We chat to British singer-songwriter S.E.L

Ten years ago S.E.L began working with the UK’s living legend, Jazzie B and his Soul II Soul group and in her own words it’s been ‘an immense education’. From Jazz, Reggae, Pop to Classical, Soul, RnB and Blues, the list of artists S.E.L has worked with reads like a who’s who of world renowned international music including Alicia Keys, Debbie Harry, Caron Wheeler, Jocelyn Brown, Omar, Mica Paris, Carleen Anderson, Sanchez & Duncan James.

From performing with Soul2Soul at festivals including during the London Olympics to releasing track like ‘Daydream’ (No 4 in the UK Jazz Charts) which received worldwide airplay as did her most recent outing on Germany’s Braa Conspiracy’s ‘Vertical Time’ acclaimed album as singer/songwriter S.E.L is a name to watch for in the UK scene. Her energising performances, sultry vocals, songwriting talent and down to earth demeanour, mark her out from the crowd. S.E.L has just released her new ‘Elevation’ single on from the debut ‘UK Soul EP” also out on 30th May.

We catch up to with the lady herself to find out all about her favourite hang-outs and DJs..

My favourite record shop is…
The Record Detective Shop in Green Lanes, Palmers Green. An amazing small record shop dedicated to highlighting the authentic vinyl sounds. I bought Billie Holiday’s ‘Lady In Satin’ there a couple of years ago and have been hooked ever since. They always seen to have vinyls that are rare to find.


My favourite clothes shop is…
What Goes Around Comes Around, an incredible Vintage clothing shop In Camden Town, NW1. I love vintage clothes and bits and bobs…this shop is simply Amaze! Not only do they have lots of vintage clothing but they also have new clothes that have a vintage look and i am all about authentic old school. My purchases have included leather biker jackets, cowboy boots and I have an amazing, tan leather tote bag, that is very swinging 60’s :-) it has 2 fringe layers and seems to looks better the more it is used!


My favourite club is…
No.5 Cavendish Square, Marylebone. It’s a private club which is guest list only. I have been to lots of private functions there, and every time I go, the staff are amazing, there’s Grey Goose on tap and the waitresses/cocktail girls are always so friendly. I got to know about this club through my brother, who goes there regularly. We’ve celebrated two birthdays of his there, without disappointment, and with lots of laughs, and the hospitality is always on point.


My favourite club night is…
Back To 95. It’s always at different venues across London, and is an amazing night, run by my best friend’s uncle. The reason I love it? It reminds me of a time when life was simple and the music was made for you to sing along to! The nights are filled with classic House and Garage hits from 1995 to about 2001 plus, there are always Live PA’s from veterans of that era. I always tend to see people, of the same age there, that I haven’t seen since the era that the club night is set in! It’s a night when we all get together and appreciate music that we love.

If I could DJ with any celebrity (musical or non musical) it would be…Mark Ronson I’ve met him a number of times and we seem to be on a lots of the same gigs and at the same events. He is one of the calmest, coolest, humble people I know. Then he gets on the decks and literally brings the house down! His mixing ability, his ability to gauge what the crowds vibe is is amazing. He literally plays to the crowd, he follows them. Not all DJs do that. Not to mention his productions and song writing skills. He is an anthem maker…and a lovely, humble one at that.


The song that reminds me most of London is…
The Streets: Has It Come To This? That infectious hook, Mike Skinner’s lyrical flow, the cockney, east London accent….There is no other tune of my time that says London to me like this one does.

When I’m in a bar I drink…
Grey Goose and Diet Coke…always

My favourite pub/bar is…
Well, it was Jewel Bar in Maiden Lane, Covent Garden although that's now Mabel's which I'm not so familiar with yet, but give it time!! Simply, I loved the Jewel staff, and they love me. I had two birthdays there, and my best friend also had her birthday there. The staff always gave me the VIP treatment. They tweeted me when they knew I would be there. They kept the vodka, cocktails and champagne flowing and were always courteous and eager to please…I loved the place.


My favourite restaurant is…
Bob Bob Ricard in Soho. My friend is the manager of this restaurant so he always looks after me when I come in. The food is simply amazing, especially the lamb and baby chicken, not to mention the cocktails! The barman now knows my pallet so I always get special cocktails made just for me when I go. They opened a downstairs dance area a couple of years ago too, which really added to the amazing positive vibe of the place. It’s also made it the ‘Go To place’ on a Friday night to de-stress….Try the ‘Press for Champagne’ button too, unlike any other restaurant!


If I want a little peace and quiet when I’m in London I go to…
Alexandra Palace. The playground of my childhood! I was born and bred in North London and Ally Pally is the jewel of the area. In the winter, we went there with our sleighs, speeding down the hill, in the 80’s there was a ski slope there too, which has now been taken out, but that was the place we went every school holiday. In the summer, we ventured there to go on the rowing boats, which have now been updated to large ‘swan’ boats. Furthermore, every firework night, the whole of North London gathered there to watch the spectacular show. I think they charge for entry now……lol :-) times are definitely changing!

The best area of London is…
Crouch End. This is my mum and I’s Sunday outing go to! We roam the streets of Crouch End every Sunday and have done so since I left home. Me leaving home, I think was a huge thing for my mum as we’re really close, so I always try to make sure we spend quality time together. If I am not gigging, or working, we are in the health food shops of Crouch End, getting gluten free cakes, going to Starbucks or grabbing a panini. It’s always been a beautiful high road in North London with its monumental clock tower.

If I could change one thing about London…
hummmm….It would have to be the amount of flats that are being built. They literally seem to be taking away all the green areas

One thing everyone should do in London is…
Visit Queen’s Wood. A beautiful jewel hidden behind a residential area in North London. It’s like a different world and makes visitors feel like they are in Sherwood Forest! Picturesque and well kept, it has a lovely Cafe hidden in the depths of the forest. A definite must see..


S.E.L has just released her new single ‘Elevation’ on May 30th and taken from her debut ‘UK Soul EP” also released that day. Check out the video here!

Currently touring with Soul2Soul, you can also catch S.E.L Live on Friday July 22nd The Boston Room, George IV, 185 High Road, Chiswick, W4 2DR, 19.00 - 23.00 Tickets £10 from www.georgeiv.co.uk

All info on S.E.L via www.facebook.com/selsoul