high summer update time

Too long since an update, sorry! Just got back from an amazing trip to the Isle Of Man and we’re finally making proper autumn plans for the ‘Words Fail Me’ single, as well as my Unjazz piano impro release, so watch this space.

Meanwhile here’s a column about venue closures, a new blog page about my Henry Moore Walk across London, a short Songnostic blog entry about Folk Song A Day and my Summer 2010 playlist.

I’ve started a new songwriting blog HERE to go alongside my normal blog. Also added MANNIFEST 2010 to my gigs list, it’s the Isle Of Man’s big summer fest. Life-changing, or just a load of fun.

Last UK gigs til autumn: Fri 4 June I’m doing a £4 all ages show at Guildford Plantation with support from three different singers called Adam. Buy tickets HERE. Then on Weds 9 June I play at The Cannon, Newport Pagnell (not the services) near Milton Keynes. Tickets HERE.

I’m also running a guest workshop for Brighton Songwriters on Tues 8 June  at The Brunswick. Get in touch with them if you’re a songwriter or just interested.

However, I’m booked for hardly any UK festivals this year (just Blissfields and 2000Trees) so after these gigs it’s a long summer break. Late Spring 2010 Spotify playlist HERE. Morning Star column about Frank and Laura HERE.

Huge congratulations to Caroline Lucas and the Green Party team for a phenomenal win in the general election, electing Ms Lucas as the first ever UK Green MP.

I need your help with the ‘Words Fail Me’ video: will you film yourself burning a book for us? Details HERE.

Check out Rifa’s lush live footage at the London gig: Open & Shut, Elephant In The Room, Stop Listening and Tall Woman.

We’re also trying out Bandcamp so I’ve put up my 1999 debut Beatverse plus ropey-but-fun 2004 comp Live Tonight – download single tracks for the first time ever HERE.

My 7th album LOVE IS NOT RESCUE is out now. It’s available on the merch stall on my UK tour (remaining dates below). Buy it from:

• Xtra Mile Recordings
• Banquet Records
• iTunes
• Amazon.co.uk (CD)
• Amazon.co.uk (MP3)

Please rate it, review it, talk about it on forums, tweet it, whatever. Thank you kindly.

Happy Easter. Since I’m feeling a bit odd and need cheering up, here’s ‘Market Square’ from Love Is Not Rescue. I wrote the music, A.A. Milne wrote the words. Available ONLY til sunset today, so you’ve got about five hours. Tell anyone you think might like it…

…sorry, the sun has set, the song has gone.

Some odd tour pics and the first three months of my #loo2010 project are both up on Facebook now.

I’ve also added an extra short notice Brighton gig: I’m joining Thomas White, Stuart Flynn and Matt Eaton at the Fairtrade Gallery tomorrow night (Fri 2 Apr) for a low key thingy. No idea what it’ll be like but come down if you’re nearby.

Thank you so much for coming out to see me on tour. I’ve had the most fun, enjoyed some fantastic gigs and been blown away by your lovely responses. Cheers x1000.

Give me two or three days, then there will be a pile of news, including Europe and USA shows, festivals and a new single & tour, all before summer, to take in some UK cities missed out on this tour. Peace. x

Confirmed: this Sat 27 Feb I’m playing a set at Marcus Brigstocke‘s fundraiser for the Green Party at Brighton’s lovely Theatre Royal. Last few tickets HERE. Guests include Russell Howard, Mark Steel and Alistair MacGowan.

By the way, my new Morning Star column about Cowell’s Haiti single is HERE.