My dad left this earth and the world came to a grinding halt. When I saw in 2020, I was deeply wrapped up in a disorientating loss. Characters fictional and historical have cursed the skies throughout our collective existence in these situations: “How dare the world continue to turn when I have suffered a loss …
I’ve forgotten how to do this. It’s been so long since I’ve gone on tour through Germany with nothing but a suitcase and an acoustic guitar, everything about the prospect seems daunting. The journey to my first show results in a comedy of errors, but after fumbling my way through Frankfurt’s main station, catching a …
Continue reading “Tales from the (vintage) Rails – stations & swimming pools”
2019 crept in with cautious optimism. I had not long returned to London after the annual Berlin-break with family, when I got to soak up some inspiration for the months ahead. I hosted a Q&A with Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien on behalf of the FAC for a small group of artist friends. Making music for a …
I hadn’t quite realised how much I’d missed being tired and singing every night. It had felt like an eternity since I’d been on a proper adventure tour like this. The kind of tour where you have no idea what to expect from day to day, what the venue will be like, what the audience …
Continue reading “Canada Tour – the ice wind, the snow and the warmhearted folk”
The title is tradition, although for a second there I thought “2018 and what it did with me” may have been more appropriate. When the world spins toward an ever more tense future, our personal lives sometimes seem to follow suit (we had a ‘Good-riddance 2018 / Survivor themed NYE party). So I’d like to …
It’s just as well I’m currently reading Amanda Palmer’s ‘The Art Of Asking’, otherwise I wouldn’t know what I was doing here. I’m in Cromford (“Not gonna lie, sounds grim”, someone texted me on my way). In fact, Cromford is far from it – a beautiful sleepy village close to the peak district with one …
Continue reading “Tales from the Rails – repainting stripes once earned”
Remember when I opened for Marillion on crutches? Sometimes you can feel moments turn into memories. The premise to this particular savings deposit in my memory bank was quite absurd. I had a fractured ankle, two torn ligaments and the opportunity to play four of the largest shows for me to date. Knowing the opportunity …
Continue reading “Tales from the Rails – touring with Marillion: Crutches, Cables and Flight Cases”
It’s still January. Just like my accounts, I’m sneaking in my year’s review at the proverbial eleventh hour. 2017 was pretty fucking amazing – worthy of a rare expletive. I released an album, toured America, toured the UK, said hello to Debbie Harry along the way, played my largest show to date at Cambridge Folk …
“What’s your business in the US?” “Where are you coming from?” “Where are you heading?” We had rolled up to the US border between New Brunswick and New England and my heart immediately started beating faster. The line of questioning was carried out in the usual harsh tone of voice. The more routine questions were …
Continue reading “Tales from the Rails – Baby You Can Drive My Car and All The Other Beatles Puns”
I’m drinking cappuccino in a coffee shop in Worcester Massachusetts. It’s 8pm and I’m thinking on time and how it could possibly be that there are only five shows left to this tour. For those of you who follow my writings, you may have noticed that there haven’t been any for quite some time. It’s …
Continue reading “Tales From The Rails – Oh Canada! Bright skies, Open Doors and the Amish”
