Vote for Central Station

Over the past couple of years as a soloist (and more recently with my backing supergroup, The Black-Eyed Wives) I've had the pleasure of playing in pubs, underground clubs, comedy clubs, gardens, tents, festival stages, churches and theatres. My favourite venue in which to play so far, and by quite a long way, has been Wrexham's Central Station at an event called ROPE, run by the inestimable Ross  Roberts.

I've played there twice now: Ross and his team have looked after my fellow musicians and me and both times have gone the extra mile to make sure that everything we've needed was provided. My favourite ROPE memory is of playing alongside The Charlatans in March 2011, when the house lights were brought up as I played and I could suddenly see hundreds of people watching me bring my set to a close.

Anyway, here's the rub: the NME are currently looking to find Britain's best small venue and if there's a worthier candidate than Central Station, I haven't heard of it. Vote here, and be sure to check the listings on the ROPE website for future shows. I'll doubtless be making an appearance there very soon.

Band Review

The nice people at Hooting and Howling have published their review of my appearance at The Shacklewell Arms last week, they've been too kind. Read it here.

The Revolutionary Spirit's Debut

Perhaps North Wales isn't the first place you'd look for a band bashing out memorable psych hooks and pop choruses, but Wrexham's The Revolutionary Spirit seem to have managed it OK. Their new single "Last Memories"is now available through Cool For Cats Records; listen below.

Back Into Journalism

I've started writing for fanzines again, my first review in a long while is up on Psych Zine's website. I wrote about The Men's new album, read it here.

New Song With New Band (Video)

A video of my new backing group and me playing "The Other Side". Enjoy. Feel free to share, RT, link, whatever.

Introducing...

Those of you who diligently follow my Twitter feed will know this already (I hope you're both keeping well, by the way), but I thought I'd officially announce that I am now the leader of a sextet, featuring, from left to right...

Tim Garratt (bass guitar), Chris Sellers (keys), Noel Anderson (guitar), Samir Eskanda (drums) and Sam Davies (guitar).

Tim has been working with me in the recording studio as an engineer and producer and plays guitar and writes for Grave Errors and Pet Scenes; Chris tours with the band Cold Specks; Noel has played in various London-based groups but originally comes from Porthcawl, Wales; Samir is known for his work with the punk group Flats and Sam writes and records his own music, and also lives with my old friends in Miss Cosmos.

We've been working hard on my songs over the past couple of weeks to create new noises and will be appearing live together at The Shacklewell Arms supporting Citizens on Friday, March the 16th. I believe (though will confirm later) that the event is free entry.

Bring your friends, come and say hello to me and my new boys.