This week’s free downloadable BBC Introducing Mixtape features handpicked tunes from the BBC Introducing Uploader by EMPTY POOLS, ESCO WILLIAMS, STATS, BILLIE MARTEN, MCBAISE, FIFTEEN DAYS, LIPPI, REBECCA CLEMENTS, EDWARD PATRIS, ARTHUR REI, KIRBY HOWARTH, HAWK, LVLS, WORDS & NOISES, AAYUSHI, PHORIA, and DAVE DARK & THE SHARKS.

The BBC Introducing Mixtape is a 60 minute radio show broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music from 2-3am every Sunday night/Monday morning. Each programme is then downloadable in podcast form at the BBC 6 Music downloads page for the next 30 days. Full tracklists and start times for each track are published here at Fresh On The Net 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 are sourced from the BBC Introducing Uploader. Some are recommended by BBC friends and colleagues while the rest are tunes I’ve discovered here via 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 6th July (technically 2am on Monday, 7th July 2014…)

EMPTY POOLS – Pacey Grey [starts 00:17]
http://facebook.com/emptypoolsmusic
Empty Pools formed in the halcyon days of fading summer 2011. We’re told they “artfully combine elements of noise rock with teen dream melodies, late ’70s CBGBs angularity and the jazzy, world pop sophistication of the Thrill Jockey set”. Their well-received debut album Saturn Reruns was released last year and is followed by a five-song EP called Liberation Prayers due out July 28th via Enclaves. This lead track from it Pacey Grey was recorded live to 16 track tape at Orchard Studios in Somerset by Ben Turner who mixed it at Stage 2 Studios in Bath. Sadly the EP will be the band’s last release with vocalist Leah Pritchard who is moving on to pastures new.

ESCO WILLIAMS – Oh Jordan [starts 04:42]
http://facebook.com/escowilliams
Last year Liverpool based writer/producer Esco Williams was named a BBC 1Xtra ‘Hot For 2013’ artist and he won a MOBO Unsung award. But the stripped down acoustic sound of his two latest releases is a long way from the ‘soul-powered nerd’ persona of his debut album New Challenger. Together with Breaking Bones, this track Oh Jordan has – we’re told – received strong radio support on 1Xtra, Radio 2 and a number of music blogs. Esco toured the UK this spring showcasing his new crossover material in a series of acoustic performances. His forthcoming EP, from which these tracks are taken, is supported by the PRS Momentum Fund and due for release later this summer.

STATS – Where Is The Money [starts 08:26]
http://statsstatsstats.co.uk
Stats are, they tell us “a minimal rock band. Stats are you on the internet and Stats are also work. Stats can’t dance and Stats don’t take drugs. Stats have big plans tomorrow. You can find out more about us and when we’re playing shows on our website and our Facebook page“.

BILLIE MARTEN – Unaware [starts 11:56]
http://www.billiemarten.com
“Fourteen-year-old Billie Marten released her debut EP Ribbon on June 23. All tracks were written over the past nine months, when she began travelling to London from her home in Ripon, North Yorkshire for meetings to discuss her making music as more than a hobby. The overriding theme of the EP is a teenager’s wide-eyed wonder at visiting a city so big and busy. Also at venturing into a business that is at best alien, at worst terrifying, to a braces-wearing schoolgirl whose first gig, two years ago, was on the bandstand at Ripon racecourse. On the EP, Billie plays guitar, Jason plays piano, drums and percussion and Pete ‘Hutch’ Hutchings produced and arranged the strings, all of which were recorded in only an hour. The entire recording session took place in one day and all tracks on the EP were written by Billie – except for the title track Ribbon, which she co-wrote with Fiona Bevan.”

MCBAISE – Grandada Is Drinking [starts 14:59]
http://mcbaise.com
“Mcbaise has been described as ‘probably the best thing to ever come out of Cannes’. Originally from the South coast of France, and now living in London, his style has been heavily influenced by both places to create a kind of smooth Yacht Rock. His first album Seabass was recorded at the end of last year in the small coastal town of Auribeau near Cannes with the help of his cousin Mcbess – trying to capture the boredom and the nostalgia of being in their hometown – and eating pan bagna on the beach.”

FIFTEEN DAYS – ‘Til The Day You Die [starts 19:55]
http://www.facebook.com/fifteendays
“London based Fifteen Days recently self released their 2nd EP – The Oldest Lie. The 5 track release was recorded in North London and came out as a limited-edition CD and download in May. Fifteen Days is the project name of songwriter Darren Plant – who’s been self releasing EPs and singles for the last 10 years or so – and whose music we’ve been playing on 6 Music Introducing since 2008. His previous EP These Ghosts also featured both in our Fresh Faves and on the BBC Introducing Mixtape. See the Fifteen Days Facebook page for gig and session details.”

LIPPI – Bring Back Them Times [starts 22:17]
https://soundcloud.com/lippimusic
“Since pursuing his dream career of music, Lippi, winner of the BBC Performing Arts Award, runner up of the UK Beatboxing Championship at the age of 16, actor in TV dramas, films and advertising campaigns, has wowed the crowds with his world class beatboxing talent. Having performed at some of the biggest festivals in Europe, Lippi has made his mark in the music industry through this unique talent, but it is fair to say he is a man of many more.”

REBECCA CLEMENTS – Wildlife [starts 25:48]
https://www.facebook.com/rebeccaclementsmusic
“Please meet 19 year old Bristol singer-songwriter Rebecca Clements. Produced by Ivor Novello-nominated producer Iain Archer, Wildlife is Clements’ bold first statement proper to the musical world. Touching upon the most heartfelt moments of Adele’s monolithic pop artistry, Daughter’s emotional candour and PJ Harvey’s melodic intricacy, Wildlife marks out Clements’ voice as a new and breathtakingly fearless one.”

