As the inspiration for The Kinks’ seminal album Muswell Hillbillies, some might say that Muswell Hill has always been Highgate Village’s richer neighbour in terms of musical heritage.

But the village may have found its own musical ambassador in Gon von Zola, who has written an earworm of a song all about what he sees on his walk home.

The Holly Lodge estate, Highgate Village Fruiterers, and Highgate Cemetery all get a mention in the musician’s tribute to Highgate Village, where the 30-year-old has lived for three years.

“I just love it here so much”, said Mr von Zola, who moved to London from eastern Germany in 2006.

“I was just walking home one day and thought it would be nice to mention the things I see on my way home.”

The musician has also filmed a video, where he walks from his friend Joel’s house in Kentish Town Road, through Gospel Oak and up to Highgate, all while dressed in a yellow chicken costume.

“Being dressed as a chicken makes things successful,” he said. “I used to have a band and took part in a competition once and the jury said they remembered us because of the chicken costume.”

Tufnell Park actor Damian Lewis is no stranger to the streets of Highgate and while Mr von Zola was filming, he spotted the Homeland star and asked him to make a cameo appearance in his video.

Mr Lewis was good enough to oblige the freelance music producer and he can be spotted halfway through the video sporting a yellow cycling jacket.

Mr von Zola, who performs under the name The Budda Cakes, self-released his Highgate Village single, called Walking Home, on his own record label, Joel and his 7 Inches. After an EP and three self-released albums, Mr von Zola, of Highgate High Street, has come a long way since arriving in Camden with just £5 in his pocket and a guitar.

He squatted in a number of places across north London before earning enough money working at a record shop and pancake stall in Camden Town to rent out a room in Holloway, before moving to Archway and then Highgate.

He now performs regularly in Camden Town and co-writes most of his music with Sue Denim, a fellow musician who starred in several episodes of surreal sitcom The Mighty Boosh.

The single, Walking Home, is free to download for all Ham&High readers by emailing info@thebuddacakes.co.uk with “MP3” in the subject box.

You can watch the video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkmD8GQxh7Y&feature=youtu.be