Andrew Marston introduces Artstar (Hereford)

The members of the Hereford group Artstar have a huge pedigree of projects they've all been involved with - whether that's Incident Support Unit, Derailed, the Remi Harris collective, Blue Coma and The Pink Traffic band - and have formed out of a mutual love of listening to bands such as PJ Harvey and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
 
All of our live studio sessions and festival gigs since 2005...

Herefordshire's own Ellie Goulding won Best British Female at this week's BRIT Awards. 
 
After performing at many prestigious places, including the reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, Ellie once again took to the stage - but this time, to collect the first prize of the night.
 
She was nominated for five awards, more than any other act.
 
Her trophy, presented by singer Prince, comes four years after she was named the Critics' Choice.
 
Watch her interview from the red carpet...

A Worcester teenage folk trio just missed out on scooping the top prize at this year's National Folk Awards at the Royal Albert Hall.
  
Granny's Attic, which is made up of three schoolmates from Bishop Perowne CofE Performing Arts College, were one of four bands to be nominated for the Young Folk Award.
 
The three-piece were chosen to play at the ceremony after an insense performing weekend with 10 other bands in Kendal, Cumbria.
 
More success stories from Herefordshire & Worcestershire...

This month's sessions were recorded in the rural surrounds of The Hatch studios near Tenbury Wells.
 
It was our second time recording at the venue - which also doubles up as a live venue.
 
A number of albums have been produced there - and in many instances - the artists play the tracks from the forthcoming release at the launch night, and the actual performance is what's recorded!

This week, Andy O'Hare reviews:

• Tyler Massey, Mark Miliczic, Dave Young, Julie July and Rhythmtrees Baz, Matt Woosey & The Pull at West Malvern Social Club.
• Jenny Hallam, Kim Rydr, Rob Murray-Mason, Enzo & Ian McRae at The Great Malvern Hotel.

• We've heard about celebrities throwing TVs out of hotel windows, but this week in the papers we hear about the Frank Sinatra tribute who smashed up an indian restaurant in Droitwich.
• The lead singer's from our area - but the rest of the band come from all over Europe. They're former winners of BBC Radio 2's Folk Band Of The Year - find out about their homecoming gig in this week's gig guide.

BBC Introducing in Hereford & Worcester supports unsigned, undiscovered and under-the-radar musicians from Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
 
Since 2011, we've been taking the show out on-the-road showcasing the very best musicians from our two counties.
 
Our next recording session takes place on Sunday 2 March at Ledbury's Market Theatre and features five acts who we've been playing on BBC Hereford & Worcester.
 
It's free to get in - and this is your chance to see how we capture live music on tape, while being able to enjoy some of the hottest new acts we've got in our area right now.
 
None of these artists knew they were being considered for a live session - they were chosen based on the tracks they uploaded to us.
 
Doors open at 2pm - but you're more than welcome to turn up anytime until 7pm.
 
Meet some of our local musicians...

If you're a budding solo artist, an MC, or just started a brand new band then you should check out BBC Introducing Musicians' Masterclasses.

On Thursday 21 March, we visited various locations across the UK - Glasgow, Belfast, London, Salford & Cardiff. DJs from all over BBC Radio, music industry experts and artists got together to host a day of sessions, workshops and masterclasses.

On the guestlist at Maida Vale were Worcester's Shaun Williams, Malvern's 5parks, Bromyard's Tenz, Droitwich's Case Closed and Bewdley's Barbarix.

Invited to Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff were Hereford's Daniel & The Scandals, Kidderminster's Lauren Wright and man-of-many-Worcester-bands Pete Adams.

We covered everything from song writing & MC workshops to promoting your music & making the most of your Twitter accounts.

We also heard from successful artists about their own musical journeys. Our special guests included Ben Howard, Aluna George, Wretch 32, Devlin, Angel, Japanese Popstars, Phil Kieran, Badly Drawn Boy and the Manic Street Preachers.

• How do you make those first steps as an ambitious musician aiming for the top? This week, we hear from singer songwriter Joel Cole Pepper about his advice for up-and-coming artists.
   
  More from the Masterclasses...