Dodson & Fogg

I recently did some sax playing on 'Mystery' from the new Dodson & Fogg album. They have a rather marvellous video for it which you can see here....

V A L V E live performance

I am rather excited to announce that a V A L V E performance will be happening on Nov 14th at 180 The Strand as part of Tai Shani's new work, 'The 7 Darknesses: A Very Gothic Reading' at Open Heart Surgery, curated by The Moving Museum. Tai asked me to compose and perform a live score to her text, which will be performed at the exhibition. We were delighted to hear that the piece had also been selected to be released on limited edition vinyl.

"TAI SHANI/
Tai Shani will stage a performance that seeks to test the boundary between the solitary and internal experience of read literature and the public and collective experience of performed literature in relation to the imaginary space, taste and tolerance. The 7 Darknesses: A Very Gothic Reading will orchestrate a dramatic reading of Shani’s ‘De Sadian’, explicitly violent and graphic text “Be, be the seven darknesses” originally commissioned by the metal fanzine ‘Buried’, the reading will be accompanied by a live score by Chloe Herington (V A L V E)."

Manning- 'The Root, The Leaf and The Bone'

Guy Manning's new album is now out on Festival Music and I had the pleasure of playing bassoon on track 3, 'Autumn Song'.



You can find a short Q & A about it here

The album is the latest in an impressive discography from Manning and features an array of guests alongside his regular band.

Knifeworld new music video out

Chrome Hoof launching new album!

Russia, London, Brighton and back to Russia via Kingston...

The last month has been hectic to say the least. But in a very good way.

It all started with an acoustic set with Knifeworld at Celebr8 festival in Kingston.  We borrowed the Larcombe's beautiful harmonium and re-arranged the set and actually played sitting down.  Despite a serious alck of desk channels, it worked out pretty well and we look forward to bringing out the acoustic action in the future. 

Shortly after that, Chrome Hoof got a last minute booking to play a party at Strelka in Moscow.  Terribly exciting stuff. The venue was actually bang smack in the centre and we were just a stone's throw from the Kremlin.  I managed to be in Moscow for less than 24 hours but it was totally worth it.





During a 2 week period of putting on shows and playing them, I did a mad dash to Luxe in Spitalfields to guest with the spectacular A Sweet Niche.  Always a pleasure.  And a massive burst of sax squarking was just what I needed.

This Friday sees Knifeworld back in Brighton for our re-scheduled 'Roast On The Coast' gig following the snowed in action in January.  We are greatly looking forward to playing with Thumpermonkey and Ham Legion.

The month is rounded off with a return trip to Russia with Chrome Hoof, this time playing White Nights Festival in Perm.  I hear that it doesn't get dark and is right by the Ural mountains.

That will be just about it for the summer gig-wise as Chrome Hoof are due to release in the autumn, Knifeworld are more than halfway through finishing the album and I can concentreate on finishing V A L V E at last.

V A L V E album update

We're getting there. Almost ready for mixing.  This project has been a pretty steep learning curve.  Despite having recorded on many albums over the years, this is the first time I have produced anything on this scale by myself and I am really discovering just how much work is actually involved.  With each step, I have gone off and learned how to do what I need to do so that I can get as much of it done myself as possible.  The upside of this is that I have been able to retain complete creative control; the downside being that it's takeing a very, very long time!  But, I've definitely learned a lot of new skills along the way.

I also am totally indebted to the numerous superb musicians who have so kindly agreed to appear on the album.  These include Kavus Torabi, Alex Ward, Ben Woollacott, Charlie Cawood, Sarah Anderson, Ivan Hussey....amongst others.  Full credits to be revealed soon.

***New Chrome Hoof Live Date***

We are playing Land Of Kings Festival in Hackney on May 5th.  Whilst we've been playing internationally, this will be our first London date in two years.  New costumes, lineup shuffle, new material, special action...

 The new album is now pretty much done and more news will be coming of that soon.  In the meantime, we shall be busily rehearsing for our London adventure.