Devon singer-songwriter Rebecca Mayes releases her first single The Lights into the official UK charts on 7th May. The song was recorded and produced by Rebecca in her Totnes studio, with additional production and mixing by Dartmouth producer, Guy Rigby, of One Wednesday Studios. The video for the single was filmed in Totnes using local actors and filmmakers and has already notched up thousands of views.
Rebecca had her first big break when one of her songs was used on Charlie Brooker’s BBC4 programme, Gameswipe and she subsequently gained a reputation for her reviewing video games via the medium of song. The Lights is a departure from these unconventional beginnings, and she is currently writing and recording an album of new material, as requested from her fanbase, about the things that really inspire her.
’It’s a song that celebrates beauty, simplicity, and friendship,’ says Rebecca. It was written for the end credits of the film, In Transition 2.0, for which Rebecca composed the soundtrack. In Transition 2.0 is a documentary featuring stories from different communities around the world that run sustainability projects. All the proceeds from the release will go to the Transition Network, the charity that created the film. ’I wanted to support the Transition Network because it does fantastic work to aid community resilience around the world.’
The accompanying music video shows office workers losing their jobs and finding hope, creativity and community together. ’I see what we’re encountering in these uncertain times as an opportunity rather than a problem and I wanted to create something uplifting to reflect this,’ Rebecca says. ’We had a lot of fun making the video and the actors were incredible. I was honoured to include the magical artwork of local painter Carolina Maggio who draws a mural on wall in the video. It’s the first time I’ve directed such a big project and a number of Devon businesses generously supported us to make it happen, including South Devon Rural and Pluss Creative Enterprise.’
Rebecca has recently been chosen by IC Music, a new music network of venues across Belgium, France and the UK, as one of 12 artists who will be given opportunities to tour in big venues across Europe (see http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/news/the-epic-win.html). Rebecca’s just returned from her first gig in France where she supported Baxter Jury to a sold-out crowd. ’I loved being on the big stage,’ she says, ’it’s totally given me the taste for touring.’
Rebecca will be performing locally at Totnes Studio Lounge on 11th May, Dartmouth Music Festival on 13th May and Exeter Phoenix on 16th May; The Lights is available to purchase from www.rebeccamayes.com and all major music download retailers from 7th May 2012.
