Drum and bass man AON releases debut EP, Moonlight

Whether its performing as his moniker AON or residing as the drum and bass expert on BBC Music Introducing in Northampton, Connor Osborn has been a regular fixture on county’s music scene for several years.

This week, the 23-year-old released his debut EP Moonlight – a record which has been two years in the making.

“The whole thought process behind Moonlight was to showcase the full spectrum of drum and bass as much as I could in four tracks,” he explains.

“It’s been building up over the last two years.

“I set my self a goal around 18 months ago to have an EP released in 2020.

“As it’s my first, it needed to be perfect. The extra time I had in lockdown really gave me to the push to get it over the line.”

The EP features the title track alongside TDK-97, Reversal and Blank Edges.

It sees Osborn link up with other musicians and producers from across the county.

Unable to work in his Northampton studio because of lockdown, Moonlight was produced in Osborn’s front room.

While Blank Edges was fully produced in around 90-minutes, the title track took around two years to finish.

“The Moonlight vocals were actually written and recorded around February 2019,” he says.

“Me and my friend Jack wrote the lyrics and a lot of the context came from some things that were happening in both of our lives at that time.

“As the time has passed, different areas of the vocals can still relate to things that are going on.

“I had the track finished by the back end of last year, but I wasn’t happy with the finished article, so I asked Spectre to come on it as a collab, just for some fresh ears.

“I’m so glad I asked him as the track came out so different to how we initially expected.

“Me and Spectre have been friends since college, we’ve had loads of little projects over the years and it wouldn’t have felt right to not include him in my first major release.

Spectre isn’t the only name to feature on the EP, which also includes fellow producer Phadix and singer Megan Nurse.

“I’ve known Megan since I was a teenager and she’s always had an amazing voice,” Connor explains.

“She was shy to the thought of getting in the booth and laying down some vocals, but on the first time of asking, she absolutely smashed it.

“I have a feeling you’re going to be hearing a lot more from her.”

Phadix features on Reversal, with Osborn initially discovering the producer through his BBC work.

Mr Osborn said: “He’s gone on to produce some serious bangers in the scene.

“The track initially had a darker edge, but he came along and gave the track his signature sound, making for a seriously interesting combination.

“We’ve got some more work lined up for the future and I can’t wait to get back in the studio with him.”

Osborn grew up listening to the R&B, reggae and jungle his parents would play and explained these genres heavily influenced his production methods today.

“I like using lots of old samples to give it that unique edge,” he explains.

“It’s a technique I picked up from one of my major influences, DJ Break.

“My other influences would include Andy C, SPY and Randall just to name a few.

“In terms of influences for this EP, it’s a culmination of my years DJing.

“All the sounds I’ve heard over the years have come into this project.”

Through his work on BBC Music Introducing in Northampton, Osborn has seen first-hand the strength of the drum and bass scene in the town – explaining “it’s possibly as strong as it’s ever been, the amount of talent locally is insane.”

In June, he put together a 60 minutes showcase just featuring local acts.

Turning to the future and the impact the current impact Covid-19 is having on the music industry, like everyone else, he’s just keen to be back out and performing.

“He said: “Right now in my life, things are good, but the thing that would make it absolutely perfect, would be DJing on the main stage at Roadmender in front of a packed crowd.

“Being able to perform anywhere would be amazing, but Roadmender is where it all started for me.

“I really don’t know how far away from that we are as an industry, but my fingers are crossed.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be given some socially distanced outdoor bookings, which I cannot wait for.

“It’s been a very strange time for the live performance industry and we’re all going through our own battles, but the great thing about this scene is our ability to adapt and come together.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what cool and exciting events come into fruition before we’re fully back to normal.”

Moonlight now is out now on the regular streaming platforms.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/AonMusic and https://soundcloud.com/aonproductions