Alone again or

Back in the world of solo gigs and Stamps looks and feels as welcoming as ever despite the absence of people for whatever reason seasonal or otherwise. Nick and Tim are playing at Blundell Street; everyone else has babies or dragons or both to contend with. I prefer demons myself which is why I’m here I guess, looking to exorcise a few of them. Tonight I’m playing alongside local enigma/bassist Ravi Plumcloth who’s a long time friend and occasional collaborator; we’ve just spent the last hour in frantic rehearsal mode though you could never tell as the man’s a genius. Katie Blundell is hosting and plays a few songs before we’re on. She has a voice like Joni Mitchell and a sense of humour too. Despite the acoustic ambience I have bought an embarrassing amount of gear including the guitar effects pedal board and the retro Casio beat box. We use the droning Casio loop for a kind of John Shuttleworth meets Talking Heads rendition of War All The Time from the NON-COMPLIANCE album. I think it works. There is of course the temptation to string it out with delay, tremolo and distortion; being easily tempted I do just that and then we’re practically jamming. After a sluggish start to the set we warm into things. It’s an opportunity to play a few newer songs, Kiss me I’m a Social Worker, Louise and The Happiest Man in the World all creep out of the writer’s box and into the void or the ether or the atmosphere or whatever. I always enjoy playing Stamps and no doubt I’ll be back some time next year for more of the same, it’s a home from home thing and Crosby has that effect on me. Special thanks to the Doyle family [relatives of the enigmatic Plumcloth] for their hospitality and to Ruby for keeping such good time on the bongos, VPx Plumcloth and friends at the winter fete, Crosby, 2004.