London has arguably the best music scene around, with thousands of talented musicians emerging every day, most of which are unsigned acts waiting for their big break.

Unsigned Friday brings you the very best unsigned music artists from around the capital, as well as giving these acts a platform to promote their music.

This week, getwestlondon 's Emily Chudy caught up with sensual "opioid-jazz" collective, Bouche.

Fronted by singer and double bass player Rebekah Bouche, the band have been playing music for about two years, and are releasing their debut album So Long Solemn on Friday (April 15).

Bouche said: "The songs are very much lyric-led, and then the music varies massively depending on the story in the words. There are elements of all kinds of things in there; jazz, blues, rock, hymns, classical, soul, and the style changes even within songs.

"Inspiration comes from everywhere, and again I tend to think about these things in terms of how, as an artist you're the sum total of everything you've seen and heard, and been through. It's difficult to determine exactly what has rubbed off, and in what way.

"At the moment as we're working on the video and other visual elements of this album, and on our launch show, I'm particularly obsessed with David Byrne and Talking Heads. I've loved his music for a long time, but Stop Making Sense (their 1984 concert film) is the best gig I've ever seen, and I wasn't even there. That's an amazing feat for a band."

The new album has been funded by a Kickstarter campaign that raised over £3,500 through fans and supporters.

Bouche said: "So Long Solemn is our first album - it's kind of a meditation on melancholy as the title suggests, but I'd hope it's also cathartic. It's about that idea of confronting certain feelings or times in your life, and getting as far deep down inside it all as you can, and then being able to leave it behind. That's certainly what the process of making it was.

"Our music has a lot of space in it - it's my vocal and double bass, with electric guitar and trumpet, and it all moves really slowly, so there's space for the listener to think within it, and to breathe with it, and with us.

"Some of the songs have an almost cinematic quality, and a lot of it is extremely fragile - it's very emotional basically, and vulnerable. It's definitely music to be alone with, and I hope, to get lost in."

Bouche said: "We raised part of the funds for it through a Kickstarter back in August last year which, apart from the actual fundraising, is a great thing to do as an artist because it lets you know that people actually want to hear what you're making, and that they trust you. We went way over our target too, so that was fantastic.

"But for anyone who missed it the campaign you can still pre-order the album through our website , which means you get it as soon as it comes out and it also helps us keep doing what we're doing, so it's a great way to buy music and support unsigned artists."

Intense, sensory live show

The band have already played music worldwide, including Italy, Germany, and UK festivals including Secret Garden Party. Bouche will be celebrating their album launch show right here in the Capital this April.

Bouche said: "Our main focus right now is our London album launch show in Dalston on April 21. It's in an old Victorian ballroom and we'll be playing the album as a single-set hour-and-a-half long concert, with lighting, projections, dancers and guest musicians.

"It's music to be alone with and so the challenge for us is creating an atmosphere in which people can be alone with the music even in the middle of a crowd.

"We're ramping up the intensity and the sensory experience, and the 'show' will begin for people the moment they walk in the door. It will be, if nothing else, an adventure!"

Bouche said: "The goal for me will always be to express what's inside of me, and to give what I make to people to whom it's meaningful, in some way. I want to keep making music, keep playing for the people who like what we're doing and to new audiences, and to keep collaborating with other artists.

"However the future works out and whatever that all looks like, if we can continue to write, play and make beautiful things then I'll be happy."

A reviewer for Indie Minded said: "Lead by singer/ double bassist Rebekah Bouche, emerging from behind the alt-jazz world, Rebekah and some other incredible musicians involved make tones that are sultry yet melancholy like somewhere between Billie Holiday and Joanna Newsom."

Upcoming shows in London

  • Thursday April 21: Dalston Boys Club, 68 Boleyn Road, Dalston, N16 8JG - www.dalstonboysclub.com

  • Thursday May 19: Royal Inn on the Park, 111 Lauriston Road, Hackney, E9 7HJ - 020 8985 3321

  • Saturday May 28: Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, Islington, N1 2UN - 020 7226 1686

For more information about Bouche, please visit their website , like them on Facebook , or follow them on Twitter @BoucheMusic .

If you'd like to be featured in Unsigned Friday please email emily.chudy@trinitymirror.com .