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Music

DR. MARTENS SPEAKS TO MICKEY LIGHTFOOT

We caught up again with Mickey Lightfoot, who performed at The Great Escape Festival in 2014 as one of the Dr. Martens pop-up gigs. This South East London producer, vocalist and songwriter is a force to be reckoned with in the underground music scene, with his refreshingly honest lyrics and approach to music, while paying attribute to his African roots. Read more to find out about and his plans for 2016 his love for Docs. 
 

Mickey Lightfoot wearing the Soho shoe
Mickey Lightfoot wearing the Coronado shoe
 
 
For those who are new to your music, how would you sum yourself up in a sentence?
Fresher than a polar bears underwear.
 
Can you talk us through the inspiration behind ‘Anxious (Modern Blues)’?
One night I got back from a gig I played. I think it was ‘’Nights Slug’s’’ or ‘’Rock Feeder’’ at the ICA with Jam City, and had this realisation. We’re all living in this life of uncertainty. We mainly worry about our future while being weighed down by our past, hiding behind the drugs of our happy photos posted online. Anxiety is one hell of a cuff, I’d had enough of it and so I put that emotion in the record and visual. 
 
 
 
You’ve previously said that Afrocentrism is a key influence to your music, can you talk us through this?
I grew up in a home of African expats that really embraced our African side. While most African kids were still shy to say their African names, I was brought up not to fear this and to remain proud. Over time I’ve realised being afro-centred is part of who I am. It’s been instilled in me, so now I don’t even think about it; I just create. I no longer make conscious decisions to explore what is African in my music because it’s always gonna be there in some format. I let it just be what it is. My only criteria is how can I be progressive in my creations while respecting and learning from the past.  
 
Mickey Lightfoot
Mickey Lightfoot
 
 
What’s your favourite thing about the city you live in?
London has it all, but the sun. It’s like a sweetie shop, every single flavour you want is here. Every culture, religion, race etc. In true british fashion, when it works well London seems to take the best of everything chew it up and spit it out as something great. You do pay a heavy price for this tho, the cats out the bag now I suppose and probably in part contributes to the high living and housing costs. Lets not get it twisted though the establishment is definitely rigging the system. 
 
Tell us about your relationship with Dr. Martens:
Dr. Martens were some of the first shoes I’d wear to school, then sporadically across my late teens. Then in my 20’s as I researched and learned more, it became one of the brands that I identified with as heavily representing UK progressive, DIY and counterculture. With all of these being important to me our first link up over at The Great Escape Festival was a great look. 
 
Mickey Lightfoot at the Great Escape Festival
Mickey Lightfoot at The Great Escape Festival 2014. Photographed by Gobinder Jhitta
 
 
Three tracks you’re listening to right now:
Kanye – Father Stretch My Hands
Gaika feat Mista Silva – PMVD
Dean Blunt – War Report 
 
What’s in store for you in 2016?
Recently released the latest EP #Wearing The Rent you can stream that over on spotify or buy at all good online stores. I’m currently in LA as we speak, got a number of collabs/meets lined up here. Then at the back end of this year, most likely late summer I suspect the Mixtape – ‘’Needy Bruises’’ will be made available. This will most likely be released on the capsule platform, Waylynn Wolfe, that we’re building. 
 
#Wear The Rent Album Cover
#Wearing The Rent Album Cover
 
 
And finally, what do you stand for?
Progress and perseverance.
 
Find out more Mickey Lightfoot on his website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Soundcloud