A KENDAL-born record label owner is gearing up to release some of the region’s most adventurous musical experimenters as part of this year’s schedule.

Stuart Metcalfe founded and runs Rail Cables, an independent record label that has been putting out music for three years.

Originally set up to release music inspired by train travel, Stuart secured contributions from a wide range of well-known artists including This is the Kit and Mira Calix.

This year will see the label branch out, putting out experimental records from Ulverston-based Craig Lochead and Jo Gillard from near Lancaster.

Stuart said: “This is going to be an exciting year for Rail Cables. These are all artists who I just think it is a great shame that their music hasn’t been heard by more people.

“We are a small label, but over the years we have developed a core following of people who will buy the music and people who will help promote it. We know people at radio stations who do specials for our releases. By releasing this music, we are making sure that those people all hear it.”

Rail Cables was set up by Stuart during a period in which he was taking a break from playing his own music live.

He explained: “It has quite a particular theme. I have asked musicians from all over the world to create music inspired by train travel.

“It’s my favourite time for listening to music, speeding across the country with headphones in.

“So I decided I would ask my favourite musicians if they felt they could soundtrack these journeys, to my surprise, the majority of them totally got it and were happy to contribute.

“I was overwhelmed by the response I got from some of the bigger names willing to get involved.”

At first the release were done on a seasonal basis, with double vinyl albums coming out four times a year.

Since then, the releases have been done on a number of formats, including CD, cassette and digital, as well as more on vinyl.

The records are available from many leading record stores across the country and are available to order online from Warp Records sales website Bleep.com, Norman Records, State 51, as well as Kendal’s own Replay Records in the Westmorland Shopping Centre.

All the music Rail Cables has released so far can be found at RailCables.bandcamp.com and the label can be followed on Twitter and Instagram.