Upcoming Gigs & Much More...

"His songs please the ear... authentically expressed in a voice with genuine appeal; they take a direct route to the heart." - R2 Magazine, 4****

Hello to all!

I thought it was high-time for an update on the eve of a week or two away on the road, where I'll hopefully be seeing some of you, of course!

I had a great time playing a few gigs last month (feels so long ago now!) and met so many wonderful people, many for the first time. My special thanks to all who put the gigs on; came along and especially to the wonderful Nick Girone-Maddocks, Tom Lowman and Jim Chorley who special-guested for me and who were entirely superb! Do please check out their work when you get chance! I also had fun appearing on Frome FM recently and my thanks too to Tim and Fi for the warm welcome... and cake!

Looking into the next few days, I am immensely honoured that the incredible Daria Kulesh will be performing a special opening set tomorrow evening at The Pump House in Watford! You may already be aware of Daria's critically acclaimed work both as a solo artist and with the wonderful ensemble, KARA. Whether you are or not, please do get familiar with her music - you won't regret it - and if you can, pop along and catch us both tomorrow evening, Wednesday 3rd June, in Watford, Herts!

Beyond that, I head up to Thurnby in Leicestershire on Friday 5th and to Tynemouth, North Shields, on Saturday 6th for 2 solo gigs that I'm also very much looking forward to. If you're in either of these parts of the world - or can make it there - please take a look at the details on the Event page for booking info and more. Thereafter, I shall be dropping into several radio stations, chatting and playing live. Tuesday 9th June I'll be in the studio with the lovely Liz Jenkins of Radio Teesdale and on Thursday I'm on The Folk Show on Stafford FM with the fab Gary Hazlehurst. In between those two, on the Wednesday, I'll be in Stockport recording a special session and interview for Sonic Bandwagon with Andy Barnes and Mike Ainscoe. Like Liz and Gary, they've been great supporters of this music for sometime and it'll be great being able to visit to play and to chat. Please keep in touch on Facebook and Twitter for updates of when that session will air. All of these shows are available to listen to online. There may be another session next week too but again, that'll be confirmed on Twitter etc.

This month's R2 Magazine features a nice review of the new album and very kindly awards it 4 out of 5 stars! As you can imagine, I'm rather pleased with this! And incidentally, if you're interested, I happen to know that there will also be a review in another major music mag in the coming days... I'll say no more! There's a Review page on the website now where I'm trying to put all the reviews that have been coming in. R2 and one or two others have yet to be added but there's plenty more.

Other recent goings-on have included a return visit to the studio! This time to feature on the forthcoming album of my good friend, the award winning, BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominated Ange Hardy. The album will be out in the autumn and features an incredible line-up of artists, including amongst others Patsy Reid and Steve Knightley! And I can confidently inform you that it is flat-out incredible! I'm so proud to be appearing on it and so thrilled for Ange as 'Esteesee' is certain to further cement her reputation as one of Folk's finest. Alongside the superb Lukas Drinkwater who also plays on the album, I'll be touring with Ange in October as she takes the songs on the road. Check out all the details here of the album, tour, and special launch concert on 4th October.

Other things are shaping up for the autumn too, including more solo gigs and a couple of special support slots. There could also be something very exciting happening in the much nearer future but more on this and all else later....!

In the meantime, thank you for all your support and interest, and for the wonderful response to the album and at gigs... can't tell you how much it means! 2015 has already been quite a year and I'm constantly amazed at all that has happened. Running parallel to everything, I see the darker side of life; whether the political, geological, humanitarian... the global and the personal. Amongst many other things that are happening at present, I write after not long ago hearing of the sad passing of Charles Kennedy; a man I believe of genuine convictions and who carried within him a real concern for people and for justice. Whilst not alone, I see precious few of whom I feel able to say such a thing and he will be missed... a true politician in the best sense. These things bring a little perspective to all the stuff that I busy myself with and put so much energy into, but paradoxically, it also helps give it a focus and I remain convinced that somewhere in the mix there's a purpose and worth to it. Not just what I'm seeking to do, of course, but for all who attempt to rationalise things thorough song, poetry and more. It helps me and if it maybe helps you a little too, then I'm very glad.

I believe that's all for now. Keep in touch though and I'll hopefully see you soon.

Every blessing..... Steve xx