Dubstep, garage, ‘Matrix’-inspired beats
Who?
Born in Bradford-on-Avon, raised in Bristol, and now living in London, Joseph Efi’s music branches right out of the grime/dubstep/garage family tree. Aside from the bona fide wubs on offer, a murky tenderness lies at the heart of his unique sound. After releasing an EP in 2020, and only a couple of singles since, Efi’s much-anticipated debut album, ‘Body Lost’, is expected in March. He describes it as “a seven-track project loosely based on a character whose spirit becomes entangled in distant digital spheres”.
Why Joseph Efi?
Counting Mala, Burial, Lee Perry and jazz ’n’ b vocalist Nai Palm among his foremost influences, Efi’s tastes are varied. Yet, despite the free-range listening, Efi is intent on channelling his energies into “merging soft and calming sounds with hard and dark – that’s the truly UK sound to me”. ‘Softly’, taken from the upcoming album, is evidence that he’s on the right path. Spinning screwface rhythms around bass curdles deep in your eardrum, it’s upset only by his own vulnerable vocal melodies that suggest a mellow core.
Tell Us More…
If you’re anywhere even remotely near the M25, it’s worth keeping tabs on his socials. “I saw an audiovisual piece by Ryoichi Kurokawa in London earlier this year that blew my mind, opening my eyes to this whole world of coded art that I didn’t know much about,” adds Efi. “I’m working on visuals to turn my live shows into more of an audiovisual experience, and I plan to start a regular event that will focus on electronic musicians and artists trying out new material on a really good sound system.” If you’re in town, get down – see you there.
‘Softly’ is out via Bandcamp.
