BRADFORD band Mookie + The Bab have a folk pop sound that has been likened to “somewhere in between Fleetwood Mac and Mumford and Sons”.

The band’s new single, I will Be, is due for release on June 6 and singer Abi Otway says it’s just right for the times. “It’s an upbeat song - something we all need right now,” she says.

Abi and husband Marc Otway have carved quite a niche on the local music scene with their band Issimo, and gained a loyal fanbase.

Now the Low Moor couple have teamed up with musician pals Will Stock and Conor Magi to form Mookie + The Bab.

“We’ve all worked together on various projects over the years and are now venturing into the world of acoustic and organic sounds, influenced by a plethora of musical styles including folk, country, Americana and pop,” says Abi.

With studio recording plans on hold because of COVID19 restrictions, Mookie + The Bab plan to release a series of live singles that were recorded shortly before the lockdown.

Chief songwriter Marc says I Will Be is a response to “the cynicism induced by constant exposure to the News, which can act as our daily highlight reel of the worst events in the world and the worst examples of human behaviour”.

Adds Marc: “There is a connecting theme through many of the songs, inspired by climate change, floods, fires and desertification, something the band feel strongly about.”

Mookie + The Bab - the name came from respective nicknames given to Abi and Marc by their families as children - list among their favourite artists Lumineers, Fleet Foxes and female British trio Wildwood Kin.

With plans of recording a studio EP currently on the backburner, the live singles - accompanied by filmed in the city prior to lockdown - are giving fans a taste on digital platforms of what the band hope to offer in a real live setting as soon as they can.

The band shot live performances of five singles in the Sunbridge Wells underground complex. “I Will Be is most positive song which we wanted to release first to help raise spirits during these hard times,” says Abi.

“We filmed the video in The Gin Bar, it was really kind of owner Romy Needham to let us use the space, it looks gorgeous. The videos were filmed by Leeds talent Jonny Ridout (shotbyridout.com).”

Abi recently told the T&A how she and Marc turned to music to highlight a life-saving moment. Abi discovered she a lump in her breast after Marc felt it as they cuddled. She was diagnosed with Grade 2-3 breast cancer and had surgery to remove the lump in February. Recovering, and self isolating, at home, she and Marc, posted their fun song ‘Cheeky Fondle’ song on Facebook - to the tune of Matt Lucas’s Thank You Baked Potato internet hit. “It’s a fun song with a serious message - check your breasts for lumps or other abnormal signs,” says Abi.

l To watch Mookie+The Bab’s video go to youtube.com/channel/UCNxmoc-4H4PhzTJwpvLLLUA/videos