NextGen Fund Round Nine Recipients

'Cold and Lilac' is a four-part narrative music project about vulnerability, love, naivety, hurt and healing. The four tracks will be released episodically, one at a time, to highlight the chronology of the pieces, while allowing each one a unique moment to breathe and distinguish itself in the digital sphere.

• Pronouns she/her

'Pupala' is an EP named after a queer tragic clown old film character. "It's a satirical ADHD playground picking at the scabs of our post-modernised generation. My cacophony of vocal fugues and polyphonic dialogism intertwined in genre-bent production performed as a theatrical production with upcycled costumes of sentimental garbage," Anman explains.

• Pronouns she/her

Unveiling a modern-folk/rock album with a striking visual identity, Aphra's project will dive into a seamless fusion of sound and story, where songs are accompanied by a captivating video narrative.

• Pronouns they/them

Jack Boynton will use the NextGen Fund to support his live music promotion project, Baccyj n Folio Productions. Operating out of Lancaster, Jack has built relationships with venues and artists in his local area, and hopes to attract established artists from large cities. The project will also act as a stepping stone for emerging artists.

• Pronouns he/him

Bruna will create her debut EP with support from the NextGen Fund, combining all the experiences and feelings surrounding her journey to becoming the woman she is today. Bruna really wants to explore different sounds, drawing from her culture and love for music.

• Pronouns she/her

'BRB' is a music project featuring four tracks, written about Chandi's experience of grief in her early twenties.

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DJ H4ZZA will create, release and promote a five track EP and accompanying video with the NextGen Fund. The project will be created to raise awareness of issues surrounding autism, LGBTQ+, mental health, inclusion and bullying, which are things DJ H4ZZA has lived experience of and feels very passionately about.

• Pronouns he/him

Eden's project is a six track EP centred around the queer and trans experience. "In the ever volatile political climate that we find ourselves in today, I aim to humanise myself and my trans siblings through the medium of music," they say.

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"Over the past year I feel like I have really developed and found my sound. But also over the past year, I entered my 20s, which I have hated and loved every second of. 20s are a weird, confusing but beautiful time and I have found writing has helped navigate it," Gabby says of the six-track EP she will create with the NextGen Fund.

• Pronouns she/her

Heather will record a six track EP of guitar duets, where each track is a collaboration with a different guitarist. By collaborating with some of Scotland's most virtuosic guitarists, who all differ in style, this project provides a learning opportunity, career development, and adds to Heather's online portfolio.

• Pronouns she/her

Helen's debut 4 track EP will be an indie rock record. The NextGen Fund will go towards the professional production of the project.

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Jade is starting grassroots underground music community called Listen+Learn, which offers DJ practice sessions for budding vinyl DJs, open decks opportunities and events all whilst doing peer-led research into how gentrification of boroughs can affect music-led events and how local authorities and traditional arts venues should help.

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Jessicadancemusic makes acid house, trance and techno. With the NextGen Fund, she will purchase production software, and DJ and production lessons.

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Joshua will work towards self-releasing a single, followed by an EP which showcases his original songs recorded from his home studio. 

• Pronouns he/him

KAP will produce a 5 track EP that shares the complexities and dynamics of troubled childhood, adulthood, family and relationships, from unconditional love to conflict and resolution. It will feature a bonus track with a live band version of one of the tracks.

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Lehi's project involves recording his debut EP and staging his first solo gig, supported by local artists. This will act as a launchpad Lehi's live performances. This experience will not only promote his music but also lay the foundation for organising future gigs, fostering a vibrant local music scene.

• Pronouns he/him

The project 'Elements Journey' will focus on releasing three singles that explore the different elements of Earth. Each single will be produced at home using 432Hz to create a distinctive auditory experience for the audience. The tracks will feature instruments recorded by local session musicians in a professional studio.

• Pronouns she/her

Lois' upcoming EP promises a poignant journey through nostalgia, self-discovery, and empowerment with five tracks that resonate deeply. Alongside her music, she initiates a community project empowering local women through music's transformative influence. This dual effort embodies Lois' artistic evolution and commitment to uplifting her community.

• Pronouns she/her

The focus of this project is to develop LXXV's live set/performance and sound quality of production. She will be working towards releasing new music, gaining more performance opportunities and creating content to boost her following locally, online and throughout the industry.

• Pronouns she/her

'Miwsli' will be Mali's first album, with the NextGen Fund supporting the third pre-release single, 'Muse'. It will be a bilingual album, in both English and Welsh.

• Pronouns she/her

The NextGen Fund will facilitate the release of two singles, "Iron Out" and "Fairweather". The funding would primarily go towards final production costs, with a portion also directed towards artwork and promotion. The singles will be released in spring 2025.

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Marshall will use the funding to release his debut single by means of performances and also to facilitate the building of a website / portfolio for himself as an artist and sound engineer.

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Matilda will use the funding to record fourt Indie/Pop singles, which will accumulate into an EP. She then plans rehearsal time, followed by a tour across the UK (Birmingham, London and Manchester) with session musicians.

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MINA's project is called 'Nomad', an alt-pop narrative that follows the character of Nomad, a naïve, half-sea, half-human creature. After entering London, she falls dangerously in love with the destructive God of London, and the following five songs follow that journey of finding her identity despite adversity.

• Pronouns she/her

Megs' six track EP, 'Soundscape' is a culmination of her musical journey, exploring different facets of her personality. With demos ready, Megs will use the funding for studio time, mastering and promotion to bring her introspective soundscape to life.

• Pronouns she/her

NE-O is creating a self-produced 5-track EP with the aim of exploring new creative heights. This project will showcase his artistic development and help establish his presence in the music industry. Funding will support production quality, marketing, and distribution to reach a broader audience.

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NO-EL will create a four track debut liquid Drum & Bass EP. Every three months, a new track will be released alongside a live performance. This project will provide an introduction into the Drum & Bass scene and help develop NO-EL's sound as an artist.

• Pronouns he/him

This project will aid in establishing Raivo as a multidisciplinary artist and will build their audience. They will produce and release a mixtape, create visuals with their experience as a photographer and filmmaker, and strengthen themselves as a well-rounded producer through mixing and mastering lessons through their local studio.

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Redz will use the funding to create an open cypher, 4EVA DBZ EVENT, a platform for upcoming musicians and artists in the London arts scene. He aims to lead two events at Rich Mix, and will call upon his links to many artists from different collectives like Tileyard and Wired4Music.

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Safii's project is a self-produced EP titled, 'INERTIA'. It has already been recorded and outsourced for mastering. She will be creating the artwork for merch and undertake the marketing and promotion herself. A music video is in the works.

• Pronouns she/her

Tee wants to create a artist-fan experience called VIP-eters that turns people into superfans using direct communication, music-themed events, email and social media content. This project will be supported by a Assistant Content Producer and all driven by music releases from an album called 'Confidence'.

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TEEDEMBA is on a mission to alter the way art is received. 'Only One' is an all-encompassing visual kaleidoscope which paints stories of emotion. Stepping into the public to create positive bonds and connections using not just music for the ears, but the feel, touch and experience people take away.

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Jack Coleman's 'Open > Project' is an open mic for the new wave of bedroom producers to take their music to live audiences and meet their peers and network, whilst gaining live music performance and crucial feedback about their work. This, whilst platforming underrepresented music and groups within the Kent grassroots scene.

• Pronouns they/them