Listen to new single from emerging Sunderland singer Faye Fantarrow who will open city's Lamplight Festival

Faye Fantarrow 18, releases her second single of 2021, Kola Kiss, on Friday, May 28.

Regarded as one of the North East’s most promising talents following her debut release Boom and her prestigious 2021 Alan Hull award for writing (formerly won by the likes of Marty Longstaff of Lake Poets and Joe Hammill of Cattle and Cane), Faye says her latest offering is about empowering women.

“I’ve always felt quite comfortable in myself and the independence I have,” she said. “I found it hard to watch close friends expecting that the natural progression for them to grow involved finding a man.

“I didn’t realise how lucky I was to have such strong beautiful women surrounding me, teaching me how to be strong and aware of the power I can hold on my own as a young female.”

Influenced by the likes of Brittney Howard, Leon Bridges, Paulo Nutini, Tracy Chapman and Sam Fender, Faye says she hopes her observational songwriting is relatable.

She said: “I want my music to be something that is relatable and can transcend boundaries. I feel like anyone, regardless of gender, who is bored of the same old depiction of what love and happiness supposedly should look like will feel that this song is for them.

“I hope it can be the kind of song that allows people to sing at the top of their lungs and completely relate to and feel understood by.”

Kola Kiss was produced by North East producer John Ashton, who has toured as a musician and sound engineer with internationally-renowned artists, including Arctic Monkeys, Tame Impala and Prodigy.

The track was mixed by Barny Barnicott, an in-demand mix engineer whose esteemed list of collaborations includes the likes of Kasabian, Bombay Bicycle Club and M.I.A.

“Kola really feels like it was a collaborative effort to make the song the best it could be. I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who worked on the song, helping to not only nurture the message I wanted to convey but also creating a quality I feel proud of,” explains Faye

The teenager released her debut single Boom'in 2019, earning widespread acclaim and plaudits from the likes of BBC Introducing's Nick Roberts, NARC Magazine and Tipping Point, the leading North East talent development programme powered by Generator.

As lockdown restrictions ease, she’s now preparing for a busy live schedule.

In August she will open Sunderland’s inaugural Lamplight Festival in Mowbray Park, headlined by indie rock giants, Kaiser Chiefs, Deacon Blue and fellow Scottish icon Lulu.

Faye added: “To be given the opportunity to open Lamplight in my home town is so surreal. It’s incredible to see my home have such a great cultural opportunity and to have been asked to be a part of it is so special. I can’t wait to see a crowd full of faces and be back up on a stage for the biggest gig of my career to date.”

Kola Kiss will be released Friday, May 28 across all digital platforms.

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