In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.

Here at TMR, we’re big believers in supporting those acts that you may not have heard of yet, but we’re certain you’ll love and be hearing a lot more of in the future. One such artist is the eclectic electronic artist Mined, aka Kofi Holmes Attivor, who rekindled a passion for music creation while studying Neuroscience at university and over the past year has continued to develop a unique style outside of genre labelling.

Growing up in a Ghanaian family in Tooting, South London, Attivor’s early introductions to music included his jazz pianist grandfather and the musical stylings of Boyz II Men “courtesy of my mum”, as the young musician recalls. However, it was the lust of a silver Casio keyboard that first caught the imagination, although his creative odyssey would later be put on hold in pursuit of his studies. Being the circular thing that life is, it was actually Attivor’s time at university that led him to discover new musical obsessions, such as Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music For Airports, plus artists like Corbin (fka Spooky Black), Majical Cloudz, Foals, James Blake, Caribou and Boards of Canada. These listening habits quickly informed Mined’s own music and created a world of escapism for him.

Over the past year, Mined has continued to evolve and broaden his stylistic horizons. Beginning with the cloudy and ambient track ‘Promises’, with vocals placed far beneath the extra-terrestrial production. Later came ‘Pangs’, a cleaner listening experience that offers up Attivor’s heart on a platter; “are you still in love with me?” he repeats over dreamy synths and soft-edged beats. ‘Mistakes’ is where TMR caught wind of this upcoming talent, noting Mined’s “passion for tranquil electronica and emotive lyrics” and Attivor later followed up with the release of a wholly mesmeric, subtly scripted music video directed by Northampton filmmakers The Rest. By this point, Attivor’s humble project was picking up admirable attention, and so London label Peacefrog Records welcomed Mined to their own growing family for his latest release - ‘Girl’.

It’s been a great year for Mined, and we’re sure an even greater one lays ahead this young talent, but before we get there, let’s get to know Kofi Holmes Attivor a little better.

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TMR: Let’s start by talking about the visual for ‘Mistakes’, which centers around the choreography and chemistry between two characters? Is the interaction between people a particular point of inspiration for your music?

Definitely! Practically all the music I write is about one-on-one encounters between close people, particularly in small spaces, private moments like that where there's no pretence, I think that's why the video worked so well, two people expressing how they're feeling without fear of judgement, I guess.

TMR: Speaking on chemistry, you’re also a scientist with a specific interest in Neuroscience. Has this passion fed into your music at all?

Not really to be honest, Biology is a lot more exact. I’m not as precise when I’m making music, it’s much more of a free flowing process, much less about techniques when I’m writing, as soon as I hit the point where a track resonates with me emotionally then I know I’m done. I don't tend to fidget too much with the technical aspects.

TMR: Do you think your scientific nature is why you’re drawn to electronic and synthetic instruments?

I don't think so. I think it’s the textural quality of electronic music and synthetic instruments that draw me in. I was really influenced by the xx and James Blake and Jason Nolan, all three use synthesised textures in different ways, but there is a real depth to their music which I admire.



TMR: Tell us about your first experience of electronic music?

Oooh, would have been at uni. I've got a Spotify playlist with about 2,000 songs in it spanning about five years now, it's interesting to look back at what I was listening to at different points over the last few years. The first electronic entries are Caribou. I remember falling in love with his track 'Jamelia', the really simple repeating riff and the explosion of sound at the end, hypnotic.

TMR: It’s also known that your grandfather was a jazz musician, which is typically more of a genre of improvisation and instinct, has this heritage also influenced your approach to songwriting?

I think it is starting to. It definitely didn't at the beginning. I was more of an R&B kid, listening to a lot of Aaliyah, and Boyz II Men courtesy of my mum, before I found my own taste, and I think that plays a role in my lyrical structure. I've in the last year discovered Ronnie Scott's in Soho and been there a few times, you can't see live Jazz and not appreciate it I think, so that's what happened.

TMR: Last year you released the doubled-sided ‘Pangs’ and ‘Aches’, which was described by many as “British electronica” - what are your thoughts on this label?

Yeah, I dunno, I think quite a lot of people have found my stuff slightly difficult to label, as have I to be honest. British Electronica sounds a bit too nationalist though, don’t you think? British electronica for British people. I think I'll try and coin a term for the music myself and when I've got a cool one, really push it.



TMR: ‘Pangs’ was also your first music video, working alongside The Rest, who’ve also worked on ‘Mistakes’. Why have you repeatedly chosen to work with this filmmaking duo?

The Rest are amazing at capturing moods, and make subtle allusions to subject matters without having to directly address them. It gives their videos a unique artistic quality and from the technical side of things they are just shot really really well, plus they are really nice guys.

TMR: If you could work with any other creative (musician, photographer, director, artist etc.) who would it be and why?

Can I pick two? I'm obsessed with Frank Ocean at the moment, I love the pictures he paints in his songs, and he's able to get emotion across and still have bits of clever word play, and dat voice! I'd also love to work with AJ Tracey, bit of a curveball I know, but have basically listened to him every day for the past six months or so, reminds me of some of my friends from secondary school.

TMR: You’ve been playing a few gigs this year, does your music differ in a live setting?

The music doesn't differ too much. I tend to play with a live bassist which is really nice, adds some extra warmth, also the dynamics of music venues always adds a little something, plus you get to put a face to the music which is always nice.

TMR: Following on from the release of Mined EP with Peacefrog Records, can we expect to hear anything new in the near future?

Yeah, there are a few tracks coming at you pretty soon, so whatever the equivalent of 'keeping your eyes peeled' is for your ears, do that!



-Hannah Thacker