AN INNOVATIVE new online initiative has been launched to promote the Cumbrian music scene.

Record Store Sessions will see burgeoning local bands and artists being interviewed and performing live in the newly-opened Barrow shop TnT Records.

Promising Furness emo band Canada Square were selected to be the first guests on the show, and videos of them playing acoustic versions of their songs, as well as a discussion with founder members Thom Fisher and Seb Harper, are available online via the Record Store Sessions' YouTube channel. Guitarist Thom said that it was an honour to be picked to be the first band on the Record Store Sessions. "Hopefully it does good things for the local scene," added Thom. "Everyone, from the bands, to TnT Records; and these guys are all pulling together and that can only be a good thing for the area.”

Record Store Sessions is a collaboration between new Cumbrian companies TnT Records, and Cumbria Live Music, both of which launched recently with a shared aim of promoting the county’s music scene.

Cumbria Live Music founder Kelly Raven pointed out that there was a lot of talent in the region and they wanted to give musicians a platform to showcase their songs and give people an insight into their work: "The shop provides a fantastic setting for the videos, and we hope to have many more bands and artists join us there in the coming months."

Canada Square are a new name on the circuit and played their first live show just before Christmas. During their interview, Thom and Seb discuss the origins of their band and their plans for 2019, while the live videos see them play stripped-back versions of their songs I’ll Say Anything and I Just Don’t Feel The Same.

Lead singer and guitarist Seb said that TnT was a really cool place: "I never thought we'd have a shop like this in Barrow. We didn't really know what to expect from the session, but it felt and sounded pretty good.”

TnT Records is on Duke Street and opened in December. The shop stocks new releases on vinyl, alongside classic and second-hand records, CDs, and other formats, plus merchandise and collectible items.

The first session is available via Record Store Sessions channel on YouTube and at www.cumbria.live.