I spent three weeks at Cove Park in July and August this year, working on a new book. There is nothing more conducive to concentration than silence, no internet, no phone, the slate-coloured streak of Loch Long visible through the windows of your live/work ‘cube’ and some very tranquil cows… I don’t know when I’ll… Read more »
Blog
The Mark Watkins Music Show
Thank you to Mark Watkins from Blast 1386 for talking to me – I loved being a part of the show. Whole show on Mixcloud, where he plays Robber Bride and A Long December, and also interviews Fiona Jane Burgess from Woman’s Hour. Interview with me as an mp3 below – we discuss Joni Mitchell, the… Read more »
The Story of Blue Roses
For years, I had in my head a tiny exchange – a girl, in a film, maybe, or a play, talking to someone, in an American accent, about ‘blue roses’. It would come to me sometimes – on buses, while walking – but I could never remember where I’d heard it first. Even while I was… Read more »
Notes from Paul Rez on the making of Robber Bride
Paul Rez, who produced, engineered and mixed Robber Bride, has made some notes on the process on his Behance page.
Picture Book
Only 100 Arabian leopards remain in the wild. This picture book, with text by me and illustrations by Tania Brett, tells the story of Short-Tail the Arabian Leopard, and is intended to bring the ideas of conservation and habitat to a younger audience. Available on Amazon and in bookshops from the 1st September, published by… Read more »
MIR 11
I have contributed a short story to Mechanics’ Institute Review 11, which features creative writing from the Birkbeck MA programme as well as stories by Hari Kunzru and Alex Preston and an introduction by Julia Bell. The book will be available from the 25th September, on Amazon and in independent bookshops.
The Story of Robber Bride
When I was about thirteen I read a book by Margaret Atwood – the first of her books that I read – and it was called The Robber Bride. The cover alone was enough to entice me: a two-layered affair, black-on-black, a smoky eye-mask revealing smoky eyes on the front; this could be peeled upwards… Read more »
Interview and live songs on Brooklands Radio
It was a great pleasure going to visit David Durant at Brooklands Radio and playing live in the studio The Architect’s Son, My First, Last and Greatest Love and Robber Bride. Thank you, David, for having me on your brilliant show. Listen HERE J x
Interview and live songs on Soho Radio
Last week I was the guest of Tony Moore, along with the delightful Susan Black for his Musical Emporium show on Soho Radio. I played The Architect’s Son and My First, Last and Greatest Love live in the studio; Tony also played Robber Bride for the first time. Listen here.
The Architect’s Son on BBC Radio 6
I’m totally thrilled that THE ARCHITECT’S SON was played on Tom Robinson’s Introducing Mixtape this morning, in the company of some very beautiful songs. Thank you Tom! Download the whole show HERE.
The Architect’s Son on Soho Radio
The Architect’s Son was played on Soho Radio yesterday by music maestro Mr. Tony Moore. It’s a fantastic show; my song appears at 1:28:30. Thank you Tony and Soho Radio! Listen here
The Story of Elegy
Part of my brain (small but insistent) is hardwired to source quotes from the music of Buffalo-born singer-songwriter Ani di Franco to suit almost any occasion. For example: every time I make soldiers for boiled eggs, I hear in my head: ‘The butter melts out of habit; the toast isn’t even warm.’ Writing something about… Read more »