Sync/Licensing

Any artist is welcome to send us a track via freshonthenet.co.uk anytime between Monday lunchtime and Wednesday evening (or when we receive 200 submissions, whichever is sooner) - and all our moderators, including Tom Robinson, will listen to every track. This is our full inbox from the week beginning Mon 28th March: from Friday afternoon you'll be able to hear our shortlist and pick your favourites on this week's Listening Post which will appear at freshonthenet.co.uk/batch442

If a track you submitted does not appear in this list, it’s probably because another of your tracks appeared in our Fresh Faves or on the BBC Music Introducing Mixtape during the last three months — we ask that artists featured on either wait three months before resubmitting to give others a chance. 

We also don’t accept short previews or SoundCloud Go tracks that can only be heard as 30 second previews, and tracks made private after submission, which cannot be included in playlists. You will be able to resubmit the track in future. Tracks (and remixes of tracks) that have been previously submitted, and tracks from banned artists will also be removed.

ENTIRE INBOX: Batch 442

Yesterday Once More

Folk duo Megson go back to their roots to find the inspiration for their tenth studio album UNKNOWN WATERS -  an imaginative compilation of songs by written by the songwriters who inspired them - all from their native North East of England. 

During the last fifteen years, Debbie and Stu Hanna have established themselves as “one of most original acts on the British folk scene” (The Guardian) by combining their own sensitive compositions with traditional music from the North East. Now, for the first time,  they have recorded nine songs written by their favourite north eastern songwriters, all arranged for guitars, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and accordion with typical Megson elegance. Their trademark soaring harmonies bring a refreshing bite to classics such as Chris Rea’s ROAD TO HELL as well as compositions from undiscovered aritsts like Middlesbrough’s Richard Grainger. 

And to top it all off included as a bonus track is their composition THROUGH THE WINTER. Written during the dark days of January 2020 it tells the emotional tale of a couple making the most of a tough winter - we all know what that was like!

Debs says ‘ Putting together this album has been a refreshing journey for us. We started with songs and songwriters we’ve always known and performed - like the wonderful Vin Garbutt’s ‘NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME’ and Lindisfarne’s ‘MARSHALL RILEY’S ARMY’  and it paved the way for us to record some songs from writers we’ve always admired but never found the reason to perform like Jez Lowe, Richard Grainger & Martin Stephenson.”

Megson will be performing songs from UNKNOWN WATERS during their UK Tour in Spring 2022.

03 - Megson - Marshall Riley's Army

Bellagio

'The Children of Scorpio’ is the first single and title track from Project Gemini’s forthcoming album. Project Gemini, aka Paul Osborne, has created a cinematic musical journey that plays out like a long-lost soundtrack (think cult B-movies of the 60s and 70s); 'The Children of Scorpio’ was formed from Paul's love of a myriad of genres; from European library music, acid folk, psych-funk, vintage soundtracks and the contemporary breaks scene. 

The single ’The Children of Scorpio' started life as a demo 12 years ago, when Paul's time playing in various bands had come to an end and he started recording music at his home studio. Paul took inspiration from many sources including his obsession with Lalo Schifrin’s soundtrack to the Clint Eastwood film, 'Dirty Harry’, and artists like David Axelrod and his work on The Electric Prunes 'Release of an Oath’ LP. Paul channelled these influences into his creation, titled it in a nod to the villain in 'Dirty Harry', shelved it and moved on. 

After the release of his first single as Project Gemini in 2019 Paul decided to start work on an album project and revisited the original demo. He described the process, “I stripped it right back to its bare bones and started reconstructing it from scratch (although the vocals and middle guitar break survived from that original 2010 demo), and once I’d nailed the bass sound it all came together. Haifa-based multi-instrumentalist Shuzin brought some serious heat on the drums, and Barrie Cadogan, aka Little Barrie, put the icing on the cake by adding the solo you hear at the tail end of the track. It turned out to be the creative trigger for the whole album, and for that reason, it’s a really important track for me personally.”

Download

Project Gemini - The Children Of Scorpio

Avalanche

LIFE CAN BE

Another song I wrote from 1979. Played this song in various incarnations of guitar based bands throughout the early/mid 80's.

This is how I would have liked it in 80's electronic format if I'd had the chance.

