For this week’s playlist, we’ve asked our pals over at the PRS for Music Foundation to let us in on some of their favourite artists and songwriters.
Over its formidable 14 year history, the Foundation has supported many of the UK’s most innovative musicians and songwriters across every possible genre.
Among the projects that have been keeping executive director Vanessa Reed and her team busy over the years include the groundbreaking Momentum Music Fund, in conjunction with Arts Council England and Deezer, and the ambitious New Music Biennial initiative.
The Foundation has also offered a lifeline for female creators through its long-running Women Make Music initiative, which has supported a diverse range of composers, from Sally Beamish to Mira Calix to Tansy Davies.
But the charity's focus hasn't been limited to just these shores - the team has funded loads of UK acts to attend international showcases, while the quirky Musicians in Residence programme has sent a score of composers to China over the last couple of years to work with local musicians and immerse themselves in the culture.
With all this going on, we pick the team's brains to learn about the acts that are getting them all in a tizz at the moment…
Vanessa Reed, executive director
LoneLady: Groove It Out
We’ve been busy moving office – what better track to pack boxes too? LoneLady, aka Julie Campbell, (pictured above) is a big talent from Manchester funded by Women Make Music in 2012 – also a fan of post-industrial ruinscape, brutalist architecture and psycho-geography.
Louis Vincent, grants and communications apprentice
One Bit: Cold
A fun, bouncy track by Momentum funded One Bit (as featured on BBC radio) soon to hit the club scene! A must listen for any house music fan.
Hacktivist: False Idols
How many strings?! The heavy hitting first single from their upcoming debut album, as funded by PRS for Music Foundation. If you fancy breaking something, I suggest giving them a listen!
Flora Ward, administrator
East India Youth: Dripping Down
The vocal line in this is really great and I love what he does with the production. The rest of the Mercury-nominated album Total Strife Forever is brilliant too. And if you’re looking for someone entertaining to follow on Twitter, he’s your man.
Joe Timlin, grants coordinator
Melt Yourself Down: Fix My Life
One of the most exciting and energetic tracks submitted in support of an application to PRS for Music Foundation and watching their amazing performance at Village Underground earlier this week has put it to the top of my playlist again.
Fear of Men: Descent
A personal favourite from our recent round of Momentum artists who write the kind of jangly dream-pop I’ll never tire of.
Joe Frankland, industry fund manager
Spring King: Demons
Just as I managed to shift previous single and BBC Radio 1 favourite Mumma from my head, Manchester five-piece Spring King have returned with a darker but equally pleasing new track. A funded showcase at CMJ has those in the States excited to hear more too.
Liam McMahon, communications manager
JAWS: Gold
Amazing track by Momentum funded Birmingham band Jaws, which blew the crowd away at the Momentum Showcase at Great Escape earlier this year.
Woman’s Hour: Conversations
Uber-slick pop from the Kendal fourpiece who have risen through the ranks in 2014. Recent Momentum funding has helped promote their incredible album to the masses.
Fiona Harvey, senior manager, operations
Imogen Heap: Xizi She Knows
Imogen wrote this poignant pop track while in China as part of the Musician in Residence programme PRS for Music Foundation run with British Council. The track also has a brilliant video which was shot in Hangzhou.
PRS for Music Foundation's next funding deadline is on 17 November 2014 for the Steve Reid InNOVAtion Award, which is offering unsigned artists the opportunity to win a bursary and expert mentorship. Learn more and apply: http://prsformusicfoundation.com/Funding/stevereidaward
Over its formidable 14 year history, the Foundation has supported many of the UK’s most innovative musicians and songwriters across every possible genre.
Among the projects that have been keeping executive director Vanessa Reed and her team busy over the years include the groundbreaking Momentum Music Fund, in conjunction with Arts Council England and Deezer, and the ambitious New Music Biennial initiative.
The Foundation has also offered a lifeline for female creators through its long-running Women Make Music initiative, which has supported a diverse range of composers, from Sally Beamish to Mira Calix to Tansy Davies.
But the charity's focus hasn't been limited to just these shores - the team has funded loads of UK acts to attend international showcases, while the quirky Musicians in Residence programme has sent a score of composers to China over the last couple of years to work with local musicians and immerse themselves in the culture.
With all this going on, we pick the team's brains to learn about the acts that are getting them all in a tizz at the moment…
Vanessa Reed, executive director
LoneLady: Groove It Out
We’ve been busy moving office – what better track to pack boxes too? LoneLady, aka Julie Campbell, (pictured above) is a big talent from Manchester funded by Women Make Music in 2012 – also a fan of post-industrial ruinscape, brutalist architecture and psycho-geography.
Louis Vincent, grants and communications apprentice
One Bit: Cold
A fun, bouncy track by Momentum funded One Bit (as featured on BBC radio) soon to hit the club scene! A must listen for any house music fan.
Hacktivist: False Idols
How many strings?! The heavy hitting first single from their upcoming debut album, as funded by PRS for Music Foundation. If you fancy breaking something, I suggest giving them a listen!
Flora Ward, administrator
East India Youth: Dripping Down
The vocal line in this is really great and I love what he does with the production. The rest of the Mercury-nominated album Total Strife Forever is brilliant too. And if you’re looking for someone entertaining to follow on Twitter, he’s your man.
Joe Timlin, grants coordinator
Melt Yourself Down: Fix My Life
One of the most exciting and energetic tracks submitted in support of an application to PRS for Music Foundation and watching their amazing performance at Village Underground earlier this week has put it to the top of my playlist again.
Fear of Men: Descent
A personal favourite from our recent round of Momentum artists who write the kind of jangly dream-pop I’ll never tire of.
Joe Frankland, industry fund manager
Spring King: Demons
Just as I managed to shift previous single and BBC Radio 1 favourite Mumma from my head, Manchester five-piece Spring King have returned with a darker but equally pleasing new track. A funded showcase at CMJ has those in the States excited to hear more too.
Liam McMahon, communications manager
JAWS: Gold
Amazing track by Momentum funded Birmingham band Jaws, which blew the crowd away at the Momentum Showcase at Great Escape earlier this year.
Woman’s Hour: Conversations
Uber-slick pop from the Kendal fourpiece who have risen through the ranks in 2014. Recent Momentum funding has helped promote their incredible album to the masses.
Fiona Harvey, senior manager, operations
Imogen Heap: Xizi She Knows
Imogen wrote this poignant pop track while in China as part of the Musician in Residence programme PRS for Music Foundation run with British Council. The track also has a brilliant video which was shot in Hangzhou.
PRS for Music Foundation's next funding deadline is on 17 November 2014 for the Steve Reid InNOVAtion Award, which is offering unsigned artists the opportunity to win a bursary and expert mentorship. Learn more and apply: http://prsformusicfoundation.com/Funding/stevereidaward
