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Since their inception in 2013, East London duo Payfone have been breathing warm-blooded soul into their unique machine-fuelled groove. Drawing the dots between the White Isle and Nu Yorica – by way of London’s narcotic nightlife – the pair conjure a rhythmic throb and soulful devotion all of their own. Together, Phil Passera and Chieka Ononye buzz along the fault lines of classic R&B, cosmic disco and acid house, injecting their sound with 21st century syncopation. Read more on Last.fm

Joe Goddard (aka Ulysses), has been a somewhat inescapable figure of the past few years. As vocalist, percussionist and synth-wizard in Hot Chip, he's seduced listeners from both rock and dance spheres over the course of three albums, melding live instrumentation and electronics with an irresistibly twee aesthetic. The group have always been interested in the dance floor, as proven by their remarkably diverse additions to the Bugged Out! and DJ Kicks catalogue Read more on Last.fm

Read more on Last.fm

Read more on Last.fm

Read more on Last.fm

Steven Umoh grew up in Calabar, Nigeria. He was raised by his grandmother; his mother had moved to the UK to escape Umoh's father, who was abusive. Early in his life, Umoh primarily listened to bootleg rap, particularly Eminem, Usher, Nelly, Snoop Dogg and Ciara. Umoh moved to live with his mother in England at the age of 17, but stayed active in the Nigerian music scene. He grew up a devoutly religious Christian, but became less so after he attended university in Norwich. Read more on Last.fm

Read more on Last.fm

Alabaster DePlume (birth name Angus Fairbairn; born 1980 or 1981) is an English jazz musician, saxophonist, spoken word poet, composer, and activist. Based in Manchester, he tours internationally bringing theatrical spoken-word to music audiences, and vice-versa. While in London, Fairbairn started working at the Total Refreshment Centre where he staged monthly improvisational gigs with different musicians under the name Peach that involved jazz music and spoken word poetry. In October 2015, he released his album Peach through Debt Records. Read more on Last.fm

Read more on Last.fm

More than one artist goes by the name Yard. Yard resides in Burlington, Vermont. Yard is a pleasant man. Yard respects beauty. Yard thinks you are beautiful. Yard speaks slowly and has a lot to say. Yard wants to be friends. A different Yard hails from the dark woods of Portland, Oregon. Brought up in the shadow of the northwest forest and transplanted to the urban 4/4 of Chicago's underground techno scene, Yard's gritty techno evokes gnarled city life to organic atmospheres. Read more on Last.fm