We finished mixing the Jon Byrne EP last weekend. I’d almost forgotten how hands-on a proper studio was what with no automation and no computer. The three of us, Rob, Jools and I manually punching in and out, switching compressors mid mix and generally leaping from task to task. A right old fashioned mixing experience, and most enjoyable it was too. I only hope the tracks manage to secure something of a bigger profile for Jon, he certainly deserves it. The EP will be out in February and I’ll be sure give it a plug here and there as soon as I have more information. There’s some footage of Jon and I playing Parasite, well in may case working out the piano parts on his my space site where you can also find more information on his muse, his songs and his take on life. The recorded results were pleasing to say the least. I was speaking to Mike [Joyce] who plays on two of the four tracks we recorded about his drum sound, which, without wishing to sound like a freak geek was particularly inspiring. Mike will be playing tacks from the EP on his show [96.2 The Revolution] in the coming months. Incidentally the Vinny Peculiar works night out is currently in the planning stages, we'll probably end up at the Knott Fringe again so if you fancy it email us for details. We are great company if nothing else...well we like to think so. The Bewley Sisters directed video of ‘Vinny Peculiar is Dead’ the alt ego demolition number from Goodbye My Angry friend is now available to view in all it’s shadowy glory. This time I’m wearing a suit rather than a dress and whilst it’s altogether less comfortable I thought it only right and proper. I spent today writing stuff for the next Vinny record, I’m using a combination of a Boss eight track machine and the trusty old CUBASE. I’m taking a few months off from gigging to prepare everything for the next album. It’s been a ponderous kind of day as I am quite possibly the slowest drum programmer in the world still I’m suitably inspired as the songs sound like they mean something. I’m writing about success and failure and how sometimes they feel like one and the same, questions of commerce and contentment are cluttering up my thinking. And on that rather pretentious sounding note I best get back to it, VP