https://youtu.be/F1CeX1dQRSo

Written by Russ and Michael 
Recorded at the Magic Garden Studios with Gavin Monaghan
Mixed by George Shilling 
Mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

Cello by George Shilling
Piano by Paul Cooper

Up with the larks... minds ticking... 
Awaiting the gold...waiting for gold...
And now that the 7’s prevailing
Inside our every thoughts 
So shoot those rays of sunshine
There's a new tomorrow a’coming
Come running - Come running

Rain it will now stop falling… 
From a sadness that we once knew
Remember those days
Remember those days
You calling out
Me calling out your names
So shoot those rays of sunshine
On these fifty seeds o’green 
It’s the start of something
Come running - Come running

Resurrection a sense of belonging
Hesitation a fear of not knowing
Believe and I'll do too
Breathe… 
So shoot those rays of sunshine
There's a new tomorrow a’coming
The start of new beginnings
Come running - Come running

Remember those days 
Remember those days
Remember those days 
Calling out your name
Calling out your name
Calling out your name
Up with the larks minds ticking
Awaiting the gold
Waiting for gold

'...from Prince's Park to Farsley (Volume I)'

Up With The Larks

Try to breath

Peplo is a Glasgow based four-piece that cuts classic pop songcraft with an alternative edge; the band begin '22 with the release of their new single 'Goodnight Maria' on January 28th, and will be performing on the UK's summer festival circuit – with a slot at ButeFest already confirmed.

'Goodnight Maria' is the band’s fourth single. The eponymous Maria is a typical millennial heroine – a displaced and exploited twentysomething, who relies on pretension and pride to remain wilfully oblivious to being the poster girl for a lost generation. The song takes this to be both endearing and pitiable, lending 'Goodnight Maria' an acerbic tone that’s new to Peplo’s palate (this more rock-adjacent track comes hot on the heels of dream-pop jangler, ‘Katarina’s Got My Tongue’, as well as the balladesque ‘Tall’ and ‘Just to Get to You’).

"...a big pop tune with loads of ambition, cloaked in a shy and soft overcoat" - SNACK Magazine

"Vocalist Cit Lennox can hit sky-high notes with ease" - Shereen Cutkelvin, BBC Radio Scotland

"...charming, classic jangle pop" - Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music (of previous single 'Katarina's Got My Tongue')

Highlights from Peplo’s career to date include performing at Last Night From Glasgow’s label showcase at Celtic Connections; being shortlisted for Fresh On The Net’s Listening Post (where the band’s second single, ‘Katarina’s Got My Tongue’, was championed by Tom Robinson - who subsequently played the track on his BBC Radio 6 Music show, ‘BBC Introducing Mixtape’); and playing the forthcoming ButeFest - sharing a bill with Scouting for Girls and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Goodnight Maria

Run over fruit

Overtime at the dog track
Chasing hares for fun
Stadium lights are dimming now
Failing, one by one

He started out a fireman
In his younger days
His mind wandered from the job
It really was a blaze

He filled in holes for half the year
It surely paid the bills
But nothing he liked more, than the end of the road 
And taking to the hills

Oh the odds are long on the trap I'm in
I wouldn't bet my life on an easy win

He drove a truck, thick with dirt
He hauled from town to tip
With every run, the grime was steadily
Weakening his grip

Nights, he worked a car park job
Among concrete and grey steel
The echoes in the early hours
Made his own voice sound surreal

Oh the odds are long on the trap I'm in
I wouldn't bet my life on an easy win

Overtime at the dog track
Chasing hares for fun
Whistle up a chorus, girl
And to the hills we'll run

Oh the odds are long on the trap I'm in
I wouldn't bet my life on an easy win

Oh...the trap I'm in

Chasing Hares

Cuba Center 4422

Warning: Use with caution while operating a vehicle or machinary.

Stronger Together

The Only One.mp3

FTR$ - Life Is Good

“Já nezůstanu” is a tender slow-pop ballad built on warm guitar ambience and emotional storytelling. It follows a young man standing at the edge of a difficult decision — letting go of someone who no longer meets his heart halfway.  
The song slowly builds, with the chorus delivering both strength and vulnerability as he realizes that leaving is the only way forward. With its soft guitar textures, melancholic atmosphere, and honest male vocal, the track creates a deeply emotional and intimate mood.

This track blends human songwriting with AI-assisted sound design.
All lyrics, vocal phrasing choices, and creative direction were developed by Olja Arthur.
The result is a unique artistic expression shaped by emotion, atmosphere, and storytelling. The style blend Slow Pop, teen, slow-burning guitar ambience, male vocals.

💫 If you feel the waves too — don’t forget to like, repost, and follow for more music.
Your support helps these songs reach more hearts. 🌊🎶

© 2025 Olja Arthur. All rights reserved.  
AI-assisted production & mastering by Olja Arthur.  
More music: https://soundcloud.com/olja-33043519

Já nezůstanu

'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