Slowe

The Bristol-based producer and artist Slowe (AKA Sophie Hawes) was raised in the Welsh border town of Chepstow. Slowe has been writing music and performing in bands since her teens. During a gigging hiatus, she found herself gravitating towards self-sufficient production, turning her hand to an array of instruments – including flute, keys and guitar – to recreate the styles of her favourite producers. 

Slowe’s DIY approach is reminiscent of lo-fi beat making; delicately collaging session recordings together, and repurposing techniques akin to those of J Dilla and Madlib. The result is both nostalgic and fiercely contemporary, with sparkling Rhodes, vintage drum lines, and ethereal vocals. The combination of Slowe’s radiant lilts and introspective lyricism atop the fuzzy, analogue warmth makes for swooning escapism.

An avid crate-digger, Slowe naturally takes inspiration from a plethora of genres, and you can hear nods to her extensive references, from Tyler the Creator and Tame Impala to Erykah Badu. “I would say my earlier influences (Laura Marling, Jeff Buckley) inspire my songwriting and lyrics” Slowe explains, “whereas my later influences of soul, hip hop and jazz inform my production.” Bristol’s vibrant music scene is reflected in Slowe’s latest project, not only in its collaborations but in its collapse of space between genres. Her dreamy body of work has already garnered support from BBC introducing in the West, BBC Cymru and BBC Radio 1.