Today (Friday) marks the release of a new single by local indie-pop singer-songwriter, Tim Whyte.

'Run' is a stripped back piano-led, ballad-type song that follows on from Tim's debut single, 'Visions' – a silver lining of our various coronavirus lockdowns.

"Over the course of 2020," Tim tells me, "the extra time I had spare really allowed me to focus on being creative.

"It was in March time, when I was writing and coming up with song ideas, when the chorus of 'Visions' came to me in about half an hour.

"I worked out some chords on the piano, tweaked the lyrics and decided to upload a little video asking what people thought of it onto TikTok.

"I woke up the following morning to hundreds of comments and thousands of likes on the post! People asking if it was available, saying how much they liked it, and wanting to hear more.

"Over the next couple of days, the messages kept coming so I realised I'd created something that resonated with people and decided to embark on producing the full song.

"I ended up writing it about being in a situation that you know is going to end, even though you don't necessarily want it to. Something we've all been through, and something people can relate to.

As was the case for many lockdown projects, 'Visions' was produced and recorded in Tim's bedroom at home. However, for the music video, he was able to get out and about, filming with a Preston-based production company called Wasp Video.

"The music video was fun to do," Tim tells me. "I gave the producers some ideas and they managed to get a storyline together, along with an actress, and we shot the whole thing over one evening.

"One thing that was quite interesting about doing the video was that I had to mime at double speed to the track while filming, and they filmed it all at a high frame rate, so when it was slowed down during post-production, you get the slow-motion effect and it keeps everything in time and gives it that cinematic feel.

"The only thing that wasn't so enjoyable," Tim adds, "was the fact that it was absolutely freezing!"

With its simultaneously soothing and melancholy sound, 'Visions' captures the bittersweet feel of imminent change, of a moment that threatens to dissolve into nothingness.

"See a light in the dark," Tim sings, "It's all we need. I'll find a way to unlock the door

Time will heal these wounds a little more"

Although it was the stasis of lockdown that pushed Tim to record his debut single, his passion for music stretches back to early childhood.

"I've always had an interest in music, but the fascination really started when I was in primary school, and watching one of the teachers playing piano in assembly," he explains.

"I just remember thinking to myself: "Wow, I'd love to be able to do that!" I also remember hearing Meat Loaf's 'Bat out of Hell' on the radio and being blown away by all the incredible piano and guitar parts!"

These early inspirations motivated Tim to learn piano and guitar: "I'd spend hours teaching myself and practising, watching instructional DVDs until my fingers hurt!"

"I started listening to a lot of classic rock music and hearing the guitar solos from bands like Guns 'n' Roses, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC and Bon Jovi really got me into that side of things. In my later teens I became a lead guitarist in a band.

"I've then been in a band ever since I was about 16 or 17 and throughout my twenties played at venues around the country, spending time in studios, and aiming to pursue a career in music.

"Even though the band career didn't work out it didn't put me off, and after spending time honing my song writing, vocal, and production skills, I thought it was time to start a solo project.

"As I got older my taste in music changed quite a lot too, from classic rock, to pop-punk, through to modern pop and rock music, and even a bit of country!

"I think this has had an impact on how I write and the style I've ended up creating for my own music."

With two singles now under his belt, Tim continues to write as much as he can, and will this month be recording some new music at one of the UK's most iconic studios: Liverpool's The Motor Museum.

Having worked with household names including Oasis, Jake Bugg, the Arctic Monkeys and Bring me the Horizon, The Motor Museum has been at the foundation of some of the most important songs of our time.

"I'll be recording two tracks there," Tim says, "which are going to have more of a 'full band' sound and a guitar-led style. I'll be hoping to release these a bit later in the year."

You can listen to 'Run' and 'Visions' on Tim's Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music.

To keep up to date with his latest releases, follow him on Facebook or Instagram.