As part of The Islander Festival, which came to a close on 10 September, we hosted a series of live music performances alongside our popular street food markets. In this second helping of musician Q&As, we caught up with two very different acts ahead of their performances this summer to talk favourite gigs, first records, and the thrill of getting back to an in-person audience

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
You would think a guy like me would have a pre-performance ritual but, let me tell you a secret; I don’t, I just go with the vibe.

Which artist or band (current or from the past) would you love to see live?
I would want to see James Brown live in Zaire in 1974. James Brown is not singing on that stage, he is doing karate.

What was the first record you bought?
The first record I bought was my own song. I was 15 and I just released my first song and I was so proud of myself but nobody knew who I was and nobody was buying my records back then, so I bought my own record! It was only later in life I came to realise that this was the first record I ever bought.

Which new artists are you currently listening to?
Normally I listen to East or West African artists such as Burna Boy, Joeboy, WizKid. (Big up to Burna Boy being the first Afrobeats artist to win a Grammy!) Recently, I have also been listening to loads of Korean R&B pop music. There is this artist called George from South Korea who I saw live at Rich Mix in Shoreditch and he has a song called ‘Boat’ and the music video is DIY and it’s him sitting on a boat fishing with his friends. I don’t understand the language but I love the artistic vibes and the humbleness of it.

What’s been your favourite performance to date?
Before lockdown I did my first headline show at Dingwalls in Camden. Me and my team did an hour-long set and it was so amazing to see how many people turned up and how packed it was. When you can get people of all colours and cultures in one room and unite them to dance and fall in love to the African rhythm, trust me, something magical happens.

Can you recommend any hidden gems in East London?
A new African restaurant called Afrikana just opened next to Dalston Kingsland station. You get a variety of different African dishes; good vibes and good music too.

What are you most looking forward to about performing at London City Island?
I am pumped for London City Island and I am curious to see whether the Island is ready to experience the African sun? Whoop!

vincentbugozi.com

Logan J Parker

Multi-talented singer-songwriter Logan J Parker has come a long way from crippling stage fright to falling in love with the thrill of live performing. Her unique sound takes inspiration from American blues and rock ’n’ roll from the swinging sixties.

When did you fall in love with music, singing and performing?
I fell in love with music when my parents put me in the church choir. I was six years old. Learning new songs and singing with other kids completely blew my mind.

How would you describe your style and who are you inspired by?
Musically, I’d say my style is raw, powerful and nostalgic. I am inspired by the early 1930s: Bessie Smith and her heartfelt vocals, 1960s and 1970s rock ‘n’ roll: Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, I could go on and on forever. I’m also passionate about soul music. I am completely head over heels for Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Ruth Brown. I love the blues. I grew up listening to Mississippi Delta blues; Memphis Minnie is my favourite. On a more contemporary note, I absolutely love Amy Winehouse, Adele, Michael Kiwanuka, Kaleo and The Teskey Brothers.

Do you get stage fright?
I used to when I started gigging at 18. It’s a funny story actually. My parents gave me my first guitar on my 17th birthday and then a year later my mum thought I was ready to play for other people, so she got me a couple of gigs in my hometown. I was a very shy human but mum helped me choose the setlist, she supervised my practice and she encouraged me to write what I had to say in-between songs on sticky notes so I wouldn’t forget. It still didn’t go well, and a series of bad gigs followed, until one night in particular. The place was crowded and I was so nervous but I tried to imagine it was my friends there instead of a bunch of strangers staring at me and it worked. I managed to say “Good evening” and introduce myself and from there I took the audience to a brand new territory: singalongs. It was amazing to feel they were with me, all singing along. From that night on I became addicted to that feeling. It’s love in its purest form. Something changed inside me that night. My mum came to me at the end, gave me a big hug, congratulated me and said, “I knew you could do this”.