Every year, a handful of music acts are chosen as the lucky recipients of Momentum Funding, a grant supported by Deezer, the Music Foundation, and Arts Council England designed to help a band or musical act break through to the next level of their career. Funding amounts range from $7,500 to $22,500 and can be spent on touring, marketing and recording fees.
The Momentum Funding recipients of 2015 have been selected, so if you’d like a sneak peek at the bands that are going to be blowing up your radio stations and music festivals this year, read on.
We Were Evergreen
Coming off a big 2014 that saw the release of their debut album Towards, it looks like this trio from Paris (now based in London) are going to continue their steady march towards electro-pop domination. We Were Evergreen have been grinding along in the festival circuit for over four years now. They’re already known for their playful, joie de vivre-laden tracks and image, and the boost from Momentum Funding is only going to raise their profile on the world stage.
LoneLady
Born Julie Ann Campbell, LoneLady’s stage name is perhaps based on the fact that she has so many musical talents she really doesn’t seem to need anyone else. LoneLady is a Manchester musician who, in addition to singing, plays the drums, sampler, synth and cello, writes her own songs and produces her own albums. Her last release was 2010’s Nerve Up, an album praised for its wonderful skittishness and contagious energy. Here’s hoping the Momentum Funding means another album from LoneLady.
Adult Jazz
Named one of Stereogum’s bands to watch in 2014, Adult Jazz wowed with their debut album Gist Is and seem intent on leaving their supply teacher day jobs behind in favor of a full-time career in music. At the time of their Stereogum anointment, the quartet that makes up Adult Jazz didn’t even have a touring van and stated that they would love to tour the US but didn’t have the cash to do it. While Momentum Funding may not be able to finance a full US tour, it should help this eclectic group get a foothold in the market that they will surely be taking over in the years to come.
MONEY
Many sources list MONEY as a dystopian choral band, but we’ll go ahead and call then an alternative rock group from Manchester. Having formed in 2011, MONEY have been hustling ever since, with their debut studio album A Shadow of Heaven released in 2012 in the UK and in 2014 in the US and Canada. MONEY embarked on a UK tour following their album release and did a small tour of the States in 2014.