The restaurants and retail outlets in a city centre shopping mall will come alive to the sounds of an exciting music project with the launch of an album which brings together the old and the new of the Hull band scene.

The release of “Songs from the Fourth Floor” at POP Art Space in Princes Quay Shopping Centre will signal the commitment of the Centre to the promotion and development of culture in Hull.

POP Art Space was opened in Princes Quay earlier this year by the Creative and Cultural Company and has already expanded to display artwork in a second unit. Centre Manager Claire Suggitt said more activities are planned as Princes Quay works to support its tenants by connecting with the summer festival programme and other cultural projects.

Claire said: “Princes Quay is becoming a hub of community activity, hosting a variety of local events and activities working alongside internal and external partners.

“Building and developing partnerships within the community is one of the key focuses at Princes Quay, which in turn will drive footfall, dwell-time and spend within the centre, ensuring that there is a focal point for customers to both enjoy and embrace.
“A huge part of the community involvement that we are involved with includes the POP Art gallery, which a great opportunity for customers and retailers to embrace the culture and art that is on display daily.”

Songs from the Fourth Floor is the work of Hull-based electronica composer and musician Andrew Tomlinson, performing as 4ourth4loor, and features the vocals of Lou Duffy-Howard, a member of iconic Hull band from the early 1980s, the Red Guitars.
The cover image by Lou’s husband Rich has already won recognition in a music photography competition organised by Music Industry Yorkshire. The album itself has been welcomed by musicians and industry bloggers as one of the most impressive to come out of Hull and East Yorkshire.

Lou said: “I’ve performed all sorts of musical styles over the years and this is different again. The Red Guitars were an internationally successful indie band. Since then I’ve been in quirky pop bands and Africa-influenced bands and more recently there’s been a folky edge.

“But I’ve never done electronica until now and the feedback form the critics who have enjoyed a preview is that it’s a proper album, a collection of songs which fit together really well, and a contemporary electronic dance style which has serious number one potential.”

The launch of “Songs from the Fourth Floor” will take place in POP Art Space at 6pm on Friday 4 July. In addition to music from the album the evening will include a series of atmospheric films created by Andrew to accompany the tracks and featuring footage of landmarks from across East Yorkshire.

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “POP Art Space has only been open a few months and is already attracting a different clientele into Princes Quay because it is unique and re-invents itself with a new exhibition every month.
“The album launch is another great idea and demonstrates how business and artists can work together to attract more people into the city centre.”

Website: www.princes-quay.co.uk

Pictured: Princes Quay