BBC Introducing

Proving that you don't always need a major record label behind you to create a buzz in the music scene, The Velvet Hearts have developed an ever-growing reputation thanks to videos posted on You Tube.

The Velvet Hearts are big on You Tube

They're now the biggest UK band on the site, with more subscribers to their channel than any other UK act - a fact that got them noticed by the national press.

With members from Bournemouth, and Yateley in Hampshire, Steve Jones from the band explained to BBC South:Live's Phil Jackson how the tracks on the web came to be there in the first place:

He says: "We started off putting stuff on You Tube initially to get some feedback for a new album, and it just kind of grew in a really short space of time."

"With Myspace, it tends to be bands marketing to other bands a lot more, but I wanted people who are actually going to buy our music to hear it. It's a bit of a cliche but it really is all about the music."

The Velvet Hearts formed in January 2007

The band have just returned from recording an album in Detroit, working with Grammy award winning producers (for work with Aretha Franklin) Harmonie Park.

South:Live

BBC Radio Solent's South:Live programme, every Sunday from 7pm, showcases the best in new and unsigned musical talent across the South. Demo CDs can be sent to:

South:Live
FAO Phil Jackson
BBC Broadcasting House
Brighton, East Sussex
BN1 3XB

More information on sending in a demo CD can be found on the South:Live website (link below).