“Like an out of control lawn mower heading for the children,” is how Seramic (one of my Ones to Watch for 2017) describes his new song I Got You. Of course, what Seramic doesn’t say is if this is one of those weedy Flymo Lite things that even the smallest child could give a good kicking to, or a big monster Lawnflite sit on tractor mower that could do some serious shredding damage. I’d go for the later, albeit this isn’t a boring single colour lawnmower but a funked up day-glo variety. Unfortunately, the promo pic for this track doesn’t show Seramic sitting on his mower, which is a bit disappointing. However, a quick Google search suggests that unlike the musician in the bath promo picture, which is a regular occurrence amongst popstars, lawnmowers just aren’t a thing. If you know any promo pics of artists on lawnmowers or mowing their lawns, feel free to email them to me, Robin at Breaking More Waves, at robinseamer@hotmail.co.uk. Seramic - I Got You
If gritty, funky, soulful Prince like jams with a touch of gospel fronted by a man that once recorded more traditional singer-songwriter fare under his real name sounds like your sort of thing, then Breaking More Waves 5th choice of Ones to Watch for 2017 will be right up your groovy street. The first British act on this year’s list, Seramic, impressed virtually all the cool of-the-moment-early-adopter blogs with the debut release People Say, which was sneaked out at the very end of 2015, but my eureka moment was in a packed basement club at Brighton’s Great Escape Festival in May, where Marcus Foster (for he is the man behind this project) rolled out a raw and commanding set that referenced the aforementioned Prince, Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix (well, if you’re going to take influence, take it from the greats) and created the equivalent of a sonic earthquake. It surprises me that so many of the pop tastemaker blogs went for Seramic - to my ears at least his sound doesn't sound particularly hip or young - its more suited to Radio 2 than Radio 1 or Beats - but then what goes around comes around again - waves break and rise once more, such is the cyclical nature of pop. However, whatever crowd the music of Seramic finds, it's undeniably good and that's what counts. If you’re seeing Jack Garratt on tour this month, get there early and get a blast of Seramic: “Music that lubricates the parts other songs fail to reach” was how I previously described him. One to Watch (and feel) for 2017. Seramic - Found (Live)
Well this is a blast. Seramic might be quite an ordinary looking bloke with an even more ordinary real life name, but the music he’s making lubricates the parts that other songs fail to reach. This guy has the funk. This guy has the rhythm. This guy will make you shake your booty and then some. “Free the tiger, let the music take you higher,” go the words. Hallelujah brother. Welcome to the church of groove. My only sadness about this record is that Greg’s Love is not about a passion for the similarly spelt UK based retailer that sells ready made sandwiches, pizza slices and sausage rolls. That really would have been quite something. I’d have quite enjoyed watching the gymnast in the video tucking into a good old steak slice at the end of her workout. Oh and did I mention Bootsy Collins? Yep, the actual Bootsy Collins. Now there's an endorsement of the funk if ever there was one. Seramic - Greg's Love (Video)
The oddly named Seramic has already wowed the blogosphere and radio tastemakers with his first two releases, the soulful funkiness of Waiting and the hymn like People Say, but it’s his third tune that is his first real showstopper. Like a junior wizard about to become a master conjurer Found has some colossal magic tricks up its sleeve. This is a huge gospel pop odyssey that throws in the lot; a choir, dirty squirming rock guitars that will make you shit yourself, big electronics that will make you pee yourself, and a massive hook that will leave you dribbling and drooling, yet it still manages to sound 100% human. It's like Prince taking on Jack Garratt after a couple of 16oz steaks. Just wow. Song of the month? Almost certainly. Heaven is a place in the recording studio. If this guy can capture the power of this live he’s a must see, which is handy as he’s playing a whole raft of UK festivals this summer, starting with Brighton’s Great Escape this weekend. I hope to be in the front of the queue for that one. Seramic - Found
