Lockdown song on band's 'happy place'

A couple with Derbyshire links who formed a band in lockdown are launching their debut single this weekend.
Unlucky StrikeUnlucky Strike
Unlucky Strike

Musicians Chris and Gemma Rushton, teamed up as Unlucky Strike after performing a series of ‘Happy Hour’ live gigs during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

Now, the pair have written and recorded a complete album, with their first single City Beautiful – a feel good rockabilly road trip – released on March 12.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gemma, who works at Foulds Music in Derby, takes lead vocal on the song, while Chris put together guitars and drums.

Chris said: “What started out as a chance to connect with people and provide a bit of entertainment during the first lockdown has evolved into a musical project that has allowed us to explore our passions and cultural influences.

“Like so many other musicians, the pandemic was a disaster for us work-wise and we needed something positive to focus on – which evolved into Unlucky Strike and our first album together.”

Unlucky Strike’s debut single, City Beautiful, is an homage to Orlando Florida, where the couple were holidaying when Chris proposed in 2017 and where they returned for their honeymoon a year later.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To create an authentic flavour of Florida’s ‘Old Town’ for City Beautiful, the couple recruited double bassist Alex Phillips, who recorded remotely.

Unlucky Strike.Unlucky Strike.
Unlucky Strike.

Gemma said: “I’m a huge Disney fan and Orlando is absolutely my happy place, so a song that celebrates sunshine, love and fun seemed to be just what we needed in this grim winter.

“Orlando is known as the ‘City Beautiful’ and we really hope it evokes memories of happy times filled with sunshine for everyone who listens to it.”

City Beautiful is available to buy from Friday.

For more information and to download your copy visit their page at www.unluckystrike.co.uk or www.facebook.com/unluckystrikebanduk/

The band will also be doing another free Happy Hour live performance this Saturday, March 13 via their Facebook page from 8pm.

Related topics: