Falle Nioke & Joe Goddard

Biography

Falle Nioke is a Guinea-born singer and multi-instrumentalist now based in Margate, UK, who blends traditional West African music with contemporary electronic elements. Raised in Conakry, Guinea, as a member of the Coniagui tribe, Nioke was inspired by artists such as Oumou Sangaré, Bob Marley, and Sory Kandia Kouyaté to pursue music from an early age. He began performing at 11 years old and eventually joined Nimba Sacré, a group of travelling musicians who performed traditional Guinean music across West Africa. After meeting his British wife on a beach, Nioke relocated to Margate in 2017, where he became immersed in the coastal town's vibrant cultural scene and began collaborating with electronic producers and musicians.[2][3]

Nioke's musical approach is characterized by his ability to sing in multiple languages—including French, English, Fulani, Coniagui, and Susu—while accompanying his voice with traditional West African instruments such as the gongoma, bolon, and cassi.[2] His work has attracted collaborations with notable producers and musicians, including Barry Can't Swim and Hot Chip's Joe Goddard, as well as Mercury Prize winner Mike Lindsay of Tunng and LUMP.[3] His debut album 'Love From The Sea' was released on September 26, 2024, via Eat Your Own Ears Recordings, marking a significant milestone in his career as a striking and sought-after collaborator in the contemporary music landscape.[3]

Joe Goddard is a British musician, songwriter, and DJ born on September 12, 1979, best known as a co-founder of the English synth-pop band Hot Chip.[1] Beyond his work with Hot Chip, Goddard has established himself as a prolific solo artist and producer, releasing three solo albums: 'Harvest Festival' (2009), 'Electric Lines' (2017), and 'Harmonics' (2024).[1] He co-founded the record label Greco-Roman in 2007, which has released albums by artists such as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and Disclosure, and is also a member of the electronica group the 2 Bears.[1] In 2021, Goddard formed Hard Feelings with vocalist Amy Douglas, a duo blending dance music with synthpop and new wave sounds.[1]

Fun Facts

• Falle Nioke sings in eight languages, including French, English, Fulani, Coniagui, and Susu, reflecting his multicultural heritage and commitment to preserving West African musical traditions.[2][4]
• As a child, Nioke was inspired to pursue music after realizing he could not find music from fellow Coniagui artists, vowing to change this and eventually becoming a representative of his ethnic group's musical heritage.[2]
• Nioke joined Nimba Sacré, a group of travelling musicians who performed traditional Guinean music across West Africa, often singing in exchange for basic necessities before relocating to the UK.[2]
• Joe Goddard co-founded the record label Greco-Roman in 2007, which has become a platform for innovative electronic and dance music artists, demonstrating his influence beyond his own musical output.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Oumou Sangaré - Musical inspiration for Falle Nioke's artistic direction (Traditional West African music) [Early influences]
• Bob Marley - Musical inspiration for Falle Nioke's artistic direction (Reggae and world music) [Early influences]
• Sory Kandia Kouyaté - Musical inspiration for Falle Nioke's artistic direction (Traditional Guinean music) [Early influences]

Key Collaborators

• Joe Goddard - Producer and collaborator on Falle Nioke's work, blending electronic elements with traditional West African sounds (Falle Nioke's debut album 'Love From The Sea' and other projects) [2020s]
• Barry Can't Swim - Collaborator on various musical projects (Multiple collaborations) [2020s]
• Mike Lindsay - Producer and Mercury Prize winner who worked on Falle Nioke's debut album ('Love From The Sea' (producer), known for work with Tunng and LUMP) [2024]
• Ghost Culture - Collaborator on 'Love From The Sea' album ('Love From The Sea') [2024]
• Johan Hugo - Collaborator on 'Love From The Sea' album, known for work with Self Esteem and Baaba Maal ('Love From The Sea') [2024]
• Alexis Taylor - Joe Goddard's co-founder of Hot Chip and collaborator on his solo work ('Harmonics' (2024)) [2004-present]
• Al Doyle - Joe Goddard's Hot Chip bandmate and collaborator on his solo work ('Harmonics' (2024)) [2004-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. I Won’t Let You Down (When Will We Land?)
2. Sibomandi (Come With Fierce Grace)
3. Drum & Bolong (Drum & Bolong)
4. Sibomandi (Come With Fierce Grace)
5. Leywole
6. Heaviness (Heaviness)
7. Bolingo Malenbè
8. Wonama yo ema
9. Wonama yo ema
10. The Children of Shaka - Digital UK Session (Digital UK Session)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia