Leighton Buzzard band bag record deal during lockdown as they await release of debut EP

In The Forest feature two sisters and two married couples - Becky Lee-Richards, Alex Lee-Richards, Rachel Harwood-Stamper and Rob Harwood-Stamper - and the band says their music is underpinned by their close chemistry as a family.

Their sound has been likened to The Mamas and the Papas; Watford's The Staves and Fairport Convention, with listeners describing their four-part harmonies as a 'throw-back Laurel Canyon sound with a modern-twist'.

During the lockdown period, the quartet have worked tirelessly to complete their self-titled and self-released debut EP. The three-song collection was recorded just before lockdown at the end of February at Rowley Barn, Borehamwood, produced by Rob Eveling of Leighton Buzzard.

The lockdown period has meant that Becky and Alex have been at home - with Becky on maternity leave (baby due on June 17, the same day as the EP will release!) and Alex furloughed from his job at Cranfield University.

The extra time at home has been spent on signing off the production of the songs, creating a brand new website to promote the EP; setting up the release; making a lockdown music video; creating EP artwork (using the artistic skills of Rachel) and they have even made a remote appearance on BBC Three Counties radio to talk about the EP, where the songs were played by music supporter and radio DJ, Mike Naylor, for the very first time.

Becky said: “Means To An End has been chosen as the lead track from the EP. Mainly because the lyrics feel so poignant for the strange times we find ourselves living in. Everyone who has heard the song has made that connection, especially those that have also watched the lockdown music video we made, which is available to watch on our YouTube channel.

"The idea of the video began as a personal diary of pictures and videos taken during lockdown, as a way of capturing such a monumental and unusual period of time. Alex and I are expecting our second baby and wanted to show this to our children in the future”.

To add to the band's excitement, on May 28, independent record label Last Night From Glasgow listened to the new EP and within a matter of hours they signed In The Forest to their stable of artists.

They particularly enjoyed track 3 from the EP titled On the Run and are now planning to release this during the summer as a 7 inch AA side vinyl with another band from their roster Nicol & Elliott.