Two musicians from Winchester are a couple of the first artists to release an album on Southampton- based label Tapeclub Records.

Tapeclub is the brainchild of Southampton-based student Will Evans and only releases music on to tape.

James Bright and Gillan McLaughlin recorded their eight-track mini album in Gillan's Winnall studios and agree that it has brought out the best in both of them.

James, 26, is originally from Devon and came to Winchester to study at the School of Art. He graduated in fine art 18 months ago and is now an illustrator living in Oliver's Battery.

He and Gillan used to be in the band Soup and got together to record their own album.

James said: "I have been in quite a few bands round here since 1999-2000. Some have been good and some have been bad, but I have been writing songs since I was 14 or 15.

"Gillan and I were in Soup together. While in that band we did quite a few gigs around the country and had major label interest, but it fell apart because they messed us around.

"I think that Tapeclub is a great idea. We are more in control and it is a collective of lots of different bands from all over the country and France that all write very interesting music. Also it has that '70s/'80s analogue vibe which we are kind of into ourselves.

"The feedback from the people who have heard the album so far is that they have really enjoyed it. I think mine and Gillan's writing style has changed a lot.

"There is a lot more movement in the songs and they are more creative. It feels like there is more of myself in there and Gillan's production has bought together the best of both of us.

"It is very rhythmical, there's bongos on one track and there is a country tint in some places and in others there is funky folk.

"I am really happy with how it sounds. We have put a lot of time into it."

Gillan added: "We are taking it seriously but the music is playful. There isn't a specific genre, there are a lot of styles on there that are approachable."

James continued: "We recorded in our own studio. The demo was done in my room and then I brought it over to Gillan's studio in Winnall. We have brought in a few other musicians who we have both played with over the years. It is something we have always wanted to do and it adds to the album rather than subtracts from it. I think this recording is a good representation of where we both are at the moment.

"Myself and Gillan want to continue writing and recording and we will just see how it goes."

240 editions of the tape album will be available from from Monday, March 26. It will be on sale at the Beatnik Emporium in Above Bar, Southampton, The Hambledon store in The Square, Winchester, and online from www.tapeclubrecords.com. The download release date from iTunes will be sometime in April, 2007.

After the release of their album, the pair will be playing a new stage at the Glastonbury Festival and putting out a double A-side single on 7 inch vinyl and as a download.