Independent singer/ songwriter Adam Astbury, 24, of Shotton, has released his second online indie-style album White Noise as he looks to showcase his musical talents to a wider audience.

A former pupil at John Summers High School, Queensferry, Adam works as a website developer during the day but is dedicated to his musical talents outside work. He said: “I’ve always been quite musical and had my first guitar when I was about seven years old. I’ve taken it from there and devote much of my spare time to my music.

“I go around and play at a lot of the pubs in the area and am doing as much as possible at the moment. I want to keep progressing and hope releasing the new album will help me in achieving that.”

As well as being a singer, Adam also plays guitar. He performs both individually and with the Ocean Avenue band. Describing his music as being based on a mix of leading bands Snow Patrol and the Stereophonics, Adam recorded his first album, Long Journey Back, two years ago. He will be using a growing number of
online mediums to broaden interest in White Noise and accompanying single Inside Out. Adam added: “The album is available on iTunes, Amazon and Napster, with the single Inside Out currently available to stream for free on Spotify.”

The album can also be listened to for free at http://www.adamastbury.co.uk/music/white-noise/ before
downloading or buying from an online distributor.

A LOCAL band which links Deeside and Wrexham was blown away by the response when they played The Frog and Nightingale pub in Chester.

Ocean Avenue, an indie rock covers / original band made up of: Adam Astbury, 22, from Shotton, on lead vocals, rhythm guitar. Emily Shute, 19, from Shotton, on bass. Damien Williams, 29, from Buckley, on drums and Gez Lloyd, 22, from Wrexham, on lead guitar is currently writing songs for a first album.

They settled with the name Ocean Avenue after downloading Google Earth.

“We span the globe 10 times and chose from ten street names,” said Emily. “Ocean Avenue is the one we liked best!”

The band formed a year ago when Adam and Emily (who both share the same love for music) started gigging with different musicians searching for the right sound, they finally found Damien and Gez on a free musician’s classifieds website called The Music Post (www.themusicpost.co.uk). We all got together and everything fell into place. Since then we have been gigging at various pubs/events including The Frog and Nightingale (Chester), The Clwyd (Shotton) and Eithinog Care Home (Colwyn Bay).

“We all really enjoyed performing at the Frog and Nightingale, the crowd was very receptive and it was an excellent atmosphere.” said Emily.

“We also performed a couple of our own songs which brought on a great reaction from the audience, to have the opportunity to stand on a stage and perform a song that you’ve written is the best feeling in the world.”

Ocean Avenue’s next local gigs are at The Potter’s Wheel, Buckley (27 September) and The Clwyd, Shotton (10 October).

They are also performing at a charity event for The Hospice of the Good Shepherd on 3 October, at The Castrol Club in Ellesmere Port.

For booking enquiries and a full events list, visit our website at www.oceanavenueband.co.uk

A YOUNG musician from Deeside is tuning up for the launch of his self-released debut album.

Adam Astbury’s album, Long Journey Back, will be released on international music sites i-Tunes, Napster and Amazon in late October.

Singer/songwriter Adam, 22, from Shotton, has been passionate about music from an early age and says the release is a culmination of years of dedication and determination to get exactly the right sound.

“I have a very strong passion for my music and I know which direction I want to go,” said former John Summers High School pupil Adam.

“Music has always been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember, and although at heart I’m generally a shy guy, when I get up on stage and get lost in the music, I gain a confidence that I never thought was possible.”

Adam received his first guitar at the age of seven as a Christmas gift and found that he was completely in tune with the instrument he has learned to eventually love.

“Being self taught, I have steadily progressed, and although still waiting for that big break, I now consider myself a passionate and dedicated singer/songwriter,” he said.

The album, which Adam independently produced and released on the internet through a self-publishing website, contains eight indie rock tracks he says are based on themes of love, friendships and family life in his home town of Shotton.

“My inspiration also comes from bands like Snow Patrol and The Killers and I think it’s great to write songs that allow people to take their own meaning and hopefully make a connection, and if I can do that, then I’m happy,” he said.

Although the album is Adam’s first solo pursuit in the music industry, the guitarist also plays as part of a local band, Ocean Avenue, who have performed in several pubs across the region.

“I am ambitious and I will continue with my passion in the band and as a solo artist no matter what,” said Adam.

“But if I can get some recognition for my songs, even just from a few people who listen to the album, I will be happy.”

To hear Adam’s music visit www.adamastbury.co.uk or www.myspace.com/adamastbury

COMFORT IN SOUND:

A YOUNG fundraiser is inviting Chronicle readers to a charity music evening at the Carlton Club in Shotton.
Adam Astbury, who is just 16, has organised the whole event and will perform with his band, Panic, on a bill full of local talent tomorrow night.
‘Adam is doing wonderful work for us with this concert,’ said Cancer Research UK Shotton manager Jean Kenward.
Adam said: ‘I was spurred on to do it following the death of my nan, who had cancer. Everyone is welcome and hopefull we can pull in a big crowd and generate a really good atmosphere as well as raising plenty of money for the charity.’
Tickets are £3 and are available from the Cancer Research UK shop on High Street.
The shop is launching a book department this month. Stocked up with about 500 books, both new and used, the store will become a treasure trove for the avid reader.