London indie rock band Bloc Party have announced a new single, featuring KennyHoopla. The collaborative effort marks a first for the group, with frontman Kele Okereke revealing the opportunity was just too good to pass up.
Bloc Party reveal their first ever collaboration on the brand new single, “Keep It Rolling”, which features KennyHoopla https://t.co/uwzx6iBWWC pic.twitter.com/TOZ65ErdX2
— THE LINE of BEST FIT (@bestfitmusic) June 2, 2023
The new song, entitled “Keep it Rolling,” is a result of KennyHoopla’s and Okereke’s prolific writing sessions together in London with the Bloc Party singer divulging that the work resulted in many songs being written. “Keep it Rolling” however, was one that Okereke felt partiularly attached to, feeling the song would make a great single for his band.
Speaking about writing songs with KennyHoopla, Okereke said, “I’ve been a fan of Kenny’s for awhile now, so when he came to London I jumped at the chance of getting in the studio together. We wrote a bunch of songs in one afternoon and ‘Keep it Rolling’ was one of those ideas. I always felt quite attached to that idea so I decided I would like to bring it to Bloc Party, so we turned it into a song.”
Based in Ohio, USA, KennyHoopla has made a name for himself within the indie scene, releasing a number of singles and two EPs. The singer/songwriter has cited Bloc Party as a major influence for him and his close friendship with Okereke made the writing sessions fun and fulfilling. Speaking about the collboration with Okereke, KennyHoopla said, “I’ve always been a huge Bloc Party fan so this has been a bucket list collab for me. I’m happy to call Kele a friend and it was amazing to get to do a song together.”
Formed in 1999, Bloc Party met with considerable critical and commercial success with their debut album Silent Alarm in 2005- winning the NME award for best album. After announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2013, the band returned to the scene in 2016, releasing two albums since their reforming-Hymns and Alpha Games.
The band has sought to broaden their fan base even further, currently providing support for pop punk powerhouses Paramore on their world tour in the US and UK. Hayley Williams, frontwoman for Paramore, has cited Bloc Party as huge influences on the band and in particular, the current record.
Kele Okereke is also noted as a successful solo artist outside the popularity of Bloc Party and has released six studio albums to date. Politically and socially aware through his music and lyrics, Okereke has also written a musical entitled Leave to Remain-a Brexit influenced story about an interracial gay couple struggling to live in a culturally bereft Britain.
You can find tickets to Bloc Party dates here.
Bloc Party Tour Dates UK:
20/07/2023 – Standon Calling – Standon
21/07/2023 – Tramlines – Sheffield
