Start Listening To: Pigeon

Margate’s cosmic groove collective talk improvisation, identity and the other-dimensional energy behind their debut album OUTTANATIONAL.

There’s something instinctive about Pigeon. Born out of late-night jam sessions in Margate and fuelled by what they describe as “group consciousness,” the five-piece have built a sound that feels both loose and locked-in, cosmic yet rooted in lived experience. On their debut album OUTTANATIONAL, released 1 May 2026 via Memphis Industries, they push beyond the Afro-disco shimmer of their earlier EPs into moodier, motorik territory, chasing grooves that feel as if they’ve beamed in from somewhere just out of reach. We caught up with the band to talk about home and migration, freeform “groove mining” sessions, multilingual stream-of-consciousness lyrics, and why sometimes the magic is the only compass you need.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

We are from OUTTA Space, but currently residing on the South East Coast of the UK. The music we make is and will always be a stream of group consciousness, a reaction to our shared energy in the room. Sorry we can’t be more specific.

How did your experiences in Margate shape the sound and themes of OUTTANATIONAL, particularly in contrast to your previous work?

We’ve always written and recorded in the same places, so in some sense this record is just a long form continuation of what Pigeon has always been. We experimented more with the production this time around, and in general more time was put into the post production. We always lay the foundations of our music down together in these long freeform groove mining sessions, then we take those efforts to our respective refinement factories. Be it Graham’s HaloHalo Studio or Josh sifting through things on a train journey.

What inspired the vibrant visuals in your 'Miami' music video, and how do they connect with the song's themes?

Miami is represented as more of a state of mind than a physical place in this record. We manifested and created that state of mind in Kent.

How do you see the concept of home evolving through your music, particularly in the context of personal and collective identity?

As our singer, Falle, left his home in Africa many years ago, and every member of the group no longer lives where they were born, it is somewhat an inescapable fixture in everything we create. Home is where the heart is, and it definitely feels like the community that Pigeon has created in Margate is very solid. In what ways do you incorporate improvisation into your live performances, and how does that influence the audience experience? Historically, our shows were 50% improvisation… the group started off of the back of jam sessions so this all felt very natural. Due to the sporadic nature of our performances, and the fact they are a little better attended now, things tend to be a little more regimented. Hopefully as we get more opportunities to play, we can introduce more chaos into the mix!

Can you discuss the role of community in your music-making process?

Again, the group started through the beautiful musical community in Margate, and we continue to work with friends and family on a repeat basis. That being said, working with complete strangers and people completely outside of our normal circles can be really exciting (see some of the shamanic art included in the gatefold vinyl of OUTTANATIONAL)

What do you hope listeners take away from OUTTANATIONAL, considering its personal themes?

That is entirely up to them, but should they gel with it, I am sure it’s likely we would get on very well in real life.

How does your multicultural background influence the lyrical content you explore in your songs?

Falle: being multi-lingual affects how I think about words. My stream of consciousness will sometimes change language without me knowing or realising and that can really affect phrasing when I write. This process happens so subtly it is like I am not in control.

Can you tell us about your collaboration process within the band?

It is pretty straight forward. We hire a room for 2-3 days, get in and press record! People will bring riffs, synth sequences or references as jump off points and if they hit, everyone just gets stuck in. Once we’ve gotten a few takes, we take it away for further attention. Lyrics come from different places, sometimes collaborative.

What inspired the title OUTTANATIONAL and how does it reflect the themes present throughout the album?

It was the only word that came remotely close to describing what we felt in the room when we were jamming. It was totally from another dimension like a gift from above. The sound of the album represents so many cultures and influences that it sounded like it came from another space and time.

What do you love right now?

Playing live together again.

What do you hate right now?

The world is crumbling around us. Music has always been a ray of light in dark times. This is what we choose to focus on.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?

Josh - Joy Division - Unknown Pleasure

Tom - The Velvet Underground & Nico

Steve - Chopin / Maurizio Pollini - Nocturnes. Vivid memories of some long nighttime car journeys with this record playing, the music feels very alive and full of emotion.

Graham - John Coltrane - A Love Supreme. Love still remains the most important force in the world.

Falle - Bob Marley’s Uprising - The vibrations and the style spoke to me when I was younger when I didn’t even know how to speak English then. It stayed with me from then and makes me think of that time.

When someone hears your music for the first time, what do you hope sticks with them?

The NRG inside the sound.