This week, StreetsOnDemand caught up with Clement Marfo and The Frontline. The seven-piece Hip Hop/alternative band who all come from South West London have been on the scene for quite a while, performing in and around the U.K so it was only right to send Cheyenne to have a chat with some of the guys (Clement, Kojo, Rich and Stacey) this week.
So to start things off, who are Clement Marfo and The Frontline?
Clement :: Clement Marfo and The Frontline are a seven piece band from South West London. Our genre is like Hip-Hop/Rock /Pop I would say. We’re singed to the Warner Bros and we’ve been in the live circuit for two to three years now. We’ve been supporting the likes of Chiddy Bang, Example, Plan B and Florence and The Machine also, our single Overtime is out November 14th!
You answered all my questions!
Kojo :: Well Done! (Laughs)
When did you start your musical journey together?
Clement :: We hooked up like two/three years ago and we’re all from South West London. I remember when we all went to the rehearsal studios. Everything just blossomed and came together and as you can see we’re very diverse individuals.
Looks like it was meant to be!
All :: Yeah!
You’ve already touched on what type of sound you have so who and what would you say inspires your sound?
Clement :: You know what it took us a bit of a while to find our style. We’ve been in so many rehersal studios just playing around with this and that. Some tracks are more Hip-Hop, some tracks are more Rock and some are more Pop but we’ve found it now and something like our track Champion represents that happy medium. We’ve all got individual styles like Kojo, he has a more soulful background…
Kojo :: Yeah I listen to a lot of Prince, Soul Music and R’n’b that’s where it all comes from so I guess I put that element into what we make.
Stacey :: I’m into Punk Rock kind of stuff like Paramore, Fall Out Boy, American Rejects that sort of thing.
Rich :: I listen to a lot of stuff, just depends on how I’m feeling really and what sort of mood I’m in.
So it’s all kinds of ingredients in one cooking pot then
Clement :: Yeah, put it in a blender (all laugh)
Your single Overtime out in November 14th features Ghetts, how was it working with him?
Clement :: Ghetts is very energetic! I’ve been a fan of his music for years so when we wanted somebody to hit that third verse it was only right for him to feature on it because the track is all about work ethic and I respect his work ethic. He laid in down very quick so yeah it was crazy and it shows that he’s a veteran in the game he knows the music inside out. He can deliver.
Rich :: We performed it for the first time with him about two weeks ago at the UMA’s and it was like a tornado hit the stage.
Kojo :: He’s officially our eight member!
What’s to come after the release of overtime?
Clement :: We’ve got a track called Mayhem we premiered it at a gig at Shoreditch House called Wired and it went down so well so we’re looking forward to it.
Where can we catch you performing next in London?
Clement :: You catch us very soon in London on the 21st so not too long from now at Kings College. We just finished The Insanity New Music tour with Sara Cox from BBC Radio1 and it was crazy. We’re also going to be at the Freeze Festival alongside The Streets, Rizzle Kicks, and a few other bands. It’s going to be a first time performing at a big event so local to us it’s literally like our backyard so it’s going to be big. We’re also supporting De La Soul when they come down here in Indigo O2.
Where can we find your material?
Clement :: On our website clementmarfo.com you can all our info on there like our music, gigs and we’ve also got our own blog so you can see what our personal tastes in music are. We’ve got coloured tabs so you can see who posts what. Kojo’s really into his fashion, Stacey’s into her shoes and rich is into a lot of skating videos at the minute so yeah check the site out. We’ve also got a Facebook and we’re on Twitter. We’re aiming to take over the net!
That’s the way forward! Lastly are there any words of advice that you would give to any alternative/indie bands out there that are looking for a way in?
Rich :: Just keep gigging and don’t give up
Stacey :: Once you find a sound that you’re happy with stick with it, don’t go swaying anywhere else
Kojo :: Network! Don’t think that because you make music that you will be heard you’ve got to get out there and make a name for yourself. You’ve got to work for your music to be heard as well as create it
Clement :: You’ve got to take note of all the bloggers, DJ’s, Journalists, other artists and Producers
Kojo :: Also the ones who listen to good music in good headphones like Beats by Dre’s! I’m just saying…(laughs)
Well guys thank you for having me!
All :: Thank you.
Check out Clement Marfo and The Frontline via:
Facebook :: HERE
Twitter :: @ClementMarfo
Website :: www.clementmarfo.com
Tags: alternative, Band, BBC Radio 1, Clement Marfo and The Frontline, De La Soul, example, Freeze Festival, ghetts, hip-hop, Insanity Music Tour, interview, london, Mayhemm, OnTalk, overtime, plan b, pop, Rizzle Kicks, rock, Sara Cox, Shoreditch House, The Streets, The Student Union Tour, Wired