August Gilde has returned with “Once in a While”, the second single from his new album, Animals. Produced by Tali Trow, it finds the Yorkshire-based singer/songwriter/organic farmer delivering a message to himself: “Before you make your way home, be sure to paint the cave walls, ‘cos you never told your story…” It’s a from-the-heart declaration that he’s going to make his mark, with an allusion to the Paleolithic cave art discovered in the 19th century.

Gilde, who lives and writes songs at his rural smallholding at the top of a hill in North Yorkshire, says: “‘Once in a While’ is about leaving your mark on the world. I said ‘be sure to pain the cave walls’ because cave paintings are the oldest form of preserved human art in the world.”

The song is highly personal, touching on his battle to reach a place where he’s comfortable. For the Gilde, that would be a life where his subtle but emotionally rich songs reach an audience of kindred spirits – people who may well recognise themselves in this warm track.

“A big part of ‘Once in a While’ is the struggle to get across my art to the world, and I’m asking myself why I’m so drawn to that. I do it so feverishly – one line says ‘if you get time then tell me why you’re moving like a solar wind through the church halls.’ Me talking to myself.”

You wouldn’t guess that the idea for the track came to him while he was home in his self-built log cabin, waiting for dinner to cook. What did he eat that night? “Pasta!” Many of his songs begin life in exactly such everyday situations. It’s how he develops them that makes them special.

“Once in a While” follows “Animals”, the first single from the album of the same name.

Due for release in early 2024