SOAK makes the longlist for the BBC's Sound Of 2015

SOAK, aka Bridie Monds-Watson from Derry/Londonderry has made the 15 music act longlist of the best and brightest new acts for 2015, compiled by a panel of DJs, critics and broadcasters.

"It took me a week or so to learn how to deal with it and for my mum to calm down,” she told BBC Radio Foyle." I signed a record deal and things just went up a notch…To be on the longlist is massive in itself. It would be incredible if I won, but that's not important at the minute. I'm just so happy to be on the list."

A long-time featured artists on Across the Line, she played the BBC Introducing stage when Radio 1’s Big Weekend came to Derry/Londonderry in 2013, and also caught the attention of CHVRCHES, who signed her as the first act on their singles label Goodbye Records.

The BBC invited her back to play at Glastonbury 2014, and since then she’s toured with George Ezra, and Tegan & Sara, and signed a deal to release her debut album via Rough Trade Records.

The longlist for the BBC's Sound of 2015 is:

James Bay

George The Poet

Kwabs

Lapsley

Rae Morris

Novelist

Raury

Shamir

Shura

Slaves

Soak

Stormzy

Sunset Sons

Wolf Alice

Years & Years