Interview: The Northaze | 'collectALL&SAVE, We're Leaving Dark Times’
“We're keeping it moving, we are working on a lot of different stuff as well. This project is kind of just like a welcome back to warm us in, then we've got a lot more to come.”
Leeds based rap duo The Northaze aka Kosi Tides & Swish have been making waves for close to a decade, remaining independent and true to their OG sound best described by Kosi Tides as ‘Mellow thrills.’ Earlier this year, Kosi followed up on his 2021 solo debut, ‘It Followed Me Home’ with a new solo project called ‘2088’ - a futuristic, Bladerunner inspired composition of tracks based on Kosi’s own perspective on how the future shall sound. On Monday, May 23rd, The Northaze released ‘collectALL&SAVE, We’re Leaving Dark Times’ alongside a visualiser for a standout single lifted from the project called ‘Lights’. In anticipation of their latest release, Wordplay spoke with The Northaze for exclusive insights into the projects.
The creation process for the 2088 release began by July 2021, nearing completion in December. Kosi felt that he had been sitting on the project for a while, so he decided to put it out toward the end of winter. In the build up to the release, Kosi recorded a video for a single called Waverunner2088 with Tom from AP Studios. The beat for the Waverunner2088 single came from an artist in Chicago, when the video dropped Kosi noticed a positive reception coming from listeners in the city. “I'll be honest I haven't really pushed the Waverunner2088 video at all, I kind of just released it and let it sit there,” shrugged Kosi, “I think because I know we have got a stream of shit coming next, people will just see that and they can go amongst it themselves. I don't really like pushing stuff in people's face, even though it's not like it's pushing in their face, but when you're constantly just promoting the same thing, I find it jarring.”
A follow up to Kosi’s 2021 solo debut, ‘It Followed Me Home’ which was recorded during the peak of the corona pandemic, 2088 was penned in a different headspace which is reflected in the music. “It was more so that I'm out the house, I'm outside again,” explained Kosi, describing the themes of the 2088 project. “It's just the future, it's just green. So it was just nice to give a perspective on how shit's going to go down in the future and where I'm at when I'm cutting through the streets and shit, with the neon light and all that.” Across the 6 track EP there are two features, from Toshiro Steel and Pertrelli - who are both also Leeds based. “They are Northaze favourites, them two,” said Kosi. “More time we have been doing projects, whether it's a Kosi Tides or a Swish one, you will probably see or hear one of them somewhere.”
“I think the most important track on there for me is Channel 8,” continued Kosi, “I think that one's just a standout because... It's everything that I wanted it to be, in terms of what I would bring to the table without having Swish by my side, that is kind of the quality in what I'd want from it.” The album cover is an edit from Bladerunner 2049, a film which Kosi took influence from for his 2088 project. “Bladerunner 2049, I was watching that and the whole aesthetic of it - how it was set, how it was so calm, the shoots, the pictures, the scenes and shit…” Kosi paused, in reflection. “Everything was just nice, so I was kind of running with that for a lot of the project to be honest.” The artwork was by Aaliyah Jones, who is also responsible for the passport artwork on the cover of collectALL&SAVE, We’re Leaving Dark Times. “She's on Instagram and that,” added Kosi. “She's top tier.”
collectALL&SAVE, We're Leaving Dark Times dropped on Monday, May 23rd - 8 days after this interview took place. The first indication of this projects existence came in the form of a single called RIP Limewire, which had a visual release in the Summer of 2021. “We literally called it ‘RIP Limewire’ because we were speaking about Limewire at the time we were recording it, I was like ‘Yo, we're doing it just like back in the day with dial up connections,’” revealed Kosi. “So yeah, we were kind of just like 'RIP Limewire' - it was a beautiful time, music was processed differently and everything was appreciated a little bit more back then.” A fast paced rap single with calm musical undertones, the tune provided a strong insight for what to expect from the overall project.
