The music of unsigned Bradford bands has been winging its way across the Atlantic to a major music conference, thanks to a project showcasing regional acts.

More than 1,000 copies of compilation album Bradford Unsigned, featuring tracks by 11 different Bradford bands, were distributed at the recent South by South West (SXSW) international music conference in Austin, Texas.

The CD - which includes tracks by Shipley singer Laura Groves and Bradford bands This Et Al, Analog Bombs, Neesh, Harmacy, Rent and Imani Nia from former Bradford ska/reggae outfit Real Eyez - was created with the support of Bradford Council's Theatres, Arts and Festivals, which has received funding from the Cultural Consortium's allocation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

The album is the latest offering from fiery music promoter the Timeless Music Project. Other plans include the creation of a Bradford Unsigned page for local bands on MySpace, workshops and BD1 Live, an opportunity for unsigned bands to play gigs in May and July.

Bradford Unsigned follows the Bradford Intune event organised by Bradford Council in December which investigated the needs of the region's music industry. It brought together key individuals with an interest in music development in the district, to bring current plans forward and kick-start a programme of development.

One of the organisations involved was the Huddersfield-based Timeless Music Project which co-ordinated the Bradford Unsigned CD and applied to Bradford Council to back the project.

Copies of the album were handed out at key British music industry events as well as the SXSW conference.

Held annually in Austin and covered by BBC Radio 1 and 2, the conference is widely regarded as the largest and most relevant US music conference for breaking British acts and is attended by industry delegates from around the world, keen to find the next big thing. Brit award-winner Amy Winehouse was on this year's line-up.

While the distribution of 1,000-plus compilations won't propel local artists into superstardom, the Texas move was an effective marketing campaign, raising the profile of Bradford's unsigned talent and the district's music scene. Last year's Timeless Music Project SXSW CD attracted international distribution deals and radio plays for the various labels taking part.

Set up in 2004 initially to support and promote Huddersfield's music scene, the Project later spread to other areas around the county and has delivered a range of projects encouraging community cohesion through music and establishing support networks for the independent music sector.

The Timeless Music Project is run by singer Pat Fulgoni who played at this year's SXSW festival with his dance-rock combo Kava Kava. As well as playing across Europe and at key festivals such as Glastonbury, the band has had music featured on US films and TV shows.

Pat said he was planning to give the Bradford Unsigned CD "a real push out there, which will hopefully make a real difference."

"I've been to SXSW a few times with the Chocolate Fireguard label and as a punter," adds Pat. "It's such an amazing opportunity, there are thousands of music industry representatives there. Being chosen to play an event like this is mind-blowing but it also means that it opens the door for even more networking.

"Supporting the local music industry is very important, not just for economic reasons - music is the UK's third largest export but currently under threat through piracy - but also for a large range of social reasons. When you look at the success of major label acts Corrine Bailey Rae and Kaiser Chiefs, for example, now really is the time to encourage support for the region's independent record labels who spend their time and resources nurturing local talent. Given a chance, West Yorkshire could be the next big region for British music."

Pat was one of the speakers at Bradford Intune 2006 and recently played selected tracks from the Bradford Unsigned CD on BBC Radio Raw Talent.

The Bradford Unsigned CD features: The Mother Position by This Et Al; Coast by Laura Groves; You Created a Storm by Laboratory Noise; It's Just Me by Philip G Charles; Camden Town Cowboy by Neesh; Ina Mina Dhika by The Psychedelic Singh; Date with the Bar by Harmacy; Robots' Rebellion by Imani Kekima; PS by Rent; They Fighting by Bassman Gerry and Hancock by the Analog Bombs.