Onipa go Off The Grid - first for Peter Gabriel's Real World Records

Onipa
Announce new album ‘Off The Grid’
Released 6th October 2023 on Real World Records
New single ‘No Commando’ featuring David Walters out today
DOWNLOAD THE TRACK | WATCH HERE

‘Off the Grid’ is a journey that joins the origin story of dance rhythms from Africa to electronic dance music of today's clubs and festivals, connecting African folklore and storytelling to rap, jazz and hip hop.

From Accra Market cassette tapes to London pirate radio stations, Malian blues to UK jazz, the twin creative forces behind Onipa. The twin creative forces behind Onipa — Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist) and Kweku Sackey (K.O.G. & the Zongo Brigade) - together with Finn Booth on drums and Dwayne Kilvington (a.k.a. Wonky Logic) on synths, have built a life-affirming and highly original world of sound.

‘Off The Grid’ is the band’s second full-length album, and first release on Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records, and features an impressive cast of collaborators including Moonchild Sanelly, David Walters, Dele Sosimi and Theon Cross.

Tom Excell explains further:

“The album represents a search for freedom from corruption, from mental and financial
burdens and from technology that disempowers and divides.

The sacred power of music allows us all a chance to transcend our worries and our egos. A
deep respect for those that came before us, a duty of care towards the imprint we leave the
next generation and a love of the earth that we live on.

This album seeks to trace sound origins and traditions of Africa and highlight their
importance in the global soundscapes of the present and future.”

Speaking on ‘No Commando’ and recalling the lyrics he explains:

“No Commando is about peace. A call for 'oneness' and a look at where 'sources originate'. Seeing how the power of community can dispel fear and help us to express ourselves with 'calm' and 'ease'.

The track was recorded with recycled metals, pots and pans for drums, a wooden spoon guitar. A musical interpretation of the concept; One person's rubbish is another's treasure.

Working with David is always a joy. His poetic lyricism resonated with the concepts we explore on ‘Off the Grid'."

Explaining the story of the album’s front cover, K.O.G. adds:

 ‘The small boy in the photo is from a tribe living by the sea, as off the grid as you can be — although not by choice. The rising sea level has devastated his community. All their homes have been taken by the sea. That photo is a shot from the front line of climate change.’



PRE-ORDER
https://lnk.to/RW253

Tracklisting:

1. I Bore
2. No Commando (ft David Walters)
3. Marching Over (feat. Dele Sosimi)
4. Gospel (feat. Lauzy)
5. Kaneshie Joo
6. Machine 2
7. Menua (feat. Lamisi)
8. Danger (feat. Moonchild Sanelly)
9. SH33ME
10. Ayo
11. Fine Tho (feat. Theon Cross)
12. My Father
13. The Juggler
14. Joy

Live dates:

25 May - Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam
28 May - How The Light Gets In, Hay-on-Wye
4 June - Earth Garden Festival, Malta
29 June - Festival Med, Portugal
21 July - Bluedot, Macclesfield
12 August - Boomtown, Hampshire
1 Sept - Smugglers Fest, Kent
8 Sept - Highrise Festival, Cambridgeshire