After nearly 20 years and releasing 7 albums in Runcorn based band The Fireflys, lead singer/songwriter Lee Wylding decided to go his own way in 2020 forming the alt-country tinged “The Far North”, Influenced by Springsteen, Young & Dallas Green.
Signing to Chester based Red Lantern Records Lee’s 2021 debut album - the Nigel Stonier produced “Songs For Gentle Souls” quickly became a BBC 6 music featured LP thanks to early support from Chris Hawkins. Peaking at #1 on the Apple Music and Amazon Charts and spawning 3 singles “This House Is Ours” “Runaway” and “Branches”, the album garnered heavy BBC airplay which helped Lee secure his debut gig at Old Trafford stadium live on MUTV, but also support slots with Sunbirds (Dave Hemingway ex Beautiful South) Ben Ottewell (Gomez) James Walsh (Starsailor) Tony Wright (Terrorvision) Buzzcocks, Toploader, Tom Odell and others.
Lee’s second release “Songs For Healing Hearts” followed in 2023 and saw The Far North featured in Maverick magazine, and a slot at the British Country music festival among many others. In 2024 Lee was nominated for 2 awards for his songs “Branches” and “Home Sweet Home” the former with UK country music radio and the latter with Radio Wigwam, coming second.
Lee continues to play shows well into 2024, supporting Ben Ottewell for a second time and heads into the studio in July to record his as yet untitled 3rd album.