Lockdown sounds
A NORTH Staffordshire couple have launched their debut single, after forming a band during lockdown. Musicians and music teachers Chris and Gemma Rushton teamed up as Unlucky Strike after performing live gigs for friends and family during the first Covid-19 lockdown.
Now, the pair have written an entire album, with their first single, City Beautiful, released on March 12. Both work as peripatetic music teachers at schools in Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek, as well as performing with a variety of bands pre-covid.
Chris said: “What started out as a chance to connect with people and provide a bit of entertainment during the first lockdown has evolved into a musical project that has allowed us to explore our passions and cultural influences.
“At first the pandemic was a disaster for us work-wise and we needed something positive to focus on – which evolved into Unlucky Strike and our first album together.”
Unlucky Strike’s debut single, City Beautiful, is an homage to Orlando, Florida, where the couple, who live in Cheddleton, were holidaying when Chris proposed in 2017 and where they returned for their honeymoon a year later. And photos from their time there have been incorporated into the City Beautiful music video, which was also produced at home.
Gemma said: “I’m a huge Disney fan and Orlando is absolutely my happy place, so a song that celebrates sunshine, love and fun seemed to be just what we needed after this grim winter.
“Orlando is known as the ‘City Beautiful’ and we really hope it evokes memories of happy times filled with sunshine for everyone who listens to it.”
Listen for free at Spotify or see the video on Youtube via: www. unluckystrike.co.uk. The single is available to buy now online and Unlucky Strike will be doing live gigs on Facebook at 8pm on Saturdays throughout March.