Si Tew

An active mind; a multiplex of musical outputs; an array of influences; a well-travelled soul. These are the ingredients that make up today’s Si Tew: a genuine artist, currently based in Derby, UK, and now promoting his eagerly-anticipated new album, Quietude. Genuine because Si Tew is his real name, but also because his music is as authentic as the heritage, influences, experiences and travels from which it draws inspiration.

Even before upping roots, Si Tew was learning his craft in clubs, festivals, and fields throughout the UK. Life conspired to lead him to the central-UK city of Derby, where he set up his own studio in conjunction with renowned producer Atjazz and his Mantis Recordings label. Si Tew’s ‘partner in rhythm’ through the side project, Mistworks, Atjazz is also Label Manager at the self-entitled Atjazz Record Company, from where his new album, Quietude, ushers a new chapter.

His previous long player on the same label is ‘When The Clouds Ran Away’, and was promoted through remixes by Atjazz and Zed Bias, as well as live performances across Europe. As of late, Si Tew's undertakings include remix work for Robert Owens, The Bamboos and Aloe Blacc, and more recently, for Aussie Hip Hop Producer, Inkswel. He’s also been producing music for television. His groundbreaking project, though, is Digit Music: a record label, digital instrument manufacturer and creative learning and performance initiative that helps realise the benefits and joys of making music for all. Cmpsr is Digit Music’s unique instrument that empowers individuals of all abilities to engage creatively in music. 

Si Tew’s new album, Quietude, draws on his time living in Venezuela. A far-reaching and eclectic collection of music, tracks echo ambient, through to deep house, with elements passing knowing winks to influences as far and wide as Bonobo, Lapalux, Fourtet, Floating Points, Ludovico Einaudi, and Max Cooper. 

Some of the album’s standout tracks include Lean on My Frequency featuring aspiring singer, Sarai Jazz, heard elsewhere accompanying Atjazz. Roshinaya offers immersive textures, breakdowns, and buildups, whilst UIHIA slips the album down a gear, contributing a deep serving of soul courtesy of Georgia Copeland’s delicious vocals. An Apology is the album's premier single: a downbeat tune boasting a rich ‘groove and a half’. 

So think Derby, think Si Tew. It’s not just Rolls Royce and rolling hills that place this small English city on the map. It’s a melting pot of creative energy and musical styles, and Si Tew is a part of it. Si Tew is a notable artist on a distinguished Derby record label, and one to keep an eye on and an ear open for these coming months.