It's been a long time coming, but Hyndburn favourites Maupa are about to release as single. They spoke to CLIVE LAWRENCE. . .

MAUPA are, at last, poised to put out their debut single -- and to mark the release they play Accrington's King Street Club next week.

Having first emerged on the local scene a couple years ago -- after a what was supposed to be one-off performance -- they now have their debut album in the bag and ready to go.

Born out the music scene that once existed around the Albion pub in Clayton-le-Moors, their potential was picked up almost immediately.

Representatives from some of the biggest labels made almost weekly trips up north to see the group but, for whatever reason, no deal could ever be found.

As time passed the visits grew less frequent and the lads were left almost out in the cold to concentrate writing and recording the songs.

Then they teamed up with, Mark Jones -- at his MJM Studios in Oswaldtwistle -- for their first demos and the partnership has remained intact since.

Frontman David Boon said: "We just really liked working with Mark. Initially it was because the studio was close but we've recorded the whole album with him and he's been great with us."

One of the reps to take an interest in the band was Warren Clarke and when he set up his own record label -- Necessary Records -- Maupa were at the top of his shopping list.

Reflecting on the amount of time it's taken the band to reach this stage, David said: "Yeah, it's taken a while to get the record out but we are ready now. If it happened sooner it might have been a bit to early for us. We've been out touring a lot this year and we're better for that. It does feel right now."

Band manager Chris Yates added: "We deliberately chose this route -- to come through on a true independent label to allow the band to develop in their own time. But the last time they played in Manchester they pulled over 400 at Chorlton's Blow-Out Club, so what started as a slow build now has a real momentum behind it."

Released on December 1, the debut single, Helpless, was chosen from over 20 tracks. David said: "It sort of encapsulates everything that's on the album. It's kind of nice but dark at the same time. Some of the songs on the album are a bit rockier and some are quieter. Helpless just has a bit of everything in there."

After a year visiting some of the country's less desirable venues, the six-piece are looking forward to seeing a home town crowd.

David said: "Yeah, we're looking forward to it because we haven't played Accrington for ages. And it's nice because some of our friends travel all over to watch us, so it's good that for once they won't have to drive that far to see us.

One of the highlights of the year was their appearance at Manchester's In The City event.

They played in front of a sell-out crowd at the Dry bar in what they say was their best gig yet.

David said: " It was nice because they'd all come to see us and we really didn't expect that. We were a bit shocked really. When you play the toilet venues in the middle of nowhere, you have no idea who you're playing to and it's all about winning them over. So when people do turn up to see you it does make you a little nervous. But you can use that nervous energy to your own advantage. And that night was definitely our best performance to date."

Maupa play at Accrington's King Street Club, on Saturday, November 22 with admission £4 with a ticket or £5 on the door. They also play the Soul of The North event at The Mill on Aqueduct Street, Preston on November 29.