Lost Brothers charity single for homeless

The Lost Brothers, Oisín Leech from Navan and Mark McCausland from Omagh, are releasing a single in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust, supporting young homeless people in Dublin, writes Denis Finegan. The single, on Lojinx/Bird Dog Recordings, is called 'St Christopher', and will include their version of Moon River, the song made famous by Andy Williams who passed away recently. The Lost Brothers describe 'St Christopher', as "a cosmic Christmas ballad" written and recorded in their spiritual home of Liverpool. It was produced by Domino recording artist Bill Ryder-Jones, former lead guitarist with The Coral, at Elevator Studios in Liverpool. On the recording, Drew McConnell of Babyshamblesand Fionn Regan's band played bass guitar while Bill Ryder-Jones played piano. 'St Christopher' is inspired by the patron saint of travellers. The Lost Brothers chose to release this Christmas song in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust which helps young homeless people in Dublin. The song also honours those making long journeys to and from their homes. "St Christopher is the patron saint of travellers and we thought it was a good time to release the song, seeing as so many of peoples loved ones make long journeys every Christmas," Oisin Leech says. "The Peter McVerry Trust is a respected charity helping the homeless and we hope the money we raise helps them in some way. They support and shelter young homeless people in Dublin city. We will raise as much as we can through sales of the St Christopher single which will be available from 30th November at www.thelostbrothersband.com On the writing of the song, while taking a journey home by train while they lived in Liverpool, Oisín explains that the train was empty so we just took out the guitars and the idea for the song came. "Bill Ryder Jones is an old friend of ours and we just all ended up recording it. Bill used to play lead guitar with The Coral who are one of my all-time favourite bands. Drew McConnell from Babyshambles played bass on the single. Drew is also an old pal". The Lost Brothers recorded Moon River two years ago in Portland Oregon at Type Foundry Studios, and it was produced by Adam Selzer, M Ward producer and band member. Oisin adds that they even sang it while on tour this year and when they passed through Cincinnati, they were "comforted by the legacy of the late, great Andy Williams who would sing Moon River at the end of his TV show each evening. We'd like to dedicate this recording to his memory: "We'll carry on singing that song Andy." "We wanted to wait for the right moment for its release. It's an old favourite of ours. A mate asked us to sing it at his wedding and we did but then we kept singing it everywhere! "On the US tour in September we opened for Glen Hansard in Cincinatti and sang Moon River that night in a beautiful old theatre. We didn't realize that the great late Andy Williams ended his TV show every night with Moon River live from the studio in Cincinatti. Andy Williams sadly passed away the day after we played the Cincinatti gig so we dedicate Moon River to him". The single will be available from www.thelostbrothersband.com and also from Birmingham's pub on Ludlow Street in Navan. The Lost Brothers new album, 'The Passing of the Night' is also available from Birmingham's pub on Ludlow Street, Navan and also from www.thelostbrothersband.com, and all good record shops.