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Artists announced for Here to Remember commission

Daudi Matsiko, Mia Koden and Obeka explore collective memory through music.

Square headshots of Daudi Matsiko, Mia Koden
 and GOMID on a dark blue background. Mother Sugar looking into the camera. Behind her is a blurred out outdoor landscape. HUSK on a light pink background dressed in a dark pink flowered blazer and a white shirt looking off to the side with their hands raised around their torso. GOMID are sat close together in a studio facing opposite sides of the room.
Date
13 July 2023
Category
News

Meet the three artists selected for Here to Remember, a commission for Black and Black mixed heritage artists to explore collective memory and their own personal experiences of history, memory and lineage:

  • Songwriter Daudi Matsiko
  • Music producer and DJ Mia Koden
  • Musician and visual designer Jahday Ford aka Obeka

Since June they've been working on new music inspired by the archives at the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre, with workshops and mentoring from songwriter Angeline Morrison, artist and researcher Khaleb Brooks and turntablist NikNak.

In September, Daudi, Mia and Obeka will perform their new work for the first time at a one-off event in Manchester.

Keep reading to find out more about the commissioned artists, and how to get your hands on a ticket...

Daudi Matsiko is wearing glasses, a beanie, a hoodie and a coat looking into the camera.

Daudi Matsiko

British-Ugandan songwriter Daudi Matsiko carefully crafts modern, albeit reverent folk. Deft, melancholic picking reminiscent of Nick Drake is tempered by contemporary instrumentation, with Matsiko’s vocals deriving their strength from their seeming fragility. Focused on the emotionally authentic and introspective. With every song, his confessional lyrics cut to the marrow.

Daudi says: "Being able to and encouraged to create artistic work specifically focused on the experiences, histories and stories of the Black community and global majority is something I will cherish. I’m certain it will have an impact on my journey as an artist, songwriter and storyteller.”

Find out more and listen
Mia is fiddling with what could be an earring on her right ear. She's wearing orange tinted glasses and a multicoloured dress stood against a blue stone wall.

Mia Koden

Mia Koden is a South London-based South Sudanese and British music producer and DJ who also works across heritage, culture and community projects. Initially growing up in Ghana and Nigeria soundtracked by her parents' lively stash of global music, her formative years back in the UK had frequent soundsystem pilgrimages to spaces where roots reggae, drum & bass and dubstep could be heard. Koden has since been creating and championing bass-leaning electronic music, mainly 140 BPM when part of duo Sicaria Sound and now also expanding to 2-step, dub and other wider electronic and experimental realms.

Mia says: “I’m excited about combining both of my main interests (music and heritage) whilst learning new forms of practice.”

Find out more and listen
Obeka looks off to his right on a purple background.

Obeka

Bermuda born musician and visual designer Jahday Ford aka Obeka transitioned into the Manchester music scene in 2016 building a native sound and rhythm distinct to his homeland. Co-founder of the Me Gusta Collective, Obeka blends native styles from Pan-African, Caribbean and South American origins that became essential for manifesting polyrhythmic electronic beats and tempos with a mix of live and software based drum recording. After recently becoming a Ghanaian Oroko Radio resident, he aspires to expose and reconnect diversified people and cultures through his projects, radio and live events.

Obeka says: “What I'm looking forward to most is discovering Caribbean people, organisations and artists deeply rooted in Manchester to help give more exposure to their impact on culture and society.”

Find out more and listen

Watch them live

Thursday 14 September, 7pm
The Carlton Club, Manchester
Pay what you can, with a suggested donation of £5

Find out more and book

Credits

Thank you to Angeline Morrison, Khaleb Brooks, NikNak, and the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre at Manchester Central Library for their involvement in this commission.

Here to Remember is supported by Arts Council England, Manchester City Council, GMCA, and PRS Foundation as a Talent Development Partner (supported by PPL).

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