The folk-rock-roots outfit when Shann Lions and long-time friend John Baxter were reunited by luck.

Four Lions is Shann on vocal, guitar and harp, Greg Perry on bass, Jordan Allen on drums and vocals and Keith Macqueen on guitar and vocals. 

Shann had written songs and was searching for a local studio when he came across Baxter’s Mountain Sound Studio in Hanging Rock online.

“When we caught it up it was like yesterday even though we hadn’t seen each other in 15 years,” Shann said.

“John encouraged me to write more so in a space of six weeks I wrote another 10 songs.

“I sought out the right people to be in the band for me. It was just as much about the personalities (as the ability to play).”

Four Lions began recording in December last year and only recently finished mixing.

“I just worked on it every few weeks. It’s a 100 per cent independent release and was self funded,” Shann said.

The album is titled Charing Cross and harks back to Shann being proud of his home town, Bendigo.

“Musicians do it well, to be proud of their town, to name it in their songs or on stage,” he said.

“It's what I wanted to do, I love the local history. Things can changed and be torn down but it's good to reflect on the stories and the history behind them.

“I’m proud of Bendigo and have lived here for nearly twenty years so some of that is reflected in the lyrics within our album Charing Cross.”

The debut single from Charing Cross is Twenty Seven and it (along with a film clip) was released three weeks ago.

“(There was) a concept and an idea to tell the story about a long distance relationship,” Shann said.

“We filmed it in a few takes just after dawn. It turned out pretty amazing.”

The album will launch at the Queens Arms on Saturday, October 24. Only 100 tickets are available for the launch.

It will be the first time the band has played live in Bendigo.

“We will have a full sound and light show as part of the night, plus it’s getting filmed for viewing online weeks post the concert,” Shann said.

“We are hoping to make this show like nothing else you will see in Bendigo and create an intimate setting.”

Four Lions launched their debut album Charing Cross at the Queens Arms Hotel in Russell Street on OCtober 24. 

Tickets are $15 and can be booked at http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=55805