Overjoyed
Good afternoon from chilly South London.
It’s now almost four months since I released my UK soul music compilation ‘Love & Purpose’, which is now almost sold out. It’s been a really rewarding experience; my initial nerves around putting out a record with my name on it were mercifully brief and the reception has been really heartwarming. A couple of weeks ago in Amsterdam I had what I now realise was a significant moment as I heard someone I didn’t know play a track from the comp in their DJ set. It’s funny how validation from a stranger sometimes has a bigger impact than praise you get from friends and family, and this was no different. I’m already working on Volume Two, which will hopefully come out next year, and I’ve got a couple of other L&P related things in the works that should land before the year is out. Stay tuned!
We’ve had a busy year at First Word, releasing 8 albums with two more to come later this month, including fulfilling an ambition I’ve had for years of releasing a Christmas album. 2025 looks like it will continue in the same vein with three albums already locked in, including a couple of new signings that I’m very excited about. On the subject of signings it occurred to me last week that we rarely actually ‘sign’ contracts when artists join the FW family. In the early days we didn’t have contracts as everything was pretty ‘loose’ back then from an admin perspective. In more recent times we’d sign things virtually over email, so it was really refreshing to sit down with our most recent signing in person and sign the contract together using actual pen and paper. We’ll be announcing this one soon so keep an eye on the First Word Instagram for updates.
Aside from Love & Purpose my other major non-day-job preoccupation has been Overjoyed, the clubnight that I’ve been running for the last year or so with my good friend Russ Ryan. Back in August we were lucky enough to be invited to host and programme the GI Roadshow Soundsystem at Notting Hill Carnival. This was a wild experience, a huge privilege and one that I’m happy to say we’ll be repeating next year. To celebrate our first birthday we’re heading to East London, specifically Grow in Hackney Wick. We’ll be joined by NTS OG Marshmello for seven hours of soul music, all styles.
To whet your appetite check out our late-night B2B session on Marsha’s most recent NTS show - and make sure you listen out for the Prince story, which I have since discovered may even be true :)
Tickets to the dance are just here - hope to see some of you there.]
I’d like to say that there won’t be such a long gap to my next newsletter, but let’s be honest - that probably won’t happen. 😅
Till next time….
Gilla xÂ