Future Bubblers announce applications open for mentorship programme

04 July 2018 - Press release

Applications are open once again for Future Bubblers, as the artist mentorship programme looks ahead to another year. Started by London-based, BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Gilles Peterson, it’s a grassroots scheme to help nurture new artists. It complements Peterson’s independent record label Brownswood Recordings. Receiving support from Arts Council England, they invite applications for burgeoning, unsigned music makers. Open to anyone based in England, the applications are open from 2nd of July to 24th August 2018. 

With Gilles Peterson’s roots in underground, alternative music culture, the brief for new Future Bubblers is wide open. Previous years’ candidates include Nottingham grime MC Snowy; soulful, stripped back vocalist Yazmin Lacey; Hull’s sample-heavy experimenter Revenu; and the stark, rhythmic incursions of producer Kayla Painter. 

The successful Bubblers will be receive individual mentorship tailored to their needs — reflecting who they are, the music they make and where they want to be. Pairing each with an industry mentor, support ranges from one-to-one production workshops from premiere music software company, Ableton, to live Future Bubblers showcases, and — beyond the first year — long-term backing as they develop and grow. Above all, the goal is to help artists build their self-confidence and promote creative freedom without commercial pressures.

Current and past participants of Future Bubblers have achieved notable successes. Yazmin Lacey has been profiled in The Observer, supported Fatima at London’s Union Chapel, and signed a record deal with independent label First Word. Kayla Painter has been profiled in CRACK Magazine and had her new single supported on Amazing Radio, Bandcamp and BBC Introducing. Skinny Pelembe has signed to Brownswood, had his new single supported heavily on 6 Music, and was invited to fill in for Lauren Laverne on the 6 Music Recommends show. 

Submissions for new candidates are open from 2nd July to 24th August. Prospective candidates can enter their submission by heading to futurebubblers.com, or by going to a partner organisation in the focus city of Manchester — those can be found on the website under the “On Road” section.