Born out of an impromptu post-pub jam session, the 5-piece group Pigeon swoops onto the scene with their blistering debut EP Yagana.
As the tracks cross effortlessly between Afro-disco, grunge, no wave and jazz, the cohesive symbiotic relationship of the band members is obvious from the start. The powerful vocals of Guinean singer Falle Nioke are complemented by a wealth of talent from Graham Godfrey on drums, Steve Pringle on keys, Tom Dream on guitar and Josh Ludlow on bass.
Having moved to the UK from West Africa in 2018, Falle Nioke has recently been in the spotlight following the success of his Youkounkoun EP with Ghost Culture which was heavily supported by indie radio and BBC 6 Music playlisters. On Yagana, he continues to sing in a multitude of languages, but this time shifts towards a more organic musical direction, showcasing his incredible versatility as a vocalist.
This new path can be attributed to the pedigree of the rest of the group – veteran musicians Steve Pringle and Graham Godfrey are key members of Michael Kiwanuka’s band, the latter also performing with Little Simz, Cleo Sol and SAULT, among others.
Furthermore, Tom Dream and Josh Ludlow are electronic artists in their own right – with a number of artistic projects in the works, as well as having performed together as ambient duo Soma World. Both used to play in metal and grunge bands in earlier years, an influence which has made its way into Pigeon’s distinctive sound.
The Yagana EP is an emotionally-charged offering, exploring themes of lust, saudade, homesickness, and hope for peace. Recorded in a single weekend, Pigeon’s Yagana EP is a clear testament to each member’s skilfulness and varied experiences, creating a fully-fledged being that is greater than the sum of its parts.
| A1 | Yagana |
| A2 | Nothing Grows |
| B1 | It's You |
| B2 | War (Jam) |
