It really has been an amazing 12 months at 'basecamp Mike T' here in the Lakes.

From a tentative recording, which was only going to be 4 songs - & originally not even The King of Dunmail Raise was supposed to on there! Probably my flagship song to date. That song was used as a microphone set up test but I was persuaded to add it to the EP ...then I went from 4 to 7 tracks.

Getting Suzanne on board to play double bass has been a great dynamic to the sound when playing live and has taken us on quite a heady journey of live performances - notably the support slot for Mel C at Keswick Mountain Festival, June 2018. Soon we'll be joined by a great drummer & Cajon player in the form of Dave (also with me in Southern Edge - details below)

Along the way I have been writing many new songs, some of which I have been playing live. 18 quick demo's later has provided me which much to deliberate for the next recording adventure, which is to be in Stroud, Gloucestershire this September.

With the ever busy and amazing Lukas Drinkwater at the helm of this new album, it is sure to be my seminal recording. Just the launch pad I need to strike new ground - not only musically, but in profile and live performances into 2019.

I already have a few great dates lined up, including some special support slots!

I also have an offshoot project with some great musicians - Harry, Paul Dave & me - a band called Southern Edge. Think Jake Bugg meets REM and it's pretty close... We'll hopefully take our pop-rock-folk vibes live into 2019 too!

Watch this space...

Photo by Poppy Turnbull Photography