EDWARD PATRIS – Rising Now [starts 29:38]
https://www.facebook.com/edwardpatris
The London artist known as Edward Patris is a mysterious fellow. The only factual information about himself that he’s willing to share is “Songwriter, Acoustic Guitar player, Vocalist. I love magical and mysterious music.. My songs would fit in to be called indie alternative…” He may or may not be the alter ego of prolific Lima-based musician Diego Arenaza – with whom he shares a Soundcloud account and an uncanny physical resemblance…

ARTHUR REI – Turn to Face [starts 33:20]
http://www.arthurreimusic.co.uk/
“Leeds based singer-songwriter Arthur Rei hails from Chelmsford. He began music lessons from the age of 10, yet it wasn’t until his late teens that he discovered the joy of songwriting. Using his classical training, Arthur attempts to blend a mix of genres, including but not limited to classical, folk and pop. Arthur’s openness and passion for a wide range of artists – from Stornoway and Queen to Elliot Minor and Beethoven – results in an eclectic variety of influences present in his work. Arthur is looking for more gigs – both within the West Yorkshire area and nationally – while his debut EP, Crossroads, is available via his Bandcamp.”

KIRBY HOWARTH – Granddad Joe [starts 36:49]
https://www.facebook.com/kirbyhowarth
Kirby Howarth is a songwriter from York and no stranger to longstanding listeners to my 6 Music Introducing shows. “His knack for writing songs that tell stories about life and love” we’re told “has become synonymous with his distinctive sound and style, prompting comparisons to David Gray, Frank Turner and Bob Dylan”. Blimey. He himself describes his music as “acoustic laid-back new wave punk indie folk with a sprinkle of deep meaningful day to day observations on how the world goes round and round and round. Sometimes I actually notice this happening and decide it’s worthy enough to write a song about.” He’s working with fellow artist and friend Mark Cottrell on Kirby’s debut album Against the Wall.

HAWK – Antidote [starts 39:47]
https://www.facebook.com/HAWKOFFICIAL
London-based foursome HAWK are, we’re told “busy drawing new lines somewhere between noir-rock and alt-folk. After initially setting off on a solo folk career. Irish-born lead singer Julie Hawk began collaborating with Matt Harris in 2012. The following year the pair joined Sam Campbell and Chris Handsley to form HAWK – who released their debut single Take Off Your Suit in July 2013, followed by their EP The Sum of All Things in early 2014 and a series of live dates. Their latest record Antidote // Hush is a AA-side released on their own label Veta Records – and accompanied by a double video which certainly distinguishes HAWK’s alt-folk origins, from their noir-rock indulgences.”

LVLS – Echoes [starts 42:39]
http://www.lvlsworld.net
“Hailing from Manchester, LVLS (Loveless) is an indie-rock band formed in Spring 2013 consisting of Jay Gibb, Emily-Jane Conlon, Paul James, Charlotte Hughes and G Knott. LVLS have been compared to modern bands such as The Strokes, Hurts, Arcade Fire but particularly rock and pop acts of the 80’s and 90’s such as Depeche Mode, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, Prince and The Replacements. Both their previous releases – 2 For Joy and Teenager – have also featured on Michelle Hussey’s BBC Manchester show and The Introducing Mixtape.”

WORDS & NOISES – Lost Art Of Conversation [starts 45:33]
http://www.wordsandnoises.com
“Words & Noises are the Manchester-based pop duo of Chris Selman (vocals, keys, guitars) and Simon Williams (drums, percussion). They create quirky, contemporary pop music with clever lyrics. Their 2013 EP Beating Heart gained the band airplay on XFM, Amazing Radio and Channel 4. They were also invited to perform a live session for BBC Radio Manchester. 2014 sees the band release their second EP Loaded Gun, which includes the singles Animals and Lost Art of Conversation. They will perform a trio of headline gigs in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool this August.”

AAYUSHI – My Space Is Overgrown [starts 48:02]
https://soundcloud.com/aayushi293
“Hi! I’m Aayushi Jain, an 18 year-old singer and songwriter from Walsall, and I create acoustic music from my bedroom. I love creating music that expresses emotion. Music is one of the most powerful forms of expression in this world. I also like to put my own twist on popular songs. Influences: Keaton Henson, Daughter, Ben Howard, Sleeping At Last, Bright Eyes, Bon Iver, Iron & Wine, Kodaline.”

PHORIA – Emanate [starts 51:51]
http://phoriamusic.com
“Brighton five-piece alternative electronic band Phoria return this spring with their second official EP release, from which this track is taken. The Display EP has just been released via X Novo Records. What’s next: our first UK tour throughout July, visiting Nottingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Reading, Bournemouth, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester. A European tour is planned for September/October time and during that we’ll be releasing a single.”

DAVE DARK+THE SHARKS – The Electric Ballroom [starts 55:54]
https://www.facebook.com/davedarksharks
Dave Dark And The Sharks as an act came together in Scarborough as a collective interest in electronic composition and performance. Their 2009 debut album The Gazebo Effect, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gazebo-Effect-Dave-Dark-Sharks/dp/B00261PQK0/ resulted in widespread BBC airplay ranging from myself on 6 Music to The Today Programme on BBC Radio 4. In between bouts of detention at Her Majesty’s pleasure, Dave Dark has been studying Tantric Dentistry at Aberystwyth University and currently resides in Newport, South Wales. Due for release via Bandcamp on July 28th, The Electric Ballroom is the first single from the band’s forthcoming second album The Large Hadron Kaleidoscope, due later this Summer.

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.