Extra Curricular

Extra Curricular

Extra Curricular is a UK group active since 2009, based around future soul with elements of electronic music, rock, soul, jazz, hip-hop and funk. The band forms around live instrumentation, programming and vocals, and its sound develops from after-hours jam sessions in Huddersfield.

Line-up

The group includes Thabo Mkwananzi on vocals, Martin Chung on guitars, Jack Button on bass and programming, Noah Burton on drums and programming, John Waugh on saxophones, and Greg Nicholas on trumpet. Earlier members include Ruby Wood of Submotion Orchestra and UK hip-hop MC Jack Flash.

Early releases and recordings

Extra Curricular release two EPs on Doorly’s Pigeonhole This! label in 2012. Their debut EP, Won’t Stay Down, reaches number 11 in the iTunes electronic chart. A follow-up track, Last Day, receives repeated plays on BBC Radio 1 from Annie Mac, Toddla T and Friction, and also appears on the influential “Free Music Monday” blog. Last Day later appears on the Ibiza Rocks 2012 compilation and on the Jaguar Skills and His Amazing Friends album.

Live activity and collaborations

The band builds its reputation through a live show that combines real instruments with live electronics and vocals. It performs alongside artists including Example, Labrinth, Professor Green, Tynchy Stryder, Zane Lowe, Tower Of Power, Doorly, DJ Yoda, Reverend and The Makers, Artwork, Youngblood Brass Band, The Correspondents, The Furious 5 and Craig Charles. Extra Curricular also attracts support from Andi Durrant and Eddy Temple-Morris.

Media coverage and related work

Mixmag, Knowledge Magazine and DJMag feature the group, and Mixmag premieres its debut music video on its global blog. Thabo Mkwananzi also features on Duke Dumont’s underground house track “No Money Blues” from the For Club Play Only EP.

Ongoing output

The group continues to make new music and perform across the UK.