Kwes Explained

Kwes
Origin:Lewisham, London, England
Years Active:2006–present

Kwes (;[1] sometimes stylised as kwes, kwes., Kwes. or [o=o].) is a British music producer, composer and artist from London, England. Kwes is also currently signed to Warp as a solo artist and released his debut album, ilp, in October 2013. He has since gone on to produce music for the likes of Damon Albarn, Bobby Womack, Solange Knowles, Sampha, Loyle Carner, Black Coffee, Nubya Garcia, Mica Levi, Tirzah, Lucy Rose and numerous others.[2] He also composed his debut feature length score for 2023 British rom-com film Rye Lane, directed by Raine Allen-Miller. It won a BIFA award in 2023 for Best Original Music.[3]

Biography

Kwes began playing his grandparents' organ at the age of four and his grandmother bought him his first small keyboard aged 5. For his tenth birthday, he received a radio/tape recorder with a built-in microphone, which launched his interest in sound recording.[4] Kwes's younger brother is the musician Coby Sey.[5]

Kwes has chromesthesia (sound-to-colour synaesthesia).[6]

His earliest synaesthetic experiences occurred around the age of 4 and he attempted to colour paper with the particular colours he was seeing when listening to music. These colours have been set since he first discovered his condition: "any form of a G-chord would have orange in it, and the other notes which are not G accompanying that G-chord would have an effect on the type of orange it is. Majors tend to be slightly brighter.[7] Same applies for D which is always – yellow/green, E which is Yellow/gold, F which is violet/blue, C – Blue, A – light blue, B – yellow/gold/green."[8]

[9]

His synaesthetic impressions of his own music are translated in the artwork to his solo releases, including "Hearts in Home" and "No Need to Run".[10]

