Image. It is everything. Even when it comes to music. The cultural association of a 'look' with a music genre, has long been explored since the dawn of rock and roll. Being a manufactured artist with an handful of stylists or a trendsetter with an innate individual approach, we all infer how an artist "should" sound on a first visual impression.
Our discovery of the week, Rag'n'Bone Man, is one of those rare exceptions (also see Eva Spence from Rollo Tomassi) which surprises and throws you off the genre-scent.
We caught-up with Rag'n'Bone Man on the road, fresh from an outstanding response at Lowlands 2016 and on his way to Reading and Leeds 2016, playing at the Radio 1 Dance Stage!
Confused yet?
"A lot of it has to do with the way people see you physically, if people don't know what I do, they think: 'Oh… he is a rapper or a heavy-metal guy'… people are always surprised by how it sounds, which I think you could call it a "joker card", I guess", says Rory.
Whitsa1, reminisces about discovering him. "I came across Rag'N'Bone Man by accident watching BBC Glastonbury coverage in 2015 and hearing the strip-down version of The Bitter End. I was struck immediately by how soulful and powerful his voice was, so I checked out his back catalogue. Not really the sort of stuff I would usually listen to (more of an indie/alternative fan) but I think he blurs the boundaries of blues/soul/hip-hop/rock and you can't not like that voice!".
LenniePaine, from Switzerland, tell us about discovering Rag'n'Bone Man; "I saw him at the Great Escape 2015 festival in Brighton. I haven't seen such a compelling stage presence for a long time and I was absolutely impressed by his voice. It is hard to name a 'favourite' track, but the whole Bluestown EP is awesome"
Indeed, it was awesome enough for Rory to get a publishing deal and shortly after a recording contract with Columbia Records. "I felt like a needed a bigger platform… I never had it in mind I will sign to a major record label, it was never even a consideration; but it was put on the table and it was a deal which gives me 100% freedom to do whatever I wanted to do. I saw the benefit of having that backing"
His debut album will be released this autumn and will count with four different producers; long time collaborator Mark Crew (Wolves EP, Disfigured EP), Jonny Coffer (Beyoncé) and Two Inch Punch (The hip-hop side, not the UK Garage one). To support the release, a new single should land in October, as he and his band embark on a three month tour through the UK and Europe. Check availability and dates by scrolling down at http://www.ragnbonemanmusic.com
