Having spent three years writing and recording, this weekend sees local singer songwriter Steven Nash release his latest album.

The popular artist, who also plays bass in the band Maldune and can be regularly seen popping up at many of the open mic nights around the island, will unveil his new album, ’ In the Distance I see Light’ at a release gig which takes place at the Manor Hotel, Willaston, on Saturday, March 16.

This is Steven’s second album, after his debut collection of original songs, ’World Outside My Window’ was released in 2016.

Recorded and produced by Phil Reynolds, and released through the local Small Bear record label, ’In the Distance...’ features a new collection of original songs, written and recorded over a period of years.

’It is made up of more recent songs, and is written about my island life,’ said Steven.

’There were no set reasons for writing many of the songs. They may have been based on things that happened a month, a year or ten years ago.

’That’s what songwriting is about. You just pick these memories and experiences out.’

He said that the recording process has been good fun, and he enjoyed working alongside Phil.

’It started off with the idea of recording an acoustic album, but then we started to add extra instruments and bits in.

’But we try to keep the heart of the song intact. Whenever I have added anything, I make sure that the core of the original acoustic song is still there, so I can take it back to its "naked" form, as I call it, and still have it recognisable, and making sure I have kept the song as true to myself as I possibly can.

’I love the title track, as I’m very happy with the way the recording has come out. The harmonies especially have come out really nicely.’

Featured on the album will be his song ’Your On My Mind’, which was released as a single at the start of the year and was playlisted by Manx Radio, and also the emotive song ’Homeless Soldier’, a track that he wrote and released to raise money for charity.

’It is about homeless man I met a few years ago in Liverpool,’ he said.

’I just got talking to him, and he was a genuinely nice guy. It turned out he was a former soldier.

’I took him to get some food and we sat chatting about all sorts of things, some funny and some quite sad. He struck me as someone who was a really genuine guy who just lacked support.

’I decided to write the song and, when I did, it came together quickly, and took about an hour to get down.

’I released it during December last year, and I donated all the proceeds to the Royal British Legion.’

Steven said that copies of ’In the Distance I see Light’ will hopefully be available to by at the concert this weekend, weather permitting.

However, should the bad weather prevent the CDs being delivered on time, Steven’s music is available to buy and download from Steven’s bandcamp page, and also from Amazon, Spotify, iTunes and from many other online platforms.

by Mike Wade

twitter:@iomnewspapers