Adult DVD, Moriah Mensah, Noah Hill and Hope Winter: our four September finds are making their mark on the mainstream this autumn.
Why does September always fly by? One minute you’re in a festival field eulogising the summer, the next you’re planning a Halloween outfit and browsing winter coats on Vinted. Shame you’re too broke after one too many beer garden sessions to buy one. Or is that just me?
It’s been a busy if mild month for music. Sure, there’s been strong returns from Beabadoobee, Tinashe, and Carly Rae Jepsen. MILEY’s debut without Cyrus is quite good fun. Adéla’s debut is promising. But nothing has blown us away. Lucky there’s some wind forecast.
Some of the best projects, in fact, have been from rising artists. Few more so than the electric debut from Leeds electro-groovers Adult DVD, whose rip-roaring self-titled debut album has cemented the hype around their live shows. Also, the debut mixtape from Peckham’s latest musical maverick, Moriah Mensah, “MENSAH” drops with a sharp sense of purpose that lacks in some of the more established artists.
Also making their presence known is Parcels band member Noah Hill, whose debut album Ok ok now is a break-up album of emotional depth and vibrance, and Hope Winter, a London-based singer-songwriter whose soulful craft has gained her fans in the likes of Olivia Dean.
Keep scrolling to get to know the four acts…
Adult DVD
Leeds band Adult DVD have become one of the most electric and entertaining live acts on the planet through a plethora of live shows that present their groove-laden dance-punk anthems in the brightest of lights. But could they put their money where their mouth is and translate the sound into a full-blooded body of music?
In short, yes. The group’s self-titled debut is riotous, rousing, surrealist and sensational, cultivating their live essence into a rip-roaring 40 minutes. It’s one of the funnest and finest debuts from a British band all year.
Talk us through the initial formulation of the Adult DVD sound, and how it’s grown since the band’s beginnings?
Our sound was very much guitar, bass and drum led to start with. We all came from guitar bands into this, so it definitely felt safe to write an indie rock tune and then put synths on top of that. We are a lot more confident just writing straight up dance tunes now, which I think you can hear in this record compared to the older stuff.
Congratulations on sharing your debut album. Why did you decide to coin it self-titled?
I think every band’s first album should be self-titled. It’s a big thing to release a debut, making it self-titled is a perfect way of introducing yourself / your first ‘serious’ piece of work. There’s plenty of time for clever/long/fun titles or concept records, But to me the first one should be a no nonsense ‘this is us’ release. This was a very long-winded way of saying we couldn’t think of a title for the album.
You’re quickly becoming renowned as one of the most undeniably fun live acts about. Describe your set in three words?
Please start moving.
Harry, you’re one of the most captivating new frontmen in British music. Where does your style and persona stem from on stage? How do you ooze charisma like that?
Well, thanks! I found the perfect-fitting pair of trousers when we were in Japan and from the moment I left the shop I began oozing charisma. You are only as good as the quality of your trousers. Before it was all smoke and mirrors, glad you bought it though.
Why should people listen to your album?
The record is nothing but a good time and I’ve heard you have been working real hard this year. So go on, treat yourself.
Moriah Mensah
There’s something unique about the mercurial Moriah Mensah. It’s difficult to put your finger on exactly what. Sure, her look and visual identity is potent and striking; her sound is a smorgasboard of British and further afield influences all tied up in a captivating web; and her lyrics challenge and compel, looking inwardly at herself and outwardly at the evolving world around her with a maturity beyond her 19 years.
All-in-all, Mensah sounds like the future. Her debut mixtape “MENSAH” being an immersive and innovative opening statement of intent. Get in early.
You’re such a cohesive and impressive artist despite being only 19 years old. Is music something you’ve always been passionate about? What are your origins with artistry?
I’ve definitely always been a songwriter, I owned this floral notebook from Tiger (Now Flying Tiger) when I was little, and I would always write what I thought were undiscovered pop anthems. I use to perform here and there for my mum and relatives when I was feeling especially brave. I don’t think I would want to be an artist if I hadn’t have fallen in love with music videos, though. Flicking through all the music channels as a kid, picking out all of the creative that I would have adapted, prime memories.
You are Peckham-born and bred. What is your favourite thing about it?
Quite a typical answer but the food spots are great, I used to go to this vegan Caribbean spot in the original Peckham Market called Zionlys? Really good, also the Greggs is ever bountiful.
You combine a plethora of musical styles so effortlessly. But what sits at the root of who you are as an artist?
I’d say what sits at the root of all my work is a desire to be great. I want to be the greatest. I’m forever searching for that feeling of triumph in all of my songs. I just want everyone who listens to my music to really feel like they’re a part of greatness.
Talk us through the making and meaning of your debut mixtape “MENSAH”?
For me, “MENSAH” is a collection of songs that lay out the sonic identity of the project. I want listeners to come out of the experience with an understanding of what they should expect from my work over the next few years
What do you want to achieve in 2027?
I’d love to play my first headline show at some point next year – my debut show was at All Points East last month, there was an electric feeling coursing through me the entire set – I want to be able to give listeners an immersive experience of my songs.
