Ayah Marar Interview

She’s coming through thick and fast, so sit up and pay attention, Dance music’s new darling Ayah Marar is here and it doesn’t look like she’ll be disappearing any time soon.

Having worked with everyone from Calvin Harris to Goldie’s label Metalheadz, Hospital Records and P-Money, the “Queen of Bass” gives it to us straight…

Hi Ayah, how are you? What have you been up to this week?
This week was spent in the studio with Chemo, I’m back in recording my second album which id really exciting. Then later this week we shoot the video for ‘Lethal Dose, the last single off ‘The Real’.

Wow, so fairly busy then! So you’re releasing new single ‘Go Hard’ imminently, what’s the reception been like to it so far?
It’s been wonderful! It seems to be the most ‘feel good’ track off the album, gets people bubbling, that’s all I need to know!

You’ve been around for a while and worked with Calvin Harris and with Metalheadz and Hospital Records, how and when did you really start out?
I’ve always been a musician and performer, at school and during university. It really began when Loxy and Ink reached out to me to feature on a DnB track. I then went on to work at a record shop, start my own label, run nights and tour the UK and Europe as an MC. The singing has always been there though, I love it.

There are some great people coming out of London at the moment with Jessie Ware, Bondax, Snakehips, George Maple, and quite a definite musical movement going on, what do you think about the new scene emerging off all this chilled dance with elements of either haunting acoustics or RnB?
Indeed! I’ve known Jessie for a few years now and watched her blossom and grow, which has been wonderful to witness. With all the new boys coming through now, it’s brilliant to see the younger generation latching on to proper old school Soul and RnB. I’m a big fan.

Your recent press release says that raving is engrained in you, do you still get to go out much?
We go out every weekend for work, which I still count as raving. We have a dance, stay out late and there’s always an after-party.

Where are some of your favourite spots to hit up? Where did you go out growing up? Was this influential of your sound.
I had a DJ residency at Herbal in Shoreditch for four years (pre-smoking ban) so that was our monthly hang-out. Otherwise I loved Blue Note, Fabric, Underworld (Kung Fu) and all the spots that were banging out the good DnB and Hip-Hop. At the moment, I’m partial to a nice old-fashioned pub with good food.

‘Go Hard’ is pretty Garage flavoured, what did you want to put across with this release?
Honestly, it’s just a follow on from the rest of the tracks. I wanted the album to encompass every style of underground Dance that I have loved and grown up with. Mr Basista produced the track and Illaman is the MC, dream team!

Your free EP release is all stripped back with an acoustic element, whereas releases such as ‘Go Hard’ and ‘The Raver’ are quite heavy on production, is this to showcase perhaps diverse musical tastes that you have?
The free EP is just a little thank you to people for checking my website and getting involved, we do acoustic versions of all my tracks generally. I just think a song isn’t a good song unless you can play it on a guitar.

Your music sits between Dance and Pop, do you prefer to listen to mainstream or underground music yourself?
I’m not sure I like to label things, least of all nowadays. We’re living in a time where definition and boundaries have been totally broken down. If Pop means popular, then yes, every artist wants their music to reach as many people as possible. I never limit myself when it comes to music, I adore it all.

You’ve been dubbed the “Queen of Bass”, how does that make you feel? Would you agree on championing Bass music for women?
I love it and it makes me smile every day. It’s pretty much the best thing that has happened to me in terms of recognition for what I do and I’ll carry it as long as I can make disgusting bass, which I plan to for a long time.

Your music stretches across Jungle and Drum and Bass, did you listen to a lot of that kind of music growing up? Anyone in particular who influenced you and your sound?
Wormhole by Ed Rush & Optical, plus the Good Looking/Looking Good series’ got me firmly into DnB. Before that I was into Hip-Hop, RnB, Soul and Jazz. But Reggae will always be the love of my life.

Is there any new music you’re listening to at the moment that you would recommend to our readers?
Yes! Eptic, Broken Note, Problem Child, Funtcase – if you’re after some proper duttiness. I’m a big fan of a young lady called Sadie who will be coming through with stuff soon, she is magical. I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting talent.

What have you got planned for 2013? Will you be doing many festivals?
For sure! We are doing a lot of European festivals, plus things like Secret Garden and the like. Check my website for all dates!

Where’s been your most memorable performance so far?
Has to be the first and only time I’ve lost my footing on stage. Brixton Academy, 5000 people, and everyone thought I was doing a power slide so I think I got away with it …

Have you been working with anyone particularly interesting recently?
Absolutely, I love working with Kutz, Drop The Lime, Rack’N’Ruin, Gnarly, CnK and many more … Watch this space.

You have an interesting dress sense, is this your choice, or have you got an amazing stylist?
Thank you! It’s never been my focus, I do love a well-made piece of clothing but I go for comfort on stage mostly. Laura Parkes and Suzie Street have been involved in making me look fabulous in my videos though!

You’ve had and got releases out with Ministry and Hospital Records, tell us about this work you’ve been doing with these labels… can we expect another album from you soon?
Yes! Working on album two as we speak! It will be released through my label Hussle Girl, same as my first. I’m a huge champion of the independent label.

Would you be inclined to do more acoustic stuff as you’re really quite diverse? I really like the ‘Dandelion’ demo.
Thank you and yes! We always have things popping up on Youtube. In fact, we have also just done a segment for SBTV with Reeps One and P Money, which should be dropping end of April.

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us, and good luck with the single release.
Pleasure!

By Hannah Shakir

Catch up with the latest installment of the BBM Live Dance Music Podcast mixed by So Called Scumbags