This week’s free downloadable BBC Introducing Mixtape features handpicked tunes from the BBC Introducing Uploader by SAMUEL FORD, KING PORTER STOMP, ELLE MARY, GECKO, ACTOR, SALVATION BILL, McCARTHY VIGIL, THE BOOKSHOP BAND, THE KUBRICKS, MATTHEW THE OXX, ICENI, KNIGHTS, NANO KINO, DRUNK MULE, ALBERTEEN, KETO, SINNOBER and ALMA.

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 with information about the music that’s been provided by the artists themselves.

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 – and if your music is in thie week’s mixtape please see the important warning at the bottom of this page. These are the listings for the episode broadcast overnight on Sunday 24th May/Monday, 25th May at 2am.

SAMUEL FORD – Ballet [starts 00:17]
http://www.samuelfordofficial.com/
“Samuel Ford, a songwriter hailing from the medieval Sussex cinq port of Rye, intertwines immediate melodies and literate lyrics with intricate rhythms that soar from the darkest chasms to atmospheres of uplifting melancholy. Samuel embraces both acoustic and electronic sounds, and on his young shoulders there rests an older head singing, writing and performing for today and tomorrow. His first home-made record release The Storm was championed by several influential DJs and he’s currently preparing for his debut EP to be released (EP1) on the 28th June – around which he will be undertaking a series of UK performances as well as writing and recording.”

KING PORTER STOMP – This Way [starts 04:23]
http://kingporterstomp.co.uk/
“King Porter Stomp are a solid group of musicians and friend empowered by their desire to create unique new music. For the past 7 years they have been gathering momentum with their highly original blend of Afro, funk, reggae and hip hop.” Upcoming dates: Artisti in Piazza (Italy), Positive Vibrations Festival (Liverpool), Green Door Store (Brighton), Hootenanny (Brixton), Attic (Bristol), Glastonbury Festival, Plan d’eauu de la Naute (France), Boomtown Festival.

ELLE MARY – Falling [starts 08:18]
http://ellemarymusic.com/
“Drawn to the communicative and bonding qualities of folk but explorative beyond its stylistic connotations; enough of a pack member to want a band yet also keen to imbue a sense of solitude through her music, Elle Mary is an artist who operates best when balancing conflicting instincts. It’s what lies beneath the subtle tension that slightly tugs at the heart of her and The Bad Men’s acoustically-webbed slowcore minimalism. EP – Happiness release date: 29th May available on ellemarymusic.bandcamp.com.” Upcoming Shows: 15th June – Oporto – Leeds, 18th June – Strange Brew – Chorlton, 22nd June – Brothers Arms – Sheffield, 9th July – Power Lunches – London

GECKO – I’m A Grant Song [starts 12:05]
https://www.facebook.com/geckoband
“Gecko is a North London based singer songwriter. I’m A Grant Song is written from the perspective of an alternate-universe-downhearted-Grant-Mitchell from Eastenders who believes all the media coverage of immigrants is actually about I’m A Grants. Gecko has played alongside Ed Sheeran, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Beans on toast and appears at this year’s Glastonbury Festival (five times) as well as Bestival. Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, 6 Music’s Rob Da Bank & XFM’s John Kennedy are all supporters.”

ACTOR – Feline [starts 14:27]
https://www.facebook.com/whoisactor
“Actor is the alias of Louisa Osborn, collaborating Producer Chris Mulligan and Drummer Ste Anderson, who started writing their caustic and atmospheric alt-pop in a murky art space once home to a bomb factory in Leeds. Feline was born out of rage and disappointment at a man who suspiciously frequented shows of female fronted bands on the local gig scene, video camera in left hand, digital camera in right. A voyeur, who gave chills and a strange sense of dark wonder. That can now be presented in the form of a brooding vocal floating over a hypnotic back beat and rumbling bass. Catch Actor in London at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen on Wednesday 20th May.”

SALVATION BILL – London [starts 17:53]
http://www.salvationbill.co.uk
“After the release of his single FML last summer, Salvation Bill flew around the world… and has come back to release an EP of madcap electronic folk pop that brings to mind Nick Cave or Tom Waits with loops, synths and beats. The EP is called The Glamour’s Off and was released on 29th April on Idiot King Recordings. It’s the lyrics that delight, with a vengeful murder ballad about a neighbour’s dog, a tongue-in-cheek ode to our great nation’s capital city, and a swooning ode to an amoral extortionist! His live show is something of a local legend as well, as he whips up a looping frenzy of drums, electronics and wailing vocals around the traditional guitar-and-voice format. He’s shared the stage with Sleaford Mods and Gaz Coombes, as well as appearing at Truck, Wilderness and Are You Listening? festivals.”

