You know when you’re drinking, and you find yourself somewhere you never planned on being? Well that happens to me quite often these days. I had no idea I would end up at The Cellar Bar in Oxford last Saturday for instance. But when you go out on the lash with Greig Stewart this is what happens. So we go down the stairs and there’s our old mate Jimmy at the sound desk and a band on stage.

“Who are this lot?” I ask. “They’re called Desert Storm” Jimmy replies. “They don’t look old enough to have stormed any deserts though.” I reply. But then I’m distracted by Greig clambering on to the stage while the band are in mid song, grabbing a spare drumstick from the drummer and starting to thrash a cymbal on the side of the stage. Fair go on the band. They carried on playing without a flinch as Greig made his way around the stage. I by now am at the front, head banging and enjoying their sound. They’re heavy but original with it, which is hard these days because there are billions of bands playing this type of music. Yeah heavy, but not heavy, if you know what I mean.

Matt Ryan has a powerful voice, growling over the music wearing a big ex army coat on stage. He says they’re from Oxford. They are doing the support slot tonight. But they must stay with it because I don’t think it will be long before they are pulling big crowds and playing high up on huge platforms.

There are twins in Desert Storm too. Twins are my next favorite thing to dwarves. There is Elliot Cole on drums and his brother Ryan on guitar. Twins must have so much fun confusing people. Sorry digression. Their bass player is very good at keeping it tight with the drums. This job goes to one Chris Benoist. Their other guitarist Chris White was absent tonight, but it didn’t distract from the sound. I look forward to seeing them in the future with full ensemble.

Desert Storm are newish to the scene, born in 2007 and should grow in confidence as they gig. You watch this space, because at this moment in time I am a fan. It takes a lot to get my toe a tapping these days. But Desert Storm managed it.

Find them at their MySpace page and say hello to them for me.

Desert Storm on MySpace

By: Dave Tommo

Nigerian born singer Nayo (pronounced “Nigh-O”), has come on to the scene here in the UK in refreshing style. Nayo is slowly but surely bubbling up from the underground and something tells me that it won’t be long before she’s a household name. Her silky smooth and soulful vocals, reminiscent of Sade, have certainly caught the attention of not only the industry but her growing fanbase as well.

Having spent time in the US, Nayo graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Business Administration. She’s performed at shows in Los Angeles and independently released her single, “Party Fever” which made it onto the Billboard Club Play Charts and dance charts in Europe by late 2005.

Now based in the UK, her latest single, “Desert Storm”, was co-written by KK (Dido, Kylie Minogue) and features jazz, trip hop and bossanova influences. I can understand why some of the top DJs like Eric Smax, Thomas Gold and Grammy award winning Paul Harris along with Julian Peake would want to sink their teeth into “Desert Storm”, or anything that Nayo is involved in, for that matter. The single has been receiving airplay on Radio 1 and is currently making it’s way up the UK Club Charts.

Nayo interview with BandWeblogs.com
By: Jenny May

Jenny May: You’ve been writing music since a young age. What is your songwriting process like?

Nayo: It varies, but I mostly write with the piano and I tend to fine-tune my lyrics at a later stage.

When you moved to the US, how did you establish your music career? Did you form a band?

I was mostly trying to find my voice in the US, particularly when I was signed to Sony Music. I have always been a solo act but I did have a band support me for most of my shows.

How did your independent release of “Party Fever” come about?

It wasn’t planned at all. Luck sort of found me, I guess.

Where are you currently living, and do you have a favorite place to live?

I currently live in the UK, London to be specific. I don’t think I have a favorite place yet. I live opposite the EMI building so that I continue to be motivated.

Do you go to Nigeria often?

Yes, that’s one of the great things about living in London I can go home as often as I want or need to.

So far, where has been your favorite live music experience/gig to date and why?

It will have to be London as Los Angeles the only other city I have lived in was mostly geared towards indie bands and the film industry.

How do you see yourself in the future and do you have other interests outside of music that you would like to explore?

I will always be involved in music and within the media industry. Lately, I have been nurturing a growing interest in theatre as well and would love to work with some production companies years to come. But, music and touring is my primary focus.

Have you attended many live shows by other bands/artists? If so, what has been a memorable show and why?

The most memorable show has been the African Express which featured Damon Albarn, The Good, The Bad and The Queen, Amadou & Mariam a diverse group of artists both from Africa and the West.

What inspires you?

My mother, women across the world who are able to stand for their values and beliefs when faced against the odds or ills of all kinds.

Are there any particular artists and/or musicians that you would like to work with someday?

I would love to work with Damon Albarn, Bob Dylan, Seal, Youssou N’Dour and Tony Allen to name a few.

Has the internet effected your music career? If so, in what way?

The internet has positively affected my music career by empowering independent artists, like myself and allowing us to reach our fanbase directly across the globe.

Your latest single, “Desert Storm” has been doing very well in the UK charts. As your fanbase continues to grow, have there been many changes in your day to day life?

Yes, Thanks. Its currently Number 11 on the UK Charts. I guess the only change is that I have to work harder and do more, a lot more shows in various parts of the country, which is expected of any artist.

What music have you been listening to lately?

Asa, a Nigerian singer-songwriter based in France.

Nayo’s single, “Desert Storm”, with club remixes, is available as a digital release in the UK and across Europe.

For more information, go to:

Nayo Official Website
Nayo on Myspace

With Radio 1 airplay and a club chart position already on the move, new single “Desert Storm” from the fresh-sounding Nayo is tipped to make big waves.

Read the Nayo interview!

“Desert Storm” is an ode to the Sahara about the phenomenon of inescapable attraction. Co-written with KK (Dido, Kylie Minogue), the track features strong influences of jazz, trip hop and bossanova and is set for release in the UK on November 12th 2007.

This release includes a massive gritty electro-house mix from the much in-demand duo Eric Smax and Thomas Gold plus Grammy award winning Paul Harris provides a driving but funky house mix with Julian Peake as SuperBass.

Huge Support for this dance floor stormer comes from likes of BBC Radio 1’s Judge Jules, Oliver Lang, Jim “Shaft” Ryan and many more.

Listen:

“Desert Storm”
“Desert Storm” Smax + Gold mix

Biography
Nayo (nigh-awh) is no ordinary girl. Born Temitope Odunayo Abidoye in Lagos, Nigeria, Nayo arose from the tragedy of losing her father through the power of music, faith and hope. Amidst the harsh realities of her troubled nation whilst grooving along to Astrud Gilberto, Sade, politically charged lyrics of Nigeria’s own Fela Kuti and Bob Marley, Nayo looked inward and sought to turn around her tragedy into something positive. With this renewed sense of determination, she relocated to the UK shortly after and released her debut single “African Girl”.

Watch “African Girl” by Nayo video:

Nayo – “African Girl” video link

For more information, go to:

Nayo Official Website
Nayo on Myspace