THE heartwarming stories of residents living in a Westcliff street have inspired a band’s new single aimed at celebrating the tight-knit community.
Matt Lane, lead singer for band The Calmers, came up with the concept for the song “Rochford Avenue” after speaking to his neighbours and seeing how they united during the Covid pandemic.
The song features lyrics centring on the lives and memories of those on the street and is set to release on October 19.
Matt said the tune, which was first played at a street party outside his house, was designed “to make people feel good” and celebrate the lives of all the residents living on the street.
He added: “During the course of the pandemic, tough things happened, people died on our street, elderly people were living on their own, what emerged was a tremendous community spirit.
“I just felt during the pandemic, the spirit was strong, I asked people if they had any interest things they’ve done in their life to put in the song.
“There are people on the street who recently lost their life partners, the song captures the ups and downs of life, it’s better if people know your story and can communicate with you.
“We all have a story and we all happened to be brought together by this street.
“Decades come and go and the street remains.
“People love Rochford Avenue, it’s the one people always join in on the chorus, it always gets an encore.”
He said the song also pays tribute to one resident, who had lived her whole life on the street, and others who have passed away.
The vocalist added the song originally came to be after his wife started a residents’ group chat during lockdown, leading their neighbours to get to know each other more
He was joined by bandmates Stephen Rosenthal who provides vocals, Ian Winston who plays the trumpet, guitarist Milan Dragovic, and drummer Gary Logan.
The band will be playing at St Mark’s Church on Princes Street, Westcliff on October 19, to mark the official release of the song.
Matt said his band could be playing as a supporting act for British jazz-punk band Light of the World at the Rayleigh Mill on March 14.
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