Glasto first-timers: thecocknbullkid

by Kev Geoghegan
Radio 1 music reporter

thecocknbullkid, straight out of Hackney

There is just no way of getting past it, it is a terrible name. Lower case, no spaces, thecocknbullkid.

More than anything it begs the question, if thecocknbullkid was the stage name that got through, what did 22-year-old east Londoner Anita Blay reject?

"For a while, I was going to go with Blay, in homage to Morrissey", she explained.

She continued: "I've a had a few raised eyebrows but I don't think it's that scandalous, it's just very old English."

Of course, Blay is completely right. A 'cock and bull story' is defined as 'a fanciful and unbelievable tale'.

As unbelievable say, as a hot new UK talent compared favourably with artists like Kelis and M.I.A, starting her career in an Eternal tribute band?

She laughed: "Yeah, I was Vernie. We were deadly serious.

"Every year we'd have dance competitions and enter them as Eternal.

"So, I've had a good work ethic since about the age of eight."

On My Own

Born in Hackney, east London to Ghanaian parents, Blay's soulful voice betrays a love of R&B and she admits to being influenced by artists like Aaliyah, TLCF and Toni Braxton when she was younger.

But she reckons her dark song lyrics and electronic sounds are the result of teenage angst.

She said: "R&B is very smooth and there's no edges to it. It's not very reflective of life.

"Then, when I went through all that angst at 17, I started listening to Morrissey and sharper sounding stuff."

She continued: "The electronic thing just kind of started when I was hanging out in Soho with really creative people."

The 'really creative people' include Devonshire electro artist and remixer Joseph Mount, aka Metronomy, who is working with Blay on her debut album.

thecocknbullkid will headline the BBC Introducing stage

Mount has co-written her next single On My Own, which comes out on 7 July.

A bittersweet pop song, it sounds a lot like Kylie's 2 Hearts.

She said: "A lot of people ask if it's about an ex-boyfriend but it isn't necessarily.

"It's about outgrowing someone. It's completely natural and I don't think anyone should be feel bad about that.

"It's a bittersweet song about moving on."

The video involves Bray, a karaoke machine, a lot of balloons and a rather unfortunate birthday cake.

She said: "It begins looking nice and delicious and edible and by the end, I'm in the cake.

"I challenge you to jump in some cake, you'll really enjoy it."

New wellies

Blay's debut album is still being written, she reckons she has around twenty tracks so far but it isn't quite there yet.

She headlines the BBC Introducing Stage on 28 June.

She laughed: "I was in a shoe shop the other day and saw some wellies and I really should really get them.

"I went to Glasto last year without them.

"So this year, I'm going to be prepared. That's my advice to anyone."