We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with BBC Music Introducing which will bring some of the most exciting new artists championed by the BBC’s DJs into our new studios to work with our engineers on two tracks ready for release.

For the last 11 years, BBC Music Introducing has led the industry in supporting unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar music from across the country. Their platform, which has over 470,000 tracks uploaded from 190,000 registered artists, opens opportunities for musicians to appear on BBC radio, television and online alongside the chance to perform at major festivals.

Many Introducing artists have gone on to enjoy major success, achieving No.1 albums and singles, such as Ed Sheeran and Florence + The Machine. Amazingly in 2017, 58% of the acts that performed at Reading + Leeds Festival initially uploaded their music to the BBC Music Introducing Uploader. Last November, Abbey Road joined BBC Introducing at #IntroducingLive, an event that gave thousands of aspiring musicians the chance to speak to experts in the industry. We hosted three days of demos and workshops covering studio essentials from recording to the ‘dark art’ of mastering.

James Stirling, Head of BBC Music & BBC Music Introducing, said: “For over a decade, BBC Music Introducing has supported and nurtured emerging UK artists, providing opportunities across BBC services and at UK and international events. We are very proud to team up with Abbey Road Studios to extend this support to one of the world’s iconic recording spaces.”

The music industry can be daunting and confusing for many musicians, so we’re thrilled to continue our journey with BBC Music on breaking these perceptions and helping emerging artists find their sound in the studio. Throughout 2019, four up-and-coming Introducing acts, chosen by BBC Radio DJs, will be given the opportunity to record, mix and master two tracks at Abbey Road Studios across three days. The tracks will be recorded and mixed in the Gatehouse and Front Room studios and mastered in one of our world class mastering suites. The artist’s final tracks will be played out to a national audience on the DJ’s radio show.

Mark Robertson, Abbey Road's Head of Brand & Marketing said “We’re fortunate to see many of the big names who came through BBC Introducing working at Abbey Road, from George Ezra and Florence to Slaves and Nao, so it’s great that our new studios offer an opportunity to welcome some of the new artists rated by BBC Introducing at a much earlier stage of their career.”

Huw Stephens holds down the 11pm-1am slot from Monday to Wednesday on Radio 1. His passion for discovering and championing new music was spotted when at 17 he joined Radio 1 for its Nations output to reflect the music scene in Wales. Stephens ran his own record label and writes regularly for various publications. He became a national presenter on Radio 1 as frontman of the OneMusic show in 2005. Huw also runs his own live music nights in London as well as hosting his weekly BBC Introducing Radio 1 podcast; more outlets for the new music he champions.

Huw Stephens has chosen Chappaqua Wrestling, as the first act to head to Abbey Road. Huw Stevens says “These sessions at Abbey Road will be very special. I've invited Chappaqua Wrestling down because they're one of the best new bands I've heard recently, they experiment and have huge melodies, and something interesting going on. I look forward to hearing what everyone records at the studios for BBC Music Introducing.”

Originally from Brighton and currently based in Manchester, the duo comprises childhood friends Charlie Woods and Jake MacLeod. They began writing together aged 14, and credit Steely Dan and the Beach Boys among their musical influences.

Chappaqua Wrestling say: “We are overwhelmed at being able to record in this historic space. There’s not much possible to add to the great CV of this studio already, but we’re ready to give it our best go. Big thanks to BBC Music Introducing and Huw Stephens for selecting us. We can’t wait to get started.”

“Having been on both sides of the fence as an artist and a DJ, I know how important having access to a recording studio is. It really doesn't get any more legendary than Abbey Road Studios, and I'm super excited to hear what our BBC Music Introducing artists create in their time there. Opportunities like this are once in a lifetime and could be life changing for the artists involved.”

London-born DJ Target has over 10 years’ experience in both DJing and producing, having played in almost every city across the UK, gaining support and appreciation throughout the country. DJ Target was part of the ground-breaking UK garage act, Pay As You Go, producing a top 20 hit with Champagne Dance in 2002. He is now part of one of the UK's best-selling and well-known urban acts, east-London collective Roll Deep, scoring two top 20 hits with Heartbreak Avenue and Shake A Leg. He has also worked with and produced many artists including Dizzee Rascal, Jamelia, Jermaine Dupri, Wiley, Boy Better Know and Kano.

Jo joined Radio 1 in the Spring of 1993 and in September she became permanent co-presenter of The Evening Session with Steve Lamacq. With Steve she regularly fronted live music events including the annual Sound City festival, Glastonbury and Phoenix.

Steve Lamacq says: “To record at the legendary Abbey Road studios is a dream for most musicians and it’s great that Introducing is providing new artists with that experience. I will be selecting a band to have their tracks recorded, mixed and mastered by top engineers with a wealth of experience, and I look forward to hearing what they come back with.”