Ipswich teen drumming ace releases song with Hollywood star

A teen musical maestro has teamed up with a Hollywood actor for her new self-penned track.

Nandi Bushell's latest single Sweet Nightmares features vocals by Marvel star Josh Brolin.

The 13-year-old, from Ipswich, has won 2.7m social media followers with her performances after challenging rock legend Dave Grohl to a drum battle.

Nandi said her song, due out on Friday 13 October, was "fun, a little scary, a little catchy and you can dance to it".

She ended up working with Brolin following a recording stint last year in London studio Platoon, run by music industry figure and Apple advisor Denzyl Feigelson, which her dad John described as a "life-changing experience".

The drumming ace wanted a frightening voice for her track so a friend - celebrity photographer Brian Bowen Smith - contacted Brolin, who played Thanos in the Marvel Avengers movies, to see if he could help.

Mr Bushell said: "Josh, a drummer himself, had already been following Nandi's story.

"Josh loved the track and wanted to help Nandi in any way he could.

"Although they have never met in person, Josh has been so supportive of Nandi's art.

"[He's] a true legend, supporting an emerging artist out of pure kindness and goodwill."

Sweet Nightmares is Nandi's follow up to last year's The Shadows, with Brolin's vocals said to give the song a "deeper scarier sound".

"All my favourite things are a bit scary and dark," said Nandi.

"I hope people like my video and can vibe to my tune."

Brolin - the son of film star James Brolin and stepson of showbiz icon Barbra Streisand - also ended up briefly appearing in Nandi's video, much to her family's delight.

Mr Bushell said the promo for Nandi - an independent artist - was made on a limited budget, with him shooting it in the family lounge on a phone, aided by three black sheets and lights together with one smoke machine.

"After seeing the first cut Josh was excited to appear in Nandi's video too," he added.

Nandi also travelled to the Netherlands to shoot a song reel with teen dance crew Let It Happen - sisters Norah, Yarah and Rosa - who have won support from Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys.

The song's release is the latest event in a string of achievements for the schoolgirl, who has just finished filming on a - as yet unnamed - children's TV show.

This year, her family has opened a musical school in Ipswich, while Nandi has also been featured in the girls' Rebel Books series and announced she has a nightly slot on the Young Voices stadium tour.

Nandi has established her reputation by playing with the Foo Fighters at the age of 11, including at Taylor Hawkins' Wembley tribute last year, with Lenny Kravitz at the O2 and at Buckingham Palace's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830