Stratford's Street Arts Project launches new album ahead of free concert - The Stratford Observer

Stratford's Street Arts Project launches new album ahead of free concert

Stratford Editorial 24th Dec, 2021   0

A MUSICAL homeless charity is releasing a new album which tackles themes of addiction, loneliness and isolation.

Street Arts Project, a non-profit charity working with the homeless and vulnerable of Stratford, will be releasing ‘Wake Me Up Tomorrow’ on January 14, the day before it holds a free concert at the Stratford Playhouse.

The album is the culmination of two years workshops throughout the lockdowns and features Street Arts Project participants and professional musicians, Nigel Clark – of 90s Britpop legends Dodgy fame – Wes Finch and Jack Blackman.

The workshops, funded by Stratford Town Trust, support attendees to write lyrics, poems, a piece of music, or simply a page of thoughts which are crafted into songs.




Facilitator Doug Armstrong said: “We give a voice to experiences and feelings and a chance to unlock a creativity that the participants hadn’t previously known how to articulate or share. Fun, at times bizarre, occasionally sad, but always real. Just like life.”

The first single is the title track, ‘Wake Me Up Tomorrow’ featuring lyrics by Jonas, originally from Lithuania. Jonas spent years sleeping rough in a tent.


During the lockdowns, the project’s remote reworking of John Lennon’s 1970s track, ‘Isolation’ received the seal of approval from the former Beatle’s estate when it was shared by the official John Lennon Facebook page. Featuring 29 different musicians, and the voices of participants, the track raised a large amount of money for the project.

The track has also been praised by American jazz legend Curtis Stigers who tweeted ‘This is beautiful. Bravo!’ and BBC radio legends Janice Long and Marc Riley.

Street Arts debut album, ‘Hope’ was also released to critical acclaim and championed by BBC Radio which described it as ‘something very special, full of beauty, observation and the voices of those who are not often heard’.

Street Arts Music concert takes place on January 15. Doors open at 7.15 for an 8pm start.

Visit streetartsproject.com for more details and to make a charity donation.

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