Ross Darby, front man and songwriter of popular Coventry-based indie folk band The Fallows has set himself a challenge in the hope of encouraging unsigned acts to record and promote their material themselves. His aim is to get a song into the official Top 40 singles chart on a very limited budget of just £99, with all proceeds going to Coventry Cyrenians, a charity running hostels for the homeless.
With help from singer Lizzie Coughlan, Ross has recorded his song Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, a slice of atmospheric indie folk featuring lush string and brass arrangements. The single is released officially on 29 March but it can be pre-ordered for 79p from iTunes or Amazon Digital. He reckons that sales of between 3,500 and 5,000 will secure a Top 40 slot and help him to show that it is possible to successfully promote a single without spending a huge amount of money.
Ross said: “I want unsigned artists to consider self releasing and come up with chart campaigns to try and ‘break’ without the need of major labels. A chart position for even one week is a great start for young bands. I believe more small releases equals more live gigs (and) a well needed shot in the arm for the music scene at grass roots level. It may even encourage more venues to open doors to live band nights again.”
Available from: iTunes | Amazon
Upcoming Dates
February 28th – Big Comfy Sessions, Big Comfy Bookshop, Coventry
February 28th (second show, at 2130) – Millpool, Coventry
March 1st – Albany Club, Coventry
March 6th – Ditch the TV!, Maudslay, Coventry
March 14th – Donkey, Leicester
March 16th – Millsy’s Wine Bar, Coventry
March 17th – The Four Provinces, Coventry
March 21st – The Nugget, Coventry
March 22nd – Albany Club, Coventry
March 29th – Albany Club (single release show)
April 25th – Greenstock 2, Dunchurch Village Hall, Dunchurch
May 6th – Coventry Music Museum