CocknBullKid, CocknBullKid Remix, Asthma Attack, Foamo Remix, Electronic, Adulthood, Hackney, London, Dark side pop, Sex, Electro, Lissvik, Hold On To Your Misery, Anita Blay, Pop, Dance, Music, No Cure, Sinners, CocknBullKid , Boys And Girls, Shake

CocknBullKid – Subversive, Sometimes Sinister, and Always Sublime Mix of Sex

by musicfordriving on September 4th, 2011, updated September 5, 2011

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CocknBullKid is a pseudonym of Anita Blay (born 1985, Hackney). CocknBullKid’s style, it should be said, resides firmly on the dark side of pop. There’s an almost Trojan quality to it – Anita’s ever-expanding repertoire is a subversive, sometimes sinister, and always sublime mix of sex, death, ugliness, wit and depravity, found amidst The Everyday and pegged onto supremely inventive pop melodies. “I’ve always thought pop should never just be saccharine” she says, “It should be black and tortured too. There’s no point otherwise.”

Born in to Ghanaian parents, Blay cultivated an interest in music as a teenager, songwriting with rapper Plan B when she was 16. After a series of day jobs she released her debut single, On My Own, in July 2008. This was followed by an appearance on Later… with Jools Holland in October 2008.

Her first releases were released under the name thecocknbullkid. Her work encompasses a number of influences including such disparate talents as Bjork, Celine Dion, Morrissey and synthpop acts such as The Human League. Following a number of low profile releases she signed to Moshi Moshi through Island Records in 2009.

Her first single under the new deal, One Eye Closed, was released in November 2010. The follow-up single, Hold On To Your Misery, was released on 5 March 2011. The promotional video was released on 22 January 2011. Her album Adulthood recorded in London, Paris and Stockholm with production from Liam Howe, includes contributions from Gonzales, Peter Morén from Peter, Björn & John and Joseph Mount of Metronomy. The album is due to be released in April 2011.

She toured with Marina and the Diamonds and Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke in October and November 2010. She is supporting Duran Duran on their UK Tour, beginning May 18, 2011 at Newcastle Metro Arena. She also opened for Janelle Monae on her UK tour in 2011.

CocknBullKid’s style, it should be said, resides firmly on the dark side of pop. There’s an almost Trojan quality to it – Anita’s ever-expanding repertoire is a subversive, sometimes sinister, and always sublime mix of sex, death, ugliness, wit and depravity, found amidst The Everyday and pegged onto supremely inventive pop melodies. “I’ve always thought pop should never just be saccharine” she says, “It should be black and tortured too. There’s no point otherwise.”

Having played all the major UK festivals in the summer of 2008 and headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury, thecocknbullkid played live on Later With Jools Holland whilst still unsigned. A rare but deserved occurrence. Anita and her three piece band then went on to support Santogold before touring with CSS, Metronomy and Late of the Pier.