A Cornish singer - songwriter has released his debut album and is donating the funds generated to support the push for more equal global access to vaccines.

Josiah Mortimer, who is originally from Truro, has released his debut album 'Shimmer' which was recorded in his flat throughout the February lockdown.

The debut album comes hot off the heels of Josiah’s recent EP This Town, dedicated to the key-workers of the pandemic, and raising funds for UK hunger charity FairShare in January.

Josiah plays acoustic guitar, kalimba, bass, mandolin, and all vocal parts on the album.

Josiah was brought up in Cornwall and now lives in London, but returns home where his family lives regularly.

The acoustic artist took part in this year’s February Album Writing Month, writing an album’s worth of content in February, before honing and recording it to form Shimmer.

The three-month album is a truly DIY project, produced at almost zero cost.

Drawing on acoustic and folk influences including Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell and John Martyn, Shimmer is a musical diary of the turmoil of the past year – with themes of isolation, as well as unity and hope.

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Josiah said: "I’ve been making music for a long time now, so it’s scary and exciting to finally have an album out there.

"It has been a true lockdown project, and it’s been so interesting to see it develop from a writing challenge in February, to something I’m proud of.

"Music can play a big role in capturing and processing our experiences, and that’s what I’ve tried to do with Shimmer.

"I hope some of what’s in here resonates with people.

"Things felt so strange and bleak at the start of 2020, and this album really tracks an emotional rollercoaster.

"As we hopefully come out of the pandemic, it’s good to reflect on how we all pulled together in these really tough times.

"I hope this album can do something positive, by supporting the urgent campaign to ensure developing countries have much greater access to the Covid vaccines.

"We're lucky to be coming out of the pandemic in the UK - now we need to pull together to support the rest of the world."

For more information on the album or Josiah's music, visit: facebook.com/josiahacoustic.