10 Questions: Gardna
Yes yes y’all. We’re back with another round of 10 Questions, getting to know some of our favourite artists, with some quick fire questions giving the artist the opportunity to talk about their inspirations, motivations and their future plans. This time round we have Bristol native Gardna. Let’s go!
1) Contestant, what’s your name, chosen craft and where are you based?
yo. i'm Gardna, i'm an MC/Vocalist/Label Owner and I’m from Bristol.
2) How would you describe your sound?
My sound is a melting pot of Hip Hop, Reggae, Dub, Grime, Garage & Jungle. I think that as an MC it's important to be versatile, but you’ve also got to create your own stamp within the scene. The reggae and dub influence is definitely where I found my niche and all of my tracks are supposed to be played on big sound systems.
3) Who / what do you consider to be the biggest influence on your music?
It’s hard to pinpoint it down to one person. It’s lots of things. For writing, I take influence from the good times, the late nights, early mornings, personal experiences, touring, relationships, all of that.
4) What’s the proudest moment to date for you as an artist?
Aside from recently getting my debut album out there to the world, performing 'Rudeboy' on The Lions Den to 25,000 people with Gentleman's Dub Club this year was extra special. It was pissing it down and the sun came out for that tune, was a very special moment.
5) Do you have any advice for our readers who maybe trying to play the mad game of music?
Don’t rush it. A lot of emerging artists want a quick come up, we all do, but it’s important not to force things and wait until it’s the right time. I saw a good meme on this the other day saying something along the lines of ‘your career properly starts after 10 years of work’ I rated that cos you learn some really important stuff when you put time into the craft. The people who rush it lack valuable skills.
6) Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?
Rodney P – The GOAT of UK Hip Hop
The Skints – My favourite band at the minute from the UK.
Watch the Ride [DJ Die, DJ Randall & Dismantle] – Oh wait this is happening!
7) What have you got planned for the not so distant future?
I’m working on Part II of the tour, a remix EP for the album, The Nextmen vs GDC project and Gardna x Kreed too. Got some mad festival announcements to make too
.
8) What’s the album you’ve played more than any other?
Bonobo - The North Borders
9) What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to? And where?
The Streets – o2 Academy Birmingham earlier this year. My Mrs comes charging back through the crowd with a two-pint cup as soon as my favourite tune ‘Has It Come To This?’ comes on. A moment of true bliss. I was a bit drunk and I cried with happiness.
10) Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Food, Water, Air. All that good ish.
Please can you nominate another contestant and provide us with a question for them on your behalf?
I nominate Eva Lazarus. Eva, tell us how the hell are you touring the globe and still holding that title of queen of the scene whilst being 5/6 months pregnant.
Any last words/shoutouts?
Shouts to all the producers on my album. Brad Baloo, Kreed, Mungo’s Hi Fi, Coki, Bukkah, Gold Dubs – appreciate all the hard work and the dope beats.
Shouts out to all the gang.
Your host for this round of 10 Questions was James “Vice beats” Kennaby
Photos by Dominika Scheibinger
