been a pretty busy week. spent a few days with Dave Lynch in Belfast working on tracks for the tour and recording a couple of B-sides for No cover up (the final single from sftdf). We had to pull an all nighter at the end to get everything finished and even then there is still loads to do!

Played the first live performance of I feel for you by Chaka Khan on Today FM which went really well (great relief there!) before going on The Cafe on RTE where we were treated to a very memorable version of stairway to heaven by Big Brother contestant - Carol..... yikes! (though she was going to give a copy of my CD to Vanessa Felts the next day).

Just back from rehearsing in Dundalk with soundman Oran. I am playing a warm up gig at the spirit store tomorrow night and am BRICKING IT!! Mind you the point of the show is to be able to run the set in front of an audience and learn from what happens so I suppose it's normal to feel a bit freaked out!?

Another late one. Played an instore in HMV in Belfast today. I was worried no-one would show but the audience were great and it was a pleasure having Ursula Burns along for the fun. Hectic day of interviews and running around though have finally got into thinking through the upcoming tour. I have sooooo much to do for it and just the small matter of an art exhibition and a song book to be created before that! Chaka Khan is coming along nicely though!

started working with Dave Lynch today. We are working on some stuff for the up-coming Irish tour as well as for the in-store in HMV Belfast tomorrow, B-sides for the next single and a song I am intending to cover by Chaka Khan!! Its great to get back in my wee studio despite it needing about a fortnight of tidying and sprucing up....... roll on January :) thanks to the Outlaw and his brother for giving Dave a bed for these nights. Also to Ursula Burns for playing with me tomorrow.

Ds xx

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

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.

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.

Last day of the UK tour. It has been lovely having Stephanie, Fi and Vicky with us. They presented us with a signed football in memory of the infamous Stockton night and we gave them chocolate hovering bunnies! Gig sold out and good crowd from the Swindon and Bristol massives, cheers driver.
Duke xx