This week’s free downloadable BBC Introducing Mixtape features handpicked tunes from the BBC Introducing Uploader by HNTR, BLOOM, THE SHALLOWS, MAX TAYLOR, RUSHEFFECT, VICTOR & THE RAIN DOG, SYKES, STEFAN BLAYLOCK, CODES, THE BIG SUN, ONE EYED WAYNE, LEXIE GREEN, STEADY HANDS, OLIVER RADIO, KEVIN MORGAN, ROPHONIC and THE SAMUEL FRANCIS PROJECT.
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 information about the music provided by the artists themselves. 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 10th August (technically 2am on Monday, 11th August 2014…)
HNTR – Paradise [starts 00:17]
http://hntr.co.uk
Born out of a small town in Basildon, Essex, HNTR are a newly established act that formed in 2013. The band comprises Lee Almeroth on Lead Vocals and Guitar, Glen Clothier on Guitar, Jack Pike on Guitar and Keys, Luie Dransfield on Drums and Matt Scates on Bass. HNTR has spent relentless hours writing music and developing their popular style of modern indie folk. The band draws influence from a range of different acts most notably Fleet Floxes and Mumford & Sons. Their blend of ambient guitars and vocal harmonies propel the listener into anthemic state of euphoria. Since their formation, HNTR have performed many gigs around the UK and built up a huge following online. The band recently performed at Upton Fab Festival and are set to take stage at this years Brownstock Festival, out of eight hundred bands they were one of sixteen that was chosen to play. Their new single is a Double A-Side of the songs Paradise and Bohannon. Mixed and produced by Ollie Girvan, it has a release date set for July, their debut album will be launched in August 2014.
BLOOM – Animal Spirit [starts 04:04]
https://www.facebook.com/bloomsongs
“With quite a heritage in the music industry already under various other guises, Bloem de Wilde de Ligny, aka Bloom, is still creating music that sparkles away from the mainstream. Her work brings together aspects of visual and aural culture in an extremely sensual way. She uses colourful musical tones to carry her voice on an undulating journey across her songs in which she creates a reflective atmosphere in which to contemplate your existence. About Animal Spirit she says ‘I first wrote it as a poem, a letter to myself, my manifesto as a human being and an artist. Then some chords on the harmonium, it swiftly grew into a song. It was one of those magic times when the song seems to have written itself! Of course, it is also about meowing with all your heart 🙂 Musically I love mixing the old with the new- in this case brass instruments and harmonium with big live beats and fat bass. Animal Spirit was produced by Sam Ritchie who also features on trumpet. We recorded it live onto analogue tape at the Cowshed Studio in North London in June 2014.’ Animal Spirit will be released as part of an EP on 24 October 2014.”
THE SHALLOWS – Ghost [starts 08:40]
http://www.theshallows.co
“The Shallows is a collaboration between Tom Skelton & Michael Rendal with players Timmy Rickard and Russ Cragg. A sound inspired by art, life and the mindless buzz from the other side of the window. Currently seeking management or a label to make the music more than just a link on Facebook.”
MAX TAYLOR – Summer Job [starts 12:31]
https://soundcloud.com/maxtaylortaylor
“I’ve been a musician since I was 17” says Max Taylor. “I was the bass player in a band called Clor who managed to get themselves out and about in the world for about 2 years and broke up in a fashionably bad way. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in many musical ventures with the likes of Roots Manuva, Groove Armada, Tom Robinson, Alex Metric, Esser, Fryars, Tom Vek, Rae Morris and most recently, Mika. I am currently writing and producing an album of my own material which I’ll be releasing tracks from soon.” Blimey – I’ve known this Max Taylor as a brilliant bass player for some years noe and had no idea he was also an accomplished singer and songwriter: this track is simply gorgeous.
NB The above (bass wizard) Max T is not to confused with the OTHER Max Taylor – the no less talented frontman with the Kent band Zorzilla – whose solo project, known simply as Max, featured in our Fresh Faves back in January this year.
RUSHEFFECT – Glamour & Angst [starts 16:50]
http://www.rusheffect.com
“RusHeffect is an inventive and highly original producer/composer/performer from the heart of the UK. His debut EP Remember When was released in August 2013 and gained instant respect from every music lover looking for something different from the current electronic crop of artists. The follow-up EP, FutuRe Lost Souls was released in May this year and showed yet another side of RusHeffect’s kaleidoscopic talents. The debut album is currently evolving inside the studio and imagination of RusHeffect, with a proposed release date of something and whatever of 2015. To follow every beat of RusHeffect’s progress, head over to his website.”
