Cover to Cover: NME faves on their fellow front-page stars

Throughout May we’re celebrating the first anniversary of the launch of The Cover, NME’s new music-focused flagship interview that champions and celebrates emerging artists across the globe. We’ve looked back at some of our biggest and best shoots, what our featured acts have gone on to do next and even thrown a party or two.

• READ MORE: Life Since The Cover: what happened next for D4vd, Laufey, Yoasobi and more

Now, we hand the reins over to the superstars who’ve appeared on The Cover, and let them shine a light on the new and emerging contemporaries they’ve enjoyed over the past year.

Bellah on Rachel Chinouriri

“I LOVE me some Rachel Chinouriri. She’s an incredible musician and ‘What a Devastating Turn Of Events’ is an amazing body of work. She deserves all the flowers.”

Read Bellah’s Cover story and Rachel Chinouriri’s Cover story

Caity Baser on Peach PRC

“I love Peach PRC, she’s such a talented singer-songwriter all the way from Australia. I first heard her music when I was shuffling a playlist and fell in love with her voice and the way she writes. In a world where everybody is trying out music it’s hard to have your own sound – but Peach’s originality and style is what drew me to her. She’s great and super, sound and slay – you should give her a listen if you haven’t already!”

Read Caity Baser’s Cover story and Peach PRC’s Cover story

Debby Friday on Logic1000

“I really enjoyed Logic1000’s ‘Can’t Let Go’ EP. Really nice production throughout. ‘Every Lil’’ was on repeat for weeks!”

Read Debby Friday’s Cover story and Logic1000’s Cover story

English Teacher on Geese

Lily Fontaine: “The night we played Molotow in Hamburg for the Reeperbahn Festival was headlined by Geese and I was blown away by their performance. I can’t specify why but it was special. It was one of those shows where I kept turning around to the rest of the band, shaking my head in disbelief and mouthing ‘This is great’.”

Read English Teacher’s Cover story and Geese’s Cover story

Fat Dog on Ashnikko

Chris Hughes: “I saw Ashnikko once whilst I was looking after my younger sister at Reading Festival because all of her mates dropped out at the last minute, and my mum didn’t want her to go on her own. I took a bunch of mushrooms and then walked into a tent that Ashnikko was playing in.

“A lot of bright colours and gummy bear costumes with giant multicoloured vaginas painted across their chests danced across the stage as Ashnikko sang hyperpop bangers through the intense smoke machine fog. I’m still not sure if I actually saw that gig or was just hallucinating, but it’s been etched into my memory ever since.”

Read Fat Dog’s Cover story and Ashnikko’s Cover story

Genesis Owusu on Royel Otis

“Shout out to my dawgs Royel Otis! Very genuine guys, and very proud of all that they’ve achieved so far. It’s been great to see the love they’ve been getting post-‘Murder On The Dancefloor’; I need everyone to go back and make sure they didn’t miss their ‘Bar & Grill’ EP from 2022 though! Still a personal favourite of mine. Big love always.”

Read Genesis Owusu’s Cover story and Royel Otis’ Cover story

• READ MORE: Listen to the bumper playlist of every NME Cover star

Grrrl Gang on English Teacher

Angee Sentana: “‘This Could Be Texas’ shook me to my core. It’s so raw and chaotic, which drew me into the album and the band so much. Plus, the lyrics about feeling like an outsider and wanting to escape are so relatable! I think it would be cute if English Teacher and Grrrl Gang go on tour together sometime, because our bands would complement each other so well!”

Read Grrrl Gang’s Cover story

HotWax on English Teacher

Alfie Sayers: “‘Nearly Daffodils’ stands out to me as an absolute musical gem. English Teacher’s music (and this song) has not only brought joy to my soul, but it has reignited my mum and I’s shared love for going to live shows and talking about great music. Their skill, technical brilliance and artistry has left a mark on my heart and continues to inspire me.”

Read HotWax’s Cover story

J Noa on Paris Texas

“I like what they represent: I feel aligned with them and they transmit pure energy.”

Read J Noa’s Cover story and Paris Texas’ Cover story

Kanii on d4vd

“I think d4vd is one of the most talented in the scene right now. Bro’s range and singing capabilities are super swag.”

Read Kanii’s Cover story and d4vd’s Cover story

Karin Ann on Chappell Roan

“Queer musicians, especially queer women, have had an incredible year in music and it’s so amazing seeing that representation. I found Chappell Roan’s music when ‘Pink Pony Club’ was released but it seemed like only a few people knew of her then; now she’s blowing up and it’s so so incredible seeing her finally get all the recognition she deserves. She’s not only an amazing musician but also an incredible performer.”

Read Karin Ann’s Cover story and Chappell Roan’s Cover story

Lana Lubany on Laufey

“I find myself listening to Laufey on repeat so often, she has the most beautiful, soulful voice and music. She reminds me of the classics I grew up listening to.”

