BRADFORD duo Issimo are launching their new EP Walking on the Sky on home turf on Friday evening

The duo, Abi Uttley and Marc Otway, will be at new venue The Underground, showcasing the summer sounds of the EP.

The launch party follows a busy few months for Issimo which has seen them filming a music video in City Park shot by ‘Drunken Film Festival’ organiser Jax Griffin and playing festivals including Bradford Pride, Grassington Festival and Hecky Fest. The duo will also be appearing at this year’s Bingley Music Live

The new EP was released digitally last week, but the official release is this Friday and CDs will be on sale at the launch, which has rising Bradford singer Oliver Pinder as the support act.

“We have received overwhelming support from radio stations up and down the UK, our live shows have all been so much fun,” says Abi, who has also been busy in her acting career recently, appearing in an episode of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks last night.

“I played a bossy copper on the case of Mac Nightingale, played by David Easter. I had to be very firm with him while filming, but off camera he was lovely and we got on very well,” says Abi, who has also been in Coronation Street. “David’s on-screen daughter, Ellie, played by Sophie Porley must have been convinced because she politely asked me if I was a really police officer, which I took as a compliment!”

She and Marc formed Issimo after they had each taken part in a nationwide battle of the bands, Rock the House. They reached the final, which was held at the House of Commons and supported by artists such as Queen’s Brian May, Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus and Rick Wakeman.

Abi and Marc finished first and second respectively in the solo act category. Since teaming up as Issimo they have been gaining a fanbase from around the UK, playing at events such as Bradford Festival, Latitude and Beat Herder. The duo have supported Guiseley band The Dunwells, on their Light Up The Skies tour, and performed at Live at The Leaders, an event in London attended by MPs supporting live music.

Marc revealed to the Guide how the pair came up with their unusual name. “Issimo is used in Spanish and Italian to add emphasis to words, it’s kind of like an exclamation mark which fits perfectly with what we do,” he said. “We perform with an eight-piece band, dress loudly and produce flamboyant music videos with horses, lots of fire, and evil queens.”

* Tickets for Friday's launch party are available at YorkshireTicketShop.com, on the door or by emailing info@issimomusic.net. To view the video go to ISSIMO on facebook and youtube.