The Swedish producer sir Was will release his debut EP Says Hi on June 3rd through City Slang (who are also releasing yesterday’s Algerian tip).
‘Falcon’ is the track that piqued my interest in this Gothenberg guy, partly because it sounds like Caribou yes, but it also reminds me of James Pants, the eclectic beat producer on Stones Throw. It’s a wonky pastoral and psychedelic beat falsetto tune about disconnection and loneliness featuring bird song samples and an organ.
Joel Wästberg AKA sir Was says it took him 15 years to “feel brave enough” to release music. Wästberg grew up on the western coast of Sweden, an hour from Gothenberg playing multiple instruments along to records with his younger brothers (he’s the eldest of four).
Wästberg studied jazz sax and performed with ensembles around the world and went onto play with Jose Gonzales before arriving at his hip-hop-styled sound which takes inspiration from My Bloody Valentine, D’Angelo, J Dilla and Thomas Mapfuno.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
