Newcastle singer releases festive single

Newcastle singer releases festive single

9 December 2020

A NEWCASTLE singer and songwriter has released a new track to raise awareness around homelessness and loneliness during the festive season.

Stephen Rafferty, has always had a passion for music and first learned to play guitar when he was 13. He started gigging three years later in local cafes and now has a fan base of thousands.

Stephen revealed that a family bereavement last year opened his eyes to loneliness, inspiring the new track entitled ‘Concrete Christmas’ which has been months in the making, alongside working on an album about mental health problems in young people.

He started writing his new song last December, explaining that two years ago his stepdad’s father passed away, with last Christmas the first one he had seen his stepdad’s mum on her own.

“We were all sitting around the table and it seemed great. We were all having a few drinks and a laugh, but then I realised she would be going home on Christmas night on her own,”  he explained. “That really hit hard for me, that this is the first year of her whole life that she would be alone.

“And I thought, if that is what it feels like for someone to lose one person, then how must it feel for someone to lose everything?”

Stephen started writing the new track in the lead up to last Christmas but didn’t want to rush it, so he put the finishing touches to it in the summer.

He said he knew that he wanted to record the song and hopes that it can spark an important conversation.

“I know people are upset about the pubs closing or not getting to their favourite restaurant, but there are people who don’t have a warm home to go to at night. This song puts things into perspective,” Stephen continued.

“A little can go a long way, especially for local, home grown charities who do amazing ground work, specifically during the colder months and if anyone could donate to the likes of the Simon Community, Shelter NI, Belfast Homeless Services and The Welcome Organisation in Belfast after hearing this song it would be amazing.”

Stephen’s new song was was released on November 28 and has had hundreds of views and downloads to date, with emotional words telling the tale of sleeping on a concrete floor during the festive period alongside a hard hitting music video have made the song a success online in just a few days.

Alongside Steven Fearnley, who owns Narrow Water Studios, and Mark Nugent, who directed the music video, Stephen also worked with musicians from George Ezra’s brass section.

He hopes to launch his new album next summer and that Covid restrictions permitting, organise a gig. He said each song on the album has its own point about mental health and is based on his own personal experiences

“We are hoping that we can get the release for next summer and do a proper one with all the musicians who have been involved,” he continued. “Hopefully, with the Covid-19 vaccine on the way, next year will be different for music events and concerts.

“Throughout lockdown I streamed live gigs on Facebook and they were great. The views kept growing each week and people seemed to really enjoy them. I suppose lockdown did stop a lot of things for people, so it was good to be able to bring music to people’s homes.”

Thanking everyone who has supported him throughout his musical career, Stephen said a huge ‘thank you’ to his friends, family and girlfriend Aileen for their constant support.

He added: “I really do appreciate every person who has listened to my songs and waited for my new material to come out. There is more to come.”

‘Concrete Christmas’ is available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes and Amazon Music.