A YORK-BASED DJ - who was once part of a popular drum and bass group - has released his debut single.

Arkley, otherwise known as Pete Bott, started his next chapter in "the perfect place" for creation - the village of Osbaldwick.

Pete and his wife Becky met in Leeds before moving down to the capital for four years - producing a string of tracks as Deuce & Charger.

The dance group were recognised by BBC Radio 1 / 1Xtra, Kiss FM, Mixmag and DJ Mag and worked with leading underground labels.

Meanwhile the musicians also became parents in 2018.

"It was pretty intense," Pete told The Press.

"It was really busy and they [the tracks] did pretty well but after that time we felt creatively exhausted by it and I'd always wanted to do a solo project.

"We moved back up this way and York had been a place we'd always visited. So we moved to York last year.

"It's just fantastic. I just think it's the perfect place where you've got so much history and culture and it's just a really lovely atmosphere.

"It's really peaceful.

"The music scene in London is fun and there's lots of opportunity but with the pandemic I think everyone realised that there are limitations down in London. Creatively it just feels like we've got more space.

"When we had this drum and bass project we put the last single out in October last year but leading up to that we were going to take a break from it. I wanted a solo project and something different from the bass."

The single, Music (Over & Over), was also mastered by Mike Marsh who has worked with names including The Chemical Brothers and Calvin Harris.

York Press:

He takes inspiration from The Avalanches, the Dust Brothers and Basement Jaxx - all bands he admired while growing up.

Arkley's work as a producer is described as taking "old school samples to create chopped n screwed house beats".

It is available to stream on most platforms.

Explaining his hopes for the Arkley era, he said: "I'm really excited about it. I'm really enjoying it.

"I've got lots of material ready to release."