Top tunes from JACK SHAW, LYVES, BRILLIANT MIND, JYKKÄLÄ, LVLS, STICK IN THE WHEEL, BEST BOY GRIP, AIRPORT 85, GOLD SPECTACLES, WINTERFALLE, JAY WOODWARD, KINGPORTER STOMP, THEATRE ROYAL, SADIE FLEMING, NARCS and THE WHITE BICYCLES.

The BBC Introducing Mixtape is a 60 minute radio show and podcast broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music from 2-3am every Sunday night/Monday morning. Each show is available as a podcast for 30 days at the BBC 6 Music downloads page. The full tracklists and start times are published here at Fresh On The Net together together with biog information supplied by the artists. Previous tracklists can be found via the MIXTAPE tab above or on the BBC website.

All tracks on the mixtape come from the BBC Introducing Uploader: some are recommended by BBC friends and colleagues – the rest are tunes I’ve discovered here while listening to our Fresh On The Net inbox. For more about how the process works see this post. These are the listings for the episode broadcast overnight on Sunday 25th May (technically 2am on Monday, 26th May 2014…

JACK SHAW – Paris [starts 00:17]
http://www.jack-shaw.com
“Jack Shaw (27) is a Newcastle-born, Brixton-living singer-songwriter. Having performed alongside the likes of Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks, Coverdrive and Graham Coxon, he is now on a full mission to take his solo music as far as he can! On a sabbatical from his band of 8 years Dancing Lotus, Jack has been touring the UK and France with his new EP Paris from which this is the title track. Working closely with other artists from South London he has been recording in the studio all year and will be releasing music throughout 2014. Jack is an independent artist with an infectious appetite for great music: Paris is his third solo EP – and his tenth album in the past 7 years.

LYVES – Visions [starts 03:24]
https://www.facebook.com/lyvesmusic
Lyves is Francesca Bergami in London. Er, that’s it. Perhaps she should read How To Write A Band Biog.

BRILLIANT MIND – Don’t Give Me That, Rob [starts 06:57]
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brilliant-Mind/181344720706
Somebody once wrote that Brilliant Mind are “simultaneously one of the North East’s brightest talents and also one of its best-kept secrets”… oh hold on, that was me. They formed in early 2009, “out of a mutual hatred of everything. Since coming to terms with this fact, they have projected their bitterness into concise pop songs, playing gigs in various locations including museums, nude calender launches, cricket clubs, winter festivals in rural Northumberland – and even Hull.”

One Brilliant Mind song – the outstanding Leave Your Friends Behind – was released by Fierce Panda on their compilation EP Zip It Up. They released their debut single, the equally memorable Our Osprey as a limited edition of 100 cassettes in June 2010 with a hand-printed cover, badge, mini poster and a unique photograph of the band’s favourite South East Northumberland industrial estates. Don’t Give Me That, Rob comes from their longawaited followup EP Blyth, which has been recorded for well over a year. It will, they promise, be coming out on cassette “VERY SOON”…

JYKKÄLÄ – Nærmerette (Particles) [starts 11:01]
http://www.facebook.com/Jykkala
“Started in Sept 2013, Jykkälä is the brainchild of John Sorensen-Jones who tends to be slightly more well known under his other guise of Cat Sized Panda. ‘I started to really let myself loose musically with Jykkälä’ he says. Jykkälä is a mix of electronic sounds spliced with organic instruments, which has been described by some as Sigur Ros meets Boards of Canada and praised by Alan Raw of BBC Radio Humberside and the EclecticPop music blog. Jykkälä has released two EPs to date, ‘Disappearers’ and ‘SangeForElskere’, which are available via his Bandcamp, with a third coming soon. A forthcoming album ‘We Came For Tomorrow’ is slated for release in late Autumn 2014.”

LVLS – Blood Dance [starts 14:18]
http://www.lvlsworld.net
The decision to include any tune on this Mixtape is only ever made on the basis of what comes out of the speakers: not the artist’s previous track record, current status on Hype Machine, insider contacts, lavish EPKs – or even a decent biog. This is the third time LVLS (Loveless) have been included on my BBC Introducing Mixtape, and each time it’s been because their music surprised my ears afresh and elbowed its way to the front of the queue that week.

Hailing from Manchester, Jay Gibb, Emily-Jane Conlon, Paul James, Charlotte Hughes and G Knott formed the band in Spring 2013. Their early demo It’s Only Love was played by Michelle Hussey on her BBC Introducing show in early 2013 and subsequently included on my BBC Introducing mixtape. The band went on to release an EP called 2 For Joy back last July 2013 – from which the track Photographs again appeared on bothe the Mixtape and my Saturday evening show on 6 Music. the following month. In January 2014 LVLS released their 3 track EP Teenager and this track Blood Dance is taken from their follow up release R.I.P. Joey Fritz, released on 12th May. Their next live show is at London’s Hope & Anchor on June 13th.

