Steam Down is more than a band, it's a close-knit music community in Southeast London, brought together by multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Ahnansé, whose birth name is Wayne Francis. In 2017, he decided to connect local musicians and producers. The initiative blossomed into a weekly event, where a large musical family would spontaneously generate sonic soundscapes that reflect hectic life in the big city. They dubbed their sultry mix of Fela Kuti-like rhythms, bubbling keyboards, an intense sax and rousing vocals Afro punk. Their debut single Free My Skin (2019) and its successor Etcetera (released in 2020 by Blue Note) were streamed almost two million times worldwide. Their infectious sounds earned them two Jazz FM Awards, and their material was also used in campaigns by Adidas, among others. Steam Down don't let commercial interests turn their heads though, as they’re all about the passion for music.
