In celebration of 2021 we have put together 21 tracks from Leeds Conservatoire alumni, staff & students.
Track 1 - Me & U by Gnasha
Holly Dale is a Leeds Conservatoire 2021 graduate and current lecturer on our FDA Electronic Music Production programme. As one of the freshest faces in Dubstep, Gnasha brings heavyweight bass and atmospheric beats to UK sound systems. Find out more about Holly on her staff profile and keep up to date with her latest music on Facebook, Instagram & Spotify.
Track 2 - Words by James Cuxson
James currently studies MA Music at Leeds Conservatoire. James' music style is very upbeat and uses dance, house, funk, and jazz elements. This track takes inspiration from artists such as Disclosure, Crackazat and Fouk.
Track 3 - Smoke by Jackson Horn
Leo Jackson-Horn is a first-year student on our BA (Hons) Film Music programme. 'Smoke' uses a mixture of piano and strings to create a sense of growth, like a tree reaching to survive, and movement, like a cloud of smoke swirling in your mind. Follow Jackson Horn on Instagram for regular music updates.
Track 4 - Upside Down by Lara Jones
Leeds Conservatoire BA (Hons) Music (Jazz with Classical) graduate Lara Jones is a saxophonist, improviser, composer and collaborator. In 'Upside Down' Lara "creates a genre-fluid sonic brew that both confirms her credentials as a restless experimenter while confounding any expectations about the kind of music a jazz saxophonist "should" be making." - Federico Bolza. Check out Lara's website for more music updates.
Track 5 - Three And Another Two by Entrosis
Jazz with Production student Erik Boddy made this track over three years. This track conjures a complex soundscape using a broad electronic sound palette. Discover more about Entrosis on Bandcamp.
Track 6 - Bon Hiver by Elia Tomé
Athens born Elia Tomé is an independent songwriter and producer. With various producer credits under his belt, Elia now turns his attention to his own songs with his entirely self-recorded and produced debut EP 'Taïta', which is Lebanese for 'Grandma'. This song, "Bon Hiver", is a self-reflective, deeply personal project that explores themes of roots, adulthood, and the inevitable passage of time. Keep up to date with Elia's music via Spotify or Instagram.
Track 7 - My Heart by Leasha C
In this track, third-year BA (Hons) Music Production student Elysha Clay challenges the audience's perception of 'chilled lofi' by using a poignant sample from a 1950's interview with a young French woman, discussing schizophrenia. This song encapsulates the vulnerability of love and the connection between heart and mind. Keep up with Leasha C on Instagram.
Track 8 - Sirens by Sunflower Thieves
After sixteen years of friendship, Leeds-based pop-folk band Sunflower Thieves are a strong soulful sisterhood, nurturing a unique sound. Written by Amy Illingworth and Lily Sturt-Bolshaw (The Sunflower Thieves), Sam Perry and Tom Hammond (all Leeds Conservatoire Alumni), 'Sirens' is a song about the best kinds of friendship. Discover more about The Sunflower Thieves on their website.
Track 9 - Fantasy by Morgan Ky
Morgan is a first year songwriting student at Leeds Conservatoire. Morgan has been writing songs since the age of fourteen about personal hardships and experiences. You can find out more about Morgan on Instagram.
Track 10 - Prisoner of Love by Helena Deboro
Leeds Conservatoire graduate Helena Debono is a jazz vocalist based in London. Having performed at the esteemed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club with the likes of the NYJO, she is making a name for herself in the jazz scene. Find out more about Helena in her graduate profile.
Track 11 - Didn't I Do Well? by Green Gardens
Green Gardens are a four-piece indie band based in Leeds, and the members studied at Leeds Conservatoire. Check out their Leeds Conservatoire Crosswire Session of 'Change The Light' from 2018 on Youtube.
Track 12 - Deer In The Headlines by Vertigo
Vertigo are a young genre-blending three-piece band, fusing Britpop with sprinklings of funk, jazz and blues to deliver an electrifying sound. Band member Brendan Donegan is currently studying in their first year of our Pop with Production programme. Discover more about Vertigo on their website or Instagram.
Track 13 - I'm A Dinosaur by Pura Bliss
Pura Bliss is a talented 22-year-old singer/songwriter currently based in Leeds. Her music sits somewhere in the space between old soul, R&B and experimental pop. Keep up with Pura Bliss on Instagram or Twitter.
Track 14 - Glisten by VENUS GRRRLS
VENUS GRRRLS are an all-girl rock band from Leeds, promoting the participation, acknowledgement, and respect of women in the music industry. Aiming to bring fortitude and activism through hard hitting alternative rock music, the quintet use electronic and astrological sounds to amplify their sonic signature. Discover more about VENUS GRRRLS on their website.
Track 15 - Glass by my nose is pierced
Julia Szulc is a second-year production student at Leeds Conservatoire. Her track 'Glass' talks about human about sensitivity and hurt. Follow my nose is pierced on Instagram.
Track 16 - Soulful Man Don't Change a Thing by Grupo X
Grupo X is a Latin Jazz band founded by Leeds Conservatoire BA (Hons) Music (Jazz) lecturer, trombonist, composer and arranger, Jonny Enright. 'Soulful Man Don't Change a Thing' has recently been played on BBC Radio 6 Music by Craig Charles and Cerys Matthews and on BBC Introducing in Leeds. Discover more about Grupo X on their website or take a look at Jonny's staff profile.
Track 17 - Guessing Game (feat. Nate Gordon, KYA, & Parthenope) by Alex FB
This R&B Soul track features three local Leeds artists: Nate Gordon (writer/rapper), KYA (vocalist) and Parthenope (flute), who all had creative input towards this track. The groove is inspired by the Neo-Soul sound, taking inspiration from artists such as Moonchild and J Dilla. You may have heard this track on BBC Upload, Solar Radio and Global Soul Radio. Alex is a second-year student on our BA (Hons) Music (Production) programme. Keep up with his music Instagram.
Track 18 - Good by Omahrose
Over the course of five years, three EPs and countless live iterations, Omahrose has woven the pained intimacy of soul with the self-assured swag of hip-hop, the sweat-slick of R&B with the poetics of the soul. Discover more about Omahrose on Music Glue.
Track 19 - Pipe Dream by Josh Aitken
In this track, Josh Aitken (third year songwriting student) uses a feel-good beat to talk about feeling old at the age of twenty. Keep up with Josh on Social Media.
Track 20 - At the door... TINTS
Luca Ferrara is a Leeds based Drummer, producer and DJ. He has recently worked with artists such as Project Portraits, Kindarlin and Naali Collective. Find out more about Luca on Instagram.
Track 21 - Oxford Academic (OUP): Love Letter by Sarah Dacey
Soprano Sarah Dacey is a singer and composer, performing everything from Renaissance to the Avant-garde but specialising in contemporary repertoire, and Senior Lecturer on our BA (Hons) Music (Classical) course. 'Love Letter' is a choral piece published by OUP, recorded remotely by the Oxford Choir this year. Find out more about Sarah on her Staff Profile.
