Playlist: HITS magazine

To celebrate the release of our first print issues, here's a playlist featuring all artists involved.

HITS x Berlin

We hosted our very first live gig in Berlin - and this is what it looked like.

Cover The HITS

Our latest video series - covers performed by our favourite acts, exclusively for us.

Video Interview: Scenic Route To Alaska

Melting away in front of Stuttgart's castle, we had a chat about touring, band names, Toy Story and a lot more.

Find us on YouTube!

Visit us on the 'tubes for interviews, exclusive performances and outtakes.

Showing posts with label jalen n'gonda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jalen n'gonda. Show all posts

7 songs: Jalen N'Gonda



Hey guys!

I think learning about a musicians personal music taste is such a fascinating experience.

Little did I know our "7 songs" feature would be such an insightful one, but it really is.
You get to pinpoint their influences, find out which songs they have a personal connection with and you might even find songs you'll add to your own playlist.

That said, we're thrilled to present you another round of our guest-playlist feature right now.


But first, let's get to know the DJ!


Jalen N'Gonda is a musician originally from Maryland (US), now based in Liverpool (UK).

He got into music at the age of 11, inspired by his father's record collection which mainly consisted of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul and Classics.

Jalen moved to Liverpool in 2014 and made the city his music home of choice.
He's been gigging through the country and various other places ever since and has played sold out headline shows in London and Geneva.

The musician has also supported acts such as Laura Mvula, Martha Reeves and Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

His single releases have been well received by his loyal fanbase and the excitement for his upcoming songs is growing.


Check out his live piano version of "I Need You" right here:




Jalen N'Gonda online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram


Let's check out Jalen's selection!

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1) a song which makes you dance
"Dancing In The Street" by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas

A song that definitely makes me move is "Dancing In The Street". I never fail to request this song on a night out.


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2) a song that calms you down
"They Really Don't Know You" by Joni James

Joni James' "They Really Don't Know You" helps me relax.
From the strings to the melody and right down to Joni's voice, it's a definite soother.


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3) a song with a deep meaning
"Blowin' In The Wind" by Bob Dylan

There are so many songs with a deep meaning, so this is a tough one.
But if I had to pick one, it would be "Blowin' In The Wind" by Bob Dylan.


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4) a song that makes you feel nostalgic
"I Went To Sleep" by The Beach Boys

Although I never knew this song as a child, The Beach Boys' "I Went To Sleep" always puts me in thoughts when I was 5, playing with my cousins and brothers for some strange reason.


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5) a song which has accompanied you for a while
"Where Did Our Love Go" by The Surpremes

The Surpremes' "Where Did Our Love Go" is one of the earliest Motown tracks that I heard, and wherever I go, I always wind up hearing this song.


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6) a song from your favourite genre
"Deception" by Miles Davis

I don't have a favourite genre, but I love Jazz, so here's a random Jazz track I love.


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7) a song by an artist / a band which has surprised you
"I Just Want To Be Your Friend" by The Millennium

The Millennium's "I Just Want To Be Your Friend" was very much to my surprise.
I thought the song was just gonna be a standard boss nova pop song, then I heard the middle 8.


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And that was Jalen's playlist - let us know what you think!



Previous 7 songs features: Hannah Slavin | Violetta Zironi | Saint Alto | Chris Stringer





Thank you for your visit!
















Credits // Words (Intro): Vanessa Jertschewske | Words (about songs): Jalen N'Gonda | Photography: Liz Gander Photography

Video Interview: Jalen N'Gonda



Hey guys!

Whenever we get the chance to talk to interesting people, we usually grab it.
Even if that means turning a day off into a work day.

You know how they say "if you love your job, you won't have to work a day in your life" - well, we can't completely agree with that. Work is work, whether you love it or not.

But, if you really love your job, there will be times in which work doesn't feel like work at all.

For us it's when we get to interview artists and chat to them about their music and plans for the future.

In January I got to film my first interview of the year in Liverpool with Jalen N'Gonda - which was definitely a great place to kick it off.


Jalen N'Gonda is a musician originally from Maryland (US), now based in Liverpool (UK).

He got into music at the age of 11, inspired by his father's record collection which mainly consisted of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul and Classics.

Jalen moved to Liverpool in 2014 and made the city his music home of choice.
He's been gigging through the country and various other places ever since and has played sold out headline shows in London and Geneva.

The musician has also supported acts such as Laura Mvula, Martha Reeves and Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

His single releases have been well received by his loyal fanbase and the excitement for his upcoming songs is growing.

In case you are Berlin based, you can catch Jalen live on February 28th at Barkett - click here for the event.


During my day trip to Liverpool I got to meet up with Jalen and we had a chat about moving to Liverpool, what inspires him to write, where he would build a house given the chance and a lot more.


You can watch the interview below:




I would like to say a massive thank you to Jalen for taking the time to have this lovely chat and for providing the location to film at.

Also a huge thank you to Christian and Beate for setting up the interview.


Check out Jalen's latest single "I Need You":




Jalen N'Gonda online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!















Credits // Words, Image & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske