9th September 26, UK: The Crowne Plaza Newcastle will launch a new event industry podcast this month, with the hotel looking to underline its commitment to people, from every part of the industry and to share their stories and lived experiences.

Talking People with Paul Borg, hosted by the hotel’s General Manager, will launch its first episode on 16 September, beginning a six-part series of conversations with some of the most well known people in the industry, as well as some secret rising stars.

The podcast brings together leaders, creatives, educators, media and emerging talent to explore the different personalities and skills that make events happen, as well as some of the bigger questions facing the people within the industry.

Guests across the first series include Jo Austin, Sales Director at Lime Venue Portfolio; James Dickson of Event Industry News; Lucy Nicholls, Founder and Creative Director of The PS Events Group; Serkan Uzunogullari from the University of Sunderland; and Crowne Plaza Newcastle’s own Ben Wilson, just starting out in a career in hospitality.

The subjects range from leadership, culture and career progression to creativity, education and the expectations of the next generation. The series also looks at the growing influence of AI and technology and what that means for the human skills, personalities and relationships on which the events industry has traditionally been built.

“We all say we care about people. Of course we do. But I wanted us to do something that demonstrates that commitment rather than just talking about it,” said Paul Borg, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Newcastle. “At the same time, we get to hear stories from some really exceptional people in a relaxed and informative way.”

“This isn’t a podcast telling everyone how great our people are. It’s about being curious about others. What makes someone brilliant in this industry? How do we find and nurture creative talent? What does the next generation expect from us? How do you build a career? And, as technology becomes more influential, which of those very human qualities become even more important?

The launch forms part of a wider change in tone at Crowne Plaza Newcastle, with the hotel also unveiling a new meetings and events film, Your Newcastle. Your Way.

The film captures a new lease of life and a new direction the hotel is enjoying under Paul’s leadership, as well as the pace and personality of the hotel through its people. The film focuses on the everyday behaviours that make a difference to organisers: answering quickly, being flexible, taking ownership and understanding how an event should feel as well as how it should function.

Paul continues, “There is a new energy here and we wanted to find better ways of showing it. The podcast and the film are very different pieces of content, but the thinking behind them is actually very similar. It feels like the right time to be a little more confident about who we are, how we work and what we want Crowne Plaza Newcastle to stand for.”

The first episode of Talking People with Paul Borg will be released on 16 September 2026, with further episodes released as part of the six-part series.

Created by three-piece group AIONOSA, IRIS draws on real human experiences while offering a message of transformation and hope. The project is particularly inspired by the personal reflections of group leader Zilla, whose experiences after COVID-19 prompted a deeper appreciation for life, change and the meaning that can be found in unexpected circumstances.

At the centre of IRIS is a powerful philosophy: turning disappointments into appointments. Rather than allowing difficult experiences to define the future, the EP explores how setbacks, endings and unexpected changes can become part of a larger journey towards growth and new possibilities.

Finding Meaning in Change

The emotional foundation of IRIS comes from a period of profound change following the COVID-19 pandemic. For Zilla, that experience brought a renewed perspective on life and encouraged a greater appreciation for the present moment.

The EP reflects on the idea that every chapter has a purpose. Disappointments can lead to unexpected opportunities, endings can create space for new beginnings, and experiences that initially feel difficult can ultimately become valuable lessons.

At the same time, IRIS considers the extraordinary speed at which modern life continues to evolve. Technology, culture, relationships and everyday experiences are changing constantly, creating an environment where it can be increasingly difficult to slow down and simply appreciate being present.

Against this backdrop, AIONOSA embraces the simplicity of life.

The EP celebrates fresh starts, ordinary moments and the possibility of discovering beauty in the world with an open mind. It also explores the importance of innocence — not as a weakness, but as something powerful and beautiful.

There is strength in retaining curiosity and wonder. Even after experiencing disappointment or difficulty, the ability to approach life with openness can create an entirely new perspective.

A Shared Artistic Journey

While the emotional inspiration behind IRIS comes largely from Zilla’s personal journey, the EP is ultimately a shared expression from AIONOSA.

The group brings together three distinct personalities and perspectives:

• Zilla — Group Leader
• Jojo
• Sagwa

Together, they contribute to AIONOSA’s evolving identity, sound and creative vision, transforming the themes behind IRIS into a collective artistic experience.

The project does not attempt to erase the past. Instead, it explores how people can take everything they have experienced and find meaning within it.

A New Beginning

IRIS is ultimately a project about seeing life differently.

It asks listeners to consider whether disappointment can become opportunity, whether endings can become beginnings and whether the ability to see the world with curiosity can survive even after difficult experiences.

For AIONOSA, the answer is yes.

Through IRIS, the group invites listeners to appreciate the simplicity of being alive, remain open to change and recognise that even the most unexpected chapters can lead somewhere meaningful.

AIONOSA’s IRIS — Goddess of Desire — is a celebration of transformation, perspective, innocence and the courage to begin again.

Album: What Is Carried, What Is Left Behind?

Genre: Narrative Chamber Cycle / Modern Classical
Format: Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio & Stereo
Length: 6 tracks / 31 minutes

Release Date: October 2026

Award-winning Australian composer explores memory, grief and renewal through an immersive new chamber work featuring ‘Eclective Strings’.

Due for release in October 2026, the six-track album brings together string quartet, synthesizers and found sound in an immersive production mixed in Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio. Created with Melbourne-based string collective Eclective Strings, the project represents a major new chapter for Cornelius, moving beyond his celebrated career in screen composition into a more intimate and personal musical world.

The album began with a chance recording made late at night in Montalcino, Italy. While walking past the Concattedrale di San Salvatore, Cornelius captured the sound of a metal door moving in the wind. The strange, percussive sound became the central sonic motif of the title track and ultimately inspired the wider concept of the album.

Using Dolby Atmos, Cornelius has recreated the spatial experience of that original recording, placing the listener inside the soundscape with the string quartet and synthesizers arranged around them.

At the emotional heart of the album is ‘A Whispered Dawn (Spencer’s Lullaby)’, a string quartet composition originally written in 1999 during an extraordinarily difficult period in Cornelius’s life. His first-born son, Spencer, nearly died before and after childbirth. One of the first infants in Australia to undergo an operation in utero, Spencer was born at just 27 weeks and spent three months in neonatal intensive care, with doctors uncertain whether he would survive.

During this frightening period, Cornelius wrote A Whispered Dawn (Spencer’s Lullaby). The composition was never recorded and remained only as a manuscript for 26 years. Now, alongside the new material on What is Carried, What is Left Behind?, the piece finally receives its first recording.

For Cornelius, returning to the composition more than two decades later represents an act of reclamation — bringing together the fear and uncertainty of that moment with the perspective gained over the years since.

“Recording it now, alongside music written from that more honest place, is an act of reclamation. It’s the answer that piece has been waiting on for twenty-six years.”

Its inclusion gives the album a powerful sense of continuity, bringing together music from two very different points in Cornelius’s life and creating an emotional journey from uncertainty and memory towards hope and renewal.

“Recording it now, alongside music written from that more honest place, is an act of reclamation. It’s the answer that piece has been waiting on for twenty-six years.”

The album’s opening track, ‘In This Moment, What Matters Most?’, is similarly rooted in Cornelius’s personal experience. The phrase became an important reminder during a period of caring for his mother and dealing with anxiety, eventually becoming both a tattoo and the title of the album’s opening composition.

FROM MARY & MAX TO THE CONCERT HALL

Cornelius brings more than two decades of experience to What is Carried, What is Left Behind? His extensive screen-composition career includes more than 90 international productions, including Mary & Max, Backtrack, Till Human Voices Wake Us and five seasons of The Doctor Blake Mysteries.

He has also composed music for major IMAX documentaries including Hidden Universe and The Great Barrier Reef, as well as creating site-specific immersive works for the Australian Pavilions at the Shanghai and Nagoya World Expos.

His work has earned 18 major international awards and nominations, including AACTA and APRA/AMCOS recognition.

The new album has already received strong reactions from leading figures in the music industry, including Deutsche Grammophon’s Senior Manager A&R Anusch Alimirzaie, who described Cornelius’s music as “truly beautiful.”

Christian Kellersman, Executive Producer of Deutsche Grammophon’s Recomposed series, also praised the new work, saying: “I listened to your new album and it’s beautiful.”

London-based Major Tom Music Supervisor Marina Guy described the music as “truly stunning.”

A 55-MINUTE IMMERSIVE LIVE EXPERIENCE

Alongside the album, Cornelius is developing a 55-minute continuous live concert experience, transforming the record into one uninterrupted performance.

The production combines live string quartet, keyboards and sample manipulation with spoken word, bespoke lighting and video projection. Designed with festivals and curated concert series in mind, the performance can also incorporate local string quartets and language-specific spoken-word performers for international presentations.

TRACKLIST

• In This Moment, What Matters Most? – 5:06

• What is Carried, What is Left Behind? – 6:41

• Innocence – 3:46

• A Whispered Dawn (Spencer’s Lullaby) – 6:50

• Under an Impersonal Sky There is Hope – 4:57

• Bloom – 3:12

ABOUT DALE CORNELIUS

Dale Cornelius is an award-winning Australian composer based in Melbourne, with a career spanning more than two decades in screen scoring. His work has appeared across film, television, documentary and immersive projects, including Mary & Max, Backtrack, Till Human Voices Wake Us, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Hidden Universe and The Great Barrier Reef.

With What is Carried, What is Left Behind?, Cornelius steps outside the demands of screen composition to create a work where memory, place and personal experience become the story itself.

ABOUT ECLECTIVE STRINGS

Eclective Strings is a Melbourne-based string collective featuring members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Partridge String Quartet. Co-director Amy You has performed as a featured soloist on the Hans Zimmer Live world tour and collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma. The ensemble’s wider credits include work with Sigur Rós, Nai Palm of Hiatus Kaiyote, Lior and Wafia.

Follow Dale Cornelius

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalecornelius_composer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaleCorneliusOfficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/dalecornelius

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dalecornelius

Website: https://dalecornelius.com.au/

Acclaimed vocalist, songwriter and musical provocateur Judith Owen returns with “Inside Out,” an irresistible new single taken from her critically acclaimed album Suit Yourself, which has now surpassed one million streams.

A joyous collision of old-school soul, gospel and the unmistakable spirit of New Orleans, “Inside Out” captures Judith at her most celebratory. Co-written with Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, drummer and Snarky Puppy alum Jamison Ross, the track brings together soulful grooves, gospel-infused vocals and the uplifting energy of the Tonya Boyd-Cannon Choir.

Following the release of Suit Yourself earlier this year, “Inside Out” offers another glimpse into the musical world Judith created in New Orleans — one rooted in jazz, blues, soul and big-band traditions, but driven by her own distinctive personality and contemporary songwriting.

Judith Owen explains:

“It speaks of my musical and personal evolution, of who I’ve finally allowed myself to become. It’s about finding happiness, hope and compassion in the hardest times, something New Orleans is very good at. It’s a city that knows that life is fragile so you better celebrate the day you have, and that’s why I called upon the fantastic Tonya Boyd-Cannon and her choir to guest on the track, and bring that celebratory joy.”

That spirit is at the heart of “Inside Out”. Rather than simply looking back, Judith embraces the freedom that comes with understanding who she has become, transforming that journey into a soulful, uplifting anthem about choosing joy and celebrating life.

For Jamison Ross, who co-wrote the track with Owen and also performs drums as part of Judith’s Gentlemen Callers, the song was an opportunity to create something deeply rooted in soul while still feeling fresh.

“I had a blast writing this song with Judith. ‘Inside Out’ is what I like to call a soul bop… It’s got that old school soul in its bones…the kind of feeling that makes you move before you even realize you’re moving.”

Ross adds that Judith has a unique ability to channel the grit, elegance and emotion of the great soul women while making the sound completely her own — helping “Inside Out” feel both familiar and fresh.

The track’s gospel dimension is elevated by the Tonya Boyd-Cannon Choir, whose soaring vocals turn the song into a full-bodied celebration, bringing the communal spirit of New Orleans directly into the recording.

The accompanying official video was directed by Josh Bagnall and filmed at Fish Pot Studio in New Orleans, Louisiana, in May 2026 by Fish Pot America Ltd., further connecting the song to the city that has become such an important part of Judith’s recent musical journey.

Recorded at Esplanade Studios in New Orleans, Suit Yourself represents the culmination of Judith Owen’s exploration of jazz, blues, big band and soul. The album brings together her band the Gentlemen Callers, the J.O. Big Band and an impressive collection of collaborators, including Davell Crawford, Joe Bonamassa and the Tonya Boyd-Cannon Choir.

Across Suit Yourself, Judith revisits music associated with artists including Aretha Franklin, Nellie Lutcher and Etta James alongside her own original material and collaborations. But “Inside Out” perhaps captures the album’s central spirit most completely: embracing who you are, finding hope in difficult moments and celebrating life while you have it.

As Judith puts it, New Orleans understands one essential truth: life is fragile — so celebrate the day you have.

“Inside Out” is out now.
Suit Yourself is out now via Twanky Records.

Carmelo Alfano’s musical story is one of unexpected encounters, international connections and opportunities that sometimes took years to come full circle. From studying voice in Italy with the teacher of legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti to becoming one of the early pioneers of live music streaming, Alfano has continually found himself at interesting crossroads in the evolution of music.

Based in London and with family roots in Sicily, Alfano grew up with a distinctly Sicilian-English background that helped shape his independent approach to life and music. His career has included work as an artist, actor and television sound engineer, while his musical journey has taken him through many of London’s well-known music venues.

The Beginning: A Father, Opera and an Unexpected Path

Carmelo Alfano’s relationship with music began long before he chose to make it his career. In fact, music was initially something his father introduced into his life.

His father was an accomplished amateur tenor and a passionate opera enthusiast, and from an early age he would encourage Carmelo to stop what he was doing and listen to opera with him. One particular memory has stayed with Alfano: his father playing Beniamino Gigli and simply telling him to listen. When Carmelo asked why, his father’s answer was simple: one day, he would understand.

That early exposure became the starting point for everything that followed. Although Alfano initially explored acting – an area in which he also found considerable talent – music eventually became a central part of his life. Looking back, he wonders whether pursuing music was partly a way of getting closer to his father, but there is no question that his father was hugely influential in shaping his musical path.

His first voice lessons followed, setting him on a journey that would eventually take him to Italy, where he studied voice in Modena for two years with the teacher of Luciano Pavarotti.

There is also a remarkable musical connection between the two generations. Carmelo’s father knew Colin, who would later become part of the Sundae Club story, while Colin’s own father was professional opera singer Eric Shilling, creating another unexpected link between the families and their shared connection to opera and music.

From London to Modena

At one point in his career, Alfano decided to deepen his understanding of the voice. He travelled to Italy and spent two years studying voice in Modena with the teacher of Luciano Pavarotti.

The experience added another dimension to his development as a performer and gave him the opportunity to immerse himself in the traditions of Italian vocal training.

His Italian heritage remains an important part of his story. His family originated from Sicily, while his Sicilian-English upbringing gave him a strong sense of independence and determination.

Before Streaming Became the Norm

Long before live music streaming became an everyday part of the music industry, Alfano was experimenting with the possibilities of the internet.

More than 20 years ago, he became one of the first people to stream a live gig from London using a dial-up service. The technology was sufficiently unusual at the time to attract the attention of Sky News, who came to film the event.

A video of the occasion still exists on YouTube, capturing a fascinating moment when artists were beginning to discover the potential of the internet as a new way of connecting with audiences.

The Story Behind Sundae Club

Another fascinating chapter in Alfano’s musical world is connected to Sundae Club, the project formed by Colin and producer George Shilling.

At the time, Colin was the keyboard player in Carmelo Alfano’s band, Alfano, which supported James Blunt, briefly shared his management and performed at many of London’s famous music venues.

Colin and George first met at a mutual friend’s Elvis-themed fancy-dress party. Colin arrived dressed as Elvis Costello, complete with skinny tie and glasses, and the pair immediately hit it off.

When George later established a home studio and wanted to road-test the equipment, he invited Colin over to create some music. What began as a Sunday afternoon activity soon became a regular creative ritual.

With Lemon Jelly among their leading influences, the pair settled on the name Sundae Club. They also adopted the pseudonyms Hamstall Ridware and Dr. C.D. Mille, inspired by the location of the vintage Mellotron factory they had visited.

Both were avid instrument collectors, with Colin particularly proud of owning an original Mellotron – the instrument famously responsible for sounds such as the flute parts heard on The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

Sundae Club’s music was subsequently used on GMTV and attracted the attention of Taste Music executive Safta Jaffery, who had played an important role in guiding Muse’s career. The pair went on to sign a publishing deal.

Their debut album, Technostalgia, featured the track “Angels In The Sky”, with vocals from Sam Holmes. They also co-wrote a track recorded by French Fame Academy winner Nolwenn Leroy for her second album Histoires Naturelles, which sold around half a million copies.

The pair also wrote music for ITV UEFA Champions League Weekly, while Sundae Club continues to release occasional EPs via Bandcamp.

The Demo That Took Ten Years to Find

For Alfano, persistence has always been central to his approach to music.

One of his most extraordinary stories dates back to 1993, when he sent a demo to Tom Jones because he believed one of his songs would suit the legendary singer.

At the time, artists submitted physical cassette tapes, with their contact details written on the cover. Alfano waited for someone to get back to him, but no response came.

Ten years later, however, he received a call from Mark Woodward asking whether he was the Carmelo who had sent a recording a decade earlier.

The reason was remarkable: a song from the original demo had been considered suitable for Tom Jones, but the cassette cover containing Alfano’s contact details had been lost. The team had spent years trying to find him.

It remains one of those bittersweet stories that perfectly captures the unpredictable nature of the music business.

A Career Surrounded by Music

Over the years, Alfano’s career has brought him into contact with a remarkable range of artists and industry figures, including Steve Winwood, Robbie Williams, Bob Geldof, Chris Martin, Nigel Kennedy, Guy Chambers and Nick Heyward, among many others.

He is also related to the renowned classical operatic composer Franco Alfano, adding another fascinating musical connection to his family history.

Away from music, Alfano has a passion for watches, vintage American comics and collecting vinyl records – interests that reflect his appreciation for music, culture and objects with history.

Never Giving Up

Alfano’s career has not followed a conventional path. Having children was a major turning point in his life and temporarily brought his career to a halt. When his children moved to New Zealand, he travelled to visit them twice a year for 15 years. Today, both live with him.

For Alfano, the greatest professional achievement has been teaching himself everything he needed to know to become self-sufficient in music – while never giving up.

It is perhaps the simplest way to understand his journey: a musician shaped by London and Sicily, influenced by Italy, surrounded by extraordinary stories and connections, and driven by a determination to keep creating and moving forward.

Follow Carmelo Alfano

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmelo_alfano

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carmelo_alfano

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/carmeloalfano
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@carmeloalfano6963

City of Dreams Mediterranean offers luxury winter golf breaks, with championship golf at Limassol Greens on its doorstep

The 500-room, Vegas-style resort offers golfers a next level luxury with premium dining, spa, health and fitness, tennis academy, padel and grand casino onsite.

For golfers seeking an escape from the UK’s winter weather, Cyprus is emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting alternatives to destinations such as Spain and Portugal, thanks to its combination of a year-round sunshine, excellent range of championship courses, Mediterranean scenery and luxury hospitality.

City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol is at the heart of the growing golf scene on the island, where guests can combine a luxurious five-star resort stay with world-class golf at Limassol Greens, the recently opened 18-hole Championship Golf Course located next to the resort.

With Cyprus enjoying mild winters and abundant sunshine with an average of around six hours of bright sunshine a day even in December and January and between 300 – 340 days of sun a year, it offers Brits the opportunity to continue playing outdoors through the winter months avoiding the shorter days and unpredictable playing conditions at home in the UK.

A new chapter for Cyprus golf

Cyprus already has an established golf scene, including renowned courses such as Aphrodite Hills, Minthis, Secret Valley and Eléa, courses which City of Dreams also has established partnerships with, but the arrival of Limassol Greens has added another dimension for golfers visiting the island. 

For visitors to City of Dreams Mediterranean, Limassol Greens is the standout addition. Designed by renowned golf course architect Cabell B. Robinson, the par-71 Championship Course measures approximately 6.3 kilometres and combines strategic play with the natural beauty of the Mediterranean landscape. With flowing fairways, strategically positioned bunkers and immaculate greens there is a challenging and entertaining experience for golfers of all abilities.

Limassol Greens sits next door to City of Dreams Mediterranean, meaning guests can travel from their five-star accommodation to the first tee within a matter of minutes, with the resort offering complimentary return transfers to the course as part of its Ultimate Golf Experience.

In addition to the 18-hole experience, the 30-bay Driving Range, including 15 bays equipped with Trackman technology, provides a dedicated space to practise, analyse and improve performance. While golf lessons offer new or established players the opportunity to develop their technique with professional guidance.

Relaxing after a round

After a morning on the fairways, golfers can return to City of Dreams for a rejuvenating treatment at Renu Spa, relax around the extensive pool complex or enjoy the resort’s premium dining and entertainment experiences. 

Those looking to stay active after their round can choose from tennis, padel and the Adventure Park. And for those who want to continue the play into the evening, there’s also the Grand Casino, one of Europe’s largest, offering a full range of gaming tables, slot machines and live entertainment.

The result is a golf break that feels much more like a luxury, Vegas-style escape in the heart of the Mediterranean, than a traditional golf trip.

The Ultimate Golf Experience at City of Dreams Mediterranean

Guests staying at City of Dreams Mediterranean can book the resort’s Ultimate Golf Experience, combining a luxury stay with access to Limassol Greens. The championship course is located immediately next to the resort and complimentary round-trip transfers are included when golf is booked through the resort.

For more information: https://www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy/en/experiences/ultimate-golf-experience

Emma Stenning, CBSO Chief Executive, commented: “Our New Street performance was one of 20 free pop-up concerts the CBSO is performing in public spaces around Birmingham this Bank Holiday weekend. The CBSO team and players decided to change the programme to pay tribute to the music of Dolly Parton. The news of her passing this week was so very sad, but the legacy of her music will live on, and the audience at New Street today really enjoyed the addition to today’s set.”

Rather than simply remixing the track, Jon and Jaxstyle rebuild it from the ground up. Jaxstyle delivers a vibrant, dance–pop-leaning production packed with driving speed garage rhythms and euphoric mainstage–ready synths and builds, while Jon effortlessly revisits the unmistakable chorus with a fresh performance that honours the original while adding new verses and catchy melody twists to make it entirely his own. The result is an uplifting crossover anthem designed as much for festival stages as it is for commercial radio.

The release follows an extraordinary run for both artists after the collab with Justė on the viral smash ‘Turn The Lights Off’. Since its release, the 2025 version has amassed more than 80 million Spotify streams and Jon being on both the new and the 2010 version, has seen his yearly stream count explode to 280 million streams and counting, while generating over five billion global radio impressions, topping airplay charts across Europe and Australia and reaching No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 Global and Shazam Global. Supported by some of dance music’s biggest names and playlisted by major radio stations including BBC Radio 1, Radio 538, m2o & NRJ, the release has firmly established Jon and Jaxstyle as two of Denmark’s biggest electronic exports of all time.

