Welcome to my website. I write this at the tail end of a wet British summer, but it feels like music has been hibernating throughout an eighteen-month winter. A few brave souls have peeked out from time to time from their self-isolated lairs to make cautious music to a distant or virtual audience, but now, finally, a few tender shoots of a musical spring can be seen. It may be that before too long we can once again share with each other the extraordinary gift of music. We have missed the intimacy, the directness, the spontaneity of live performance in front of a rapt and present audience; playing or singing to a camera or microphone can be rewarding but can never replace the thrill and the joy of live concerts. As performers, we draw much of our energy from those who make the effort to hear and see us, to share the same space, physical as well as emotional. We are all tremendously excited about renewing that relationship.
The last year and a half has been a terrible time for many, and my heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones or who continue to suffer from illness and isolation. I have been tremendously lucky, and have even enjoyed aspects of my enforced sabbatical, reading, writing, and studying more than I ever did at university or college. As we return to live music-making I hope it will be with a renewed vigour and with refreshing new approaches. Even the most familiar music will feel special. We will never take any of it for granted again.
