking up for the first time and it being this super unassuming church... then opened the rolled the car closer and heard the subs MASHING THE WINDOWS UP. Sounded like a hive of giant dubby wasps. Any place that has the bass cranked to that level has my eternal respect.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I actually have two artists, DEBBY FRIDAY is a *sh*t hot* producer/vocalist. She has this EP called BITCHPUNK and it’s one of my favourite EPs. Bonzai (now known as Cosha) is also on the same energy, banging EP called Sleepy Hungry.

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In collaboration with Saffron Records, Bassline Circus & Bristol Pride, Grove presents 'Big Poppa', a hip-hop rooted, queer fantasy track brought to life in a hybrid, kaleidoscopic circus and drag video. Watch below.

Follow up singles from Grove's forthcoming EP 'Queer + Black' will follow later in 2020.