STICK IN THE WHEEL – Bedlam [starts 17:28]
http://www.stickinthewheel.com
“Stick in the Wheel play traditional London music. They record to the sound of sirens and birdsong in their long-rented East End front rooms: real, raw and authentic. The band’s latest Bones EP includes two traditional London folk songs alongside two of the their own. Written, performed and recorded in situ, the music is as authentic as it comes, capturing a culture that is rapidly disappearing, and is at times brutally honest and grabbing. Dobro-driven, with harmonies that conjour old time folk singalongs, their material is contemporary and real, with a reputation that is quickly growing on the London folk circuit.” Future gigs include London’s Folk In The Cellar tonight (May 26) and Gladstone Arms (Jun 8), followed by: Strongroom Bar at Rivington Street Festival (Jun 22), Leigh Folk Festival (Jun 28), FolkEast (Aug 17), St Edith Folk Club (Sep 26), Tenterden Folk Festival (Oct 4) and Readifolk (Oct 5). Their special edition CD (available on Bandcamp) features 200-year old reclaimed Thames tobacco pipes, customised with SITW artwork.

BEST BOY GRIP – Bye Bye Mister [starts 20:43]
http://www.bestboygrip.co.uk
“Eoin O’Callaghan is the man and the voice behind Best Boy Grip. He is a talented songwriter who hails from Derry, N.Ireland. This new single Bye Bye Mister will be released at the end of June. Also in June, you can hear a special BBC broadcast featuring Best Boy Grip and The Ulster Orchestra via Radio Ulster on 21st and if you’re in London mid summer, he’ll be opening for Tom Robinson at The Jazz Cafe, the day before his debut BBC 6 Music Session for Tom’s Saturday show on Aug 2nd. As a side project over the last year, Best Boy Grip has been collaborating with the Sky Sport pundit and all round Spanish football super journo/author, Guillem Balague. You can catch them performing their material in The Cavern, Liverpool on Sept 21st.”

PS from TR: I booked Eoin as the opening act for my Jazz Café appearance and guest on my 6 Music show after seeing him play live a couple of times earlier this year. Watching him, it struck me that his Nord electric piano might have more visual impact if he built a simple wooden case around it, but had no idea he was an expert carpenter. Eoin clearly took my suggestion to heart: click to zoom the image and see the full stunning extent of his craftsmanship:

AIRPORT 85 – Persona [starts 24:56]
http://www.airport85.co.uk
“Full of innocence…” said Steff Lane, reviewing this track on our Fresh Faves recently “…proceeding to a great chorus then returning to a normal format. ‘Normal’ is never a good way to describe anything musical and Airport 85” (aka Nat Saunders) “proves my point… Persona is a top tune that keeps you enthralled throughout. Harmonized vocals are a strong point, in unison with the soft and hard focus of the song.” So much for describing the music. What does Nat tell us about Airport 85 or himself? Absolutely nothing. How To Write A Band Biog.

GOLD SPECTACLES – What We Might Have Been [starts 30:47]
http://www.soundcloud.com/goldspectacles
“Fresh from a remote studio in the Norwegian countryside (2 hours north of Oslo), Gold Spectacles have released What We Might Have Been, the followup to their debut single Steal You Away” (which we featured on the Mixtape back in February). “Formed in 2012, Gold Spectacles is the collaborative venture of two London-based songwriter / producers. Drawing on an eclectic range of musical influences from Paul Simon to Phoenix, Gold Spectacles write sample-based alternative pop music. What We Might Have Been was released on 7th May 2014 and is available on iTunes, Spotify, etc.”

WINTERFALLE – Deadbeat [starts 34:41]
http://winterfalle.com
“Under the Winterfalle pseudonym, 25-year old Jerseyman Sam Falle writes dark indie folk dripping with vulnerability, powerlessness and heartbreak. Compared to Lightspeed Champion, John Grant and Foals at their most tranquil, Sam’s songs creep under your skin and make you shiver. New single Deadbeat showcases Winterfalle at his spine-tingling best. In June and July, Sam is playing in London, Cambridge and at Home Farm Festival in Somerset before locking himself in Stakeout Studios to record the debut Winterfalle EP with Jason Wilson (Reuben, Tellison, Fisherman’s Friends).”

