FIFTY3FRIDAYS: SIX HUNDRED NOT OUT

Last week’s Fifty3Fridays was all about Fresh On The Net and today’s issue continues to draw more some great material from the FOTN well. The headline might not be one that cricket writers would conjure in tribute to the current England squad but it does signify that today marks the six hundredth Listening Post. That’s a whole lotta listening for the moderators over the years and what must be well over 100,000 artist entries. Take a bow, Tom Robinson, the man who started it all some 17 years ago.

To celebrate Fresh On The Net’s 600^th we start with my two Alt Picks from last week. A recent innovation from the Fresh On The Net team, Alt Picks features tracks that did not make the Listening Post but caught the ear of individual team members. Each moderator can choose up to two entries that then become the week’s Alt Picks. The ones that got away.

My first choice was the collaboration between songwriter, musician and producer SE7APH1C and pop singer-songwriter Laura T, both Norfolk-based. They have been working together on music since 2021 when part of a band called Rane and their output includes music featured in Marie Curie fundraising campaigns in 2021/2. SE7APH1C trades in creating emotionally rich, immersive soundscapes blending atmosphere with precision. He has no connection with Charlton (London SE7) but the numbers give greater differentiation in online searches while the play on seraphic reflects a feeling that songs are a gift from the stars. Laura's music taps into her real-life experiences from past relationship issues to the highs of being in love.

Co-written by the pair, “Echoes” steers a path through the pain of losing someone you love while emerging on the other side with a clear insight of how fragile and precious life is. Together, they have produced a gem of a song which puts a positive spin on the loss of a loved one. The take away is one of hope and comfort with the final line of the tender accompanying video perfectly encapsulating this: "hope is the echo your voice left behind". The euphoric extended coda amplifies this message of hope while Laura's vocals add beauty and poignancy throughout the song.

We travel up to Leeds for my second Alt Pick where we find indie pop-rock 4-piece Long Island. The band has all the armoury to continue an upward trajectory which has seen it last year secure major festival slots at Truck, Kendal Calling, Isle of Wight plus a headline stage slot at Tramlines. Powerhouse vocals, catchy hooks and feel-good grooves combine to create a full-on sound when Long Island put on a show. Yet, as the latest single shows, Long Island is fully capable of revealing a different dimension when called for.

In “Special Place”, Long Island displays more of a chilled and measured approach to its music. The song arose from a feeling of not fitting in with the world and a wish to find time in the busy monotony of life for those people and places that make you feel special. After such a busy 2025 from festivals to hectic release schedules, the band confesses that the fast pace of the industry began to wear it down. This song then grew from a tender acoustic demo between vocalist Rhiannon and Cameron (guitar) into the powerfully emotive track you hear now. I love the way Long Island describes itself as your favourite indie band from the north. It could well earn that accolade judging by this wonderful song. Anxieties are beautifully voiced with fragility and meaning while the song’s exhilarating ending sets the seal.

Photo by Kelly Briggs Atkinson

The next song made it through to last week’s Listening Post but didn’t quite land the Fresh Faves accolade. Staithe is the North-east union of Bridie Jackson, who previously led the exceptional folk quartet, Bridie Jackson and The Arbour and classical viola and synth player, Nick Pierce, whose background is in both orchestral and contemporary music. Beginning as an informal collaboration during the 2020 lockdown and formally established as a duo in 2023, the pair have been busy working across a raft of artistic projects. Last May 2025, Staithe put out its debut album, Flowers, as a self-release to wide acclaim.

“Slow Dance on Quick Sand” is the portentous new single from Staithe. Beautifully layered piano and strings provide an elegiac backcloth for Bridie’s unmistakable and intimate voice, full of humanity and empathy. The vocal rises and falls are something of wonder against the unfolding soundscape beautifully driven by Nick. Lyrically Bridie reflects on the strands of love that endure and keep you steadfast to withstand our ever-changing, turbulent world. I was privileged to see Bridie Jackson and The Arbour turn a raucous room into pin-drop stillness, en route to winning the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition in 2013. It is wonderful to hear her again in the new guise of Staithe.

I had the pleasure of writing the reviews for last week’s Fresh Faves. I was delighted to see that The Trusted who made last week’s column here were among the ten acts voted for by Fresh On The Net readers.

You can listen to all 10 tracks on the FOTN site here and, of course, read my glowing reviews but meanwhile, after lots were drawn, here are two songs from Alice. and Olivia Miceli to give you a taster.