A new album release is a significant milestone for any band but for Nubiyan Twist, the launch of their latest long-player feels like it could be a real turning point. 

Chasing Shadows will be their fifth studio album and was recorded in Sheffield – at bandleader and producer Tom Excell’s home studio and at Crystal Ship Studios. It comes hot on the heels of teaser single, Azimuth, which has been getting noticeable air play on BBC 6Music. 

The band – now numbering nine members – formed at Leeds College of Music in 2009 but are now scattered around the country. Only Tom is based in the Steel City.

Released on 20 March, Chasing Shadows has already been described as ‘rich and restless’ and as ‘music that moves, sweats and breathes’. You will be able to get the full experience of it as the band head out on a 16-date tour in April, with a stand-out show at The Foundry on 21 May.

Ahead of this busy and pivotal period for the band, we caught up with Tom to find out how things are going.

The new LP, Chasing Shadows, is out in March, tell us about the album.

Chasing Shadows is our fifth studio album and it’s really a focus around the AI movement and preserving humanity in a world of increasing digital control. Being a large band that prioritises the live music experience, we wanted to make something that felt joyous and defiantly human. We’re directly pushing back against the AI takeover and holding onto that human connection.

Where was it recorded?

The new album was recorded entirely in Sheffield, moving between the intimacy of my home studio and the live-room energy of Crystal Ship Studios. That balance shaped the sound of the record, blending close-up, experimental production with the feel of musicians playing together in the room. It’s very much a Sheffield album, rooted in the city’s DIY spirit and collaborative energy.

You have a new lead vocalist – Eniola – what does she bring to the band?

Eniola is fantastic! She’s a recent graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London and brings a very fresh writing style and energy to the band. She’s got this amazing blend of soul, jazz, and contemporary R&B that really fits with the direction of the new material. She’s featured on several tracks including “How Far,” “Message,” “Body Flows” and “Rhythm Of You” – and we’ve already had some amazing shows together including Lollapalooza – Mumbai. She’s really stepped into the role beautifully.

And you have a long list of collaborators – how did those come about?

The collaborations really grew organically. We have this philosophy of bringing together varied voices from the music community we inhabit. Fatoumata Diawara: we’ve been huge fans of hers for years and when the opportunity came to work together on the title track, it was a perfect match. Joe Armon-Jones (Ezra Collective) brings this amazing take on the UK’s jazz and dub scene to “Rhythm Of You.” Patrice Rushen, a real pinch yourself moment when she agreed to feature on keys for “Threads”. 

Then we have some of the best rappers in the game with Bootie Brown from The Pharcyde and M.anifest, who came from connections made through Damon Albarn’s Africa Express projects. Finally Mr. Willamz, one of UK’s finest dancehall/reggae MCs, I’ve worked with him with my reggae project Chief Rockas before and it was really interesting to get him on a track that’s not his usual style. 

Similarly The Zawose Queens bring an incredible unique fusion to their track, blending traditional Wagogo music with UK broken beat. I’ve become close friends with them, hosting them at my house when they’re on tour in UK/EU, and also helped write and produce their albums. It’s all about celebrating collective strength and bringing different worlds together.

And then you’re out on tour, locally playing both Leeds and Sheffield. You have big connections with both cities?

Absolutely! Leeds is where it all started for us – Nubiyan Twist formed back in 2009 at Leeds College of Music, so those roots run deep. We’ve got so many connections and memories from the Leeds scene. Sheffield has become my home base and we’ve built a really strong following there too, the audiences in both cities are always so warm and receptive and it’s always special coming back to places where your journey began.

Tom, you’re based in Sheffield, but what about everyone else, are they spread around the country?

Yeah, the band is quite spread out, we’ve got members in London, London, Manchester, Dublin, various places. It definitely makes things interesting logistically! But it also means we bring different influences and experiences to the music.

How does that work in terms of being a band, how often do you get together?

It’s a bit of a logistical puzzle, but we make it work. We try to get together for intensive writing and recording sessions when we have projects, and then for rehearsals leading up to tours. With the band being nine members, coordination is always interesting, but everyone is committed and passionate about the music.

Being so many of you, does that help or hinder the creative process?

It definitely helps more than it hinders! Having that many musicians means we have this incredible palette of sounds and textures to work with. The creative process can be complicated, but i’ve been writing for this band for nearly 15 years now so it’s becoming something of second nature, having said that there’s still plenty of unexpected moments that happen. From sound check jams to improv on gigs that can spark an idea for a new track. We’ll also always develop tracks as a group in the studio and embrace mistakes and moments of spontaneity. It really embodies the album’s theme about human connection and collective creativity. 

And what about being on tour together, is that a harmonious tour bus?

Let’s just say it’s rarely boring! With nine people on a tour bus, there’s always something happening and someone to keep spirits up. Everyone gets on really well and we’ve built this family atmosphere over the years, we’ve got an amazing bunch on this tour, everyones really doing the love of the art, rather than their egos. It’s a surprisingly harmonious experience!

Do you write while you’re on tour or is the focus purely on the live shows?

Touring is more about the live shows and connecting with audiences, but sometimes the best ideas come from being on the road, the energy from different crowds, the experiences we have. We might jot down ideas or work on arrangements, but the main writing tends to happen when we’re all together in the studio environment.

How would you describe your live shows?

Our live shows are pretty explosive! With nine musicians on stage – a four-piece horn section, live electronics, multiple vocalists, the whole rhythm section… It’s this massive sound that’s both tightly arranged and raw improv. People come expecting to be moved and surprised. It’s not just about the music, it’s about that shared human experience in the room.

Will there be any further shows after the tour (festivals etc)?

We’ve got some festival bookings in the pipeline for later in the year. We’re definitely planning to be out and about as much as possible in support of the album. Keep an eye on our socials for announcements!

Tom, you wear multiple hats as a composer, producer, guitarist, percussionist and more, do you thrive on that?

Absolutely! I think that variety is what keeps me excited about music. Being able to approach it from different angles, as a composer, producer, guitarist, means I’m never bored. Each role informs the others, and it allows me to see the bigger picture while still being hands-on with the details. It’s challenging for sure, but I thrive on that challenge. Plus, when you’re making music that’s about human connection, it feels right to be involved in so many aspects of bringing it to life.

You’ve been together for over 15 years, does it still feel as fresh as when you started?

In many ways, yes! The core energy and passion are definitely still there, but we’ve evolved so much as musicians and as a band. We’re not the same band we were in 2009. The challenge now is keeping that fresh energy while having the experience and musical maturity to really push what we do. The anti-AI theme actually helps with that, it’s a reminder that we need to stay human and authentic, embrace mistakes and spontaneity and  not get complacent or formulaic.

And what does the future hold for Nubiyan Twist?

We’re definitely planning to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new territory. We want to keep challenging ourselves and our audiences musically. And of course, we’ll keep fighting the good fight for human creativity and community through music! More seriously, we want to keep building on the momentum we’ve got, reach more people, and continue making music that matters and connects.

Nubiyan Twist’s new album, Chasing Shadows, is released on 20 March on Strut Records. The tour starts on 22 April and sees them play The Foundry Sheffield (21 May). Click here to find out more.