Our latest artist feature is with London performer FGN, pronounced “Fae-gan”. We’ve been playlisting Love Better which is out now on all streaming platforms – it’s his second release, following his debut song Pandemic, taken from his forthcoming EP. We caught up with FGN to find out more:

Hi! Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m from the beautiful Forest Gate in East London, and I love to make music.

When did you first start to develop a passion for music?

When I was young. I remember listening to songs and thinking “I can do that.” I’ve always had a thing for melodies and chord progressions. I didn’t realise what it was at the time but as I got older it all made sense and now forms the foundation of my music

Which artists did you listen to while growing up?

As a child my parents would have The Eagles and Pink Floyd on quite a bit in the house, as well as a couple niche artists like Enigma and Kate Bush. However, I always gravitated to what was popular culturally.

I’ll trust you to take this bit of info to the grave, but the first big artist I was in to was Britney Spears. (We love Britney Spears – but we love Kate Bush more! -Phoenix FM) Can’t believe I just admitted that. I also had an Indie phase, but when Justin Timberlake came on the scene as a solo act and Usher dropped his Confessions album, that was it. They were the two who had the most influence on me. From a production space, if I knew Pharrell and Timbaland had their hands in it, I was in. Anything or anyone they produced or wrote for I would listen to it.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard you before?

It’s like eating Häagen Dazs ice cream on a warm afternoon sat on top of Primrose Hill in North London. But to the more musically trained audience you have, its R&B with 90’s chord progressions, modern concepts and sexy harmonies.

What music have you recorded and released to date?

I’ve got hard drives full of music recorded over the years that will never see the light of day. In terms of released stuff, I dropped my debut single Pandemic in March this year, and Love Better is my second single which is out now and is off my forthcoming EP, Blood, Sweat and Tears, to be released later this year.

Which artists do you enjoy listening to at the moment – and do they influence your work?

At the moment I can’t get enough of 6lack, Masego, Flying Lotus, Jacob Colier, Peter Collins, WSTRN, Snoh Aalegra, Summer Walker and DVSN. Knucks is sick too, as is 413, Trap Pixie and Arey The Kid. There’s so many more out there, I could go on.

Who would your dream collaboration be with?

It chops and changes, but at the moment Jacob Colier or James Blake.

What are your plans for the future?

Well at the moment my immediate focus is on pushing Love Better out to as many people and continue to grow my fan base. I may drop another single off the EP then release the whole EP later in the year. I really want as many people to hear my music globally, and I’ve got a lot of sick music in the stash I know people will love, and I can’t wait for them to hear it.

Where can we find out more about you?

You can find me on Instagram and YouTube as well as all streaming platforms.