Emily Pilbeam is a Leeds based DJ and, as host of BBC Music Introducing in West Yorkshire, is head scout and first team coach combined for new music in the city. You can listen to Emily’s show on Radio Leeds every Saturday from 8-10pm or whenever you like on the BBC Sounds app, and because football and music just make sense together, read her selections here in TSB.

(photograph of Emily is by Sam Nahirny @samnahirny)

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Who had a great 2022?

Sunflower Thieves

Sunflower Thieves are childhood friends Amy and Lily. They’ve been sending music to us at BBC Introducing in West Yorkshire for a few years, and 2022 was really special for them. Every track they sent our way was soaked in beauty, their harmonies gave me goosebumps every single time. Their EP Someone To Be There For is perfect to spin in the morning with a cuppa. (sunflowerthieves.bandcamp.com)

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Yard Act

You couldn’t go anywhere last year without hearing something about Yard Act — I couldn’t anyway! The four-piece post-punk band released their debut The Overload, getting to Number 2 in the UK Album Charts back in January, and after that they were everywhere! If you want fun, sarcy commentary on the political landscape and some sick bass riffs, Yard Act are for you. (yardactors.com)

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English Teacher

Another band having a big year last year was art-rock band English Teacher. Numerous spins on Radio 1 & 6 Music and touring non-stop — pretty successful I’d say. Their debut EP Polyawkward is a really clever piece of work. I’m very excited to see where they go next. (englishteacher.bandcamp.com)

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Who’s going to have a great 2023?

Dainty

Dainty, Dainty, Dainty. You know that Limmy meme where he says, ‘check out Daft Punk’s new single Get Lucky if you get the chance — sound of the summer’? Well, replace that with Dainty’s new single Without You. Genuinely. Sound of the Summer. (daintyrip.co.uk)

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Adult DVD

A band hailing from Leeds that I can’t stop bloody banging on about. Think LCD Soundsystem, think Soulwax, think synth-y bangers and that’s Adult DVD. (adultdvd.bandcamp.com)

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Dolores Forever

I love these two! Dolores Forever started sending music to us at the BBC Introducing uploader at the end of 2021, and since then people have been obsessing over them. They write the CATCHIEST indie-pop songs. I can see this lot doing very well over the next few years. (doloresforever.com)

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Coming up

Independent Venue Week kicks off from Monday 30th January to Sunday 5th February. IVW is in its tenth year, and is all about supporting grassroots venues and recognising what they do to support local music communities all year round. There are some ace gigs happening in Leeds: indie band Youth Sector are playing Oporto on Monday 30th and I will absolutely be there having a little dance. Also, our mates English Teacher are playing a show in association with us at BBC Introducing in West Yorkshire, that’s at Hebden Bridge Trades Club on 2nd Feb.

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A song for… Mateusz Klich

Meg Ward – Check My Beats. Meg is a DJ & producer from Pontefract and based in Leeds. I saw her play the BBC Introducing stage at Leeds Fest a couple of years ago and she absolutely smashed it. This track is Klich all over, a lil bit cheeky and, fundamentally, loads of fun. Producer Archie has also suggested Binge by Deadletter, a band supported by Introducing York & North Yorkshire, to honour Klichy’s Derby hangover.

(This article is free to read from TSB magazine 2022/23 issue 05. To buy paper copies or read more, click here) ⬢