SOUTH coast songwriter Ryan Butterworth and his band are back with a new single.

Last year, Ryan competed in the BBC One Saturday night talent show Let It Shine. The 22 year old made it to the live finals and performed with Kaiser Chiefs along the way.

Ryan says it was one of his best experiences to date, helping him grow in confidence and giving him the chance to work with some of the most popular names in music.

He went on to release a debut EP and play shows all over the country including Southampton, London, Birmingham, Bristol and at home in Bournemouth.

Now the former Brockenhurst College student is back with his band under a new name, NEWLOVE, and he says they are ready to kick up a storm.

“Since last releasing music in 2017, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to develop our sound and our live performances.

“This new track, Velvet Sky, is definitely ‘out there’, but I think you need to be a bit out in the unknown to do something new.

Ryan says the song evolved from a heavy rock sound to an indie banger thanks to the guitar riffs.

“We were listening to a lot of T. Rex while recording and a lot of the distorted guitars are inspired by that,” he explained.

The keen Saints fan, who is a regular at St Mary’s stadium, produced the song himself.

It was mixed by Niko Battistini and mastered by Stuart Hawkes, who has worked with big names like Amy Winehouse and Rudimental.

Ryan is also excited about two other new tunes called Life Saver and Safe Not Sorry. “They are catchy indie pop numbers and we’re hoping to release them soon,” he added.

NEWLOVE were last in town supporting Calum Lintott at The Joiners at Easter and Ryan says plans are in place for more of his own shows soon, including some close to home.

Velvet Sky by Ryan Butterworth and his band NEWLOVE is released tomorrow.

More at ryanbutterworthmusic.co.uk.

By Richard Derbyshire