The Ladies of Rage are a womxn's network based in Cardiff. They support artists and creatives in genres such as hip hop, grime, jungle/dnb, garage and dubstep and more. Their latest release Harddwch Du ia as a bilingual project backed by Arts Council Wales and features several tracks from some amazing artists. Check the EP out below:
Here's The Ladies of Rage explaining thier project:
We had the chance to interview some members who worked on this project.
Eädyth, from Merthyr Tydfil, was Project Manager, Producer, Mentor & Lead Artist for the Harddwch Du project. Asha Jane, from Cardiff, was also Project Manager and Vocalist on 'Hope' and 'Mamacita', and Trishna Jaikara, who resides in Canton, Cardiff and hails from Carmarthen, also Project Manageed Harddwch Du, along with being a Producer and Vocalist on the EP:
Here's how the interview went:
Eädyth
How did the journey with music start?
I’ve always loved singing; I think I started singing when I was around 3 which is when I started entering into Eisteddfod with my sister Kizzy. We would sing duets together every year and I think it’s given me a lot of stage confidence growing up and opened a lot of doors for me being bilingual black musician on the Welsh scene.
How did you get into LOR?
I’ve been friends with Asha for a few years now and she introduced me to the amazing group that is LOR. I then spoke to Unity about going to one of their Jams and I just thought that what they are doing for the black welsh community is amazing! It was lush to be able to spend an evening jamming, getting to know other musicians in Cardiff and just having the most relaxed time amongst seriously talented women.
What inspires you most?
I live in the valleys surrounded by beautiful mountains and amazing scenery so especially during lockdown, nature has inspired me. I’ve always been around nature and I’ve grown up in rural parts of Wales so I’ve always taken influence from that.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I do so many different styles of music so I try not to fit in to one box, but I love using electronic elements in my music and infuse that with a mixture of neo-soul/ hip hop and dark electro pop in there too.
What’s next for you in 2021?
I would love to carry on creating, being productive and working with more musicians in Wales. It’s a dream to have the time to create new music and to be able to release as well, so to keep banging out tunes and enjoying it would just be amazing. I’ve also got a few singles lined up for release this year and already have a couple of collabs on the go so watch this space!
Check out some Music from Eädyth below:
Asha Jane
How Long have you been making music?
My earliest memories of it are walking around my childhood home and making up my own songs. I actually sang before I could speak. I was 9 months old and I would sing notes back to my grandfather, he was very musical, so it fascinated him and he wrote some letters to a professor asking if it was normal for a baby to be pitch perfect. It's actually very lovely that he documented it. So I always sang, but I didn't start taking my own songs seriously until I was in my late teens.
Photos Credit - ya.snaps
How did you get into LOR?
It was actually a suggestion from Magugu to the original meeting of women. They needed a singer for the track they were collaborating on and he'd seen some of my videos online. So I went to their next meeting and never left. It was such an incredible and beautiful vibe. I often describe going to an LOR meeting to be the sort of euphoria some people get from going to a holy space. It felt and still feels very special.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Such a tough question! If we're talking famously there is TOO many but I'm going to prioritise Shy FX today. Let's manifest that one. I've seen them live a few times and they never fail to perk me up.
In terms of locally I'd always wanted to do more with my friend Eädyth and recently we finally did! The first single of the EP called 'Hope' which happens to be about how I feel at home with LOR.
What's your annoying habit?
I annoy myself constantly realising I haven't finished my last cup of tea, but only when I've just put down a fresh one.
What’s next for you in 2021?
A lot. A few more collaborative features, including some on Afro Clusters album 'The Reach'. Some stuff I can't talk about yet but it's cooking. Best place to find out is always my Instagram: @ashajanethealien
Check out music from Asha Jane below:
Trishna
What was the trigger point that made you decide to get into music?
When I was little I used to get so sick of love songs all the time, I wanted to make music that said good things and made EVERYONE feel good, not just people in (what was always on the radio, heterosexual) love. My best friend Reba and I were DJs and we loved most of the music but wanted to make music with more of a message of peace love and unity for the club rather than a lot of the misogynistic music we were bombarded with. But that was the past I guess, luckily the world is moving forward, where misogyny is being talked about openly, stamped out and cancelled.
Photos Credit - ya.snaps
How did you get into LOR?
The founder Ffion had seen a video of Reba and I on BBC Sesh, talking about us being DJs and how we were always referred to as ‘female DJs’ rather than just DJs. She thought we were cool, (she was right) and we started going to jams and things from there.
What is your favourite song to perform?
Rise Up will always be such an important song to me, I always feel like I should explain the lyrics more to ensure they’re not misconstrued, but it is what it is, I know the meanings behind the words and will happily explain to anyone. My favourite lines are ‘Ni all yr hilwyr enill (the racists can’t win), mae newid yn dod (change is coming) cariad a gobaith yn yr awyr (love and hope is in the air), the spirit of the people, forever rising’ I really feel like the world is standing to attention, yes many believe in white supremacy but many do not. It’s time to make the world a safe and equal space for EVERYONE and to stamp out the bigotry associated with ‘normal’.
Where would you like to visit?
My fiancé and I had some travel plans for 2020 which got COVID cancelled. We plan to go to Peru to do the Machu Pichu trail when we can. Also, Egypt and some North America.
What’s next for you in 2021?
2021 will see me making a more conscious effort, to speak out about my experiences through song and hope to help young people accept themselves quicker so they can embrace the unique bundle of joy they are and to really enjoy all aspects of life. As most of it comes from how we respond to situations we have been in and humans are very resilient creatures, the mind is a wonderful organ when played correctly.
Check out Rise Up which was co-produced by Trish & Eady, and includes a verse by TrishnaJaikara.
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