Following in the footsteps of world-famous artists, a Whitehaven band is one to watch according to the BBC’s 2020 list.

FLYNT wouldn’t have dared to dream that they would record their first BBC Maida Vale session just two years on from releasing their debut single, Julia.

The four-strong band, made up of singer Emma Dockeray, singer and guitarist Brad Kavanagh, drummer Steven Norman and bassist Calvin Thornborrow, were invited down to London for their “‘one day’ opportunity” earlier this month, and have since been placed on BBC’s ‘Ones to Watch’ list.

With Maida Vale studio previously hosting Live Lounge sessions with Arctic Monkeys, Ed Sheeran, and Ariana Grande to name just a few, it was “unreal” for the group of West Cumbrian schoolfriends to make their mark in the studio.

“It was a real ‘hit me’ moment,” Brad said. “Maida Vale is one of those ‘one day’ opportunities that most bands and singers have dreamt about. So to receive that email and start organising our own session was just amazing and just felt almost unreal.”

Emma was thrilled with the session, and said: “The result was better than we could ever have imagined – it’s amazing hearing our own songs at Maida Vale studios!”

Riding the wave of success, the band have been working on their EP with the help of producer Robert Whiteley, who has worked with The Wombats and Night Cafe, and mastering engineer Robin Schmidt, who worked with The1975 and Nothing But Thieves.

The group will be releasing their EP’s first single, I Need A Minute, in October – just in time for their show at Carlisle’s Old Fire Station on November 29.

Brad said: “Playing live is what it is all about for us. We always go all-out on our live shows to make sure it’s a belter of a night and everyone has a good time.

“With the Maida Vale news and our new single coming out soon, we decided to do a home-county show to thank all those who have supported us so strongly at home.”

FLYNT’s Maida Vale session will air on BBC Radio Cumbria on December 7, but if you can’t wait until then to hear their music, tickets are available for their Carlisle show at www.oldfirestation.carlisle.city.

Whitehaven FLYNT listeners can also grab a ticket for the show, including return coach travel, from www.flyntofficial.com.