On tonight's show: Porteous, Bridges and Bryde
PORTEOUS @porteousmusic
PORTEOUS (Ben Porteous) is a 21 year old artist, producer and songwriter based in London. With Jazz, Indie and Pop influences ranging from artists such as Jordan Rakei, Radiohead and Foals, Porteous brings a fresh and energetic style in his sound. He is a multi-instrumentalist known for his work as a performing musician on the UK scene, originally coming from Colchester in Essex. He burst onto the scene as an artist in the summer of 2019 with his debut single ‘Vibe with You’, following an interview with Tom Robinson airing on BBC 6 Music at the start of the year to promote the project. ‘Vibe with You’ was previewed on BBC Introducing Essex where the track was made ‘Producers Pick’! He has had further support from 6 Music, added to the Introducing mixtape with multiple singles. Porteous brings together a tight and impressive live act, mixing funky keys and his soulful vocals, with innovative pop songwriting and energetic musicianship. PORTEOUS’ debut EP ‘Above Water’ is out now on all streaming platforms, followed by his new single ‘Just Say Maybe’ a collaboration with Sebastian Mayor.
Bridges @bridgesofficial
Frontman Ethan's warm vocals instantly reminiscent of Frightened Rabbit's Scott Hutchison or Manchester Orchestra's Andy Hull, although it’s within the bands synergy where they really shine. The sound is melodic with thought provoking lyrics, following a mantra of honest writing that brings the stories to life. They are an outfit that values the importance of holding back so a moment connects, just as much as the release of crashing waves of synthesisers and distortion.
Bryde @brydeofficial
Bryde grew up in the Welsh seaside town of Milford Haven, and plunged straight into the world of music the moment she hit double-digits. “Musically, my influences were determined by what I could get my hands on CD-wise,” she says.
Many of Howells’ earliest gigs were played alongside band-mates in the four-piece JYLT. Early recordings were promising and the band had signed a record deal when tragically co-founder and vocalist Nia passed away from Leukaemia at the age of 20. Then, in 2008, Howells formed Paper Aeroplanes. The indie outfit quickly built up an ardent live following and released four albums.
When the duo decided on an indefinite hiatus, Howells says, it felt like the perfect time to step out alone under her solo moniker Bryde.
Bryde’s debut album ‘Like An Island’ followed in 2018. Touring extensively she playing alongside the likes of Rufus Wainwright, The Joy Formidable, and joining the bill at Dot to Dot, Green Man, Live At Leeds, The Great Escape, Latitude, Boardmasters, and 2000 Trees.
In the year after ‘Like An Island’s release, Howells explains. “I had my first real experience of emotional burnout and quite a paradigm shifting experience in terms of how I treat myself.” All of these paths led her to ‘The Volume of Things’. Written and recorded between London, and various friends’ studios in Berlin, Howells describes the record’s expansive feel as being like “the calm before the storm – before a new calm that I’m working towards.
On tonight's show: Polarized Eyes, HotWax and ĠENN
Polarized Eyes @polarized.eyes
Polarized Eyes gained national airplay with their first release, Storm, on Tom Robinson’s BBC Introducing Mixtape on 6Music when they were just 14 and 15. Subsequent tracks have gained stellar reviews and radio pla...
On tonight's show: Shaun O'Reilly, Vigilantes and Between Suns
Shaun O'Reilly @soreillymusic
Singer/songwriter (and now author) Shaun O'Reilly counts the likes of John Kennedy (Radio X), Lilian Smith (RTÉ Radio 1) & Gail Porter (Islington Radio) as his big supporters. With his third album in...
On tonight's show: Hongza, Phantom Isle and Sarpa Salpa
Hongza @hongzahongza
Behind the nickname ‘Hongza’ stands singer, songwriter Sam Hong who grew up in North London in a Vietnamese household where his pursuit of music as a profession has been frowned upon. However, being rejected by his inne...