Described by Pitchfork as a “master craftsman”, British DJ and producer Leon Vynehall weaves multiple genres together to create his experimental electronica.
A frequent collaborator, he has worked with artists such as Or:la, Skee Mask and Ehua, and has curated a fabric Presents compilation, a BBC Radio 1 mix and a DJ-Kicks mix album.
After becoming a resident DJ at Akaakaroar, a Brighton club, Vynehall released several EPs on labels such as Well Rounded Housing Project and Aus. As a result of his productions, he quickly became an in-demand DJ.[2]
His debut EP, Music for the Uninvited, was released on the label 3024 in 2014 to a positive critical reception, landing on numerous year-end lists in publications including Fact, Gorilla vs. Bear, NPR Music, Pitchfork, XLR8R and The Washington Post.
His second EP, Rojus, released on 1 April 2016, also received positive reviews.[3] During this time Vynehall moved to the outskirts of Leicester.[4]
On 10 April 2018 Vynehall announced his signing to UK independent label Ninja Tune. This coincided with the announcement of his debut full-length album Nothing Is Still, which was due for release on 15 June 2018.[5] The inspiration for the album came from Vynehall's grandparents. Their emigration from the south-east of the United Kingdom to New York City in the 1960s, their seven-day journey via boat from Southampton to Brooklyn and other stories, only came to light upon the passing of his grandfather four years previous. The album also included a novella and set of short films.[6][7] The first single from the album was "Envelopes (Chapter VI)", described by Pitchfork as "heart-rending experimental electronica", received coverage in a large number of notable online and print publications including NME, Pitchfork, Resident Advisor, Mixmag, Fact, XLR8R, DIY, Clash, Mojo, The Vinyl Factory and more.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The track received widespread radio play on stations such as BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music and Gilles Peterson's WorldWide FM.[15]
According to Pitchfork, Vynehall's music combines the "percussive energy of contemporary House music" with "rich harmonies of sample-centric producers".[16] Vynehall lists Aphex Twin, Afrika Bambaataa, Man Parrish and DJ Shadow as some of his major influences.[17]
Rare, Forever, Vynehall's second studio album, was released on 30 April 2021[18] and received widespread critical acclaim from Pitchfork,[19] The Guardian,[20] Clash, Loud and Quiet,[21] Resident Advisor,[22] NME,[23] AllMusic,[24] and many other publications.
Tracey Nelson
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