Kesi Dryden
// Producer & Songwriter in RudimentalRUDIMENTAL are an award-winning electronic music quartet from London, England. Their debut album “Home” (2013) won the MOBO Award for “Best Album”, and their hit single “Feel The Love” featuring vocalist John Newman, was a phenomenal success creating positive ripples around the world. The group have released further singles, including “Not Giving In” featuring John Newman and Alex Clare, “Waiting All Night” featuring Ella Eyre, which also topped the music charts in the United Kingdom, “Right Here” featuring Foxes”, and “Free” featuring Emeli Sandé and Nas. Rudimental consists of songwriters and producers: Piers Agget, Kesi Dryden, Amir Amor, and DJ Locksmith.
Website: www.rudimental.co.uk
Photo: Warner Music
Interview:
Music is a very powerful tool of getting love and forgiveness around. Love can mean so many different things. Before Rudimental really took off, I used to work in schools with young people, and I used to teach them music. That was all through the love of music and watching young people progress and go on to bigger things. It was something that all four of us were very into—loved community and building relationships with young people and just giving off a positive vibe. I think our albums show that as well. We’re a very positive group, and it’s all about triumphing in negative situations a lot of the time. Forgiveness is something that you just have to do. Everybody makes mistakes; we’re all human. It’s just something that should be a part of life.
Music is a great way of communicating. It brings people together, which is an amazing thing. When we play at music festivals, we like strangers to be at one with each other—all become one person and get together. I think music is great for doing that—bringing people together, getting people through troubled times. Music is very therapeutic. It can help you in stressful times and can bring out the positives in so many different aspects of life.
Music has transformed my personal values immensely. I started off from a young age playing drums around the house and playing piano. I got into collaborating with other people and working with others, which is amazing —forming a relationship and a bond through music, all in the aim of just making the best sound you can. That’s something that Rudimental’s all about —working together and bringing out the best in each other. Rudimental’s all about collaboration.
One of the personal bits of advice that I can share is to always show your work to people. Don’t ever be afraid, no matter what stage it’s in. If it’s unfinished or finished, don’t be afraid to play it to people, because you never know who’s listening or where it could end up. An example of this was “Feel The Love”—the core idea that I wrote myself. I actually had it sitting on my computer for about six months and didn’t show anybody. I just had it in the car on a CD one day with a few other chaps that I had written and produced core ideas for. One of my friends said, “Wow! This is something special. Have you got a bit more?” So I showed it to the rest of the guys, Rudimental finished off the track, and it came out as something really special.
So, no matter what stage your music’s at, never be afraid to get other people’s opinions or to ask for help, because everybody needs help; everybody has to work together. There are so many different stages of a musical career, or producing a piece of music, and you have to be a part of the team, so always show your work to people.
“Music is a great way of communicating. It brings people together which is an amazing thing.”
– Kesi Dryden, Producer & Songwriter in Rudimental
