A MELKSHAM-based singer-songwriter has started a crowdfunding campaign to help release his new album as a record.

Julian Pugsley, 47, who releases music under the pseudonym of Blake, has always dreamed of being able to cut a record.

He wants to take advantage of the recent resurgence of interest in record collecting to fulfil his lifelong ambition.

Julian, of Caretaker’s Close, Melksham, said: “I’ve always dreamed about making a record.

“Now, with the revival in record sales and the reduced costs of vinyl pressing, it’s something that’s in reach of independent musicians.

“However, the process still isn’t cheap and I need to raise £1,000 to produce 100 copies of the LP. That’s why I have started this crowdfunding campaign.

“If people pre-order the album I can use the funds to pay for the pressing of the record.

“People don’t need to own a record player to support the project. The album can be pre-ordered as a CD or digital download too.”

Mr Pugsley, who plays in a local tribute band, All You Need is The Beatles, was inspired to release his new album, called Ride, as a record after releasing his single Vinyl Junkie, about the joys of record collecting, in 2015 on CD.

He said: “I had loads of people ask me why my song about record collecting wasn’t available as a record. I had to explain that as an independent musician I couldn’t afford to get it pressed.”

Mr Pugsley recorded Ride at Dominic Bailey-Clay’s Nine Volt Leap studios in Melksham, playing guitar, keyboards, harmonica and drums on the new album.

He said: “I have worked with Dom on four previous occasions and he really gets what I do.

“I go for an old school Sixties sound that should translate well to being played on a record. Dom instinctively knows how to recreate this.

“We are very fortunate to have one of the country’s top producers based in Wiltshire. He’s worked with some of the very best producers and musicians.”

The album contains 11 original songs and a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Dust, written by singer and guitarist Danny Kirwan, who died aged 68 last month.

The LP is dedicated to Kirwan, whom Mr Pugsley described as “one of the finest musicians this country has produced”.

Mr Pugsley will spend the summer playing festivals in England and Wales and will play a gig with his Beatles tribute band at Moles Club in Bath on November 22.

To support Julian’s crowd-funding campaign, please go to his website: www.thisisblake.com