Catching Flies

Catching Flies (born 1991) is an English musician, DJ and record producer from London, England. His sound has been described as sitting on the "smooth, mellow side of electronic music" somewhere "between Flying Lotus and Bonobo" and "contains shades of everything from hip hop to house, from soul to jazz."[1][2] He has self-released three EPs and numerous remixes for artists like Kwabs and Wilkinson.[3][4]

Catching Flies
Born1991 (age 31–32)
OriginLondon, England
GenresElectronica, trip hop, downtempo
Years active2012–present
Websitecatchingflies.com

Releases

Catching Flies first came to prominence in October 2012, when his remix of Mt. Wolf's track "Life Size Ghosts" began to get hundreds of thousands of hits on YouTube[5] and he got praise from scores of music blogs. Consequently, the track raced to the number one spot on the Hype Machine.[6]

This was followed by the release of his first EP, The Stars, which included 3 tracks of original music, plus the Mt. Wolf remix. The EP was released by Catching Flies for free on Bandcamp and received thousands of downloads.[7]

June 2013 saw the release of The Long Journey Home EP, again comprising three original tracks and one remix. This was self-released through his own label, Indigo Soul, on Bandcamp. Both EPs were officially released on Spotify and iTunes in November 2013.[8][9]

He has since received radio support from Gilles Peterson, Annie Mac, Mary Anne Hobbes, Lauren Laverne and Huw Stephens.[10][11][12]

In 2016, Catching Flies released a mini EP, consisting of two instrumental songs: Komorebi and Mama's Wisdom. ‘Komorebi’ took Catching Flies to #1 on HypeMachine again.[13] The track has subsequently been sampled by US Hip-Hop sensation Phora in 'R U Still' on his debut album ‘Yours Truly Forever’ which debuted at No.1 on the US Hip Hop Charts.[14] Mama's Wisdom was originally premiered in Bonobo’s BBC Radio One Essential Mix.[15]

Ahead of his debut album scheduled for release in 2019, Catching Flies released a new single in September 2018 featuring Oscar Jerome and Jay Prince. It was described as a 'jazz-soul-infused electro lullaby' by The Guardian and awarded their 'Hot Tracks' pick.[16] This was followed by "Satisfied" in November 2018, ‘an intoxicating slice of dance music that gets a big boost from euphoric, gospel-y vocal samples’ (Bandcamp – New & Notable releases).[17] ‘Satisfied’ has been supported and celebrated by the likes of Bonobo and George Fitzgerald (on his BBC Radio 1 Residency show).[18] The release was accompanied by a short film about Catching Flies and his creative process, shot on 16mm film. It premiered on Nowness and received their pick of the day.[19]

Catching Flies' debut album Silver Linings was released on 5 July 2019.[20] Future Music called it ‘a brilliantly eclectic record… a moving journey that will last long in the memory.’[21] Earmilk gave the album 8.5/10 stars and dubbed it ‘A soundtrack to summertime…'[22] and Clash (magazine) summarised: ‘Killer beats, a dreamy, atmospheric sound, and artfully orchestrated introspection.’ [23]

Catching Flies released 'Silver Linings Remixed' on 17 April 2020. It features remixes of tracks from his debut album, from DJ Seinfeld, Andhim, Grandbrothers, Soundbwoy Killah, Ron Basejam of Crazy P, and more.[24] The album also includes a new track 'Daymarks' and a version of 'Yu' featuring Jehst and Blu. He appeared on Mary Anne Hobbs' BBC Radio 6 Music show on 17 April 2020 to speak about the release.[25]

In March 2021, he was nominated for a BAFTA for his soundtrack work on the Playstation game 'Sackboy.'[26]

Performances

Catching Flies has performed both DJ and Live shows at venues and festivals throughout the UK, Europe, and Asia. In 2017, he toured Asia for the first time, playing gigs in India, China and Singapore.[27][28] He has done online mixes for Vice, Oki-Ni and Mixmag.[29][30] His mix for the Solid Steel series was awarded second prize for 'Mix of The Year.'[31] He also recorded a mix entitled 'The Soundtrack To The Film Of Your Imaginary Life' for ID Magazine and gave an interview.[32]

In March 2014 he debuted his solo live show as the support act on Bonobo's European Tour.[33] He has also appeared on bills with Four Tet, Jon Hopkins, Little Dragon, George Fitzgerald, Actress & more.[34][35] He concluded 'The Long Journey Home' tour with a sold out show with Submotion Orchestra at London's Barbican Centre in the Barbican Hall, helping to close the London Jazz Festival.[36]

