A PAIR of Bradford-born musicians have teamed up for the first time from opposite sides of the Atlantic to work on two songs including a cover of a Christmas classic.

Lockdown has not proved a barrier for Chantel McGregor, a singer-songwriter, and David 'Nova' Nowakowski, from Bradford band 'Scars on 45', who have united for the singles.

They are an original song called 'I Will See' and a version of the Christmas carol 'Jingle Bells'.

With Chantel based in England and David in the USA for lockdown, the pair have collaborated on the singles via email and WhatsApp during the pandemic.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Chantel McGregor will release a Christmas collaboration with David NowakowskiChantel McGregor will release a Christmas collaboration with David Nowakowski

They met on a night out in Brighouse before the pandemic started and have been working on 10 songs together throughout this year.

David is also known to Bradford City fans for his 'Nova Meets' interview videos filmed around Valley Parade on matchdays, pre-pandemic.

The pair hope their songs will cheer people up after what Chantel describes as a 'naff' year.

She said: "It is the first time I have worked on stuff like this remotely. It was interesting.

"I had to brush up on my studio technique at home.

"All of the tours have been cancelled, all the things that I would normally do, they have all been stopped.

"You've got to adapt and change how you do things. I have had to do voiceover work as well.

"We have done a few recordings. There are quite a few things that we are working on.

Everybody has had a naff year, so we just want to cheer people up

"People have said to me 'why don't you do a song about Covid', but I think people are just sick of it now.

"These songs are a bit of a diversion away from what I usually do, which is rock."

Chantel was on the studio working on new material with her band when the coronavirus struck earlier this year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: David Nowakowski, left, interviewing former Bradford City player Paul Caddis at Valley Parade David Nowakowski, left, interviewing former Bradford City player Paul Caddis at Valley Parade

She has adapted since and has been working solo, live streaming concerts called 'Shed Sessions' on Facebook every Saturday night at 5pm.

Chantel also presents a show on Hard Rock Hell Radio every Monday morning.

She also released a rock cover of Lady Gaga's Stupid Love through US label Cleopatra Records in May this year.

She added: "I have done about 30 weekends of gigs online. I haven't missed one.

"It's been different to playing in front of a live audience, playing to a screen.

"Even though trying to communicate with fans this way isn't easy, it's still fun.

"It was due to be really, really busy for me with gigs this year. All that got pulled. Some of my gigs set for March this year have been put back to 2022."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Nowakowski is the keyboard player in Scars on 45, who have had their songs played on hit American programmes including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CSI: New York and Grey’s Anatomy.

The four-piece band, whose members are all from the Bradford district, were also given a civic reception by then Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mike Gibbons, in January 2015.

The two singles will be released on digital streaming and download platforms on Thursday, November 26.