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

'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

Heinrich Dahms, alias Babún @babunmusic (www.babunmusic.com), is a filmmaker, guitarist & song-writer from South Africa based in the Netherlands. Co-owner of film production company BUZZMEDIA NETWORK (www.buzzmedia.net).