Amongst the comments on the video, one from Petrelli praises the single as a ‘strong comeback.’ “Shout out Trelli, but no I wouldn't say it's a comeback,” laughed Kosi, in response to this. “I feel like we have always been here but just been on different shit I guess, it has been a very long time, so I feel like it is kind of a rebrand. But I wouldn't say it was a comeback, that's just me dumbing things down as per.” The slick visual was shot and directed by Tom LP, who Kosi hopes will be involved in future Northaze projects. “Shout out Tom, he is immaculate at his job,” continued Kosi. “He just knows what's right and exactly what to do.”
Amongst the 8 singles (& 1 interlude) listed on the project, one of the most reflective tracks is called Planes Taking Off. “I guess the lyrics with Planes Taking Off is just leaving all shit behind and making sure you focus on yourself type of shit - praying for the better.” summarised Kosi, after being told the song matched the title’s vibe. “It's good that it's got that vibe considering that's the name, I weren't actually sure that's where we were taking it but I feel like with the music we make, we make the music and then it kind of tells a story itself or just gives you that sort of mood.”
Upon the release of collectALL&SAVE, We’re Leaving Dark Times, the Northaze also dropped a visualiser for a standout single called Lights lifted from the project. “Lights is, man…” Kosi paused, thoughtfully. “It's probably one of my favourite Northaze beats, real shit. There is just something about it, I don't really know the feeling it gives me. It gives me a winter feeling, but not even necessarily cold, it's also warm as well - it's like a warm winter."
Following Lights is a single called Misty Baby Blue, a deep track with engrossing bass undertones underpinning the instrumental. To Swish, Misty Baby Blue reflects the feeling of roaming Leeds city in a fog during the winter/spring seasons. “On this it's more about battling what the season brings and grafting it out, overcoming,” explained Swish. “But also touching on the silver lining out of it all which is we're still going to live how we want regardless.”
The project was mostly recorded at Kosi’s place and was mixed by Kosi and Husk, an artist who Northaze collaborate with frequently. “Shout out Husk,” said Kosi. “He’s been mixing and mastering all my solo stuff as well as the Northaze shit, so he is a big part of what we’re on.” The production on the other hand was handled by other affiliates - “So Holograms, RIP Limewire, Planes Taking Off & Lights were done by a producer called Slowmo, Misty Baby Blue by Ashton Mccreight, Rewind by Seyg & Catching Zs by sammakesbeats,” said Swish. “Big up them all.”
The EP comes to a calm close with a tune called Rewind, which Swish credits as one of his favourites from The Northaze catalogue. “I think Rewind was just the best way for us to finish the story of the tape,” continued Swish. “The beat really left space for us to just roam about and sum up where things go from here - it wasn't intended to be the closing song at all but that's the magic working.”
On the surface, The Northaze usually opt for seemingly obscure titles which often have simple or implied meanings. Kosi revealed that the inspiration behind naming this project collectALL&SAVE came to him during a long studio session. “Collect all and save, we’re leaving dark times,” recalled Kosi. “It’s been a wild ride these past couple of years and I am sure most can relate, mentally exhausting. But I feel good right now so it’s a kinda way of leaving the negative behind and just focussing on the pros of this next phase.” “We were recording & Kosi said it in a conversation,” recalled Swish. “I knew it needed to be that, I think it was about the option in Ableton which is funny but it's also a clever metaphor. We named the project folder that and it didn't change.” Interview drawing to a close, Kosi was asked if he had a final message for the people listening. “Enjoy it,” replied Kosi. “This is the best we have ever been.”
The Northaze, thank you for your time. Any final shout outs?
Kosi: ”Shout out the north and everyone who played a part in this, Tom Isaac, AP Studios, Slomo, Abs, Swish and myself.”
Swish: “Shout out everyone who's listening to the new sounds & taking them in, personally I'd love to hear peoples thoughts & details on it so hit us up. We'll be back on your servers very soon.”
Words by Evo
Photography by Oliver James