I’m fortunate to live within walking distance of one of the finest independent music venues in the land: The White Room Music Café in Stanley, County Durham. I’ve seen some cracking shows there over the couple of years since it opened, and I’ve also had the pleasure of performing gigs there myself on several occasions. Last Saturday I walked there to see the great Tom Robison play a sold-out show in this gem of a room. Making my way along the path to Stanley, I listened to some of the...

I know. It’s been a while. I’m not sure exactly how long but, to be safe, I hope you all had a good Christmas. In a world that continues to spiral out of the ever-thinning veneer of control - if you’ll permit the mixing of metaphors - I come bearing inconsequential news and updates sure to be of very little help in our shared struggle to survive to the next sunrise with something that could, in the right light, pass for some semblance of sanity. (Too much? What about the alliterations...

Hi folks, I wanted to mention that I've arranged an online session, and I'd be incredibly grateful if you could join me. As you'll be aware, of course, running a car is a necessary expense when travelling around the country. You also won't need me to tell you about how they often go wrong, or about the costs involved in having them fixed. I've recently had two serious problems with my car which have resulted in significant expense, and whilst I've been fortunate to have been able to meet the...