For Jaxstyle, ‘What Are We Gonna Do’ marks another milestone in the remarkable rise of one of Scandinavia’s fastest-growing dance artists. The 24-year-old producer has built a unique career by bridging the worlds of gaming, livestreaming and electronic music, transforming a loyal Twitch following into sold-out club shows, festival appearances and 5.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. With performances ranging from nationwide tours to playing festival sets in front of thousands of dancing fans during this year’s summer tour, his mission to bring EDM back to the forefront in Denmark has resonated both online and on stage.

Alongside him, Jon continues one of Danish pop’s most compelling comeback stories. More than two decades after becoming Denmark’s first true teen idol and making history as Denmark’s fastest-selling Platinum debut artist, his resurgence has introduced his unmistakable voice to an entirely new audience while allowing him to champion the next generation of talent. Balancing his own return to music with mentoring emerging artists, Jon has become a driving force behind a new wave of commercially minded Scandinavian dance music, accumulating 10.4 million monthly listeners on his Spotify artist profile.

Together, the pair strike the perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation on ‘What Are We Gonna Do’. By reimagining rather than remixing The O’Jays’ classic, they’ve crafted a record that feels instantly familiar yet unmistakably contemporary, with modern production values to create a feel-good anthem primed for radio, streaming playlists and dancefloors alike. 

Be sure to check out Jaxstyle and Jon’s latest hit ‘What Are We Gonna Do’ when it releases on 14th August, exclusively via Spinnin’ Records.

Jaxstyle online:

Instagram | Snapchat | TikTok | Spotify | Facebook

Jon online:

Instagram | Spotify

In an age where craftsmanship and individuality are increasingly sought after, UK contemporary metal artist Christopher Henderson is proving that industrial materials can become striking works of fine art. Working from his dedicated studio in Kingston upon Hull, Henderson transforms stainless steel, aluminium and Corten steel into handcrafted sculptures and wall art that combine technical precision with artistic expression.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in engineering and sheet metal fabrication, Henderson has developed a distinctive artistic style that merges industrial processes with contemporary aesthetics. Each sculpture is carefully formed using specialist fabrication techniques before being finished with his signature etched textures and reflective surfaces, creating pieces that change character as they interact with light throughout the day.

Unlike mass-produced decorative pieces, every artwork is individually handcrafted. Henderson uses techniques including TIG welding, mechanical slip rolling, plasma cutting, polishing and his own proprietary texturing process to create flowing forms that appear almost weightless despite being forged from heavy metals. The result is a collection of sculptures that introduce movement, depth and visual energy into residential, commercial and hospitality environments.

“I’ve spent my career learning how to master industrial materials,” says Christopher Henderson. “Now I use those same skills to create artwork that transforms spaces. I want people to see steel not as something rigid or cold, but as something capable of elegance, movement and emotion.”

Henderson’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in family tradition. Inspired by his uncle, an abstract oil painter, and his father, who built bespoke picture frames and sold fine art, he combines these early influences with decades of engineering expertise.The result is a body of work that bridges heritage craftsmanship with modern design, appealing to collectors, architects, interior designers and commercial clients seeking statement pieces that are both visually impactful and built to last.

His work has already found homes across more than 20 countries and over 800 cities, with hundreds of sales through his online galleries and commissioned projects for private collectors. Henderson is now focused on expanding further into luxury residential developments, hotels, corporate spaces and bespoke large-scale installations, where his sculptures become architectural centrepieces rather than simple decoration.

Each sculpture is designed not only as an artistic statement but as a lasting investment. Built from durable materials and crafted to withstand generations, Henderson’s creations are intended to become heirloom pieces that continue to inspire long into the future.

As appreciation grows for handcrafted contemporary art that combines innovation with traditional craftsmanship, Christopher Henderson is demonstrating that engineering and fine art are not opposing disciplines—they are complementary forces capable of producing extraordinary results.

