Old Street Musical Union originally started out as a three-piece acoustic group with brothers Mike and Matt Hibberd on guitar and Jim Chamberlain on bass guitar. A year ago Kiran Hungin (vocals) and Andy Burt (drums, percussion) joined the line up. Mike became the lead singer.

All five members of OSMU listen to different kinds of music and so their tastes vary greatly. When they write their music every song gets debated during a jamming session. The result is an organic creation as they fuse together these influences into a musical melting pot. Country, New Orleans or Blues flavours can be heard.

OSMU have not based their sound on any one band and so their sound is original and cannot be pigeon holed unlike bands that try to copy what’s fashionable or have conventional chord and music structures to their songs. The band’s song writing is based on their personal experience of living in London.

Last year they recorded their debut album and managed to retain the energy, spark and spirit of their live performances on disc. This live feel is achieved in the recording studio by playing all the instruments first and then adding the vocals. Plans for 2008 include releasing their second CD in the spring, playing a string of concert dates and marketing their unique sound to as many new fans as possible.

Claudia Bronda