Ten artists make new compilation album about Barrow's heritage

Ten artists and bands from Seahouse Records have gathered up to record a compilation album.

The album will comprise ten brand-new songs touching on themes about what 'Barrow's heritage means to them'.

Artists include Olivia Dacre, Pearl and the Piano, Johny Swift, Jamie Bosanko, Barry Postlethwaite, Peter Kassell, Mark Docherty, PaZz, Prater Monks and Emker Cel.

Seahouse Records Heritage Album house band with singer-songwriter Olivia Dacre. (Image: Submitted)

Matt Kassell, the chairman of Seahouse Records, said: "We wanted a compilation album to represent some of the different artists that we have on the label.

"Furness and Westmorland Council put out an email last year saying that they had some heritage grants available from the Heritage lottery fund so I applied for one saying that we could make an album if our artists wrote songs about what Barrow's heritage means to them. 

READ MORE: Barrow heritage groups backed by £50,000 council funds

"The grant was successful and with that money, I was able to pay for four musicians to act as a house band and every Sunday night for a few months that was our thing. Each week a different singer would bring their song and we would record it.

"The themes for the songs ranged from quite different things.

"Some about what it means culturally to be from Barrow, some people would talk about nights out or the nightlife, some people would look at it historically and when bands first started playing and music started growing in the area.

"People have written about geographically what it is like to live in Barrow. The shipyard features quite heavily."

Pete Kassell (Image: Submitted)

Matt explained that the album explores a different sound from what the singers usually do. 

"Everyone really upped their game when writing and recording and we have come up with a really good set of songs.

"Everyone is really excited about it and we think there is going to be some real interest. Certainly because of the local connection and people will find it interesting in the lyrics and the themes but also the music is really good - the songs are very strong," he said.

The first thing the label is doing is as part of Westmorland and Furness council’s Heritage Fund event at the town hall on September 7.

They have also filmed some session footage and will be making a short documentary about the making of the album when it is released.