The Lake Poets is the solo vehicle for the Sunderland based left-field folk artist Marty Longstaff. ‘Lonely In The City’ is the first single from his forthcoming new album, ‘II’, which will be released in late August and promoted with a full UK tour (see dates below). 

A plaintive yet beautiful and haunting piano-based ballad, Marty explains ‘Lonely In The City’ as “a song written around the time of the Brexit referendum that deals with abject sadness, confusion and a feeling of being left behind in the isolated and divided North.”

Written from a young person's perspective during Marty's regular songwriting workshops with two of his alumni, the song’s theme of isolation, dejection, but ultimately hope speaks to those of us with pain in our hearts but a vision of a better future.

The new album was written and recorded between Nashville and Wearside and deals with life and love from the perspective of two protagonists who are lost and lonely in the city. The bulk of it was recorded and mixed in a one time drug rehabilitation clinic cum refugee centre in Sunderland's historic East End.  

It combines heartfelt and reflective lyricism with Martin's clear and shimmering vocals to produce a record that documents the complexities and compromises of growing up and finding love in the post industrial landscape of Northern England.

‘II’ follows the acclaimed eponymous 2015 debut album by The Lake Poets, which contained songs such as ‘Edinburgh’, ‘Black & Blue’ and ‘Your Face’ (over 7 million plays on Spotify).

“Somewhere between Bright Eyes and John Martyn. Something Special”  MOJO

“Stunning Debut from Sunderland Troubadour. Quietly Brilliant”  UNCUT

“Such are the quality of his songs and performance that you will want to devour everything he's ever done”  RNR

UK TOUR AUTUMN 2018

25.09.18  SHEFFIELD Greystones

26.09.19  EDINBURGH Sneaky Pete’s

28.09.18  GLASGOW Hug & Pint

02.10.18  BRIGHTON Hope & Ruin

03.10.18  BIRMINGHAM Kitchen Garden Café

04.10.18  CAMBRIDGE Junction 2

05.10.18  BRISTOL Folk House

10.10.18  MANCHESTER Gulliver’s 

12.10.18  NEWTON ABBOT Kingskerswell Parish Church

17.10.18  SOUTHAMPTON Talking Heads