2022 a year in review!!! This year has felt to me like an end of another chapter of my career so far. The release of “Very” my best of LP certainly made it feel like I was ending another chapter and onto a new chapter in 2023 is waiting for me. Even my live shows have shown that with me doing half old and new songs a lot of the shows. Moving the new songs in a less blues based material (although that will always have a place in my heart and will probably appear from time to time in live sets… yeah I know you all love Broken Bones ha ha). But it’s been fun to mix new and old up on the road this year.
So I released “Very” which has been my main focus on the releases front, but a couple live tracks did appear on 4- way split “Last february” recorded live on tour with Lee Resistant, Sourface and Scott Murray.
Lots of new material is waiting to be released not only by the amazing Aaahh!!! Real Records who I have worked with for years now and can’t thank Ian enough for the faith he has shown in my musical output. But “Very” also saw me work with TPOS again who’s Malcolm Tent has helped me with a few minor releases in the states before. But also saw Pink lemonade from Canada join us. I recorded “Year” in Antwerp by the wonderful Tim Van Doorn at his amazing Big dog studios. This album will be out fully January 2024 (but watch this space as you will find out more throughout 2023). Also 3 other albums are nearing completion and heading for releases.
I have back up to my usual levels of crazy tour with 190 shows in the bag! It’s been nice to get back to being able to tour as much as I have after a couple years where things like that have been limited. I crossed the pond not once, but twice Touring in The US and Canada. I got back to mainland Europe too a few of times. 3 months of those touring dates where with one my favourite performers (and people) Greg Rekus. A big shout out though to all my tour mates this year Naomi Randall, Craig John Davidson, Tim Loud, Sourface, Harrison Rimmer, James Bar Bowen, Malcolm Tent, Brightr, Ghostwrite, Swamp Rats and although wasn’t a real tour (which hope happens some time) Condition Oakland and Sweet Anne Marie. I’ve also had to say goodbye to the silver machine this year (thanks again Bosko Green for all your help my friend). The new Bat-mobile had some teething troubles too (luckily James Bar Bowen speaks better Deutsche than me) and hit by a scam booking agent too (thanks everybody again who helped me out that pickle). which lead to nearly 3 weeks on the greyhounds. But it’s been great to be back out on the road again and see everybody.
And I also had time some how to finish off the Gareth James album, record and co-produce The Sourface EP and start the new Martin Howard album at Fireplace studios.
So thanks to all my of you who helped me along this year if you come to a show, one my patrons, bought merch, put me up, put me on a show and anybody who has taken the time to listen to my music (keep doing that and sharing it with your friends please!). special thanks to Yann, Mental boy, Branden, Tony and all the fest crew, Dan, Jennie and all the Rebellion crew, Stefano (revolver concerti), Dan (carpe diem music), Derrick and all the Make that a take crew and so many more of you who made this all possible for me to have a most excellent year again!
Onto 2023 watch this space cause loads of most Excellent news…
