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Six York bands to get national airplay on BBC Radio 1

@ in Entertainment

Championing our bands… BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens. Photograph: BBC / Ray Burmiston

Six artists and bands from in and around York will enjoy national airplay later this month.

They have been selected to appear on Huw Stephens’ evening music programme on BBC Radio One.

All the artists were selected by Jericho Keys, whose BBC Introducing show on Radio York champions the best in local music.

Jericho will present three packages on Huw’s show, which will run on consecutive nights between Monday (August 15) and Wednesday (August 17), between 10pm and 1am.

“I’m introducing all the bands in all three packages and giving a bit of back story on why these bands in particular deserve this national exposure,” Jericho told YorkMix.

“I think that BBC Introducing on Radio York plays a pivotal role in showcasing local talent.”

Meet the artists

Hello Operator

The Radio 1 slot is partly designed to promote success stories so “I knew there was only one place I could start to show off what we have in the city,” said Jericho.

“The Hello Operator lads, since having their first session with me two years ago, have appeared on the BBC Introducing stage, had one of their tunes as BBC Radio One track of the week and signed a record deal with Sony ATV.

“It’s safe to say that the undiscovered have been discovered!”

Beau

North Yorkshire singer songwriter Beau made it onto the same playlist not so long back, “and he has some big news to reveal soon as well so his name screamed out at me”.

Luuna

Jericho explains more.

They wanted to hear something new, fresh and innovative that hadn’t had any national exposure but I felt were more than worthy of it

That’s where Luuna, The Black Lagoons and the Young Urban Parasites came in.

Luuna are quickly becoming my favourite band from the county in 2016, it’s soothing, soulful, full of imagery and poetry… what’s not to like?

It’s a mix between Massive Attack, London Grammar and Radiohead.

The Black Lagoons

“The Black Lagoons and the Young Urban Parasites are in the same league together. Fast, aggressive, fuzzy and chaotic, something to definitely blow the cobwebs off.”

Young Urban Parasites

With players like the Black Lagoons and Young Urban Parasites, “hopefully the rest of the world will wake up and realise York is a serious music scene,” says Jericho.

Luke Saxton

Finally the Radio 1 team wanted a recommendation by someone in York who knows their music.

Jericho said:

I know Paul Lowman from The Inkwell is a serious music head and has his ear across all sorts and doesn’t like things just because they are deemed ‘trendy’ or ‘in’.

I knew I’d get an honest opinion from him when he recommended York 1960’s Beach Boy revival Luke Saxton. I was happy with that!

Household name

Jericho Keys. Photograph: Chloe Gaughan
Jericho Keys. Photograph: Chloe Gaughan

Jericho has promoted York bands on Radio 1 before. Does it make a difference?

“Like I said about Hello Operator, they signed their record deal and haven’t stopped gigging ever since. They’ve been playing festivals all over the county and this is just the beginning. 

“Billie Marten, who is a household name now, signed to a major record label, has just released her debut album – which was first heard on BBC Introducing with us.”

He said this showed the depth of talent in the area.

For me, it’s about encouraging the bands and artists that have got that little bit extra, they deserve the support and exposure.

Everyone can say they want to make a mark in the music game, but talking about it or actually making it happen with relentless gigging, writing timeless records is a different thing entirely. Lucky for us, we’ve got the latter.