A singer-songwriter will be donating all the proceeds of his latest single to a children’s hospice.

Matthew Shepherd’s new single ‘Turns to You’ – releasing on May 15 – follows his 201 5debut studio album ‘Top of the Tree’ which broke into the iTunes Top 100 Singer/Songwriter Album Chart.

The Loughton-based artist will be donating any profits made from ‘Turns to You’ to Haven House Children’s Hospice.

In March, the Woodford Green hospice announced it was expecting to lose more than £500,000 after having to cancel a number of fundraising events and close its charity stores during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have been going back and forth in my mind whether now is the right time to be releasing new music or not”, Matthew mused. “But what I’ve learnt over the last few weeks is that music definitely brings people together. I think it’s about time I let these new songs loose.”

Matthew, also a part-time barista, describes the new single as ‘warm, intimate and delicate’.

He added: “I think this time I went into the studio with a lot more experience under my belt. ‘Less is more’ was the key throughout.

“Performing and recording music gets me through the week. Finding the time to write songs is difficult, especially when my job is as busy as it is. I can spend a couple of hours or a lunch break to jot down song ideas and lyrics.

“I could happily spend a whole day with a mug of coffee, writing lyrics or whatever comes to mind - I think the coffee shop-vibe has certainly influenced this new project.”

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