With plaudits from names like, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot and more, Welsh duo Papaya Noon (Greg writer/producer, Annie writer/vocalist) are ones to watch.
Active from 2022, they bring a seamless mix of rnb with splashes of jazz vibes. Far from that overly commercial rnb, their music screams out quality; beautiful song writing and lush production.
With an ep due for release this year, we interviewed the duo to discuss, music and pushing their brand of rnb.
How did you both initially meet?
Greg-At 18, we met at university. We parted ways for a few years and then reunited just before lockdown. We then found ourselves living in Cardiff and both loved it. I had started sending beats to Annie and she would record vocals and that’s how this all started really.
So, before you met describe your individual musical history.
Greg-For myself, my parents would play funk, soul and disco. I think this formed a foundation of what I love to listen to and produce. At the age of 16 I started producing. I had chosen to go to a different college from all of my friends, as I didn’t have a music GSCE, and found myself alone a lot and so I would spend all of my breaks in the music tech room making music.
Annie-For me, I grew up listening to 90’s RnB which has made me so nostalgic for that era, and I think that may come out in our music. I also used to be an acid/break beats DJ, so there is a real mix of inspiration. We have both lived in a few different cities around the UK collectively, and I think that we’ve picked up subtle influences from the music scenes from each place.
And how did your individual musical paths eventually lead to Papaya Noon and what made you realise that you could be a duo?
Greg-Before talking to Annie about music, I had decided to stop pursuing anything else and give music a shot. I had written and performed intermittently throughout my 20’s but never decided to fully commit. That’s when I started making beats and learning music theory. At some point I had a conversation with Annie to see if she wanted to sing over some tracks.
Annie-I had never considered singing before, I had DJ’d a lot around Bristol in the techno scene, but I had never sang. The whole experience was new to me but it’s something I’m obsessed with now and can’t live without!
Creatively how do you work together?
Greg-At the start we were writing together and recording jam sessions with myself on guitar and Annie singing but now we have more of a process that we follow. I like to write a short loop and then take it to Annie so she can lay some melodies over it. We like to make sure that each track has a heart and has a groove, those are the two things we need.
Annie-We think that the environment you create in is really important as it will influence you. We love to write in a plant-filled studio in the heart of Cardiff. Our studio feels very natural and organic, and I hope that is felt in our music.
Talk about that first release as a duo?
Greg-Our first release was a single called Flutter (2022). It’s a bit of a love song. We recorded it at our friend’s studio, who plays bass at our live shows, and it felt like the first song where we were really able to make the music sound like what we were hearing in our heads.
Annie-I think at the start you know the sound you want, but we didn’t have the skills or knowledge to manifest that in sound. Our current music sounds very different to where we’re at right now. I think we’ve progressed a lot and refined the process of individual what makes us sound like us.
Big names like Snoop Dogg and Queen Latifah absolutely love your sound.
Greg-It was wild at the time. Some of the clips of songs we had posted got some attention online which led to Missy Elliot and Queen Latifah sharing a few tracks. Then we received a message from Snoop Dogg too. This meant a lot to us seeing this. We grew up listening to all of their music. These artists are pioneers.
You have played live at loads of places and next you are playing Canada, amazing!
Annie-Yes, it’s been amazing! Earlier in the year we played Brick Lane Jazz Festival, FOCUS Wales and supported Hot 8 Brass Band. Next, we’re playing at NXNe (in Canada), Nowadaze Festival, Inglefest. We really cannot wait for the performance in Canada where we paly The Painted Lady at 10:00 on Thursday 12th June. We’re fortunate enough to be working with Grant Paley from Midnight Agency so we’re thankful for them for the opportunity.
You are working on a 6-track ep-tell us more.
Greg-We’ve almost finished a 6-track EP that features tracks that we’ve written and shared in the last two years. We’re just waiting on the last one to be mixed then we’re all set. We’re really excited to be sharing music as it’s been a while. We’ve got the bulk of another EP too so we’re looking at releasing lots this year.
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