⭑ singer-songwriter 
⭑ ucla '23 
⭑ 20 years old
⭑ @nicolesheppardmusic on instagram

Harnessing a distinct brand of artistry that knows no categorical bounds, the DJ, producer and record label head has cemented herself as one of the music industry’s most in-demand names at nothing short of breakneck speed. Her signature sonic approach masterfully blends genres with a visceral energy that commands attention, the ardent catalyst in her meteoric rise from Belgium’s underground to global phenomenon status.

I'm like a bird 💫

MY NEW ALBUM “7” IS AVAILABLE NOW 🫶🏼

Ben Howard returns with his 4th album, Collections From The Whiteout, produced alongside Aaron Dessner (The National). The foreboding darkness that coated Ben’s second record I Forget Where We Were and thinly veiled its follow up Noonday Dream, isn’t so evident on Collections. These are songs written from headlines scanned, or news stories scrolled past, providing inspiration for a selection of vivid narrative snapshots – the death of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst (Crowhurst’s Meme); Russian fraudster Anna Sorokin (Sorry Kid); the man who stole and crashed a plane in Seattle (The Strange Last Flight Of Richard Russell); and the dismembered body a friend of his father found in a suitcase floating along the Thames (Finders Keepers). Alongside them, the personal anecdotes from the same scattered period living between Paris, Devon and Spain. Yussef Dayes features, as does Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), James Krivchenia (Big Thief), Kyle Keegan (Hiss Golden Messenger), and Dessner. Thomas Bartlett, St. Vincent’s go-to pianist, and Rob Moose, a long-standing arranger of strings for Bon Iver, are also present. Long-term guitarist to Ben’s band, Mickey Smith (A Blaze of Feather), remains a reassuring constant. It’s a sonic adventure that continues this nagging suggestion that Ben is one of the UK’s most inventive and naturally talented songwriters. CFTW is his latest opus, and arguably his most fully realised to date.

Rob Paine's roots run deep. From the moment he heard the deep dubby sounds of Reggae as just a youth he knew he had found his sound. His love for the heavy Reggae sounds grew into a forward movement and soon took on a life of it's own by using the foundation of reggae music as his center piece for all his house & deep techno productions. In 1993 Rob began DJ'ing and throwing events with his crew, "Circle Productions", who were responsible for the most popular parties and weekly club nights in Philadelphia throughout the 90's. During this time Rob started producing a broad range of reggae and reggae influenced music including house, deep techno, broken beat, dub, and down-tempo. His unique sounds were soon being released on labels like Large, Tango, Shaboom & Greyhound just to name a few. Following the success of those tracks, his music was licensed to labels like Bedrock, Fabric & NRK. In 1998 Rob formed his own world-renowned imprint, Worship Recordings. 

The Shakedown events were soon developed as an outlet to showcase his productions and the artists signed to his label. Twelve years later, the Shakedown is still going strong.

Over the years Rob has performed at some of the most exclusive clubs and events in locations like Canada, Mexico, Jamaica and London. He has played the infamous Fabric, PS1 in NYC, and Francois K's Deep Space event. He has held monthly residencies in San Francisco, weeklies in South Beach Miami, performed year after year at the Shambhala & Soundwave festivals in BC, and is currently holding down residencies in DC and Philadelphia. When we asked Rob about holding it altogether he said "It's really exciting to be able to switch between the two genres of house & reggae... always keeping a fresh perspective on both genres and pushing the limits with new sound elements."

Rob produces the majority of the projects released on Worship. In 1999 he was awarded the 'Most Innovative Producer' by the Philadelphia City Paper. His 'dub house' style of production marked him as a forward thinker, blazing the path for future infusions of dub and house sounds for years to come.

He recently released 'What You See' EP on Matt Tolfrey's LeftRoom Records under the name Circle with partner Keith Landis & Gerhardt Koerner (Rise 8) that is doing extremely well. Being selected by Maceo Plex for recent mix compilation. Circle also released the Dark Waves EP on Worship in January, 2014. And a 45 for the vinyl only dub label ZamZam Sounds with his bredren Ras Heights under the name Heights + Worship. You will see a lot more releases from Circle and Rob Paine's other projects including a full length Rise 8 album and a EP on i Records.

Rob Paine is an innovator, visionary & one of the cities most prolific DJ's, producers & musicians. He continually pushes the elements of dub into house and techno music. He has created a world renowned studio & sound system with his full commitment to the city of Philadelphia's ever continuing music mecca. His talent shines furiously every time he performs whether it is House or Reggae or somewhere in between. Rob Paine does not disappoint. Pure quality every time.

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