RNCM x YES

Swiss-Scottish singer, flautist, and songwriter Iona Gray has created a distinctive sound in the alternative pop space, blending layered vocal textures, unconventional instrumentation, and shifting time signatures. She takes influence from artists such as Jordan Rakei, Alfa Mist, Willow Smith, Lucy Rose and AURORA. Growing up surrounded by the natural landscapes of Switzerland has had a lasting impact on her creative identity, forging a deep connection to the environment. Her latest release, Rise & Fall, explores anxiety and mental health through the metaphor of the ocean and its powerful tides, capturing the feeling of being overwhelmed by forces larger than oneself while searching for moments of stillness and control.

Originally from Bengaluru, India, and now based in Manchester, multi-genre singer-songwriter Jewel Lasrado moves freely between rock, alt-pop, electronic pop, and metal. She finds inspiration in real and fictional events, and her songs explore the many facets of the human experience. At the heart of her work is the interplay between creative freedom and interpretation: ‘A song means different things to people,’ she says, ‘so my creativity is motivated by the fact that I’m trying to express myself while others can do it too by interpreting my songs however they please’.

Drawing on blues, pop, and rock, and inspired by artists such as Sam Fender, The Script, and John Mayer, guitarist Jack Clements delivers his own brand of heartfelt, guitar-driven songwriting. His latest single, Never See 20, is upbeat and energetic, showcasing his warm vocals and effortless fluency on the electric guitar.