I'm just back from my last minute show with iSSHO. I had a great time, probably my favourite solo show yet. I really enjoy playing these pieces in small rooms without amplification, it definitely suits the music a lot more. I always feel more comfortable talking between songs as well when there's no PA involved.

Alasdair Roberts played a few really beautiful traditional ballads as well tonight. I'm generally blown away every time I see him play but the solo sets I've seen in small rooms like this one always stick with me.

iSSHO were especially impressive tonight, by turn gentle and forceful but never gratuitous and always surprising. They are, along with Tattie Toes, easily my favourite band just now. One of those bands that make you happy, sad and awestruck all at the same time. They're doing some live shows just now, please check them out if you get the opportunity.

I'll be doing a short set before the iSSHO Taiko Drummers this Tuesday, 30th June. My good friend and former bandmate Stevie Jones was originally going to be doing it but can't make it along now due to some date confusion. He'll hopefully get another Glasgow solo show sorted soon, I've still not seen him do his solo sketch but i've no doubt that it is excellent.

Anyway, Tuesday's show is at the Kinning Park Complex in Cornwall St. I believe it's very close to Kinning Park Underground station. It's kicking off about 7:30pm, entry is cheap, if not free and there's limited space, so come down early.

I'm also very pleased to say that i'll be performing at the CCA in Glasgow on Tuesday 14th July as part of Instance alongside Peter Nicholson (cello - The One Ensemble), Jer Reid (guitar - iSSHO, From Home), Howie Reeve (bass - Tattie Toes), Marion Kenny (guxheng - chinese harp, and flutes) & Lucy Duncombe (voice - Trees). We will be providing the music for an open assortment of movement and dance. Entry is £2/£1 and the performance starts at 8pm.

Lastly, My next full length solo show will be on Saturday 25th July at The Flying Duck Kitchen. It's a joint headline show with my good friends Strike The Colours. I'll post more details about this show nearer the time.

Here's the latest recording. The piece is called By Reference and is a little more contemplative than the last couple of releases. The recording has a few bumps from my concrete shoed upstairs neighbours which is apt as the piece is about insomnia so I've left them in :-)

By Reference

Tonight's show with Aidan Moffat & The Best Of's was really cool. They played their latest album, How To Get to Heaven From Scotland in it's entirety with some great new arrangements. Plus it's always nice hang out with Stevie, who was providing double bass for the evening. Malcolm Middleton also did a set of girl group covers as Chase Music which was very cool. I played ok, people certainly responded to it in a nice way. All in all, a good night.

My next show will be at Stereo in Glasgow on Wednesday 27th May supporting The One Ensemble. They always put on a really great, unpredictable live show with really beautiful instrumentation. I'm really excited to be sharing a stage with them.