Yesterday Once More - 80's - RD

The girl they call Daisy May

How many times have I heard those words
Work hard settle down,  find a nice girl
Don’t waste your time on silly little pipe dreams
They’re never ever what they seem

You can blow of steam on Friday night
But watch your mouth and treat those girls right
They’ve seen you around and think your a heartthrob 
But don’t give up your day job

Because it’s all you got 
to see you through
Happy’s just a word 
in a room with a view
and when your eyes are closed
and the lights are out
There’s nothing but darkness 
to dream about

It seems harder by the day
Listening to the words they say
But she’ll be my saviour one of these days
The girl 
They call Daisy May

Now so many people think they know best
They want to make sure your life’s just a mess
They’ll fill your head with their own mistakes
And tell you that it’s just to late

So move yourself away from the fast lane
Take it slow to avoid the pain
And if you want, you can pray to your god
But don’t give up your day job

Because it’s all you got 
to see you through
Happy’s just a word 
in a room with a view
and when your eyes are closed
and the lights are out
There’s nothing but darkness 
to dream about

It seems harder by the day
Listening to the words they say
But she’ll be my saviour one of these days
The girl 
They call Daisy May

Cause she’s the only one 
Who’ll see me through
Holding my hand
in this room with a view
Yeah she’ll be my saviour one of these days
The girl 
They call Daisy May

2016 Kirby Howarth

The Girl they call Daisy May

The girl they call Daisy May

The Girl they call Daisy May - RD

Yesterday Once More - Instrumental - RD

Back in the late seventies early eighties I frequented a club in Stonegate York. Thursday night if I remember correctly was 'Student night' this is a small insight into that club 'The Old World'

Remember student night 
in the Old World
Upstairs downstairs 
we were chasing those girls
Waiting for a second glance
A slow dance
Your last chance     
before the lights go up
Waiting for a second glance
Your last chance

There's a guy on the dance floor
dancing to cars
Thinks he's Gary Numan 
as he lip sinks the words
Waiting for the first sign 
The right time
That says 'She's mine'
Before the lights go up
Waiting for the right time

And as the disco ball 
spins around and round
reflecting the lights 
on a beautiful crowd
but all I can see 
is a wonderful girl
dancing on the floor in the 
Old World 

I loved the way she danced 
in her split skirt
She played with the buttons 
on my torn shirt
Waiting for the first kiss
Don't wanna miss
A moment like this 
before the lights go up
Waiting for the first kiss
And a moment like this

And as the disco ball 
spins around and round
reflecting the lights 
on a beautiful crowd
but all I can see 
is a wonderful girl
dancing on the floor in the 
Old World

08/12/2017

The Old World - RD

"It's a strange situation when the tears all run dry when the sunset leaves the sky and it's yesterday once more"

- Kirby Howarth

Yesterday Once More -  Vocal - RD

Kirby Howarth is a talented singer-songwriter hailing from the picturesque city of York in the United Kingdom. With a captivating blend of folk, indie, and blues influences, Kirby's music weaves together heartfelt storytelling, soulful melodies, and raw emotions.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the world around him, Kirby creates songs that resonate deeply with listeners. His lyrics are poignant and introspective, offering a glimpse into the human condition and the complexities of life. Accompanied by his soul-stirring acoustic guitar, Kirby's warm and emotive voice carries his melodies with a graceful authenticity that leaves a lasting impression.

Kirby's talent has garnered recognition beyond the local scene, with his music being featured on esteemed platforms such as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6, as well as receiving widespread airplay on various local radio stations. His performances are characterised by an intimate and genuine connection with the audience, where each song becomes a shared experience that touches hearts and lingers in the memory.

“Acoustic laid back new wave punk indie folk with a sprinkle of deep meaningful day to day observations on how the world goes round and round and round and sometimes I actually notice this happening and decide it’s worthy enough to write a song about.”
- Kirby Howarth

"In the years I’ve been tracking the progress of York singer songwriter Kirby Howarth it’s been fascinating to hear him refining his approach and zeroing in on the sound he’s been hearing inside his head all these years.
As a result, his songs grow ever more focussed and appealing"
- Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6

" A strong collection of songs, well written and delivered. The vocal styling is distinctive and appealing - you connect emotionally with the listener."
- Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6

" That's another fantastic song everyone's a gem from you, you write really really nice songs Kirby."
- Alan Raw, BBC Radio Leeds Introducing