Footshooter ft: André Espeut - Here To Learn (Single)
Photo credit: Karla Lizethe Hunter
Footshooter, AKA South London-based producer and DJ Barney Whittaker joins the Tru Thoughts family with the soulful rooftop cut "Here To Learn", made in collaboration with singer-songwriter André Espeut. Footshooter will make his Tru Thoughts debut during a DJ takeover at the Love Supreme Festival this summer.
“I’m really excited to be putting out music with Tru Thoughts… I really love a lot of the other artists on the label currently; Tara Lily, Moonchild, WheelUP, Bryony Jarman-Pinto, Steven Bamidele, and MELONYX. I also had Werkha’s early releases on Tru Thoughts on repeat back in the day when I used to live in Brighton, so it feels great to be in such good company musically”. - Barney Whittaker
First collaborating remotely for a Boomerang Records compilation, the pair reunite on this uplifting track, which André describes as a "testament to the strength of the human spirit". “Andre’s vocals are warm and timeless” Barney adds, “reminding me of soulful house and garage classics from the late 90s/early 2000s, so I was keen to couple them with something musically forward-facing”.
‘‘Here To Learn’ is a powerful anthem of resilience and self-discovery, confronting life's challenges with raw honesty, while craving inner peace amidst chaos. Within each verse, there’s a message that longs for universal transformation. Soaked in vulnerability and determination, it offers hope amidst turbulence, and a promise of peace. The track is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, amplified through its weaving melodies.
Footshooter’s production style takes in influences from broken beat, jazz, house, and more, working with rappers, poets and vocalists to create a soulful sound referencing the past while being firmly visionary in its approach. André Espeut’s diverse heritage complements this mix, masterfully dipping into broken beat, house, afrobeat, and jazz. His work with Defected, Glitterbox, and Saison has led to chart-topping hits on BBC Radio 1 and Jazz FM. Known for his soulful voice and infectious energy, André has performed worldwide, from the 2012 Olympics to the Jazz Cafe, and is also the lead vocalist of underground afro-electronic festival sensation Afriquoi.
Barney’s records as Footshooter and SAUL (with Jack Stephenson-Oliver on Rhythm Section International) have earned airplay and support on BBC Radio 1 and 1XTRA, BBC 6Music, NTS Radio, Jazz FM, and Rinse FM, from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Bradley Zero, Errol (Touching Bass), Alexander Nut (Eglo Records), Shy One, Virgil Abloh, Zakia, Jyoty, Nabihah Iqbal, Bonobo, Jamz Supernova, Mary Anne Hobbs, Mr. Scruff, and more. As a Balamii Radio resident for the past five years, Footshooter has hosted his monthly show 'Sonic Fruits’, welcoming guests such as Brother Portrait, MA.MOYO, Allysha Joy, Laura Misch, Anja Ngozi, Rare Treat, Alexander Nut, Vimbai Mango, and more.
His musically diverse live band sets and DJ sets over the past eight years have taken him to Boiler Room London, Tate Modern, Alexandra Palace, The Jazz Cafe, and the Barbican Centre, as well as performances at Brainchild, We Out Here, and Love Supreme festivals.