Checking In: Fat Llama, Vol. 6 (London)

Last week at East London’s The George Tavern, a group of indie artists came together for the sixth edition of Llama and Friends. What could best be described as an event that showcases emerging talent, the show drew a crowd around Fat Llama, the label spearheaded by experimental Hip Hop artist JoeJas (aka HairyMuffinMan, when he’s producing). Fat Llama is known for its pop-up shops, podcasts, and events.

This year’s show featured Cheray, Paris Yves, Michael Ekow, retropxssy, and JoeJas himself. The inclusion of these artists meant the crowd would hear sounds from Hip Hop to punk to grime. We had a chance to connect with the performers after the show to discuss their pre-show rituals, dream collaborations, and their musical influences.

JoeJas (@hairymuffinman)

Homebase: London, UK
Tell us about a highlight of the event...The highlight for me in the event was when I was performing “Gappy's Overalls” and the inflatable crocodile (named Chris the Nasty Croc) was getting crowd-surfed. I know Chris the Nasty Croc had fun. He told me on the ride home.
What’s your songwriting process? For me, normally I start off with making a beat. If I like it, sometimes I have an idea for a song straight away or I'll put it on my phone and listen to it and see what emotion it evokes. That kinda kicks off the writing process of my songs.
Who’s your dream collaboration? Getting Kelis on a song would be so crazy. Or just to make her a beat.
How do you feel when you’re onstage? I feel kinda like myself haha. I never really have a cool answer for this but I love it. There are not many things I love more than performing. I always feel excited if I know I'm about to perform.
What’s your favorite song to perform live? My favorite would have to be “Suedeflips!” and “Escape!” “Suedeflips!” cause of two bits: I always tell people before the second verse if they wanna hear a secret and it's so funny how people react haha. I also love, in the end, when I just ask everyone to scream “ay” over the instrumental bridge. It's so dope to see everyone coming together to do it. it's at the end of the set so it feels like the triumphant ending to a movie. With “Escape!” it's doing the bridge “to the freaks, the geeks, the losers, keep going in the way that you cruising, if you still tryna find your own path you welcome with the Gaps & Nomads.” It starts with just me saying that over the keys, and the beat is all the way stripped back. I like looking people in the eyes like this shit for us weirdos. And I can always see who like it hits and they're like “Oh yeah, I get it.”

Check out JoeJas’ latest music video for the single “Escape” now. To purchase his latest album Gaps and Nomads on vinyl, head here.

retropxssy (@teletubbycustard)

Homebase: East London, UK
Who are some of your musical influences? Portishead, The Prodigy, lots of electronic music I’ve listened to in the last few years. Stuff like Bakey and old Origin Unknown made me feel energized and excited. I had a big metal phase when I was a teenager. I just love intense music!! Hip-hop is the genre I listen to and love the most though. It really changed my perspective in so many ways. There are so many artists who have inspired me. The people I’m loving at the moment are Boldy James and Tony Shhnow.
Do you have any pre-show rituals? Dark chocolate and Feroglobin with ginseng in it 😂
How would you describe the Fat Llama event? Just fantastic, warm, eccentric. The music is always really interesting. Different sounds, people from different places. I’ve never been anywhere like it. So many friendships have been made there, there’s a very easy atmosphere, and lots of people open to chatting
What’s your favorite song to perform live? Ooooh tricky! Probably “Do it Better.” It’s a big climax :)
Moshing or stage diving? Moshing! Trust no one! 😂

Watch retropxssy’s video for “SPEEDING” now.

Michael Ekow (@michael3kow)

Homebase: I don’t really have a home base. I grew up between Watford and Cologne. Currently, I’m enjoying living in Amsterdam. The city has lots to offer and a wonderful artistic spirit.
Tell us about a highlight of the event... May and I performed our new single “Artic”. It was interesting sharing the song with those there. It is always wonderful to see records translate well live.
What does music mean to you? it’s a way of living. There is melody in how we communicate and rhythm is there with those we live In tune with.
How do you get inspired to write lyrics? Life events are the biggest inspiration. It can be based on my own experiences or things that I have witnessed. If the moment resonates with me I’ll put in a lyric.
Who’s your dream collaboration? Right now, I would love to make a song with Fraser T Smith.
How would you describe the indie music scene in London? At the moment, I’m trying to tap into it.

Ekow’s next single, “Artic,” is dropping on December 1st. For now, you can check out “Cracks” here.

paris yves (@parisyves)

Homebase: BRISTOL! on the 4th floor of The Galleries car park!
How would you describe your sound? A mixture of electronic dance & punk! I grew up on a lot of rap/grime so that also makes its way into my music. But above all, my music is for all the wolves.
Do you have any pre-show rituals? I run as fast as I can from my flat to the venue to get my blood racing, and then run back as fast as I can from the venue to my flat when the show is over. My curfew is at 10.30 PM, and I aim to get a full 8 hours of sleep every night so I can properly seize the next day.
How do you feel when you’re onstage? I feel like I have 6 level 100 max stat Pokemon on my team about to take on Cynthia in Pokemon diamond/pearl/platinum: confident.
Moshing or stage diving? Stage diving! Anyone that says otherwise is lying hahah.
How would you describe the Fat Llama event? It was a great experience. This was my first time performing outside of Bristol. I am looking to move to London next year, so it felt like a good start to my new chapter. It was great to see strangers get down to my stuff in a new city.

Paris Yves’ new video for “HELLO OPERATOR!” is out now. Watch it here.

Cheray

Homebase: South London, Croydon to be more specific but I don’t like to rep any one place too tough. Home is where my heart is.
Tell us about a highlight of the event… I had two highlights from the event. The first seeing Micheal Ekow perform. His sound is so unique, it really took my breath away! My second highlight would be the fact that my art tag is still intact in the bathroom. They let you write stuff on the walls, and a few years back I did a performance at the venue and tagged it. It was a great night tbh!
How would you describe your sound? My sound is so niche, because I mix a few genres together! I’d say I make progressive rap and R&B music, but I like to dabble in other sub-genres here and there. It’s really what I decide it is! I like to blend different rap and R&B elements to create something new and unique. I’d say it’s raw, atmospheric, moody and fresh.
What’s your songwriting process? My songwriting process has gone through the motions…before I used to write relatively quickly and create demos in one sitting but now it’s just not the same. I love poetry. I’d say I started engaging with music because of poetry and because of that I’m a lot more intentional with what I want to say. That means it takes longer to get verses out, but I’m okay with that because it’s better quality of work! My process is very choppy. Lyrics come to me in all places, at all times. I tend to get a lot of ideas when I’m commuting.
Who’s your dream collaboration? There’s definitely a few! I’d say Navy Blue, Jhené Aiko & Kendrick! They really inspire my work. Especially Navy, he really pushed me into my “saying something” bag. By that, I mean wanting to say real things that paint relatable pictures for my audience.

Watch Chery’s video for her latest single “00’s” now.