“Watch out for a great singer from New Zealand called Arjuna Oakes”
Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 6 Music)
Arjuna Oakes signs to London Label - Albert’s Favourites. Founder Adam Scrimshire announced the signing:
“ I’m so happy to welcome Arjuna Oakes to the Albert’s Favourites family today. We’ve spent the last few months excitedly planning what the future looks and sounds like for Arjuna, prep yourselves for some deeply gorgeous music.”
Motel is a song about feeling stuck in life but using that pent up energy to propel yourself into the future.
"The imagery of being stuck in a shitty motel room just felt like it resonated well. I wanted the groove to feel relentless, and the psychedelic production to hint at the darker themes at play."
The deeply infectious drive of this sleazy and delirious beat, dressed up in the woozy luxury of fender rhodes and glistening synths is hard to put down - and then comes the twist in the tail.
"I had recorded a demo years ago and ended up using the vocal take from it because it had a rawness that I loved. We went into the studio to record drums and bass live."
"The second half of the song is my homage to D'Angelo and the Soulquarians who've been a big influence on me. It features some incredible kiwi musicians including Sam Notman on drums, Harrison Scholes on bass, Jo Jenkins on guitar and James Macewan on Trumpet."
About Arjuna Oakes
Arjuna Oakes is an accomplished singer/songwriter, pianist, composer and producer from New Zealand, currently based in London. Following the release of his debut EP ‘The Watcher’ in 2019, Arjuna has released another six projects all to widespread acclaim. Two EP's ‘First Nights’ and ‘Final Days’ are a collaboration with longtime friend and co-producer Serebii, released by LA-based record label Innovative Leisure (BADBADNOTGOOD, Allah-Las). First Nights debuted at #5 on KCRW's top 30 Albums chart and has had extensive play on BBC6 and BBC1xtra.
Arjuna Oakes' first release on Albert's Favourites is a heady and confident statement that we're sure is going to leave people very excited for what's to come.
Find Arjuna Oakes
Spotify | Apple Music | Instagram | Website
About Alberts Favourites
Today Albert’s Favourites is a south London studio, production family and label founded by Albert's grandson Adam Scrimshire with Jonny Drop and Dave Koor of The Expansions. Home to several collaborations and solo projects from each of the creators, the label has become home to Huw Marc Bennett, And Is Phi, Qwalia, Miryam Solomon, Mark de Clive Lowe’s Rōnin Arkestra and more with new signings and projects to be announced through 2024.
In our first eight years, Albert’s Favourites has released fifteen LPs, plus numerous EPs, singles and a compilation album. We Experienced four weeks in the BBC Radio 6 Music “B” playlist in 2019 with Hector Plimmer and Andrew Ashong single Somebody else, soon followed by an “Album Of The Day” for Scrimshire’s Listeners. With regular support across the station, on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra from Jamz Supernova and Benji B, and even plays from Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2. Not forgetting support at home and around the world from a loyal and brilliant family of independent broadcasters and DJs. We’ve also hosted massive label showcases for the South Facing festival in Crystal Palace Park and in 2023 present our first EFG London Jazz Festival event.
As a growing family of writers and producers, we recently launched the Favourite Songs Ltd. publishing company, representing many artists on the label. Both Albert’s Favourites and Favourite Songs pride ourselves on providing an artist focused environment with contracts that evolve and empower the creators as they progress, while leaving ownership and control in their hands. We work hard to put back into the wider music community too with charitable donations and mentoring.
We work with amazing teams at Believe for digital distribution and Prime Direct Distribution for vinyl. Almost all of our visual art is created in house by Jonny Drop (notable exceptions being the Hector Plimmer art, created by Hector himself). Many of our releases are also mixed and mastered in house by either Dave Koor or Adam Scrimshire. We remain deeply independent and focused on finding and elevating incredible artists, being the hand at their back and the supporting voice in their corner, so they can make the music they love and believe in.
We love creating and sharing music. Our lives are shaped by what we love.
Find Alberts Favourites