SoCo Music Project chosen as official partner as Gilles Peterson-backed Future Bubblers project announce third year of programme supporting unsigned musicians.
Southampton and Liverpool chosen as new focus cities New round of applications opens on 3rd July
Future Bubblers have announced details of the third year of their England-wide talent development programme. Started by London-based, BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Gilles Peterson, it’s a grassroots scheme which complements his independent record label Brownswood Recordings (who are currently celebrating their tenth birthday). Receiving support from Arts Council England, their goal is to develop unsigned talent and build new audiences for leftfield, boundary-pushing music.
Following Year 2’s two focus cities of Hull and Sheffield, Year 3 sees the focus shifted to Liverpool and Southampton. The team’s logic behind the focus cities is simple: the more opportunities there are for local, open-minded music makers, the more that alternative, experimental music culture will flourish in those areas. Tapping into those vital local networks (including with partner organisations, listed below), there will be a year-long programme of events and opportunities. For example, the return of popular staples the Future Bubblers Block Party—with their free-for-all daytime admis- sions policy, it’s a way of removing barriers to experiencing new music.
The other side of the programme is providing individual support for unsigned musicians. With sub- missions open to any new artists in England, successful candidates are offered a whole range of support. Pairing each with an industry mentor, it ranges from one-to-one production workshops from premiere music software company, Ableton, live Future Bubblers showcases, and — beyond this year — long-term backing as they develop and grow.
With Gilles Peterson’s roots in underground, alternative music culture, the brief for new Future Bubblers is undoubtedly wide open. Previous years’ candidates include Nottingham grime MC Snowy, Hull’s sample-heavy ambient experimenter Revenu and soulful, stripped back singer Yazmin Lacey. As their website makes clear, “Future Bubblers is all about things outside of the box — musically.”
Matt Salvage, Director of SoCo Music Project said “There’s so much talent in the city, and it’s not all visible. Future Bubblers is all about bringing that talent to the forefront, supporting artists and taking them to the next level.”
Submissions for new candidates are open from 3rd July to 18th August. Prospective candidates can enter their submission by heading to futurebubblers.com, or by going to a partner organisation in one of the two focus cities.
The partner organisations for Southampton are:
SoCo Music Project
SoCo Music Project has been delivering engaging and inspirational music making activities in Southampton and Hampshire since 2008. We believe everyone has the right to take part in music making, no matter what your ability, age, background or circumstances. At SoCo we are passionate about changing lives through music… our positive and creative opportunities help people discover something new, learn new skills and nurture their creative potential.
Newtown Youth Centre
In May 2015, the YMCA Youth & Community Centre re-opened providing a community hub for the area, with services for both the community and agencies across a range of ages. There centre is a hub of lots of emerging musical activity.
For more information, please contact:
Jake Hulyer | Communications Manager, Brownswood Recordings
