THEY have mostly been locked away in the studio until now but 2016 could be Priestley's year after making their debut on BBC Introducing.

Warrington's newest folk pop quintet appeared on the showcase for emerging bands earlier this month when they played a stripped back version of their song, Hurricane.

Now they are ready to take on the festival scene with gigs booked at Warrington Music Festival on May 28 as well as Foodies Festival at Tatton Park, Birmingham Music Festival, Harrogate Food Festival and Salford Music Festival.

Former St Gregory's RC High pupil Matt Morley writes Priestley's music with former Birchwood High student Sam Allen.

Matt sings harmonies and plays the keyboard while Sam sings melodies and plays guitar.

It was a big change for the pair as they had previously made a name for themselves as actors.

Matt has appeared in the film adaptations of Macbeth and War Horse while Sam was Johnny Depp's double for Mortdecai.

The turning point was in January 2013 when they had both gone through break ups.

They retreated to America to stay with Sam's family in Chicago.

Sam said: "We had both come out of relationships and we wrote this song called Good Girl about it just not being the right time.

"It is the most positive and cheeky spin on a break-up. We just had the impulse to do it."

When Matt and Sam returned to the UK they saw the potential to take the music further.

Matt added: "We were working as actors and it was on and off and up and down. That was when we met up with some of our other friends from the Priestley College days.

"It was just one of those happy coincidences really. One chap was making music videos for a production company in Manchester, another was producing music.

"They liked our song and as a result of that little network that we had from Priestley we managed to get the music snowballing."

Their Warrington friend Joe Kelly, from Night Owl Records, produced Good Girl while another mate Sebastian Joseph, at Equinox TV, created a video for their song, No More Wasting Time, at Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Opportunities have expanded since then with even Atlantic Records interested in their song, Kick.

"They liked it and want to hear more stuff," said Sam, 30.

"Our manager Alan Field just signed a girl to Atlantic Records called Kayleigh Rose so he has a strong relationship with them."

Matt, 29, added: "It’s good to know our music is being heard by the right people and we’re getting good feedback.

"We’re back in the studio now with Phil Taylor who is the guitarist for Tony Hadley. We’ve tried to write a back catalogue of strong music before touring it.

"We’ve kept it under wraps and wanted to get our sound as tight as possible.

"It’s nice that we’ve gone from writing together and essentially doing something we enjoy and taking it to a level where management is introducing us to writers

"We’ve sent the music to Eg White, who did Chasing Pavements for Adele, and he's agreed to give it a listen."

Sam said: "Our largest gig was at Halliwell Jones Stadium but the nicest thing we’ve done and the most rewarding was the live song on BBC Introducing.

"My dad John was in a band called The Allisons and he’s really excited about what we’re doing.

"He believes we’ve got a hit with No More Wasting Time and he sent it to the former chief executive of Sony EMI Records."

So how did the name Priestley come about?

"It was like a lightbulb moment," said Matt, who met Sam at Priestley College.

"Everyone who has helped us get to this point has been involved in that college. It is a tribute to where it comes from."

Sebastian Joseph, from Equinox TV, and Graham McKnight, stage manager at Manchester Opera House, were also in Matt and Sam's year.

"There was an unbelievable amount of talent in that year of performing arts students," added Matt, from Orford.

"They’re all doing incredible things in the industry now and we’re fortunate to be a part of that. We still have agents, still work and still run the academy.

"Sam just auditioned for a new American TV series and I’m off to Hollyoaks this afternoon but it’s work. This is where our heart lies."

DAVID MORGAN