Profiles

The White Labels is a new series of programmes on BBC Spotlight, BBC local radio and BBC Online, running this Spring.

It is presented by David White from BBC Radio Cornwall, who's been travelling throughout the South West during the six week broadcast.

Each week he's been showcasing an unsigned local band, hoping to make it.

Presenter David White

Spotlight caught up with each performer as they prepared for and played their gig.

A short set from each band can also be found on the BBC local websites for Devon, Cornwall, Jersey and Guernsey, together with some background information.

Then on Thursday evenings from 10pm, John Govier gives you the chance to hear more on his late show on your BBC local radio station.

The White Labels slot features two acts from Devon, two from Cornwall, and one each from Jersey and Guernsey.

Here's more on the two Devon acts:

JODIE JONES:

Jodie Jones, a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Uffculme, is unsigned and self-managed, yet has supported some major acts including Van Morrison, Roy Wood, Supergrass and Midge Ure.

Her song It's Like Love reached the Top Ten Winners of the BBC Talent Showcase in early 2006, and her independently released debut album All Dressed Up is now being played on all of clothes store Next's phone hold lines.

Jodie Jones

Jodie penned all 13 songs on All Dressed Up. She said: "A lot of the songs I write are like my diary, and I'm just being totally honest and saying what I'm feeling.

"I didn't leave these out of the album, I included them, which was quite vulnerable, but I wanted to just be honest and just be me. Another bunch of songs are story-songs, which are my favourite to write and perform, they're just so fun!"

Jodie began writing at school, though naturally her song-writing has matured in the years since. Recording her debut album from home and releasing independently was a brave step for Jodie.

"I always imagined bringing out my debut with a major record company. What can I say - I'm very ambitious! So it was quite humbling to have to say 'Okay, it doesn't look like these companies are interested in working with me yet, I'll have to do
it myself.'

"It was realistic, though. Not everyone gets successful overnight, but I would still love, one day, to be releasing my albums on a larger scale.

"A great thing about doing it solo, though, is that I get total creative control - from the artwork, to the song choice to the title of the album."

THE MICHAEL SYKES BAND

Singer-songwriter Michael Sykes grew up in the seaside town of Exmouth.

Michael Sykes performing live for The White Labels

He started his live music career as a drummer in several funk, rock, folk and jazz outfits in the surrounding area.

Michael created one of the most successful jam nights in Exmouth.

He supplied a variety of musical instruments together with a PA system so that musicians could just turn up and play.

It was at these jam nights that Michael would improvise and jam on drums with fellow musicians, also supporting other songwriters with his drumming skills.

At one of these events he first stepped out from behind his drums and sang one of his own songs, where he gained positive feedback on his rich, powerful voice and intimate, heartfelt song.

With this encouragement he continued to write, sing and develop as a singer-songwriter.

He has built his own home recording studio and has gathered experience in recording techniques, studio mixing and production as well as producing his own CD for the promotion of his work, using top session musicians.

He has had radio air play of his songs throughout England.

The Michael Sykes band itself formed relatively recently and can be described as multi-instrumentalist and very much percussion-led.