1) I see you have been releasing new tracks a few months ago,
I wanted to know more about your inner world, and on where do you draw your
inspiration for songwriting.
I have many songs to record and release that I've written over the last 20 years. The songs online are only a small sample of my work. Many of my songs are about love, life and relationships although I also observe the world around me and take inspiration from this. I often start with a tune which can arise through playing the guitar. Sometimes tunes pop into my head when I wake up, when walking and sometimes travelling. In everyday life there are rhythms and sounds around us and I think that I tune into this. I wrote a song called Society Street after stepping off the train in London; the rhythm of this song is like the sound of an old train on the track.
2) Are up to any new project right now?
I'm not performing very much at the moment. I'm in a very creative writing phase however and am excited about my new songs. I have around 50 songs that I'm going to record, catalogue and try to get some publishing support. As I said earlier.. I have a lot of material that I should be doing more with. I also have a group of musicians and singers who are going to work on my first solo album with me. It's going to be tricky deciding on the songs. I'm not going to press a CD. There's little point unless you have the marketing support. I am to take this to publishers to gain some support for it. So ... lots planned but as always time is limited ... I work full time as teacher. I hoping that I can make a shift into a more creative life in the next year.
3) What about your experience with your first band "The frocks"?
The Frocks ... it was great fun over a 6 year period. We had a lot of success and played countrywide at some top venues. We had a little radio play but our music and look was a little too alternative for the time. The Spice Girls we were not and we were a little too late for the Elastica style band period. We hit 30 and needed to get some sensible jobs that paid us a wage! The band split but we had a reunion in March after a 15 year break. We performed in Liverpool and it was great to see many old faces and new; quite a number of younger people turned up to check us out. They had heard of the Frocks, which was great. It was a fabulous night! I've continued working with 2 of the band members on my solo work.
4) If you could give me a few names, who are the artists or bands who influenced you most?
and why?
Joni Mitchell .. the greatest female singer songwriter of all time. She has everything; beautiful tunes, lyrics and a gorgeous voice. I'm a big fan of PJ Harvey too. I love her work and her ability to produce such different sounding albums. I love her latest album 'Let England Shake'. There are many other artists who I admire. I like good writers and great voices... Janis Ian, Joan Armatrading, Melody Gardot, Radiohead. I could go on ! Laura Marling is a great young writer. It would be lovely to see her flourish. I also love classical music. I trained in classical guitar as a child; this has really helped me as a songwriter. I listened to a lot of Mike Oldfield work in my teens. His work is superb. I write with a guitar but I can hear many other instrumental parts as I write. I have the scores for all of my work in my head. I would love the opportunity to go into a studio with a full orchestra and choir. I dream of playing 'Future's Lane' live with such a set up. Dreams can come true!
5) And which have been the most successful and inspiring collaborations in your music?
The Frocks were successful. The EP Journeys was a good result. It took 2 and a half days to produce in a home studio and received some very good reviews. I worked with 3 lovely guys and great musicians. Julian Stone on bass, Vinny Spencer guitar and keyboard and Colin Jones produced it. Unfortunately I got a serious illness not long after and was out of action for several months. I lost some momentum with it. I then got better, got ill again and my life was on hold again for another 4 months. Although I've been getting back into music over the last 3 years, my work has had a couple of unexpected interruptions! All is good now however and touch wood I should have an uninterrupted year where I can really focus on my work. I'm about to collaborate with a producer from London who wants to use my song called The Wishing Well in a dance track. Apparently a lot of his work is played on the London club scene. I'm looking forward to working on this as it's a new and different challenge. Oh .. and I've just done some backing vocals for a Donna Destri track. Donna Destri ... New York based, sister of Jimmy Destri (Blondie).
6) Would you give me 3 titles of the songs you would have want to have written?
Too hard ... I can't narrow it down to 3. There are too many songs that I love.
7) Singing, writing, playing?
Everyone can sing. It's a healthy and positive thing to do. Okay, some can sing better than others but singing shouldn't be about competition or a desperate need to become famous.I think that the Pop Idol and X Factor style shows have had a negative effect on some young people. You don't have to be an amazing singer to have a voice. Let's sing for the joy of singing. Group singing, community singing, singing in the shower... wherever. I've done some work in school with young people. It's amazing how singing can have such a positive impact in such a short space of time.
I would encourage anyone to have creativity in their life. It's good for the soul. Music has been my counsellor, particularly in the last 3 years where my life changed significantly and unexpectedly.
I'm not a music teacher by the way! Although I aim to combine my teaching skills and music abilities in the future.
If you have a gift or ability, use it. I really need to listen to my own advice here. I should be working full time as a musician. Maybe I will!