The only reason I mention background and school is that I have always felt displaced by the former and in hatred of the latter! Music from early on was my solace, my distraction, my passion. My parents were avid record collectors, my dad worked for Grundig and with Pete Murray at Radio Luxembourg at one time and we had the most enormous radiogram (a sort of early hi-fi in a cabinet) as a result. They had parties after which I would lose myself for hours in putting the records back in the sleeves, drinking in the names of the record labels, artists, b-sides, composers and even producers. Merseyside, particularly The Beatles, Motown and pop. Solo female voices such as Dusty, Cilla, Petula, Mireille and Sandie.

Roll on through learning instruments, discovering first glam and Bowie, punk and art rock, through rap, hip-hop, house. Music was always there soothing, playing, being played. Various bands and attempts to ‘make it’ all worthwhile came, failed and went. Always active listening and usually active playing. Then suddenly it wasn’t. I had the money to buy it by shed load, but no time to listen. I had the apocryphal beautiful house and partner that David sang of but I a job I had come to hate nearly as much as I had hated school. And I was utterly fucking miserable far too much of the time.

Instinctively and subconsciously, I knew I needed music back in my life. I went back. But I should have gone forward. The outward presentation was to have that breakdown and blow up my life. To alienate too many people who had been so tolerant and patient of my dysfunction. I had supporters and friends who led me down a path back to music and ultimately to a new career in therapy. It was though too much like tossing hand grenades onto the road ahead and ducking as the debris flew. I forget to take the people I cared about with me ‘cos I didn’t know how and they thought I was just being a dick. (Almost right ….)

I gradually came to making some sensible and healthy and helpful decisions. I trained and started working as a psychotherapist. I networked in music as much as I could. I formed my first band for a dozen or more years. Found myself a writing partner to supplement my solo writing and gradually rid myself of toxic influences that I had allowed in because of the bullying, victimhood and I now realise a touch of neurodiversity thrown in.

Slowly I started surrounding myself with people who cared about me and my music, who were not toxic, a circle of friends, colleague, mentors who helped me find myself both as a half-bearable human being, and eventually as a damn good songwriter. The therapy helped provide the money. Lockdown helped provide the space to write. Finally, I feel I am ready. Some years later than I had hoped or planned. Ready for the show to being. Ready for the audience to come here and dream. I am loving every second, every moment and I will do as long as I can.