A YORK based singer songwriter has turned to crowdfunding to produce his first professional record - and is more than half way to his target.

Josiah Mortimer is a musician and activist and has already raised £1,700 of the £3,000 he needs to produce his EP Luddite Ballads, with York-based Rack Mount Records.

He said: “There’s not enough political music out there, and I want Luddite Ballads, as well as my music more generally, to play a part in countering that woeful lack of radical sounds at a time of austerity and inequality.

“Music is such a powerful medium and can really speak to people – particularly young people like me – so it’s vital we do everything we can to support it.”

Josiah is using a page on crowdshed.com raise the cash, and or just a £5 people can pre-order a digital copy of Luddite Ballads, and for £12 get a signed hard copy.

Tristan Clarke, Co-Founder of York-based Rack Mount Records, said: “We’re now more than half way to raising the £3,000 needed to get Josiah the recognition he deserves. It’s fantastic progress and I really think this is achievable. We’re gaining momentum to get some socially-aware folk into the public sphere."

To donate, visit the crowdfunding page at Crowdshed.