Discography

YearArtist TitleReleaseLabelCredit
2024Nubya GarciaAll tracksOdyssey (LP) ConcordCo-production, mixing
2024Lucy RoseAll tracksThis Ain't The Way You Go Out (LP) Communion MusicCo-production
2024Nubya GarciaFortifyFortify (Single) ConcordCo-production, mixing
2023Rye LaneOriginal Score Rye LaneSearchlight PicturesComposition
2023ValentinaAll tracksAll Are Lost (EP)Tocca TeAdditional production, mixing
2023NadiahDraw The LineDraw The Line (Single)NNN RecordingsCo-production, co-write, mixing
2023Can't Go BackLahai (LP)YoungAdditional production
2023Ragz Originale Flashbacks Ft. Sampha, July ft. Tiana Major9 & VennaBare Sugar (LP)Mini KingzCo-Production, mixing
2023Brother MayAll tracks Pattern With Force (EP)Self released Mixing
2022Loyle CarnerAll tracks except "Georgetown" hugo (LP)EMIExecutive production, co-production, co-write
2022Hudson MohawkeIngle Nook Cry Sugar (LP)Warpco-write
2022Lil SilvaBe Cool (ft. Little Dragon), Backwards (ft. Sampha), Colours, Still (ft. Sampha & Ghetts) Yesterday Is Heavy (LP)Nowhere / PlatoonCo-production, co-write
2022Loyle CarnerHateHate (single)EMICo-production, co-write
2022AuclairAll TracksGiramata (EP)Amorphous SoundsMixing
2022Selah SueTwice A Day, Full of LifePersona (LP)BecauseCo-production, mixing
2021Elan TamaraAll TracksWe Can Fall (LP)BOKKLEProduction, mixing
2021TirzahRibsRibs (single)DominoMixing
2021ZolaAll musicZolaA24Mixing
2021TirzahAll TracksColourgrade (LP)DominoA&R (all tracks), mixing on "Sink In", "Recipe"
2021BrodkaAll TracksBRUT (LP)Kayax/[PIAS]Co-mixing
2021Black CoffeeNever Gonna Forget with Diplo ft. ElderbrookNever Gonna Forget (single)Dark GreyUltra RecordsCo-production, co-write
2021Virgil AblohDelicate Limbs ft. serpentwithfeetDelicate Limbs (single)Dark GreyColumbiaCo-production, co-write
2020LandshapesAll tracksContact (LP)Bella UnionProduction, mixing
2020Loyle CarnerYesterdayYesterday (single)EMIVocal engineer
2020Duval TimothyFall AgainHelp (LP)Carrying ColourOP-1
2020Nubya GarciaAll tracksSource (LP)ConcordCo-production, mixing
2020ottaAll tracksSongbook (EP)BOKKLE/[PIAS]Add prod, mixing, a&r
2020Elan TamaraMy EyesMy Eyes (single)BOKKLE/[PIAS]prod, mixing, a&r
2020Denai MooreHailModern Dread (LP)BecauseCo-production, co-write
2020Daniel MerriweatherParadiseParadise (single)Self releasedAdd prod, mixing
2020Nubya GarciaPacePace (single)ConcordCo-production, mixing
2020Selah SueAll tracksBedroom EP (EP)BecauseCo-production, mixing
2019LA TimpaAll tracksEqual Amounts Afraid (LP)O___OMixing
2020ottaAll tracksafter it all blew over (EP)BOKKLE/[PIAS]Add prod, mixing, a&r
2019Daniel MerriweatherEverything I NeedEverything I Need (single)Self releasedMixing
2019CameliaAll tracksEverytime / Sometimes (single)Self releasedMixing
2019Little Miss SumoAll tracksLittle Miss Sumo (OST)Walks of Life Films, NetflixComposition, mixing
2019NérijaAll tracksBlume (LP)DominoProduction, mixing, a&r, artwork
2019Loyle Carner"Still", "Desoleil", "Krispy", "Carluccio", "Ice Water"Not Waving, But Drowning (LP)AMF, Virgin EMIProduction, co-write on "Still", "Desoleil", "Krispy", "Carluccio". Additional production on "Ice Water"
2019Arlo DayAll tracksBad Timing (EP)DominoMixing, a&r
2019NérijaAll tracksNÉRIJA EP (EP)DominoMixing, a&r
2018Ragz OriginaleAll tracksNature (LP)Mini KingzExecutive Production
2018Hilang ChildAll tracksYears (LP)Bella UnionMixing
2018TirzahAll tracksDevotion (LP)DominoA&R, co-mixing
2018Kwes.All trackssongs for Midi (EP)WarpProduction, write, mixing, primary artist
2017KelelaAll tracksTake Me Apart (LP)WarpMixing
2017Kelela"Waitin", "Take Me Apart", "Enough", "Better", "LMK", "Truth or Dare", "Turn To Dust", "Altadena"Take Me Apart (LP)WarpAdditional production w/ various
2017All We AreAll tracksSunny Hills (LP)DominoCo-production, mixing, a&r
