This week’s free downloadable BBC Introducing Mixtape features handpicked tunes from the BBC Introducing Uploader by CAJSA SIIK, COREY FOX-FARDELL, DAVE FIDLER, ELEPHANTS & CASTLES, EMPTYPOOLS, FEMI JAYE, GITTA DE RIDDER, INDIA ELECTRIC CO., LAUGHING BOY, LAUREN RICH, MUTE SWIMMER, SAM PIPER, SPESS, THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, THE GRAVITY DRIVE, THE LOW COUNTRIES and THE THIRD SPACE .

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 5th oct (technically 2am on Monday, 6th Sept 2014…)

EMPTYPOOLS – Into Static [starts: 00:17]
http://facebook.com/emptypoolsmusic/
“Empty Pools formed in the halcyon days of fading summer 2011. 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. Following a handful of DIY releases, their first 7″ for Battle (Frenchkiss Label Group) made it into Pitchfork’s top tracks of 2012, alongside coverage in the NME, Drowned in Sound, The Line of Best Fit, and on BBC 6Music and Radio 1. Empty Pools’ debut album Saturn Reruns was released in November 2013 by Enclaves/BATTLE to critical acclaim and five-song EP Liberation Prayers followed in July 2014, released worldwide via Enclaves.”

INDIA ELECTRIC CO. – Lost In Translation [starts: 4:00]
http://www.indiaelectricco.com
Fresh from touring with the likes of Midge Ure, Hazel O’Connor and Show of Hands alongside headline concerts across Europe, the hard rocking acoustic roots duo of Cole Stacey and Joseph O’Keefe are now known collectively as India Electric Co. The last 18 months has seen them perform across Europe, play the likes of Glastonbury Festival, Beautiful Days, Le Bus Palladium and become notable exponents in the field brewing coffee. Sometimes folk, sometimes not. This is the first track of their forthcoming debut India Electric Company album which was recorded and produced in a Devonshire barn and bedroom.

CAJSA SIIK – Higher [starts: 07:36]
http://www.cajsasiik.com
Cajsa Siik is a Swedish artist from Stockholm who recently teamed up with Tiger Lou’s producers Rolf Klinth and Calle Ekerstam to co-produce this new song Higher. It’s the second single from her upcoming new album Contraand. Cajsa Siik, according to her publicist, knows “exactly how to remain sonically insatiable whilst still giving her listeners a solid foothold. Her sensual vocals are a clear contrast to the enigmatic and textured arrangements. They fit perfectly with the minimalistic orchestration that supports her every word from the very first bar. The overall production is contained yet exciting, with a steady rhythm pulsating in the background. The hand-tapping beats and Cajsa Siik’s captivating lyrics both leave the listener charmed and incapable of resisting the repeat button.” Gosh.

ELEPHANTS & CASTLES – Fashanu [starts: 10:36]
http://www.elephantsandcastles.co.uk
We first met Elephants & Castles in the tracklistings for our BBC Introducing Mixtape back in early June. You can read there how Robin Spencer, Chris Anderson and Adam Lucas first began to write their finger-pointing, homage-paying songs around the area of South East London which gave the band its name. This debut single by the group was released in July as their tribute to Justin Fashanu: the first million pound black footballer; the first – and only – openly gay high-profile British footballer. Although he tragically committed suicide at the age of 37, Fashanu’s story lives on. Upcoming London shows include: New Cross Inn this Thur (Oct 9) and an appearance for Oxjam New Cross at The Amersham Arms on Oct 18th.

LAUGHING BOY – I Am The Radio (feat. Kenkodie) [starts: 13:54]
http://www.laughingboyofficial.com
Laughing Boy are the writing/production team of Phil Da Costa, Nick Ingram and Robin Goodfellow. The group also features various guest vocalists and rappers. Their first release earlier this year was Love Like Sunshine which includes parts of Jessie J’s Domino. The mashup of the two songs became a club hit, reaching No 4 in the official Music Week Commercial Pop Club Chart. This second track I Am The Radio has just been released on YouTube, and features London rapper Kenkodie aka “The Dope Boy”. It deals with the touchy subject of media control – a girl who witnesses and videos a murder on her phone uploads it to social media with dramatic results. A short film with I Am The Radio as its soundtrack is also to be released, expanding on the storyline. Laughing Boy are continuing to write – and they now have an albumsworth of what they describe as “amazing new songs which range from dark and moody to dance floor bangers!”

SAM PIPER – Give Me A Reason [starts: 18:19]
http://www.facebook.com/sampipermusic
Hailing from Devon but now residing in West London, 26-year-old Sam Piper fuses a vast array of influences on his new solo acoustic EP Lucid Dreaming, recorded at Plymouth’s PMC Studios. Heavily influenced by the Blues, songwriters Dave Alvin & Bonnie Raitt as well as Britpop, Sam’s recent efforts are his most dynamic to date. He plays The Bridge Inn, Exeter on October 4th and is due to announce a small tour in mid October.

LAUREN RICH – The Drink Talking [starts: 21:44]
http://www.laurenrichmusic.co.uk
With one album and two singles under her belt, Lauren Rich has just released her latest offering following a successful pledge campaign – The Same Sky EP. Last year, she appeared on Gaby Roslin’s BBC London show where Gaby described her singing as ” absolutely beautiful”. Lauren regularly performs around London and Hertfordshire with her amazing backing band or on her own. Join her mailing list on her website to find out more. She is looking for people to feature in her music video for “The Drink Talking” and to raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK at the same time, following a diagnosis earlier this year. Please visit her page at justgiving.com for more information.

SPESS – This Song Will Get Me Over You [starts: 25:23]
http://music.spess.co.uk
Spess are Mathew Seamarks, Ed Bowen, Huw Jones and Mike Tunney. Formed in 1982 (yes, 1982!) and, for a short period in 1987, the biggest selling band in Mold, North Wales. “We’ve been tinkering on the edges of the indie music scene ever since” they tell us “…and have built up a catalogue of witty and intelligent indie pop tunes with the odd hint of synthpop and plenty of irony.”

THE LOW COUNTRIES – We’re All On The Verge Of Something [starts: 28:23]
http://thelowcountries.co.uk
The Low Countries are Nigel Parrington and Els D’hooge, an indie-folk duo signed to cult indie label Nub Country Records. Formed in 2006 they’ve released 8 or so albums and other sundry songs, often to immense (is that the right word?) critical acclaim and radio play. They’ve given up on recording albums – yet new songs continue to appear, often uninvited.  They’ve just released a career-collating compilation called A Prize Every Time – The Greatest Bits, in time for Christmas. They have two bourbon-soaked numbers featured on a forthcoming Nub Music Country compilation and a brand new Christmas song in the works. They’re also continuing to perform live as a duo and, whenever possible, with a five piece band and/or flash mob choir(!).

THE GRAVITY DRIVE – Cherry Ripe [starts: 30:54]
http://www.thegravitydrive.com/
The Gravity Drive are – as any regular visitor to Fresh On The Net or listener to The Introducing Mixtape knows – an independent husband and wife duo who release their music on their own label. They are set to release this single Cherry Ripe with their debut album Testament on Nov 10th and have been lucky enough to have picked up plays across the BBC. They are playing a string of dates to release the album: Oct 3rd Bridport Arts Centre; Oct 4th Music in the City, Southampton; Oct 8th Cheese and Grain, Frome; Oct 14th The Islington, London; Oct 26th Railway Inn, Winchester.

FEMI JAYE – Ever After [starts: 34:50]
https://www.facebook.com/FemiBeChilling/
“I am a British artist from Essex – specifically, Barking.” says Femi Jaye. “My first EP was The AnimeFan (lead single Feel It was featured on BBC Introducing). The next EP, Where’s Femi, was about me finding my style: the Single Student Life got itself attention, being in Sony’s talent house competitions and featuring on multiple websites.The Student Life video is planned to be released through SBTV. The lead Single of the Where’s Femi EP, WANT, was used to advertise Farang Clothing. I have worked with artists from the US and all over Britain. I have also been approached but the new Iphone App Huurd.It to represent and be a part of the movement (Unfortunately I had an android). I am currently working with producers who have contacts with the ministry of sound, and the producer Quantify. I have also started my own collection of producers and music Engineers called The Kids In The Kornor with projects coming from all the artists.”

