Two Kent musicians have launched a Christmas track – with one promising to get a tattoo of Santa Claus if it manages to lift £1,000 for charity.
Written and carried out by Canterbury pals Stuart Weller and James O’Keeffe, Wake Up it is Christmas has already racked up hundreds of views on-line.
It has been three years because the 34-year-olds, who carry out beneath the title Youngsters of Yesterday, released their first festive tune which proved a huge seasonal success.
However after Canterbury‘s annual out of doors Christmas Eve carol live performance – which every year raises important cash for the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Reward Fund – was cancelled as a result of pandemic, the pair determined to step up and help.
Collectively they’ve written and recorded Wake Up it is Christmas, in a bid to assist help the charity.
The catchy track options Stuart, who grew up in Herne Bay and now lives in Canterbury, on guitar; with vocals offered James, a instructor and dad-of-two from Sturry.
It’s accessible for 99p on main music platforms together with iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
All cash raised will go on to the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Reward Fund, which offers meals parcels and toy vouchers to these in want throughout the district at Christmastime.
A JustGiving web page has additionally been launched for these eager to donate extra, and has already raised greater than £600.
And Stuart has give you an additional incentive to assist encourage donations.
“If we get £1,000, I will get a tattoo of Santa Claus,” he stated.
“Why not? I completely love Christmas.”
The proficient pals first met when enjoying in class bands, earlier than forming a bunch named LostFoundBroken in 2004, and spending 4 years touring the UK and Europe collectively alongside their day jobs.
In 2017, years after the group disbanded, the pair released their first festive hit -Home Alone for Christmas.
“Every year everybody asks ‘when are you going to do one other Christmas track?’ and it simply felt proper this yr,” defined Stuart.
“Everybody wants a little bit of cheering up.
“As quickly as we noticed the carol service was cancelled, we thought proper, let’s try to unfold some cheer and lift some cash for this nice charity on the similar time.”
The music video for his or her track launched only a week and a half in the past, however has already been seen about 10,500 instances.
It options photographs of landmarks together with Canterbury Cathedral and Westgate Towers, together with cameos from James’ kids and his canine, Indie.
Wake Up it is Christmas carries a poignant message, in a yr that has seen so many individuals tragically lose family members to Covid-19.
“It tells a little bit story,” defined Stuart, who works at Biketart in Barham. “The primary verse is about Christmas as a baby.
“Then within the second verse he is bought a spouse and a child and so they’re having fun with a unique sort of Christmas, various things are occurring; and within the third verse sadly his spouse passes away, however his household are nonetheless there to help him.”
The track was combined and mastered freed from cost by Oz Craggs at Hidden Monitor Studios in Folkestone, in a bid to help the duo’s fundraising efforts.
“We have had Canterbury BID and My Canterbury actually assist us out by spreading the phrase,” stated Stuart. “Our track featured on the Canterbury Digital Christmas Gentle switch-on.
“It is actually beginning to steam roll now which is sweet, however we simply need to get the phrase on the market as a lot as potential and lift as a lot cash as we are able to.”
To donate to their fundraiser, click here.
For extra info, visit Kids of Yesterday’s Facebook page.
