'...from a boy'
https://youtu.be/dpGAmp17HS8

September came like a Pacific breeze
In the air and on a wave
The best since '76
From a boy… 
I came all the way back here again
A man on a rooftop over a sunrise rhythm
And the waters of my soul
The waters of my 

Ocean soul will call me for the first time
Spread these words my bless-ed boys
Going to be here
Always be here

The ocean bird has burned my soul
I'm wild as a fire

The battle horn
Like a bullet to my soul
From the valve and on a skip
The best since '81
From the coast land 
Running my way back home again
A tale from a b-side under a new soul vision
And the waters of my soul
The waters of my 

Seven souls will call me for the first time
She could see those dancing flames
Pastel fields to the river bankers

The ocean bird has burned my soul
I'm wild as a fire

September came like a Pacific breeze
In the air and on a wave
The best since '76
From a boy... 
I came all the way back here again
A man on a rooftop over a sunrise rhythm
Over a sunrise rhythm

A man on a rooftop over a sunrise…
A man on a rooftop over a sunrise…
A man on a rooftop over a sunrise…
Rhythm


The piano and bass driven ‘…from a boy’ was conceived during conversations via text between Russ and Michael as Russ travelled back and forth on a pilgrimage to Brighton in September 2018 to celebrate a family wedding, where a long night turned into the following morning of reacquainting with friends and family inspiring the story of ‘the man on a rooftop over a sunrise rhythm’. 

On Russ’s return from Brighton Michael handed the lyrics over, Russ taking the lead vocal and Michael providing the harmony. The duo recorded all parts for the song @ Gorstey HQ and with the aid of long-term collaborator and friend Gavin ‘Rattlesnake’ Monaghan the song was brought to life at the Magic Garden Studios in Wolverhampton in the summer of 2020 whilst working in isolation.

Honorary members of The Gorstey Lea Street Choir that feature on the debut EP are: 
Sebastian ‘Bid’ Beresford (Leftfield/Rodriguez/Edwin Starr) adds electronic percussion flourishes
Mark Gardener (Ride) adds strings to ‘Saint Marie’ and has mastered all tracks @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford
Ash Sheehan (The Twang, Dead Sea Skulls) adds trumpet/flugelhorn and percussion
Further contributions from musical allies Gary Hill (piano/additional guitar), Paul Newton, Woz Szpalek (both bass) and Craig Glover (drums) complete the roll call.

Stay safe, be well
Over and out… for now…

The Flat White Kid.
‘The Sunlit Sound of Staffordshire’

Extended Play One

'...from a boy'

'A tonic for the times' Chris Hawkins BBC 6 Music 

So here's a story that you may need to grab a cup of tea and the biscuit barrel for, are you sitting comfortably? Then, let us begin...

Gorstey Lea AKA 'The Gorstey Lea Street Choir' formed one cold winters night in 2016. Two friends on a life long journey. 

Michael first met Russ in 1985, Michael was 15, Russ was 19. Russ played in 'the' up and coming local band ‘Soul Exit’. Michael admired his musical craft and ended up following the band around the country. A gig in Manchester was planned. Michael needed to go and went to Russ’s house (on Gorstey Lea) with a gift, a tape in hand. On one side The Pale Fountains ‘… From Across the Kitchen Table’ on the other Dexys Midnight Runners ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’. Russ welcomed Michael in and he attended the gig travelling in the bands van. 

The future was cast... the following year Michael formed his first band ‘The Great Divide’ inspired by what he had seen and the world of endless possibilities and free expression.

Fast forward some 31 years to August 2016 and a big birthday bash for Russ. Michael attends Russ's party. Talk turns to days gone by and Russ pops the question... “It’s about time we got together and did some music Michael, what do you reckon? No pressure. I have converted my garage into a recording studio, you should come round and we’ll have a play”. 

Michael was not sure, for 15 plus years he has not played an instrument, not sung a song, not written down his thoughts. The conversation was left. A mutual friend then messages Michael 4 months later to tell him that Russ is doing a gig and he thinks it would be good if they did a couple of their favourite cover versions together. 

Messages are exchanged and the meeting is arranged at Russ's new house in Gorstey Lea, 4 houses up the road and 31 years since that first knock on the door. Without any rehearsal the two friends agree to play together for the first time on that Friday evening… 

The reaction from the crowd and the landlord is overwhelming 2 songs turn to 2 hours and at the end of the evening the landlord books the duo to play the following month. ‘What’s your band name boys? ‘The Gorstey Lea Street Choir’ is quickly retorted an amalgam of that first meeting point and Van Morrison’s LP ‘His Band And The Street Choir’ … a door is unlocked, a journey is born.

So, to the ‘here and now’. The duo release their first track in October 2019 'The British Isles' which picks up national radio play from 6 Music, BBC Introducing and great digital stations such as Brum Radio, with the wind in their sails a double A side limited vinyl 'Lions' and 'Somedays' follows in January 2020 and in December 2020 their debut EP snazzily titled 'extended play one' hits the digital shops... 

Summer 2021 - the boys release an 8 track mini LP ''...from Prince's Park to Farsley (Volume I)' a tale of new found collaborations and two towns... aided and abetted by Gavin Monaghan, George Shilling, Choque (Black Star Liner) and Mark Gardener... Volume II will be a long before you know it!!!!

Well it should have been... Covid came and went, then Russ and Michael regrouped and decided to put the 5 piece 'live version' together. 
Joining Russ and Michael are:

Martin Betts on Bass
Sean Bradnick on Drums
Swiss Harris on all manner of musical gadgets

New songs are been written and recorded sporadically. Live dates are just  been announced (see Bands In Town Link) 

The first fruits of this new harvest are now available in their latest release '(My Heart Belongs To...) The Beaches'... just like buses there will be more along very soon

Stay safe, be well

The Flat White Kid

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