the bedford

"How I came to this music I grew up in Betroka, a town in the central southern part of Madagascar. My full name is Modeste Hugues Randramahitasoa but I stick to Hugues because it's shorter. The music I play is unique to the Betroka region of Madagascar where it's influenced by all the traditional sounds of the area together with some softer South African dance rhythms. Though my mother sings and an uncle of mine played the accordion, I didn't start to play until I was about 15 years old. A neighbour played the guitar and I loved the sounds so much that I borrowed his and taught myself.

This vocal powerhouse from Belfast has really caught the attention of thousands of avid music lovers over the past few years. From a massive landslide win at the Coca-Cola all Ireland music finals in Belfast

Bec Sandridge is a singer/songwriter based in Stanwell Park in the Northern Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. She originally began her musical career as one half of the group Mad Polly, playing lead guitar, before taking it upon herself to pursue a solo career after the band went on hiatus. Her debut 3-track EP, What Was Left, was released in early 2011. This is set to be followed by the release of Lyons and Bees in 2012.