Mamilah are a nu-soul 7 piece, combining elements of neo-soul and old-school soul with the flavours of the recent UK Jazz Resurgence. Originating from several parts of the UK and Ireland, Mamilah found friendship whilst studying at Leeds College of Music. Within this nurturing space Mamilah found their heart in the sphere of Leeds’ nu-soul scene.
Having shared the stage with luminaries such as KOKOROKO, Kool and the Gang, Yazmin Lacey, Galaxians and Craig Charles as well as getting their hands dirty on the local circuit, Mamilah’s live performance continues to thrive nationally. Summer 2019 saw performances at Boomtown, El Dorado and Virgo Festival, as well as at pioneering grassroots venues such as The Wardrobe, The Hootannany and Band on The Wall.
Their debut EP ‘Moonlight Walking’, independently released in August 2018, quickly followed their first single ‘Sundrips’ and was a catalyst for much of this activity; earning regular airtime on Alan Raw’s BBC Introducing Show in West Yorkshire, being highlighted on his ‘Ones to Watch in 2019’ broadcast, and featured on Bandcamp’s “Best Soul of August 2018” article.
Their second EP ‘Talk Less’ was released in May 2020 and received regular airplay from BBC Introducing in West Yorkshire, Jazz FM as well as Global Soul and Sounds Like This Radio. EP remixes followed in September 2020, alluding to a more experimental, electronic direction for the band. A recent feature on Clash magazine highlighted Mamilah as one of the pioneering artists in Leeds underground Jazz Scene and they intend to further push the boundaries of this scene in 2020.
Their third EP 'Old Parade' is set for release in Spring '22.
“The jazzy, ’70s-style instrumental production on Moonlight Walking is strong enough that it could stand on its own, vocalist-free—but thankfully it doesn’t, because singer Lydia Kotsirea commands the four-track EP from beginning to end.”- Bandcamp Daily
“After one listen to Mamilah, you’ll be dancing in your seat without a care in the world. The Leeds College of Music graduates have been making fresh, carefree neo-soul for nearly two years now, and are indisputably one of Leeds’ best live bands”- Nice People Magazine
“Leeds is a hotbed of musical talent right now. And Mamilah are, without a doubt, one of the emerging bands moving it forward.”- Pink Wafer