TWO Wirral musicians have been specially selected to take part in an eight-week music development programme from Merseyrail and magazine Bido Lito!

The first semester of Merseyrail Sound Station took place in summer 2018 after an open call for musicians in the Liverpool City Region to apply.

After a selection process, 11 artists will now take place in the second semester of the programme.

One of the artists selected is Birkenhead based Kurran Karbal, who performs under the alias of Munkey Junkey.

Originally from New York, Kurran moved to Wirral three years ago with his girlfriend Zuzu who is also a rising star after being snapped up by Virgin EMI.

He told the Globe: "I started playing the piano when I was eight but my sister played the guitar and I was like 'woah, cool.'

“So I think I started playing when I was about 11 but, honestly, it’s actually hard for me to remember not playing the guitar

“When we moved up here, I set up a studio in Birkenhead and I was working with Bill Nickson, who was involved in Sound Station last semester, so I applied and I got it.

“I really want to get as involved in the local music scene as I can.

"We’ve only been living here for three years and for me, as an artist, this is a great way to push myself out there.”

Wirral Globe:

Merseyrail Sound Station class of 2019

A former Hilbre High School pupil, Adam Charo aka Podge says he is hoping to meet more musicians through the programme.

Adam, from Greasby said: “I don’t remember actively seeking music on a large scale until I was about 14 when my friends were doing the same.

"I started to teach myself bass around then and the goal was always to make my own music or make music with my friends."

Other artists involved in the second semester include Rachael Jean Harris, Eli Smart, Jasmine Johnson, Cosmic Shepherd, The Indica Gallery, Gallia, Pale Rider, Salt the Snail, StyerS and Wild Fruit Art Collective whose frontman Jamie Roberts is from Heswall.

Songwriter and music tutor Jez Wing, who also plays keyboard with Echo & the Bunnymen and Cath Hurley, an artist manager and former product manager for Rough Trade Records, will help guide the artists during sessions.

The development will then culminate in a live showcase when all the artists on Friday, March 29 at Liverpool Central station.

Merseyrail commercial director Suzanne Grant said: “We’re really excited to build on semester one of the project and look forward to seeing this new group of artists blossom.

“As a UNESCO Music City, it’s vital that Liverpool provides quality support to the next generation of musicians and we’re immensely proud to see Merseyrail Sound Station play such an important role in the region’s music eco system.”

There will be two more semesters of Merseyrail Sound Station this year, to take part visit merseyrailsoundstation.com