Ayah Marar: My own favourites were initially soul, R&B and reggae. But I really found my niche with hip hop.

By Geoffrey Rowlands


You don’t find too many Jordanian singers in the UK pop charts. But Amman-born Ayah Marar is currently enjoying a top 10 hit as co-writer and featured vocalist on Thinking About You, the latest single from Scottish singer, songwriter, producer and DJ Calvin Harris.
“I imagine I might be the only Jordanian singer to have a UK hit,” smiled 32-year-old Ayah. “I stand to be corrected but I can’t think of any others.”
Resident in Britain since she was 18, Ayah’s interest in western music was sparked by her father who listened to everything from The Beatles to Deep Purple.
“Our house always seemed to be filled with music. I was exposed to even more styles by friends at the international school I attended. My own favourites were initially soul, R&B and reggae. But I really found my niche with hip hop and then got totally immersed in drum and bass after I moved to England.”
Ayah began singing while at university. She provided the vocals for Loxy & Ink’s Dance Child.
“That was my big break into the drum and bass scene. Things snowballed from there. I was offered other guest vocalist spots and became part of the drum and bass family.
“I started my own record label and organised some club nights. But the income wasn’t exactly massive so I also worked in a record shop. That’s where I met Calvin Harris.”
This chance encounter with then unknown Calvin led to Ayah touring the world as part of his live show. She has performed vocals on several songs by him with Thinking About You being just their latest collaboration.
“We’ve always got on really well as people and this relationship has continued in our music making. But I’ve been very fortunate to work with so many different artists such as Jack Penate, DJ Fresh and Toddla T. “It’s also great to be involved with the various factions of dance music. When I work with someone like Calvin, the songs we create will be heard by mainstream audiences as well as dance fans. But I work with many more artists whose music is aimed solely at the underground hardcore drum and bass fans.”
Ayah’s output reflects her mix of musical tastes. She founded a new label, Hussle Girl, specifically to release her own records.
“There was some interest in me from major labels but they all wanted to know where my music was going to fit into the dance scene. I didn’t even want to think about the answer to that sort of question.
“I didn’t want to be put in a particular box or have to compromise my music in any way. The best solution was to make whatever music I wanted and release it on my own label.”
She describes her sound as “epic doom-pop.” Her debut album, The Real, and singles such as Follow U, Mind Controller and Unstoppable have all been critically acclaimed.
“The album was like a sensationalised autobiography. I took emotions and made them even more dramatic. The songs were a mix of pop dance and underground music. I loved the idea of balancing the different styles on one album. Like everything I’ve done throughout my career, I was uncompromising about the songs and made the album on my own terms. That’s why I called it The Real.”



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Robert Plant

Robert Plant has embraced social media. The legendary Led Zeppelin frontman has not only relaunched his Internet website but opened accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Google Plus.
As an enticement to attract followers, the first 25,000 fans to follow Robert on Twitter received a supposed exclusive free download. They were given the Led Zeppelin track, What Is and What Should Never Be, as performed live in concert by his current band Robert Plant Presents Space Shifters. However, this has now been made available to anyone who visits his Twitter page.
Another ‘exclusive’ download is offered to a few of those who ask Robert a question at www.twitter.com/@robertplant with the hashtag #AskRP. He will select 10 questions to answer with the senders receiving the free song.
There are many songs to hear at www.robertplant.com.
Each track recorded during a concert in Brasilia is posted on the home page. The website contains a cornucopia of photographs, interviews, videos and more with much of the content coming from Robert’s personal collection.
Multimedia updates will be posted over the coming months. These include a 10-part documentary series, shot by Robert, chronicling his recent visit to Mali.

Sick Puppies


Anyone who enjoyed the music of Australian rockers Sick Puppies, as mentioned in this column last month, should want to watch HD footage of a recent concert performed by the trio at the El Rey theatre in Los Angeles.
It can be seen at (no www.) soundcheck.walmart.com/risers/sick-puppies. The show consists of five songs plus an interview with the band.
Links to similar presentations featuring numerous artists such as Bon Jovi, Tegan & Sara and Olly Murs are also on the website. Other videos offer in depth interviews with an array of artists ranging from Bruno Mars to Lady GaGa.

The Avett Brothers


North Carolina folk rockers The Avett Brothers issued their last album, The Carpenter, less than a year ago. But the boys have now announced the release of their eighth studio album, Magpie and the Dandelion, which will hit shops on October 15.
Speaking about the new album, Scott Avett said: “You see magpies everywhere and dandelions remind you of being a kid when you watched a flower come apart on a summer day. There’s a youthful wonder in those images. These kind of feelings live and breathe in the songs on our album.”
Lead single, Another Is Waiting, can be heard at www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/08/08/209566656/the-avett-brothers-you-werent-waiting-long-but-another-album-is-coming.
Live versions of the song are posted on YouTube. So too is much more music from the band. Gain access by typing their name in the website search box.

Just Ivy

R&B songstress Just Ivy has been attracting industry attention. So much so that no less an artist than Akon is the guest performer on her debut single, Paradise.
“I wanted my first release to be a feel good party record,” Just Ivy stated. “It was produced by REO, who has worked with Beyonce, Lil Wayne and Keyshia Cole. Working with Akon was brilliant. He added a great vibe to the song.”
Paradise can be heard at www.youtube.com/watch?v=96zH-ECYVMo. It is offered for free download at www.viperial.com/tracks/view/33020/Just-Ivy-Ft-Akon-_Paradise.
Despite the song being released so recently, Just Ivy’s second single, Bad Girl Take Over, is set to be issued at the end of this month. It was produced by DJ Khaled and features a guest appearance by rapper Meek Mill.

Katy Steele


The members of Australian indie rock outfit Little Birdy have been working on solo projects for the last few years. Frontwoman Katy Steele moved to New York from where she has now released her first solo single.
Fire Me Up can be heard at (no www.) katysteele.bandcamp.com. It is available for free download by clicking on ‘Buy Now,’ typing 0 in the ‘Name your price’ box and submitting your e-mail details.

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