VICTOR & THE RAIN DOG – Rosalyn [starts 20:22]
http://www.victorandtheraindog.com
“The son of a French escapologist with a passion for spanish guitars, Victor develops an early passion for music and story-telling. Suffering from Monochromacy, a rare type of colour blindness where one sees the world in black-and-white, Victor decides to make up for a lack of colours by writing stories and singing songs. He starts off performing in the streets of Paris, and soon falls in love with a prodigy Italian acrobat whom he follows to London. There, on a stormy night, Victor meets and befriends a wild dog with a passion for hurricanes. He calls him The Rain Dog. Victor himself describes his performances as ‘an encounter between Carnival music and indigenous sorcery, with a fondness for urban story-telling’.”
SYKES – Gold Dust [starts 23:46]
https://www.facebook.com/sykesmusic
“South London three-piece Sykes make alternative pop with a glittering ambience, where upbeat guitar music meets electronic alt-pop. The sugary melodies coupled with Julia’s gentle vocals make the music of Sykes reminiscent of the music of Lady Hawke, My Timing My Tiger and Saint Etienne. The band are scheduled to release a 4 track EP in October, from which Gold Dust is the title track (released as a single last month). It was included in Q magazine’s Five Songs To Hear This Week column, featured as Track of the Day at God Is In The TV, and was played by Jen Long on Radio 1’s BBC Introducing show.”
STEFAN BLAYLOCK – I Don’t Know Why [starts 26:54]
https://soundcloud.com/blaylockplaysroulette
Leicester based Stefan Blaylock‘s music has always presented a serious swerve on production aesthetics and vocals. Now after releasing a handful of EPs and free downloads, his mind is set on completing a full album: anticipate the unexpected! With extra vocals supplied by Stefan’s good friend Melissa, he’s looking to cover a mix of feelings and emotions within his lyrics whilst holding onto that experimental edge. This track I Don’t Know Why offers a first glimpse of the new album.
CODES – Astraea [starts 29:20]
http://www.codes.ie
Codes released this single Astraea through Dust Devil Sounds last month. It’s the first release from their forthcoming second album AALTARS, due later this year. Originally hailing from Dublin, Codes released their debut record TreesDreamInAlgebra in 2010, winning Entertainment Ireland’s Best Band and Phantom FM’s Best Album awards, plus a nomination for the prestigious Choice Music Prize and a tip as one of Hot Press magazine’s Best Irish Albums Of All Time. After relocating to London, the band have gently twisted their sound to a more stripped back style, whilst retaining an overriding sense of melody.
THE BIG SUN – Cruel [starts 32:17]
http://www.balloontwisterrecords.co.uk
The Big Sun, attentive readers will remember, are an Oxford based indie outfit fronted by teenage vocalist Berry who is, they claim, “a pottymouthed student… who creatively peaked at the age of 15. Now 17 she has moved on to toying in an optimistically interpretive way with eastern religions and is currently touring sports shops across the south east for payment in roll-ups and peach cider. Next year she plans to convert to a hitherto unheard form of christianity followed by a tour to finance her so far neglected tax bill. Guitars and Things are provided by Richard Browns – whose day job as an eminent archaeologist involves overseeing excavations on Crossrail and at the Royal Households – and who is writing a book on early property development in West London.”
ONE EYED WAYNE – After the Break [starts 35:42]
https://www.facebook.com/OneEyedWayne
One Eyed Wayne are a 5 piece band from North London whose first track 1-2-3-4 was featured on the Introducing Mixtape as well as BBC London, while the followup What In A Moment was played by Gideon Coe on 6 Music last year. Their new tune After The Break, they tell us, “really does champion the BBC with its attack on the repetitious buy buy buy nature of commercial stations. If you begrudge paying your license then you really do deserve to want everything! Anyway we have festival dates coming up at: Victorious, Southsea (Aug 23), Shrewsbury Fields (Sep 13) Heartlands, Cornwall (Sep 14) plus some gigs in London – details on usual sites.”
LEXIE GREEN – Bed Bugs Bite [starts 39:10]
http://www.lexiegreen.com
Seven years ago Lexie Green had never strummed a guitar – or thought about writing a song – and only sang karaoke on Girls’ Nights Out. Now she has written over 200 songs and nabbed some tasty international songwriting awards. She’s performed from Birmingham to Brighton and beyond and supported some awesome indie artists including John Wheeler (Hayseed Dixies). Next year she opens for Henry Priestman (The Christians) at the Ent Shed in Bedford. Her two albums to date (Twenty Ten and Breathe) have received great reviews and a third is due for official release early next year. Backed by good friends Sam Carter, Kat Moore and Steve Wilson her live band is collectively known as Lexie Green & The Indigo Blue. They are, we’re told “becoming increasingly known around the UK live circuit for their brilliant live fun filled, audience participation eclectic shows of Green’s original songs tasting of Americana, folk, rock, roots, pop and blues”. If you’re keen to verify this for yourself they have upcoming shows in Birmingham, Lincolnshire, Kettering, Blakeney and – next year – in Bedford opening for for Henry Priestman. Details at her website.
STEADY HANDS – Hunter Gatherer [starts 42:09]
http://www.steadyhandsmusic.co.uk
Steady Hands is a unique collaboration of musicians from different musical backgrounds, culminating in a clear and colourful expression of contemporary songwriting. Formed by songwriter Josh Herring at the Birmingham Conservatoire in 2012, they have recently self released their second studio album Hunter/Gatherer which features a whole variety of instrumentalists from the Birmingham Conseravtoire where they formed back in 2012. They have recently signed to Charlotte Church’s publishing label. They’re due to play two Oxjam events in Birmingham – at Ort Cafe and COW vintage – and will perform at Moseley Folk festivval on the Lunar stage, on Friday Aug 29 at 2pm. They’re also set to do a live session on Adrian Goldberg’s morning show on BBC WM Thursday Aug 21.
OLIVER RADIO – Blade Runner [starts 45:51]
http://www.oliverradio.com
“Oliver Radio is the creative alter ego of London session musician and producer Oliver McKiernan. Since recording bass guitar at Abbey Road Studios for James McCartney’s debut album Me (a record on which James’s father Paul also plays), Oliver has decided to put his own music in full public view. From pub gigs in Leicester with some of the city’s best songwriters, to playing The Late Show with David Letterman in New York (and touring the world for internationally acclaimed artists), Oliver has absorbed these experiences into a unique style all of his own. The name of his debut album Nice Rebellion is taken from Grayson Perry’s Reith Lectures. It represents the culmination of 15 years’ observations from the back of the stage – and stands as a chronicle of thousands of gigs as a sideman. ‘Smart arty-pop is born…’ says one reviewer. Oliver is touring the UK throughout September as bass player for Pete Molinari and will release Nice Rebellion towards the end of the year with live dates to match, to be announced via his website.”
KEVIN MORGAN – The Brazilian Attack [starts 48:53]
http://www.trombonemusic.co.uk
http://www.minibso.co.uk
Kevin Morgan is a professional trombonist (with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) who collaborates with a number of other musicians and writers in various genres. The current project, The Brazilian Attack, is co-authored with Ron Dawson who also penned the lyrics to Lest We Forget – the song of remembrance with music by Kevin which has been played and sung all over the world during the last couple of years. Also playing on The Brazilian Attack is BSO french horn player Kevin Pritchard on keyboards – who also appeared on an album of songs for trombone written and arranged by Kevin Morgan called Off The Beaten Tracks. The other Dorset musicians involved on this track are Matt King on percussion (also BSO) and Kevin Jackson on drums and guitar. They are joined by the great voice of Jovana Djordjevic from Serbia, making The Brazilian Attack an international collaboration. Future plans include developing a full Latin set for trombone choir, rhythm and voice – under the group name Copacabana Brass – which will tour the South West.
ROPHONIC – Conjugal Visit With The Dead [starts 51:43]
https://www.facebook.com/rophonic
“Conjugal Visit From The Dead is taken from Welcome Back To The Afterlife – the second EP by Sheffield-based quartet Rophonic, which was released in June. Taking their theme and subject from the invisible border between life and death, the three tracks see the band expanding their diverse roots and styles in a mesh of live guitars, harp and angelic vocals, hypnotic beats and lush cinematic electronica. Born from the Remixed in Sheffield and Festival of the Mind projects in 2012, Rophonic is made up of members of Animat (Big Chill, Mareld, Dubmission) and The Third Half. They are currently recording their third EP, You Are The Audience, which will be released in September. The launch event is on September 11th at the Lantern Theatre in Sheffield.
SAMUEL FRANCIS PROJECT – Okay Now [starts 56:38]
http://soundcloud.com/samuelfrancis
“I am a 16-year-old music producer” says Samuel Francis “and I’ve been producing music for about 3 years now. My aim is to write and produce chilled, relaxing, experimental music, which is mostly instrumental (at the moment). My influences come from SBTRKT, Volcano Choir, Jamie XX, Oliver Wilde and many others. By the end of September, I plan to have finished and released my first EP. You can listen and keep up to date with my music on my Soundcloud 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.
