Sheffield is "an inspiring place to be" says guitarist Ed Cosens

Having tasted critical acclaim and chart success with the band, Ed has now stepped out of the shadows to record and release his debut solo album, ‘Fortunes Favour’.

Although not the first time he has dabbled in solo recording, it is the first time he has released solo material to the public, with the sound he was looking for having finally ‘clicked’ a couple of years ago.

"It is something that has been in my head for a while now and I have had the time and space of the last couple of years, as I have not been doing so much with Reverends, and I have just managed to find a confidence and self-belief that the ideas I have as a solo artist are can stand up to the band, and my peers as well - that's an important theme through the whole album; the journey of growing up and learning life lessons and finding the confidence and belief in yourself,” he says.

“I started recording solo 8/9/10 years ago but was never really happy with what came out the other end.

"Looking back, some of the songs weren't good enough but two or three years ago some of the songs started coming together and it just clicked, what I wanted it to sound like.”

In the music videos accompanying the album, the city of Sheffield features heavily – with areas such as Sharrow and one of the city’s numerous parks taking centre stage, and Ed admits the city will always play a ‘big part’ in his creations.

“I am Sheffield born and bred and the vibe of the city plays a big part in music for all of us in the band and our generation growing up, with the history with the electronic of the 80s, and the rich musical history, and the mid-noughties was an amazing time to be about.

"I think Sheffield, and the make up of the city, with the Peak District on its doorstep, is an inspiring place to be.

"All these little bands and creative people doing these amazing things all over and all feeds into each other and a real understated mystique, where as Manchester and Liverpool shout more, Sheffield is a bit more understated.”

‘Fortunes Favour’ will be released on April 9.