In 2018, he was nominated for a UMA in the 'Best Electronic Act' category.[37]

Discography

Albums
  • Silver Linings (Indigo Soul, 2019)
  • Silver Linings Remixed (Indigo Soul, 2020)

EPs
  • The Stars (Indigo Soul, 2012)
  • The Long Journey Home (Indigo Soul, 2013)
  • Komorebi/Mama's Wisdom (Indigo Soul, 2016)
  • New Gods (Indigo Soul, 2018)
  • Satisfied (Indigo Soul, 2018)

Collaborations
  • Catching Flies & Ifan Dafydd – 'Don't Know How' (Push & Run, 2013)
  • Submotion Orchestra ft. Catching Flies - 'Ao' (Counter Records/Ninja Tune, 2016)
  • Catching Flies ft. Jay Prince & Oscar Jerome - New Gods (Indigo Soul, 2018)

Remixes

References
  1. "Catching Flies- The Stars Ep (Free) - Broken Culture | Uk Hip Hop, D&B and Underground Music". Broken-culture.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  2. "Interview: Catching Flies | The Find Magazine". Thefindmag.com. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  3. "Check out Catching Flies' remix of "Perfect Ruin" by Kwabs [Premiere]". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  4. "Track Premiere: Wilkinson - Too Close ft. Detour City (Catching Flies Remix)". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  5. "Mt. Wolf - Life Size Ghosts (Catching Flies Remix)". Retrieved 27 June 2014 – via YouTube.
  6. Zach Gambill (28 October 2012). "Catching Flies - The Stars EP". Soundisstyle.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  7. "The Stars EP | Catching Flies". Catchingflies.bandcamp.com. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  8. "iTunes - Music - The Long Journey Home - EP by Catching Flies". Itunes.apple.com. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  9. "Catching Flies". Spotify. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  10. "Steve Spacek Words & Music, Gilles Peterson - BBC Radio 6 Music". BBC. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  11. "Sam Smith Bedtime Mix, Annie Mac's Friday Night - Music Played - BBC Radio 1". BBC. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  12. "With Kojey Radical in session, Lauren Laverne - Music Played - BBC Radio 6 Music". BBC. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  13. "Komorebi". Hype Machine. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  14. "The Break Presents: Phora - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  15. "Listen to Bonobo's Radio 1 Essential Mix - FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  16. "This week's new tracks | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  17. "Bandcamp". bandcamp.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  18. "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Residency, George FitzGerald". BBC. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  19. "A Short Film About Catching Flies". Nowness.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  20. "Track Of The Day: Catching Flies shares heady jazz-inflected beat 'Silver Linings', the title track from his long-awaited debut album". Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  21. Rogerson, Ben. "Future Music Magazine". Musicradar.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  22. "Album Review: Catching Flies – Silver Linings". Earmilk.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  23. "Catching Flies - Silver Linings | Reviews | Clash Magazine". Clashmusic.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  24. "Music | Catching Flies". Catchingflies.bandcamp.com. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  25. "BBC Radio 6 Music - Mary Anne Hobbs, Floating Points Guest Mix". Bbc.co.uk. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  26. "Threading together the Sackboy: A Big Adventure theme". PlayStation.Blog. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  27. "A Sunset w/ Catching Flies (Live) + more at Mumbai - Events High". Events High. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  28. "Downtempo producer Catching Flies set for first showcase in Singapore". Downtempo producer Catching Flies set for first showcase in Singapore | Editorial | Bandwagon - Live music, bands and concert guide for Singapore, Manila and Jakarta. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  29. "Download: Catching Flies". Mixmag. 12 February 2014. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  30. "ON DECK: Catching Flies". Thump. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  31. "Solid Steel Radio Show 14/11/2014 Part 1 + 2 - Catching Flies". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  32. "slumber session: catching flies". I-d. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  33. "Catching Flies Gigography, Tour History". Songkick.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  34. "Noise Pollution: Wetware Festival, Temple's Birthday Bash, Peace and Love Festival, Joyce Jonathan, Afterjourney, BOOM". Thebeijinger.com. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  35. "Spring Attitude Festival 2014". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  36. "Submotion Orchestra | Gigs and Tickets". SoundCrashMusic. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  37. "Nominees – the UMAs". Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
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