McCARTHY VIGIL – Queen Second, Money First [starts 22:30]
https://www.facebook.com/mccarthyvigil
“McCarthy Vigil began playing instruments at the same time in the same room as one another in 2010. Because of this, Andrew Sutcliffe (Vocals/Guitar), Dave Oldfield (Guitar/Vocals), Jason Bagshaw (Guitar), Joe Robinson (Bass) and Chris Kellett (Drums), can make long smooth melodies penetrate your head gaps, whilst your body holes are pounded with syrupy rhythm seeds. They have played up and down the country to good strong crowds, in good strong venues with excellent support work both a reference to their support of other acts and the general construction of buildings being outstanding). They have much they want to show you in the future.”

THE BOOKSHOP BAND – Here In My Heart [starts 24:48]
http://www.thebookshopband.co.uk/
“The Bookshop Band grew out of a collaboration between an independent bookshop, Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath, and a group of songwriters, who wanted some live music as part of their author events in the shop. The band read the book of the visiting author and write a song (or two) in response to it, to be played to the author at the event. This song is inspired by a book called The Last Summer of Us by Maggie Harcourt, about three teenagers’ summer together on a road trip around Wales. The piano part, melody and a couple of the lines were written over 15 years ago but Ben finally found an outlet with this book to turn it into a full song (and is in fact the first piano song he’s actually finished!). The band has been writing book-inspired songs for about 4 years and are currently trying to catch up on a 100 song recording backlog, and hoping to find a way to sensible / ridiculous way to release them. Our first four albums (Complete Works – Year One) are available on our Bandcamp page.” Coming up: Recording 10 albums (help!), Hay Festival – 23rd May, 2.30pm on The Starlight Stage, Wilderness Festival – residency every day, 2.15pm – 3.15pm in The Fiction Tent. (7-9th August).

THE KUBRICKS – Self Help Wannabe [starts 28:50]
http://thekubricks.com
“Having developed an electric and hyperactive live set in London over the last few years, The Kubricks began putting on their own nights, Skallywags, at the famous Dublin Castle, Camden, before catching the attention of popular UK festivals. Their debut EP Wasters & Wannabes was a hit with Huey Morgan who featured the band on BBC Radio 2 whilst The Specials’ bassist, Horace Panter, championed the band claiming,”I can hear Madness, The Ruts, Squeeze and The Clash in there…” Amongst a busy schedule in 2014, The Kubricks supported UB40, The Toasters and Buster Shuffle. The band will continue to release new music this year and can be seen at the following festivals/venues: Brentwood Festival (Essex), Godiva Festival (Coventry), Fling Festival, Walthamstock, Bures Music Festival (all Essex), StowFiesta (Suffolk) and The Fiddler’s Elbow (London).”

MATTHEW THE OXX – Beyond The Gates [starts 31:24]
http://matthewtheoxx.com
“It really has been an amazing year at Oxx HQ so far, signing to Wild Sound Recordings and completing the album First Aid for the Drowning which was released on May 11. Recently Matthew The Oxx has played The Great Escape Festival as well as further afield in Edinburgh and Munich. He has been featured exclusively on both For Folk’s Sake and Folk Radio UK as well as receiving an array of excellent reviews for the album. Moving forwards Matthew has a couple more gigs as part of Brighton Festival, as well as a slot at Folk on the Water, plus is in discussion about appearing at Glastonbury so keep you eyes peeled!”

ICENI – The Drummer Song [starts 33:33]
http://www.icenimusic.net
“Newcastle-based purveyors of disco-infused power pop Iceni are a trio who run almost entirely on good vibrations, close harmonies, towering keyboard riffs and cups of tea. An outrageously tight live act, their thunderous optimism is garnering plaudits wherever they play . With a sound that veers somewhere between Ben Folds Five and The Eels via Hiam with a touch of Kate Bush, they intend to keep writing their anti-angst anthems until such time that medical science can re animate Freddie Mercury. Then they’re gonna join Queen. Meanwhile they have released an EP, played two live sessions for BBC Introducing, supported Jamie Cullum on tour, been featured in the Guardian, been shortlisted for Glastonbury’s emerging talent competition and played numerous festivals and events. They are currently recording their début album.”

KNIGHTS – Sidonie [starts 36:40]
http://www.knightsarehere.com/
“From the burbs of North London and inspired by true classic bands of the last 2 decades, Knights are ambitious boys simply armed with voice and guitar. Developing their songs over months & years, and honing a confident live performance, now the band is ready to share their work with the world. The songs range from a 90s LA throwback to soaring modern Biffy Clyro style melodies, and have already won over a following from live debuts. After the sleazy taster song Consequences comes heart-pounding first single Sidonie to illustrate the depth of the band’s appeal. Check out the videos guest appearance from friend/fan of the band, the one and only Mr Nick Hewer (The Apprentice). Knights are partnered with Brontone Management (Muse/Pulled Apart By Horses/Embers/New Build). The band appeared at the Great Escape festival 2015 on May 14th, and at London’s Water Rats Theatre on 20th May. The Sidonie Beer Mat Single was released on 18th May.”

NANO KINO – Bike Ride [starts 39:39]
http://nanokinoband.com/
“Nano Kino are Sarah Suri and Duncan Lloyd (of Maximo Park / Decade In Exile). They came together to write in 2012 after meeting through a mutual friend & discovering a shared love for the Cocteau Twins, Women, Life Without Buildings and late 80’s house music. Convening between two neighbouring cities in the North East of England Sarah (Sunderland) and Duncan (Newcastle) their songwriting has gathered momentum creating part biographic, part cryptic songs combined with Suri’s instinctive vocal delivery & Lloyd’s intuitively spacious guitars. Their songs journey from hypnotic rhythms to ethereal euphoria. Recently, local video maker and photographer Andy Martin has joined on bass and Tom English on drums.Their first single Never Seemed To Happen will be self released this summer on August 10th on limited 7” white vinyl. They have been selected to play Evolution Emerging (a festival of new North East talent) this weekend (23rd May) in Newcastle.”

DRUNK MULE – Hombre Soul [starts 42:14]
https://drunkmule.bandcamp.com
“Hombre Soul is the title tune off our 4th album” say Drunk Mule “and is available in no good record shops, but ye can get a wee free copy on oor Bandcamp page We’re currently writin’ & recordin’ oor 5th album, workin’ title Imperfect Harmony. About 8 tunes ready, lookin’ tae get it oot fir the summer!”

ALBERTEEN – We Are The Mods [starts 46:02]
http://www.alberteen.com
“Alberteen is: Ade Berry, John Rose, Phil Shaw and Gareth Warden. Alberteen return with their second album Miss World, produced by Mike Bennett (The Fall, Ian Brown) and released on 25 May via the band’s label Rhythm & Noir. The album is one of a theme, taking the listener around the landscapes and histories of the South-east coast, from the looming presence of Dungeness nuclear power station to the Margate mod riots of ’64 through to the MOD research site at Fort Halstead – via the many half-forgotten seaside towns inbetween. Even the album’s title, Miss World is a nod to Folkestone’s role in hosting the first international beauty contest in 1908 and to Derek Jarman’s film of the same name, while the album’s cover is a photograph of vintage nuclear equipment from Dungeness’ power station (taken by Kent-based photographer Nigel Green). Accompanying the album will be a specially designed app (for Android and iPhone) which guides the viewer through a virtual map of the Kent coast, soundtracked by the relevant Miss World album track and artworked with individual location photographs by aforementioned Kent artist Nigel Green. Miss World’ is out on 25 May. The album will be preceded by the single A French Connection, released 18 May. Alberteen play a full set in Rough Trade Records’ new Nottingham store on the release date May 25. More details here.”

KETO – Change [starts 49:31]
https://www.facebook.com/ketomusicuk
“Nottingham based musician Keto has been playing as a solo artist for a few years before forming a full 3-piece early last year. Taking her skeletal, fragile home recordings and working with the band in her homebuilt studio, Keto, the artist, has developed into an ongoing project of brooding and haunting soundscapes. She released her debut single Change in February on local tastemaker label Denizen recordings. To date she has supported many of Nottingham’s finest and has sang live with Sun Kil Moon and supported Lower Dens and Eaves. She has also found fans on the BBC’s introducing strand and with John Kennedy of XFM. Keto will be releasing her second single Dizzy in July.”

SINNOBER – Small Hour Eternal [starts 53:20]
http://www.sinnober.com.
“Sinnober are a Danish/British trio formed in 2014. The band’s sound is a mix of Alt-blues, country, folk and rock infused with 3-part vocal harmonies. Echoes of Laurel Canyon and British Folk-rock and pop of the late 60’s and early 70s. Sinnober self-released their debut album in January 2015, which is available to stream or buy on http://www.sinnober.bandcamp.com. They are currently gigging in the South West and working on their 2nd album. Upcoming dates and live videos on their offical homepage.”

ALMA – The Great Escape [starts 57:03]
https://www.facebook.com/almatheband
“Alma are a two piece band from London, UK. Formed by members from Codes In The Clouds and Monsters Build Mean Robots, Alma plays beautifully arranged, reflective soundscapes that are rich with imagery. Pianos, strings and falsetto vocals make up the bulk of The Great Escape, which all compliment each other perfectly.” Upcoming Shows: 2nd June 2015 – The Finsbury, London, 17th June 2015 – The George Tavern, London, 4th July 2015 – The Firebug, Leicester

ARTISTS…
After your music has been featured in the BBC Introducing Mixtape – or in our Fresh Faves here on the blog – please wait 12 weeks before sending us another tune, to leave us space to help other deserving artists. For more info see this blog post – thanks!

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