Manifold catastrophes literally rained down on Becca Williams last month as a calamitous flood put all the worldly possessions in her Chorlton flat (and nearly also her pet cat) under water.

Rain and sewage may have drowned the instruments but it did not dampen Becca’s ambitions as she prepared for the release of her debut single “Train Driver” (along with its heart-breaking B-side “Astronaut Song”).

The record - on general release on 15th November - got a special “fans only” launch on 20th October at An Outlet in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Becca explained the reason for this unconventional approach:

“There were all sorts of delays to this release that weren’t anyone’s fault, just unforeseen circumstances and bad luck. We didn’t want to keep pushing the date back and back though… we have such a great bunch of people who have supported us at shows and festivals over the years and they’ve been asking about the single - we didn’t want to let them down so decided to organize a free concert (for all the people on our mailing list) in which the audience would be given a free limited edition press of the single while we get the official release sorted properly. We basically just wanted to say ‘Thanks for the help over the years and hope it’s been worth the wait!’”

So the single was home pressed, the sleeves hand drawn by Becca and the distribution happened face to face. A fitting beginning that has been a long time coming.

BBC’s Chris Long - regular champion of Becca & The Broken Biscuits - had plugged the show as Manchester’s gig of the week and was in attendance on the night to see the action play out for himself, later tweeting that the event was “absolutely stunning.”

The evening’s entertainment closed with an appearance from label-mate Richard Barry (who had also been the opening act) duetting with Becca on their celebrated reworking of The Smiths’ “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” to roaring applause.

“Train Driver” is available to download from the Debt Records shop and will be on general digital release (complete with music video) on Monday 15th November.

Photos courtesy of Andy Darbyshire

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