We threw an abundance of quick-fire questions to London soul Queen, SLK.
Why did you choose the moniker SLK? How do we pronounce that?
‘Silk’ was a studio nickname so I kept it but lost the ‘i’. It is pronounced Silk
Tell us about your journey – how did you end up creating and making music as a full-time career?
I have always performed in some way growing up. I studied dance then acting and wanted to be the next Kate Winslet. Although music was always around me and I would spend hours as a child belting out Whitney or Bjork to anyone who would listen It was not until a few years back I actually started professionally. Amy Winehouse’s ‘ Back to Black’ gave me the kick I needed to sing in public. After earning my stripes in both palaces and dives I decided to write myself and find my own sound.
You seem pretty style-savvy. Who are your fashion icons and who did you admire and want to dress like as you were growing up?
I was in awe of women performers who effortlessly found their own style through taking risks. As a child women like Gwen Stephani, Roisin Murphy and Madonna all got me hitting up my mums wardrobe and creating ‘space age vintage street style’.
Do you have any favourite designers? Who are you wearing right now?
I love designers who create pieces that don’t wear you, they give you confidence, enhance your own body and style without being too delicate or impractical. I have been loving ‘ ZDDZ’ for comfortable pieces with fashion forward and striking print. ‘Jane Bowler’ for her totally unique pieces and ‘Lucky Little Blighters’ for incredible accessories. Today I am in an oversized vintage ‘Ralph Lauren’ shirt with ‘Simmi’ shoes.
Tell us about your creative process – how does your music arrive in a song? What’s the process from initial ideas to a finished track?
There isn’t really a set formula, sometimes a beat or piece of music will inspire me to write words and melody or vice versa. Mostly though I write lyrics like poems in a book and take them into a session to find them a home and melody there.
What other emerging talent are you enjoying right now? Any new music you’re loving that we may not have heard of?
Top of my list at the moment is Sohn, Kwabs, Sampha, Tala, Arca and Little Dragon.
What’s the top 3 most played songs on your iPod / iTunes?
1. How Will I Know- Whitney Houston
2. Hold on – SBTRKT
3. Disclosure – F for you
Who is your favourite Spice Girl and why?
Geri all the way. She had the best fashion and persona.
What’s your plans for the summer? Any festivals or live shows?
Kopperberg Urban Forest festival in Dalston on Sat 5th July, Jazz Café 11th July and a few more shows that are to be confirmed.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
Dreaming Big here but Kanye, Sohn and Sampha.
Words: Shane Hawkins
Photography: Kai Cem Narin – www.kaicemnarin.com