About Christopher Henderson

Christopher Henderson is a contemporary visual metal artist based in Hull, UK, and the founder of Henderson Metal Art and Modern Elements Art. With more than 25 years of experience in engineering and metal fabrication, he creates bespoke contemporary sculptures, abstract wall art and luxury metal commissions for collectors, interior designers and commercial spaces worldwide. His work combines industrial craftsmanship with artistic innovation, transforming raw metal into timeless contemporary art.

Follow Christopher Henderson

Instagram: https://instagram.com/modern.elements.metal.art
Facebook: https://facebook.com/modern.elements.art

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/Modern_Elements_Art/
Portfolio: https://www.hendersonmetalart.com/portfolio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/modernelementsart/

Lead Single: August 21, 2026

Album Release: September 4, 2026
Album Launch Concert: October 18, 2026 — Cosmopolite Scene, Oslo

Malian-born, Oslo-based percussionist and cultural ambassador Sidiki Camara is set to release Ankaben, his most ambitious project to date, bringing together an extraordinary ensemble of Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary musicians.

The album, whose title translates to “Humanity”, is a deeply personal expression of Camara’s belief in the power of music to connect people across cultures, genres and borders. Following his 2023 Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen) win for Return to the Traditions, Ankaben continues his lifelong exploration of Malian musical traditions through collaboration and improvisation.

A Lifetime Connected Through Music

Camara began playing music in Mali at just 10 or 11 years old, eventually choosing music over formal education to pursue a professional career. His journey has taken him from Bamako to Brussels, where he lived from 1989 to 2006, and ultimately to Oslo, where he has been based since 2006.

Throughout his career, Camara has worked with some of the most respected names in international music. His collaborations include legendary Malian musician Boubacar Traoré, with whom he toured the United States, as well as acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell. After Frisell encountered Camara performing with Traoré, he invited him to join his trio on a European tour, eventually contributing to the Grammy-winning album Intercontinentals. Camara subsequently spent several years touring internationally with Frisell.

His musical collaborations have continued to cross boundaries, with a career encompassing artists including Ali Farka Touré, Mamady Keita, Karpe and Esperanza Spalding.

An All-Star Norwegian Ensemble

For Ankaben, Camara has assembled an exceptional group of musicians:

• Bendik Hofseth – Saxophone
• Unni Løvlid – Vocals
• Sarah Camille – Vocals / Spoken Word
• Erik Sollid – Fiddle
• Jacob Young – Guitar
• Audun Erlien – Bass
• Eirik Askerøi – Guitar

The album grew out of the acclaimed Sidiki Camara // A Life in Music performance, which debuted at Oslo World in 2024. The ensemble returned to the studio in June 2026, recording at Oslo’s legendary Rainbow Studios, with mixing and mastering handled by Martin Abrahamsen.

“Music Connects and Brings Spirit to All Peoples”

At the heart of Ankaben is Camara’s belief that music can offer an alternative to division and conflict.

“Ankaben is about meeting across genres and cultures through mutual respect and spontaneous creation. It’s a reflection of my life’s journey through sound.” — Sidiki Camara

When asked what he would most like the press to focus on, Camara highlighted humanity as the central message of Ankaben: a world in which people connect through music, togetherness and joy rather than division and war.

The project follows a series of major career achievements, including Camara’s 2023 Norwegian Grammy and the “Attestation De Reconnaissance” award presented by the Malian government in January 2026 in recognition of his contribution to Malian culture.

Camara will also appear at several upcoming Norwegian events, including the Drammen Sacred Music Festival on September 16, Djembe Tekno at Holmlia Kulturhavn on September 19, and a Sidiki Camara Group performance at Holmlia Kulturhavn on November 7.

With Ankaben, Sidiki Camara continues to build a musical world where West African tradition, Norwegian contemporary music, jazz and spontaneous collaboration can meet. His ambition is clear: to bring this music and its message of humanity to audiences around the world.

Sidiki Camara’s dream is to take his group on a world tour — carrying the message of Ankaben and the universal language of music with him.

Follow Sidiki Camara

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidiki_camara_yankadi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidiki.camara.376

Website: www.sidikicamara.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/sidikicamara