Songwriter Kieran prepares to re-invent himself on the local scene

Glen Millstone is the new songwriting alias of popular local musician Kieran McMahon

Glen Millstone is the new songwriting alias of local musician Kieran McMahon, and a brand new single is set to follow on February 14.

Kieran is well known in his hometown of Oldham for forming The Boundary Parkas - the resident band for Oldham RLFC and Oldham Athletic.

Now decorated as an award-winning songwriter, Kieran returns as Glen Millstone a solo acoustic troubadour, who from the artwork of the upcoming single could have walked straight out of a cotton mill in Oldham during the Industrial Revolution in 1900.

The peak cap-wearing, guitar-wielding bard sings of rainy weather, cobbled stone floors and dry-stone walls.

A quintessentially British artist who embodies the spirit of the north of England.

His new song - 'I've a Way' - begins with just an acoustic guitar and a simplistic strumming pattern with the entrance of an isolated drum kick that is reminiscent of ‘ Wouldn’t It Be Nice ‘ by The Beach Boys.

The score expertly builds to a striking chorus equipped with Jeff Lynne (ELO) style backing vocals.

The sound was built with the steady hand of Gus Tuner of Gafro Studios in Elland.

The number even contains an unlikely acoustic guitar break that follows on to a brass section (with the help of professional brass musicians and old school chums Adam Stretton and James Atkins) before culminating with two huge choruses with a whirling organ.

The lyrical narrative of the song looks back to past school days like ’ Maggie May ‘ by Rod Stewart does or ‘ Ooh La La ‘ by The Faces.

The vocal delivery switches from almost spoken parts to beautiful melodic hooks, a lot like the craftmanship of Elvis Costello, Ron Sexsmith or Bob Dylan.

The chorus line “I’ve A Way” is instantly empowering and draws on the young man who disagreed with what he was being fed and wanted to “get on home and pick up my guitar” like a young Pete Townshend.

The track is expertly mastered by Pete Maher.

‘ I’ve A Way ’ will be available on all popular streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes on February 14.

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