For this edition of Worldwide Breakfast, Valentine Comar invites Donwella to contribute a guest mix as part of the “Breakfast in…” series. Her mix, titled “Breakfast in the London Sunshine,” is a radiant tribute to the city’s multicultural soundscape and summertime spirit.
In her own words, Donwella describes the mix as: “A mix to capture that unbeatable feeling of a sunny morning in London—the warmth of the sun on your skin, BBQ smells in the air, and that buzz of a long summer’s day ahead. Capturing the sounds of sunny London in one mix is impossible, and that’s what makes this city so special. During a time in which we’re seeing increasingly negative discourse around immigration, music reminds us of the sheer beauty that comes from our movements as a species and the blending and mixing of cultures. London is living proof of that, and summer is when we can celebrate it the most.”
Donwella is a DJ and social researcher from London, co-host of shows on Balamii and Soho Radio, and co-founder of DIY initiatives including a participatory festival with Coop Audio. Her selections are shaped by a deep musical upbringing steeped in jazz, hip-hop, and soul, and by the influence of South African electronic music, which she explored while living in Cape Town. She also runs DJ workshops that support gender equity on the decks and approaches her practice with the belief that music and parties are central to our shared humanity.
As always, Valentine has curated a selection around the guest mix, choosing new and not-so-new music that celebrates its spirit and warmth.
