Big changes to BBC Introducing in Kent Show!
BBC Introducing in Kent DJ Abbie McCarthy reveals that the iconic show will now extend to TWO HOURS!
Abbie McCarthy
So, this is a huge step for BBC Introducing in Kent, how did it come about?
AM: Definitely, I'm so excited about the longer show, more time for me to mess about! And, more importantly, play plenty more amazing brand new music from our county.
During the lockdown period I was given an extra BBC Introducing show on BBC Radio Kent (1 hour on a Monday night) and the reaction from listeners has been so fantastic that the bosses have agreed to extend our show when we return back to Saturday nights!
Will the format be changing at all, or is it going to be just more jam packed of new music?
AM: Definitely a lot more music! The very best from across all genres, as usual. Plus, more album listening parties, in-depth interviews, special live sessions, killer freestyles and cyphers, huge guest mixes and we're introducing some new features, too.
One is called Industry Insight, I'll be chatting to an influential figure in the music industry to find out more about their role and getting them to drop some pearls of wisdom, which is going to be super useful for people wanting to work in music and for new acts trying to break through, too.
We also have Popstar Answerphone, which you can probably guess, is friends and acts from the show leaving us fun messages, filling us in on what they've been up to! There's also some other ideas we're cooking up but I don't wanna give too much away...
This will surely mean a lot for the up and coming artists in Kent, with more chance of exposure?
AM: Absolutely! We get sent a LOT of music, sometimes a few hundred new uploads a week so it's going to be great to have more time now to showcase the exciting new artists coming through.
For anyone reading this that hasn't yet uploaded, do it! bbc.co.uk/introducing is the place to go to.
You obviously speak to those overseeing BBC Introducing nationally and in other counties, where does Kent figure in the league table of producing new talent?
AM: I'd have to say it's number 1!! I really am so proud of our Kent scene, I think it's in the best shape it's ever been in. It's so brilliantly diverse, there's been an incredible dance movement over the last few years, there are so many awesome guitar bands, lots of new names in the rap world coming through, and so much more - I consider myself very lucky to be able to share all of this with people via the radio every weekend.
Anyway! enough of me bigging up the scene and the show because the music is speaking for itself and is clearly really connecting with people! We've currently got two bands from Kent on the Radio 1 playlist with Sports Team and Sea Girls on heavy rotation. Sports Team were also on the 6Music playlist, along with the very talented Falle Nioke. Josie Man who's we've supported from day one just had her latest song premiered by Annie Mac, there's so many examples I could give you! The Kent scene really is the best and that's why I'm all about the hashtag #KentTouchThis.
Do you have a favourite moment of your time on the show so far?
AM: Ah there's loads! It's always so special hearing something on the uploader and being blown away by it, then sharing it on the radio for the very first time.
A real personal highlight for me was at the start of March when I was awarded Silver for Best Music Presenter at the ARIAs (sort of like the radio industry's Oscars). It was such an honour and myself and the team had a really fun, drunken night celebrating that!
We have seen Sports Team blow up in recent months having been on the show and appearing live at your events in the past, do you have any other 'ones to watch' for the rest of 2020?
AM: Just last week Sports Team were battling it out with Lady Gaga for a No.1 album; absolute scenes! It's been ace to watch the rise of that band over the last few years.
Other acts people should definitely get to know are Youth Sector, they have so many riffy indie bangers that band! Josie Man is gonna blow up this year I think, she makes perfect pop music in my opinion. Really excited about Rebecca Garton, too, if you're into R & B, she's your girl, she makes bops! Also, add this lot to your playlists: Cam Wild, Lady Bird, AlphaLove, Alice Chater and Parx.