Train Spotters Bio
Train Spotters. No, not Irvine Welsh’s grim portrayal of Edinburgh life for a group of jaded, insatiable, heroin addled early twenty-teens. Oh no, this is something completely different.
Have you ever been sat on a train, flicking through your Ipod; from t’Monkeys to Wu Tang, Libertines to Outkast, Nas to Block Party. Thinking to oneself, ‘what am I?’
Well, it’s very unlikely a tiny gadget from Apple will be able to satisfy such a dilemma, not this generation’s model anyway. But you might have something in common with Elliot Grech and Nana Nyanin.
The East London based duo was introduced at Platform Studios in Walthamstow. Citing OutKast, Guns n Roses, The Jam and Basement Jaxx among his many influences, Elliott’s progressive Hip Hop beats were getting production requests from all over, soon catching the eyes’ of the forward thinking Mitchell Brothers.
And amid the various Wiley-wannabes and pseudo-Sways, up stepped Nana. A talented witty, versatile MC.
Sensing a musical synergy the two began working on what was initially a mixtape project. Although it soon became apparent the two were tiring off contemporary Hip Hop and wanted to try something different. The pair decided to start a group, with Elliott contributing vocally as well as producing. And with that Train Spotters were born-a group steeped in garage rocks DIY sensibilities with a Hip Hop sheen- making for a unique but accessible sound. So leave your preconceptions at the door, jump on the train early and enjoy the ride.
David Kane (One Week To Live, Touch Magazine & www.ukhh.com)