JAY WOODWARD – Howl [starts 37:31]
http://www.jaywoodward.com
“Jay Woodward is an innovator in the indie folk scene, combining modern production techniques with a classic approach to song development and engineering, reminiscent of the 1960’s and 70’s. His debut full length release, quietly titled Letters We Told, is a concept album that takes a look at the human experience through the eyes of one of America’s sons. Jay is currently hard at work writing and recording for his second album, which will explore the seedy underbelly of grief and all of the connotations that accompany such a feeling, while simultaneously pushing his music and engineering to a new and abstract place.”

KINGPORTER STOMP – Pocketfulofrocketfuel [starts 40:04]
http://www.kingporterstomp.co.uk
“Brighton’s energetic eight piece, King Porter Stomp release their scorching new single Pocketfulofrocketfuel with a fire in their belly and horns blasting. Produced by reggae legend Prince Fatty (Mike Pelanconi), this funky, hip hop mix hits pop for six. Tight drums, grooving bass and smooth guitars have this track locked and rolling whilst the KPS horns bring those New Orleans funk flavours to the forefront. King Porter Stomp are a solid group of musicians and friends who have been drawing on new world influences for the past 7 years and are empowered by their collective passion to create unique new music. In a time when people can access music of all eras and origins, King Porter Stomp embrace their own musical diversity by releasing a string of singles of which ‘pocketfulofrocketfuel’ is the second. Each track in the series is very different in musical style from the last but all are connected by the band’s deep passion, originality and musicianship.”

THEATRE ROYAL – French Riviera 1988 [starts 43:39]
http://www.wearetheatreroyal.com
“Formed in 2009, Theatre Royal released two albums and a host of EPs on independent label The Preservation Society Presents. 3rd album We Don’t Know Where We Are is due for release this June on vinyl LP and download via Vacilando 68 Recordings. Live, the band have supported Public Image Ltd, The Wedding Present and Sweet Baboo as well as co-curating Rochester’s Homepsun Festival.” That’s all they’re prepared to tell the world about themselves, unless you count “We have started and one day we will finish…”

SADIE FLEMING – ‘Til The End [starts 47:00]
http://www.sadiefleming.co.uk
“Sadie Fleming is an independent singer/songwriter based in Bristol, who recently produced and self-released her sophomore album ‘Til the end, available from her Bandcamp. The album is being released in support of CoppaFeel, a breast cancer awareness charity; the title track was written for a friend who was diagnosed aged just 25. Sadie is currently on tour with her imaginatively titled four-piece band We Are Sadie Fleming. The band is a haunting blend of luscious harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, soaring cello melodies, and powerful drum beats with the twinkliest piano, guitar and glockenspiel. More info and tour dates on her website.”

NARCS – Coast to Coast [starts 50:21]
http://narcsband.com
“Narcs are an alternative rock band from Leeds. Coast To Coast is the latest single taken from their debut album Two Birds, One Stone Later and was released on April 1st through Clue Records. Coast To Coast is the swansong of an old couple who refuse to face modern reality. The album – which was released last September – is an exploration of uncomfortable truths, ranging from the angry politics of the song ’19’ (the number of Prime Ministers to have attended Eton) to the deeply personal closer Tall Grass, a response to those who eulogise a golden-age ‘village green’ Britain. It was recorded over 2 days in April 2013 with veteran engineer/producer Simon Humphrey. In 2013 NARCS were named Band Of The Year by Gig Islands, while Impropaganda named their debut longplayer Album Of The Year and their album launch show was acclaimed as Gig Of The Year by Dearly Noted. They are currently writing new material for their next release which will be out later in the year.”

THE WHITE BICYCLES – Dust [starts 54:25]
http://www.thewhitebicycles.co.uk
“The White Bicycles are a Dream-Pop outfit from Falmouth, Cornwall. Ryan Nolan, Matthew Howes, and Jack Curnow met whilst studying music at the town’s Academy of Music and Theatre Arts. The White Bicycles’ eponymous second EP beautifully showcases a new direction for the band. Now taking inspiration from the smooth R&B tones of Drake and Frank Ocean along with the pop momentum of Lorde, the EP demonstrates the band’s ability to weave hazy melodies and delicate vocals with gentle electric guitar twangs and understated synth swells, to create subtle layers of sound that morph into beat-driven electronic gems. This summer the band will be gigging across the UK as well as appearing at Dublin’s YouBloom Festival and The Isle of Wight Festival. For more information head to their Facebook page.”

ARTISTS: A Word Of Warning…
At least one PR company sends out an identical email to every single artist who appears on The BBC Introducing Mixtape. It says that the company heard your track on our show, they thought it “sounded fantastic”, and are wondering if you’re looking for promotion for your releases.

Before responding, please check out The Pros And Cons Of Pluggers. We strongly urge you to be wary of unsolicited email from anyone who claims to like your music and then suggests that YOU should pay THEM for services of any kind.