WATCH: A Song For East Sussex Premiers Online Today!

A UK-wide national music project, which began earlier this year, is marking this historic time and the spirit of community felt during the pandemic with songs produced all over the country.

A Song For Us, conceptualised by Sound UK, aims at 'encapsulating the experiences and emotions that we're living through'.

Leading singer-songwriters and composers were commissioned all over the UK by Sound UK and their partners, to create new songs inspired by the people in our counties. 

Each song was performed by local choirs and ensembles.

"It reminds us of the positives, celebrates those to who we owe so much and bears witness to people’s losses and struggles. We want this to bring artists and communities together despite being apart. To create a musical time capsule of what we all desperately hope will be a once in a generation event.

"We want the public to help build a music map of the country for this historic time. Anyone can do this by sharing a favourite track or creating their own song that holds special meaning."

A Song For East Sussex was composed by Brighton band Normanton Street and features Bobbie Johnson, AFLO. the poet and Varndean School Choirs, arranged and conducted by David Berliner.

It premiers online today (Dec 14) at 12.30pm. You can watch it here:

"A Song for East Sussex, The Last Time I Held You, explores local feelings in East Sussex about Covid-19 and the lockdown.

"The verses see rapper Bobbie Johnson and poet AFLO. the poet explore the feelings of loss, loneliness, worry and hope that the people of Sussex felt during lockdown.

"The chorus sees vocalist Phoebe Freya longing to hold loved ones again, singing alongside Varndean School Choirs."

#ASongForUs #LetsCreate

About Normanton Street:

Normanton Street’s sound is lyrically focused with three distinct vocals, jazz influenced guitars, warm bass grooves and tight rhythmic drums.

Based in Brighton, the band consists of Ned, Nicholson and Phoebe Freya. Ned and Nicholson (both on bass, guitar, and vocals) have been close friends since childhood, and lived on the same street in Bradford where they grew up. Together they grew up making music in various formats and line ups, and would jam at local bars after moving to Brighton, until they stumbled across Phoebe (vocals) one night after a show at The Mesmerist bar. The trio put together a Lauryn Hill cover, but soon realised that their unique chemistry could not be limited to one song.

Since then, Normanton Street have quickly amassed a loyal following of fans around the world off musical prowess and a lot of hard work. They’ve played gigs and festivals across the UK, Europe and US, including France, Spain, Croatia, Belgium, Holland and Austin (Texas). As well as opening for high-profile artists like the legendary Talib Kweli and Mercury-nominated poet Kate Tempest.

Brighton based pioneers, the band are a leading light of a movement determined to go deeper; fusing soul, hip-hop and spoken word to moving and spiritual effect. To find out more, visit Normanton Street’s website.