Read Lana Lubany’s Cover story and Laufey’s Cover story

Lana Lubany on The Last Dinner Party

“I toured with [The Last Dinner Party] a couple months ago and they’re the sweetest ever! Watching them live every night was the most inspiring – they’re one of the best acts I’ve ever seen in person. Incredible performers and incredible songs.”

Read The Last Dinner Party’s Cover story

Laufey on Wasia Project

“I’ve been a fan of Wasia Project for a long time, so when they agreed to come support me on The Goddess Tour and for Will [Gao] to feature in the ‘Goddess’ music video I was over the moon. Olivia and Will are such incredible artists and people, and I’m lucky to call them friends.”

Read Wasia Project’s Cover story

Lip Critic on Militarie Gun

“Militarie Gun represents exactly what I want and love about alternative and hardcore music right now. Their music scratches both an itch for melodic and hooky ear-worms and aggressive sing alongs and stage-dive fuel. They also happen to be our friends and the sweetest dudes out there. [Lead singer] Ian is a massive supporter of Lip Critic, and is always going out of his way to let his love for our band be known to anybody who will listen and for that I’m grateful.”

Read Lip Critic’s Cover story and Militarie Gun’s Cover story

Militarie Gun on Lip Critic

Ian Shelton: “I randomly met Danny from Lip Critic and he told me I should come see them at Pitchfork Fest Paris, I had never heard them but I said ‘sure’ anyway. When I saw the live performance it blew my mind and I knew I found a new favorite band. First I was obsessed with the song ‘The Loan’ and every song on their new album ‘Hex Dealer’ is incredible. Their energy is infectious, this stuff makes me want to jump through walls like I’m in the ‘Turn Down For What’ video.”

Rocket on Militarie Gun

“We found out about Militarie Gun when their song ‘Big Disappointment’ came out and loved it instantly. The guitar tones on ‘Life Under the Gun’ are sick and we love the energy that they bring as a band. All of their individual bands are also really cool so it’s great to see what they do together.”

Read Rocket’s Cover story

Rachel Chinouriri on The Last Dinner Party

“I think The Last Dinner Party are so cool, fun and carefree. Especially live. Loving the music is one thing but they take it to such a different world when they do it live and it’s so fun and beautiful.”

Royel Otis on Genesis Owusu

“Genesis Owusu has been so inspirational for us. Watching the way he can go from being so chill backstage to this huge energetic presence is a puzzle I will never figure out. He’s unstoppable, it’s beautiful, I love it, I want to meet with it and have a nice dinner, possibly a game of darts with a novelty-sized cocktail from a cheap bar and then go home a little soused with what he is doing. A true gentleman start to finish.”

SIPHO. on Paris Texas

“Paris Texas have always been a refreshing voice. I’m in love with the evolution of what Black music is and can be – and Paris Texas have a cool fusion of rap and rock locked in with some silly dope visuals.”

Read SIPHO.’s Cover story

SIPHO. on Rachel Chinouriri

“Rachel Chinouriri is someone I’ve seen flourish, with a curious and yearning voice. I love the love between her and her fans, and her work is insane. Good to have a Zimbabwean sister thriving in the indie community. Keep going, Rachel.”

Songer on Caity Baser

“I first met Caity Baser in Australia and straight away she had the most contagious, positive energy. We went to the studio that night with Killowen and from the jump you could tell she was someone that lives and breathes music. We stayed in contact and she went onto release an incredible debut mixtape and headline tour, and I couldn’t be happier for her. A future pop icon for sure.”

Read Songer’s Cover story

Towa Bird on The Last Dinner Party

“I am really excited to watch the rise of The Last Dinner Party. I love bands, I love young British queer talent, I love guitar solos, I love a strong aesthetic world! ‘Nothing Matters’ is a bop.”

Read Towa Bird’s Cover story

Voice of Baceprot on Blondshell

“We love Blondshell’s song ‘Docket’; “wanting to cope with distance and change but also being a bit reckless” is so us nowadays. We’re looking forward to meeting Blondshell at the Woodsies stage at Glastonbury Festival 2024!”

Read Voice of Baceprot’s Cover story and Blondshell’s Cover story

Wasia Project on Chappell Roan

Olivia Hardy: “I’m loving Chappell Roan at the moment. She’s such royalty and I want her latest single ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ injected into my veins. The bridge of that song is just criminal and it’s been stuck in my head on a loop for about a week straight.”

Wasia Project on Rachel Chinouriri

Will Gao: “I honestly think that Rachel Chinouriri is a one of a kind artist. Her profound and deeply moving songwriting is unlike a lot of music that is created at the moment. I cannot wait to see her live soon and her album is incredible.”

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