Press Release STAYANOTHERDAY.INFO #WFCulture19 #stayanotherday Twitter: @WFculture19 Facebook: @WFculture19 Instagram: @wfculture19 LONDON RECORDS AND WALTHAM FOREST LONDON BOROUGH OF CULTURE 2019 RELEASE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC STAY ANOTHER DAY (IN SUPPORT OF CALM) COMPOSER (AND EAST 17 FOUNDER MEMBER) TONY MORTIMER ACCOMPANIES WALTHAM FOREST YOUTH CHOIR AND EAST LONDON BRASS ON NEW RECORDING NEW VERSION OF STAY ANOTHER DAY COMES 25 YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL SINGLE WAS RELEASED THE SINGLE WILL BE RELEASED IN SUPPORT OF CALM (CAMPAIGN AGAINST LIVING MISERABLY) LISTEN TO THE TRACK HERE WATCH THE VIDEO HERE DOWNLOAD IMAGES HERE Twenty-five years after its first release, and on the very date it hit the Christmas Number 1 spot, original label, London Records, in conjunction with Waltham Forest: London Borough of Culture 2019, today releases a brand new recording of the classic East 17 Christmas No1 Stay Another Day. The new version, specially arranged by acclaimed composer Joe Duddell (New Order, Elbow, Richard Hawley, Everything Everything and Daughter) features the 100-strong Waltham Forest Youth Choir accompanied by East London Brass, with East 17 founding member and writer of the original song Tony Mortimer on keys. Waltham Forest Youth Choir is formed of young people aged between 11 and 16, from schools across the borough. This reworked version of the Christmas classic will be released through East 17’s original label London Records, 25% of the proceeds generated from all sales of the single will be donated to Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), the charity leading a movement against suicide. Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 and London Records have chosen to re-record the track to remind people that we need to look after one another, and to celebrate life. Tony Mortimer said ‘Everyone remembers Stay Another Day as a Christmas record, but underneath the white parkas and fake snow is a song about male mental health and a story about my brother who took his own life. CALM is a charity very close to my heart and I hope this release gives people who are struggling the confidence to speak up and seek help.’’ Local participant, 12-year old Kevin Coman agrees: ‘This project has raised my confidence a lot and has inspired me to do more work with music. Taking part in the Waltham Forest Youth Choir and music video has taught me that there are a lot of good people out there, and that I should use them as role models to work harder and not only be a better musician but be a better person in general. The song is very emotional it makes me feel like the people I’m singing with are family in a way, I just feel a bond with everyone.’ Sam Hunt, Creative Director, Waltham Forest: London Borough of Culture 2019 said: ‘This is the perfect way to end our year as the first ever Mayor’s London Borough of Culture. It has been great to see co-creation in action with everyone working together to create this incredible version of a classic song. Releasing this now, in 2019, is a testament to the creative talent of Waltham Forest past, present and future. We are proud to be able to do this in partnership with CALM and highlight the importance of art and culture in relation to mental wellbeing.’ Simon Gunning, CEO of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), said: ‘There's such a powerful message behind Stay Another Day and we're delighted to be a partner in this brilliant project. By supporting CALM and spreading this important message, we hope more people will know they are not alone and that there are people who can support them at what can, for many people, be a tough time. CALM's free, and anonymous helpline and webchat is open every day across the festive period, from 5pm- midnight. The funds raised from this single release will contribute towards the operation of CALM's life- saving services, which currently take in excess of 10,000 calls and webchats every month.’ Laura Kelly, Label Manager, London Records said: ‘Stay Another Day is a treasured classic from the London Records catalogue and we wanted to do something special to celebrate the 25 year anniversary this Christmas. With East 17 so famously from Walthamstow it was serendipity that Waltham Forest is London Borough Of Culture this year and the team there have done a fantastic job alongside Waltham Forest Youth Choir, East London Brass, Tony Mortimer and Joe Duddell, creating this wonderful homage to the track. We are also delighted to be supporting CALM by donating 25% of proceeds to the charity.’ Renowned film maker Steve Glashier came on board to make the music video for the project which you can watch here. The single is released today on London Records and can be downloaded here NOW! -ENDS – For further information please contact The Corner Shop PR on 020 7831 7657 Clair Chamberlain | Laura Myers | Natasha Krstic-Howe NOTES TO EDITORS BIOGS Tony Mortimer Tony Mortimer was the founder, rapper and songwriter for the band East 17. They had several hits in the UK and internationally with songs such as It's Alright, House Of Love, Deep and of course the number one Stay Another Day. They went on to sell over 20 million albums. Tony is an Ivor Novello Award winner and has written film scores. He is working on songs for a new musical to be out next year. Joe Duddell, Composer and Arranger Joe Duddell is a British composer, arranger and conductor renowned for his collaborations with artists such as New Order, Elbow, Richard Hawley, and Daughter. Joe studied composition at Salford University and Royal Academy of Music in London and his classical works have been performed around the world. He has been composer-in-residence for Festival No. 6 since 2011 and also an arranger for Burberry. Joe currently teaches at Liverpool Hope University and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Sam Jones, Music Producer Sam Jones is a music producer, who has worked with artists including Will Gregory, Corinne Bailey Ray and Soweto Kinch, and on projects such as Africa Express, Serengeti and The Space for the BBC and Rough Guide. Many of these led to licensing and releasing agreements for labels like Soundway, World Circuit, Strut and !K7. Beyond traditional label structures, Sam is head of production at On The Corner Records and owns Secretsundaze Studios in Hackney, London. Mary Mycroft, Joint Head of Waltham Forest Music Service Mary Mycroft is the Joint Head of the Waltham Forest Music Service, the lead organisation in the Waltham Forest Music Education Hub. A fully qualified and experienced teacher with 20 years experience in music education, Mary is passionate about creating and delivering inspirational musical experiences for children and young people. Rebecca Baxter, Vocal Animateur Rebecca Baxter is a Vocal Animateur with a degree in Vocal Studies from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She specialises in delivering education, outreach and community workshops throughout the UK and worldwide, and also offers training on leading singing in schools. About London Records The legendary label London Records is the home to classic pop acts such as Bananarama, Fine Young Cannibals, East 17, Shakespeare’s Sister, Orbital and Goldie. The label has recently reformed after the catalogue was acquired by Because Music. East 17 ‘Stay Another Day’ is one of the biggest hits from the label’s repertoire- charting every year in the run up to Christmas. 2019 is the 25-year anniversary of the track and London Records wanted to mark the occasional and pay tribute to the original sentiment of the track. East 17 famously being from Walthamstow, the label reached out to Waltham Forest: London Borough Of Culture 2019, and will be donating 25% of all proceeds from the track to the charity CALM. About CALM The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide — offering lifesaving services, provoking national conversation and bringing people together to empower everyone to reject living miserably and stand together against suicide. On average, 125 people in the UK take their own lives every week, with 75% of all suicide in the UK being male. CALM runs a free and anonymous helpline and webchat service from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year. CALM takes over 10,000 calls and webchats every month and, in 2018, directly prevented 675 suicides. Alongside this life-saving service, CALM aims to create more action across society, against suicide through multi- award winning campaigns like Project 84, which succeeded in getting millions talking and the government appointing the UK’s (and world’s) first Minister for Suicide Prevention. CALM also brings people together with collective action around interest points like running, football and art to drive cultural change and empower communities to better support the mental health and wellbeing of themselves and those around them. Just £8 pays for a potentially life-saving call to CALM’s helpline. For more information, visit thecalmzone.net. Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 Waltham Forest is the Mayor’s first London Borough of Culture. The award, the flagship programme in his culture strategy, was a major new initiative launched by Sadiq Khan to put culture at the heart of London’s communities. More than 15,000 people backed Waltham Forest’s bid, which aims to inspire 85% of households to participate in the cultural year, engage every school in the area in arts and culture, and to attract over half a million new visitors to the borough. The year will explore the themes ‘Radicals’, ‘Makers’ and ‘Fellowship’ in a collaboration between local residents, artists and creatives creating a once in a life time celebration of the place we call ‘home’.