2017ELIZA"Wide Eyed Fool""Wide Eyed Fool" (single)ELIZAMixing
2017Loyle Carner"Florence", "Mrs C" and "Sun of Jean"Yesterday's Gone (LP)AMF, Virgin EMIProduction, co-write (on all tracks); Production, co-write and mixing (on "Florence")
2017Coby Sey"Petals Have Fallen"Petals Have Fallen (single)self-releaseAdd. production; mixing
2017BILA"Didn't Lose"Didn't Lose (single)self-releaseProduction, co-write
2017Coby SeyAll tracksWhities 010: Transport for Lewisham (EP)AD 93 (Whities)Co-mixing w/ Coby Sey
2017Elan Tamara"Long Walks""Long Walks" (single)self-releaseProduction
2016Solange"Don't You Wait", "Where Do We Go", "Don't Wish Me Well", "Scales" A Seat at the Table (LP)Saint, ColumbiaCo-production, co-write w/ various
2016PAULiAll tracksThe Idea of Tomorrow (EP)PAULiCo-production
2016Kano"My Sound"Made in the Manor (LP)BPM, ParlophoneAdditional production, co-write w/ Blue May and Jodi Milliner
2016Hudson Mohawke"Indian Steps"Lantern (LP)WarpAdditional production w/ Hudson Mohawke
2016SamuelAll tracksLuv Cry (EP) Big DadaProduction, co-production
2016Nao"It's You"15 February (EP)Little Tokyo, SonyProduction, co-write
2016Rosie Lowe"Right Thing"Control (LP)Wolf Tone, PolydorProduction, co-write w/ Dave Okumu and Rosie Lowe
2016Samuel"These Days"These Days (single) Big DadaProduction
2015George Maple"Gripp" ft. Kilo KishVacant SpaceFuture Classic Pty, Virgin EMIProduction, co-write
2014DELSAll tracksPetals Have Fallen (LP)Big DadaProduction, co-write w/ various
2014Kwes.All tracksilpix (EP)WarpProduction, write, primary artist
2014Moko"Missing Love"Gold (EP)Production, co-write
2014Shivum SharmaAll tracksFlicker/Only You (single)National Anthem Production[11]
2014Rosie LoweAll tracksRight Thing (EP)37 AdventuresProduction, co-write w/ Dave Okumu and Rosie Lowe[12]
2014Pusha T"Who I Am" ft. 2 Chainz and Big SeanMy Name Is My Name (LP)GOOD, Def JamSampled
2014Eliza DoolittleDon't Call It LoveIn Your Hands (LP)ParlophoneProduction, co-write[13]
2013Kwes.All tracksilp (LP)WarpProduction, write, primary artist
2013ValentinaAll tracksWolves (EP)Greco RomanProduction w/ various[14]
2012Bobby Womack"Whatever Happened to the Times"The Bravest Man in the Universe (LP)XLProduction w/ Damon Albarn and Richard Russell[15] Album Reviews Pitchfork. Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
2012Kwesachu (Kwes & Micachu)All tracksKwesachu Mixtape Vol.2 (mixtape)self-releaseProduction w/ Micachu
2012Kwes.All tracksMeantimeWarpProduction, write, mixing, primary artist
2012Speech DebelleAll tracksFreedom of SpeechBig DadaProduction, co-write[16]
2012Sunless '97All tracksMaking Waves (EP)Abeano/XLProduction[17]
2012ValentinaAll tracksWeights (EP)Little ChaosProduction w/ Blue May[18]
2011Elan TamaraAll tracksOrgan (EP)Big DadaProduction
2011DRC Music"Customs", "Three Piece Sweet Part 1 & 2", "If You Wish to Stay Awake", "Departure", "Three Piece Sweet Part 3 (bonus track)"Kinshasa One Two (LP)WarpProduction, co-write w/ various[19]
2011DELS"Hydronenberg", "Moonshing", "Eating Clouds", "Violina/Bread Before Bed", "DLR", "Droogs", "GOB"GOB (LP)Big DadaProduction, co-write
2010Dog BiteAll tracksMachino Machino/Take Your Time (single)Young TurksProduction[20]
2010Elan TamaraAll tracksShadows (EP)self-releaseProduction[21]
2010Kwes.All tracksNo Need To Run (EP)Young TurksProduction, mixing, write, primary artist
2009Elan TamaraAll tracksGold Fishes (EP)self-releaseProduction
2009Kwesachu (Kwes. & Micachu)All tracksKwesachu Mixtape Vol.1 (mixtape)self-releaseProduction w/ Micachu
2009Kwes.All tracksHearts in Home/Tissues (single)Salvia/XLProduction, write, primary artist
2009Micachu"Outro"Filthy Friends: Volume 1 (mixtape)self-releaseProduction
2007Jack Peñate"A Good Weapon"Second, Minute or Hour (single)XLKeyboards
2007Jack Peñate"Run For Your Life"Matinée (LP)XLKeyboards

