Categories: Music

LOCAL Releases New Summer Hit, ‘Where Did You Come From’

Meet LOCAL, the artist behind the hot new track “Where Did You Come From,” featuring breakbeat drums and garage sounds that highlight his original music style. Released under his own label, Council Pop, the track is a fine collaboration with the talented producer Belfort, known for working with artists like Silky and Tom Zanetti.

LOCAL’s path in music began in the youth clubs of Cardiff, where he was inspired by older boys passing the mic around. “I grew up being a massive Eminem fan, and then I was introduced to garage and grime at its very start,” he recalls. His love for creative writing, fostered by his favourite school subject, English, fueled his passion for music. “I had a group of friends with the same love for it, so I always had somebody to make music with. We started using studios and just kept going.”

This passion led him to create “Where Did You Come From,” which he describes as a song with the format of Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place to Go,” featuring alternating lyrical and instrumental lines. “We made it in a couple of hours and we both loved it,” he narrates about his studio session with Belfort.

The artist has already performed this track at major festivals like Glastonbury and Parklife and is set to bring it to Boomtown and Reading festivals later this year. When it comes to preparing for such large-scale events, he shares, “I usually pre-make my set on Ableton so I know exactly what is happening and when. But sometimes I’m with a DJ and I don’t know what they are going to play, so a lot of the time, there is no way to prepare! I just go out and enjoy it. But performing my own music can’t be beaten!”

In addition to his solo work, the musician is known for his collaborations with artists like Example, Bad Boy Chiller Crew, JME, and Skepta. “Most of my collabs have just come from getting myself out there and meeting people face to face, not just sending DMs back and forth but building relationships with like-minded people.” These collaborations push him to excel, as he strives not to be the one to let the song down.

LOCAL’s team spirit has led to some interesting connections. “I got speaking to Example after I did Lord of the Mics and now we have the same manager, Micky,” he shares, adding that he has been on tour with Example in the UK, an experience he describes as “amazing, waking up in a new city every day, living on a tour bus, meeting new people, getting to experience amazing venues. It’s the goal for any musician.”

His previous single “2am” with Window Kid also garnered significant attention. “Me and Window are good friends so we were waiting for the right collab, He came down to Cardiff and we made a few bangers but this was the one. It was produced by one of the world’s biggest DNB producers, but because it’s house we agreed to leave his name off there.”

With over 370,000 Spotify listeners and a million streams per month, LOCAL navigates the digital music scene with a bit of luck and strategy. “If Spotify decides to put your song on a big playlist then the views can fly in no time, if they don’t, it can feel like your song was a failure. But either way, consistency is the key. The social media side is a massive factor now, but it’s just about making good music and not being afraid to release it!”

Asides making records, LOCAL also runs his own event called Hoffi in Cardiff, a small but vibrant party known for its great music and atmosphere. “I started it just to put a party on with good music for good people, I like the thought of it being something not exclusive but if you’re not quick, you’re not going to be able to get in. It’s a lot of fun and I don’t want to turn it into work by trying to get bigger venues”

Running his own label, Council Pop, also comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. “I only release my own music on there at the moment, Waiting for major labels can be really long, even after you’ve signed you can end up waiting months and months for anything to be released, so Council Pop is just for my own freedom. But I think it’s time to start finding some new talent and releasing music on there.”

Looking ahead, the talent has exciting plans for the future, sharing, “I have an album made which I think is my best work ever, but I don’t want to rush into releasing it. But I also don’t want it to get to a time where it’s old, so it’s a tricky one. But it’s coming! I got some great collabs to come, it’s just working out when everyone has the gaps in their release schedule to do it. But there are a few surprises in the pipeline and I can’t wait to get them out into the world!”

Listen to LOCAL’s new track here and, All Things LOCAL