A TYNEDALE musician has released new music as part of a fledging duo.

Manchester-based alternative art rock collective Oystercatcher, featuring Stocksfield bassist Tom Chapman and vocalist Caitlin Lang, has released new single It Never Rains, described as a track of delicate reflection and bold defiance.

After a self-organised tour across South Africa and gigs across the UK, the duo return with the release of the new single on September 25.

Tom said: "A gritty and vulnerable reaction to grief, the track uses soaring strings combined with jagged guitar hooks and ethereal production, giving way to honest and raw vocals.

"With influences ranging from James Blake and Moses Sumney, to Kate Bush and Muse, this track moves between delicate reflection and bold defiance."

Tom and Caitlin met while both studying in Manchester at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Tom added: "Oystercatcher are difficult to pin down into a genre, flowing gracefully between art rock to folk and pop with subtle electronic and classical undertones.

"What ties all this together is the honesty and vulnerability woven into their storytelling, using music as a platform to explore life, loss, love and everything in-between.

"At the core is alternative vocals and bass guitar, but their philosophy is to make each live performance different by constantly varying line-ups and arrangements, making every version of each song unique-both live and in the studio."

The release of the single It Never Rains will be followed up with the release of the band's EP This Too Shall Pass, which is due out next month.