Noah Hill
Who doesn’t love Parcels? The Australian band behind seminal hits like “Tieduprightnow” and “Lightenup” are cemented among their genre’s highest echelon. But that success isn’t enough for member Noah Hill – a solo side project drew closer.
Returning to a folk-led sound that he grew up on, Hill wrote, performed and recorded everything himself on his gorgeous, heartfelt debut album, Ok ok now – an impressive feat for a man who was previously used to being one part of a wider machine; now he’s the whole vehicle. A breakup album of honesty and poise, it’s likely the beginning of a long and fruitful breakout.
Parcels are one of the most universally loved and cherished bands of their generation. How does it feel to be part of such a movement?
That feels extremely generous. We once saw on some other band’s Wikipedia page that “they enjoyed mild success” and thought it was such a funny turn of phrase. We often joke and laugh about that because, for us, it mostly feels like that too: enjoying mild success. That’s all you can hope for.
What is the key lesson you’ve learnt from being in the band that you’ve taken into your solo work?
Probably trusting yourself. The music world can feel like an intimidating place, gatekept and hard to access sometimes. It’s hard to have the confidence to follow through with your ideas. But no one knows what they’re doing. Everyone is faking it. And the only thing you have as a north star is your own intuition and instincts. If you feel it, go with it.
It’s best not to let too much get in the way of that, otherwise it gets diluted and comes out feeling half-baked, and it never hits in the same way.
Congratulations on your debut album, Ok ok now! Why was this the time to release your own body of work?
The relationship ended, and so did the Parcels album process, and we were looking down the barrel of a big year of touring with not much time for creativity. I just had this huge surge of inspiration and energy to finally do it. A breakup can do that. It either sends you down in the dumps or gives you a kick up the ass. Luckily, it did the latter for me.
You played most of the instruments and mixed the record yourself. Why do you approach the creative process like this?
It’s just what allows things to be quick and immediate. When you’re writing, it sometimes feels like you’ve got a three-hour window to get it all out and down, otherwise, it’s lost forever. Doing it all yourself is sometimes just necessary to actually get an idea happening. There are so many better players than me, and for the next one, I’d ideally get people to reinterpret the ideas in a more sophisticated way. That’s what the band is. But for this one, I wanted to see what it felt like to take it all the way to the end on my own, as an experiment and a challenge.
The album is a cathartic attempt at acceptance after a breakup. Do you think art is the only true way to reach peace?
I wouldn’t say it’s the only way. There are lots of different ways. You can go fishing, meditate, go for a surf on your own, and drink one million beers. Everyone processes things differently.
For me, music is the main one. If I don’t sing or write, I get this feeling like I’m a shaken-up can of soda and the pressure is starting to build. Writing and recording loosens the cap on my head, eases the tension and allows me to move through things.
Hope Winter
She’s been bubbling around the pop undergrowth in London for a few years, but now is Hope Winter’s breakthrough. A smattering of dazzling singles throughout the last 12 months culminated in the soulful singer-songwriter supporting GRAMMY, BRIT and Mercury Prize nominee Olivia Dean at an intimate Hourglass Cosmetics event this summer.
Her August single, “If You Ever Loved Me”, is the most powerful release she’s shared to date. Armed with a voice that could melt butter, Winter’s music drips with rich romanticism and sultry goodness. Absolutely irresistible. This Friday, 2nd October, Winter will continue to gain plaudits with another single, “So Easily”.
What’s your favourite thing about creating music?
I feel like getting a good song out of the day is such a gift. Some days I sit down at the piano and it doesn’t come, some days it does. Recently I have been loving having the space and time to experiment a bit more in the studio. It can often feel like there’s a real time pressure when it comes to creating and releasing music, but I’ve had a bit of a grace period to get my head down and try some new things out. I also love recording keys on my own songs. I often double up octaves so there’s like 4 separate parts which are impossible to play live but I love the sound of it on the record.
Describe your sound as an emotion, a colour, and a culinary dish?
Probably something hearty like BEANS lol or a Roast. Imperfect and soulful but definitely homemade!
You recently supported Olivia Dean at Ronnie Scott’s – how was that experience? What does an artist like Olivia teach you about your own craft?
Olivia is such a testament to dedication and perseverance to the craft. She has steadily written and released incredible songs, so many of which I believe could have given her the worldwide stardom she’s reached now. It was such an honour to be asked to perform at her event, I had no idea she’d even listened to my music! She’s just so cool.
What in life comes to you so easily?
Probably people. Like I actually just love people haha. I’ve always been a lover at heart so I’ve never been shy to delve into relationships pretty speedy whether that’s relationships, friendships or work stuff. I think most people are good. It’s easy to feel otherwise given the current state of the world right now, but I choose to believe that most people have lots of good in them. I’m an optimist!
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m excited for a London autumn. I love that time of the year when the sunset is still late, but there’s a bit of a chill in the air. Either that or the rest of Season 2 of Rivals – they got the MOUSTACHE MEMO.
Words – Ben Tibbits
