IT has been five years in the making, but finally Bradford indie band Kascarade are set to release their debut album this spring, with a live performance launch event in the city.

Called The Start Of It All, the album features 12 self produced tracks written and performed over the past five years and recorded in the band's Thornton Road studios.

The album came about as a result of an unusual way of financing, with Brighouse-based fire rated glazing business Arkoni making a significant contribution towards production costs.

Kascarade was formed in 2010 by vocalist and guitarist Maf Milnes, together with brother Luke on lead guitar and backing vocals and bassist Adam Brankin. The three are all former pupils of St Bede's School. The band also features Martin Horton on keyboards and synth and drummer Carl Bower.

“We’re very excited to have finally reached this point but it’s taken a lot of hard work," says Maf. "We’re very much a down-to-earth Bradford band that is immersed in the community and we feel that our surroundings and experiences are reflected in the tracks on the album.

“None of this would have been possible without the financial support of Arkoni. Like us, they’re ambitious and committed to their community. It represents a great template for other bands to adopt when looking to finance their activities.

“As a result of Arkoni’s support we now have an excellent recording studio kitted out with the latest technology and we envisage hiring it out to up-and-coming local bands in the near future to help them get their music out there, without having to pay huge sums of money for a good quality recording.

“We’ve gigged over the past half decade nationally and across the region at events including the Saltaire Festival and Hebdon Bridge’s famous Trades club."

Maf lists a range of musical influences that have helped shape the band, including The Jam, the Beatles, Thin Lizzy and the Rolling Stones. "We’ve forged our own distinctive sound as a result,” adds Maf, 30, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2013 for his services to community work in Bradford.

The album includes a new version of uplifting track Rise Again, previously released as a single featuring former Happy Mondays vocalist Julie E Gordon and accompanied by a video filmed on Ilkley Moor.

“There’s a positive message that resonates throughout all our songs,” says Maf. “We believe in giving it your all in every aspect of life and we believe in people and community. With so many negative stories and divisions in the world right now, we just want to give out feelgood music with messages of love, hope and friendship.

Lead guitarist and songwriter Luke, who is partially sighted, is clear about the future. “We want to play bigger stages, support established acts and carry on producing great music. I personally want to show that, regardless of your start in life or your abilities, hard work and dedication to your craft will give you skills and opportunities for life!”

Luke, who is developing a social enterprise to encourage the next generation of musicians, adds: “We believe we’re good enough to step up to the next level, and have been told so by a number of well established acts we've supported."

Mark Prentice, managing director and founder of Arkoni Metalwork, adds: “Music is such an important part of so many lives. We’re very pleased to continue supporting a band that represents the best values of Bradford and Yorkshire as a whole.

“Businesses and bands everywhere could learn from this model. We can’t wait for the album to be released!”

* For more about Kascarade visit kascarade.com