GITTA DE RIDDER – Mr Yesterday [starts: 38:11]
http://www.gittaderidder.com
Gitta de Ridder is a Dutch London-based singer­songwriter who moved to the UK in 2008. She has the ability to mesmerize and draw an audience into the magical world of her songs, a world full of feeling, warmth, kindness, honesty, joy and sadness. Her folk­pop songs with beautifully poetic but also conversational lyrics go straight to the heart and are performed on a bed of warm finger­picked guitar topped by a voice full of character and emotion. Mr Yesterday is her first promising single, with her debut EP ready to go and set to be released. She recorded the single with producer Jeremy Stacey (known for his work with Tom Baxter, Ethan Johns and many more) a very bare and stripped back track full of raw emotion marking only the start of what’s to come.

THE THIRD SPACE – Upside Down [starts: 41:32]
http://the-third-space.com/
The Third Space is a band from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK, comprising long-standing friends Hendrik “Henk” Kleinsmiede and Joe Farthing. Joe and Henk played in a band together back in the 1980s but like so many others, were forced to give up music in favour of real jobs, which they hold down still. But music has always played a large part in their respective lives…and friendship. Between them, Joe and Henk have been to see many bands and go to Glastonbury together most years (subject to availability of tickets!)

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME – Drunken Blues [starts: 44:02]
https://www.facebook.com/wearethebeautifulgame
The Beautiful Game are London based hard-dancing, funky rockers with attitude. Steve, Loz and Jason meet at school playing guitars at breaktimes singing Oasis covers. Paul and Neil joined the band in 2013. The new rhythm section has completed a band already with massive potential and they’re ready to take the world by storm! With a range of diverse influences from The Shamen to The Smiths, these boys will get you on your dancing feet however hard you are to please, no alibis needed. Currently drinking, writing, eating, gigging, drinking and recording. Promoting our latest material which is out on the normal retail outlets. You can get a taste of what’s to come.

MUTE SWIMMER – Orientation [starts: 47:18]
http://www.guydale.com
Mute Swimmer is the musical outlet of British artist Guy Dale. Stranded in Berlin during the Icelandic ash cloud of 2010 and unable to return to his job, Guy decided to quit and stay on. He recorded a handful of minimalistic lo-fi EPs before convening a band around the Mute Swimmer name consisting of Bernhard Bauch, Nicolai Schorr and Felix Koch. Dale has described their new LP SECO:ND variously “as an act of sabotage”, “a romantic tirade” and as “an earnest conceptual joke”. It was recorded in an outhouse off Berlin’s Karl-Marx Strasse in Neukoelln. Its existence is owed to the goodwill and support of many and it’s available via http://muteswimmer.bandcamp.com They have a string of live dates booked for mainland Europe (band and solo) throughout October and November. Offers for live shows/festivals and sessions in the UK in 2015 are welcome!

DAVE FIDLER – Easy Gone, Easy Come [starts: 50:53]
http://www.davefidler.com
Easy Gone, Easy Come is about the birth of Dave Fidler’s son and the loss of his father. This is the lead track from Dave’s debut album I’m Not Here produced by I Am Kloot’s John Bramwell (released 30th October 2014). Dave tells a story of life replacing life and the many situations that may unfold in front of a young boy growing up. Recorded on reel-to-reel tape and stripped back to guitar and vocals, I’m Not Here is an achingly beautiful debut album with earthy folk and blues roots. Catch Dave play live on a never ending UK tour with John Bramwell or at his album launch on 30th October at Manchester’s Whiskey Jar where the album will be available on limited edition white vinyl and CD.

COREY FOX-FARDELL – Truly Bloom [starts: 54:38]
http://www.coreyfoxfardell.co.uk/
“Music is becoming less and less about genre. It’s becoming harder to pinpoint a song’s specific sound” according to Corey Fox-Fardell, a 19-year-old Brit School graduate based in Kent. With influences ranging from John Martyn to Jose Gonzalez he has two self-written, self-performed, self-produced and self-released EPs under his belt. His songs have twice been made Record of the Week twice on BBC Introducing in Kent, while national support has come from Huw Stephens on Radio 1 and and Tom Robinson on 6 Music. He’s also secured a number of spots on the Caffè Nero store playlist, while his touring schedule gets busier by the day.

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.