Childless Creativity
Next month sees this year's Childless festival at Chester Storyhouse. The 2 day event (September 23rd-24th) explores childlessness in all its forms. I have been roped into volunteered to take part in one of the panels. I am childless by choice and will be part of a men's panel discussing what it's like being childless, either voluntarily or involuntarily, and how it impacts creativity, purpose and legacy. As the panel will be looking at creativity I was "volunteered" to write a song for the event, which I have done. It's "global exclusive first-time performance" will be at this panel.
For more info follow this link https://www.storyhouse.com/seasons/storyhouse-childless/
Being Prolific
I hope you enjoy this photo of me working in my studio that is completely genuine and not posed for the purposes of having something to put on social media at all.
I'm going to do a Youtube channel update soon to cover some things I should probably talk about. I've recorded another song recently, it's a re-recording of another old song, Get Into My Jeans, which I'll probably release in October/November. I've also written a new song for a thing which, again, I'll tell you about soon. So that's two songs produced and another written in just a few months. Now obviously this has something to do with my broken leg and being stuck at home, but something else is going on here too.
I had a fairly severe mental health "episode" at the end of 2021. In the olden days it would have been called a "nervous breakdown". It wasn't very nice. I was shortly after diagnosed with depression and anxiety, put on medication and went into counselling. Throughout 2022 and much of this year, apart from a few acoustic covers gigs, I've done very little musically because I found "being creative" too difficult and all my energy was put into getting better.
I am a lot better now, but I still struggle with my mental health from time to time. Some friends have encouraged me to talk more openly about stuff like this. I'm reluctant because I don't think anyone really cares. However, I'm also aware that assuming nobody cares is a symptom of my depression. To be honest I also assume nobody really cares about my music, but I really like it so I don't mind putting it out there.
To summarise - I have been doing a lot of creative things and you shall see the fruits of my labour shortly. It comes after a dry period caused by me being a mentalist. I'm a bit better now thanks.
Gigging with a broken leg
I'd promised back in March to play this wedding in August and I didn't want my broken leg to break that promise. Huge thanks to my long-suffering partner Dawn for lugging all my kit around and for helping me setup. This was my first gig in several months and it went really well thanks to a lovely audience. I'd never even visited The Chester Fields pub before, it's a smashing spot!
Have a one night stand with me in September!
My new song is finished and currently squirreling its way into streaming services across the globe. It features a magnificent guitar solo by Rick White who is one third of Echochamber and will be on general release from September 15, although I may release it earlier on Bandcamp and on here because I don't give a toss about streaming services.
Wot no gigs??
The observant amongst you will notice that I haven't played many gigs of late. I hope this picture goes some way to explaining why. On June 1st I went climbing to Pentre Halkyn, a lovely little natural bouldering site near Holywell in North Wales. Mistakes were made. On June 2nd I had a fairly major surgery to remedy those mistakes and have been out of action ever since. Consequently I had to cancel gigs I had arranged for Cornerhouse and Chester Market. I can still play sitting down of course but live gigs tend to involve lots of equipment and lugging that around at the moment is not an option. This self-imposed house arrest has meant I've finished another one of my songs (see previous post) and am well on the way to finishing another so I hope to have a couple more tracks out over the next few months. I hope to be back playing live before Christmas.
New song in progress
Many, many years ago Les "Fruitbat" Carter put together a compilation of unsigned acts called There's A Madman On The Roof on his label Spinach Records. I was on it with a song called One Night Stand. I re-visited it recently playing it live for the first time in a long time and I quite enjoyed it so I've been working on a new recording. It's nearly finished and will be my next release. Watch this space.
Covers or Originals – you choose!
Exciting news people! My old friend Les "Fruitbat" Carter, formerly of the legendary Carter USM, and currently of the mighty Abdoujaparov, has asked me to support Abdou at their Chester gig on May 5th at The Saddle Inn. I'm a bit scared, I'll be playing a set of my originals and it'll be the first time in a long time, but as Les is largely the reason I began writing and releasing music I could hardly say no!
I'll post ticket details as and when I get them but would be great to see you there.
If you'd like to hear me play other people's songs for free though I'm back at the Chester Market on Saturday April 29th and on Friday May 26th xx
Live at Cornerhouse this Friday 24th March
I'm back at Cornerhouse this Friday 24th March for a solo outing, back there in June with Echochamber
Happy New Year – more gigs to come…
Happy New Year! Due to a late notice cancellation I'm back at Chester Market tomorrow night, Friday 13th Jan. There should be more dates to follow too.
In other news Echochamber, the acoustic duo I'm in has now become a trio and we played our first gig just before Christmas. It was loads of fun and we're looking forward to more this year. We've only got one gig booked at the moment in June at Cornerhouse but we'll get practicing and hopefully book more.
LIVE at New Chester Market!
I'm very excited to say that I'll be playing at the New Chester Market on Friday 11th November
If that wasn't exciting enough I'm happy to say that I'll also be playing there on Friday November 25th, Saturday December 3rd and Saturday December 17th!
I popped in there for the first time the other day and it looks incredible! Quite apart from the beautiful setting and exceptional food and drink offerings, there is now a proper PA and stage which I will be stage-diving off as often as I can!