Friday, September 28, 2007

promo trip in the UK

just back from 2 days in Wales and England to promote Our love goes deeper than this and the reissue of the album. The lovely Neil Adams from V2 picked me up from Cardiff airport yesterday morning at some ungodly hour and off to the first interview of the day. We met up with Chip and Ben Castle in a small venue in Cardiff, near the Point venue over at Cardiff bay. so began 2 full on days of sessions and interviews. I know we were tired as the last 2 sessions had the 3 of us stifling giggles in that school boy in class way!

Got to hear some of Ray Davies' new album which sounded great. Also loved hearing silversun pickups and Brendan Benson. Met Clint Boon of Inspiral Carpets fame in Manchester radio session today when the fire alarm went off and we all had to 'muster' in the car-park.... very school playground!

Dave Lynch arrives on sunday to work with me on some stuff for the Irish tour as well as B-sides and a cover of a Chaka Khan song, should be fun. Also working on a couple of songs for playing at HMV on Monday in Belfast to mark the reissue of the album. Hoping Ursula Burns will join me on stage there.

Anyways, knackered prevails as the silversun pickups guide me to my bed...... laters xx

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Blue Remembered Hills

Blue Remembered Hills
Went to see a play tonight at the Old Museum Arts Centre in Belfast. It was called Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter performed by a theatre company managed by a guy who performed at the Vaudeville night at the Empire I did recently from Pigeon and Plum's Vaudeville Circus. It was mostly set in a forest and told the story of a group of children living through in England during the second world war. It reminded in a way of reading Black swan Green by David Mitchell, the ficklness of loyalties in order to survive, the cruelty and innocence of childhood.

I am in awe of actors! On the few occasions I have tried I feel distinctly average, believe me, I am the first to admit it! Tonight again I was blown away by the actors' ability to make me believe them and to feel what they were feeling.

Today have been listening to Arab strap (The Red Thread) and some great, new Paul Pilot songs.

first

Just watched documentary on Joy Division on TV, and feel frustrated and excited at the same time. Also went to see David Kitt last night at the Empire in Belfast. I have spent the day doing a photo shoot for a local newspaper, being interviewed about the re-release of songs from the deep forest and the upcoming tour and meeting people about some new t-shirt designs for the October tour. I don't feel like an artist, I feel like I am recycling things and want to lock the door and hide and just write for about a year until I am happy with the songs and then record a brand new album. Watching Joy Division and DK inspired me. I remember the creative process and the fire and intensity of writing, trying to capture what always escapes, trying to articulate what can't be spoken.

Anyway, I am so lucky to be here, to have this problem and I am grateful.