Artist discography

EPs

YearEP details
2010No Need To Run[22] [23]
  • Released: 28 June 2010
  • Label: Young
  • Formats: 12" EP, Digital download
2012Meantime
  • Released: 30 April / 1 May 2012
  • Label: Warp
  • Formats: 12" EP, CD, Digital download
2018songs for Midi[24]
  • Released: 5 April 2018
  • Label: Warp
  • Formats: 12" EP, Digital download

Singles

Mixtapes

YearMixtape details
2010Kwesachu Mixtape Vol.1 with Micachu
  • Released: 5 June 2009
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Cassette tape, Digital download
2012Kwesachu Mixtape Vol.2 with Micachu
  • Released: 30 April 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Cassette tape, Digital download

Live session duties

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Why Kwes's ilp is the one album you should listen to this week – video. The Guardian. 19 October 2013. 18 October 2013.
  2. (February 2023). https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5847196/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm. IMDB. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  3. (March 2024). https://www.bifa.film/awards/2023/winners-nominations/. BIFA. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  4. (January 2009). Kwes. / [o=o].. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  5. Web site: Coby Sey: Passing Through . Quarshie. Adam. Crack Magazine. 2022-09-14. 14 September 2022.
  6. Fitzmaurice, Larry (11 June 2010). Kwes: 'No Need To Run' | Forkcast | Pitchfork. Pitchfork. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  7. Dickins, Kieren (December 2008). Kwes. – A Tribe Called Next. A Tribe Called Next. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  8. Wright, Scott (17 June 2010). Dollars to Pounds: Kwes « The FADER. The FADER. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  9. (November 2011). 24 Year Old Producer, Kwes Collaboration – The Producers season 2 episode 3 – YouTube. Red Bull Music / The Producers. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  10. Erkas, Sinem (December 2008).SINEM ERKAS illustrator & graphic designer – Kwes record sleeve series . Sinem Erkas. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  11. Web site: Shivum Sharma – Flicker. 20 February 2014. Dazed. 11 September 2019.
  12. Web site: Introducing: Rosie Lowe - "If you reach that one person, your job is done.". The 405. 11 September 2019. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064257/http://www.thefourohfive.com/music/news/article/rosie-lowe-interviewed-1. dead.
  13. Web site: Martin. Andrew . 10 September 2012. Listen: Eliza Doolittle "Don't Call It Love. Complex.com. 20 November 2012.
  14. Web site: (1 May 2013). "prettymuchamazing.com". Retrieved 25 May 2013. . 24 May 2013 . 16 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141216011416/http://prettymuchamazing.com/videos/valentina-wolves . dead .
  15. Dombal, Ryan (14 June 2012). Bobby Womack: The Bravest Man in the Universe
  16. Murray, Robin (10 November 2011). Speech Debelle Returns – 10 Nov 2011 | Clash Music Latest Breaking Music News. Clash Magazine. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  17. Recommender, The (13 October 2011). SUNLESS '97 – The Recommender . therecommender.net. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  18. http://www.drunkenwerewolf.com/2011/06/05/interview-valentina/ » Interview: Valentina DRUNKENWEREWOLF
  19. Michaels, Sean (31 August 2011). Damon Albarn and DRC Music announce new Congo album for Oxfam | Music | guardian.co.uk. The Guardian. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  20. http://fuckyeahyoungturks.tumblr.com/post/1678399746/machino-machino-the-kwes-produced-debut-single-from Machino Machino, the Kwes produced debut single from Dog Bite
  21. Saxelby, Ruth (28 October 2010). Elan Tamara interview: "Go with your gut instinct." | Dummy » Features . Ddummymag.com. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  22. Hokley-Smith, Sam (10 June 2010). Stream: Kwes, "No Need to Run" « The FADER. The FADER. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  23. Young Turks Records (28 June 2010).Young Turks — YT045: Kwes – No Need To Run. Young. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  24. Web site: Kwes. Returns with Songs For Midi – XLR8R. 6 March 2018. 2 March 2018.
  25. Warp (13 November 2011). Warp / Records / Kwes / Signs to Warp, download free MP3 of new track 'Get Up . Warp. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  26. Dombal, Ryan (7 March 2012). Rising: Kwes | Features | Pitchfork. Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  27. Warp (26 November 2012). Warp / Kwes / Warp / Kwes 'Rollerblades' available to download now, 7-inch out in January . Warp. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  28. Mercury Music Prize Recommends (November 2011). Recommends. Mercury Music Prize Recommends. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  29. "ClintClinty" (9 July 2006). Ebony Bones @ Anti-Social (Bar Music Hall) PT 2 – YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  30. Cafun, Evian (14 April 2007). Kwes,Forty Fives,EvIaNnAivE,BONO MUST DIE@ULU Video by Evian Cafun – MySpace Video. MySpace. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  31. mytaratata (18 May 2009).video Emission 318 2/4 – Jack PENATE – 318, jack penate – videos MYTARATATA.COM. MYTARATATA.COM Retrieved on 15 June 2010.
  32. Mottley, Elan Tamara (June 2009). Elan Tamara – Organ EP – Out 6 June 2011. Elan Tamara. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  33. Williams, Scott (13 May 2010). Leftfield interview – Neil Barnes talks festivals. eFestivals. Retrieved 18 November 2011.