I had such a wonderful time touring Ireland with Duke Special.  I haven’t played there since I toured with Don McLean and Eric Bibb and it was so great to be back.  Such lovely people and lovely venues to play.  And a proper pint of Guinness!  It was a pleasure and a privilege to watch Duke from the wings and to play with him on his songs.  His latest album ‘Hallow’ is based on the poems of Michael Longley – check out his website.  Thanks to all the fans and friends who were there at the gigs, especially Mike Watts for introducing us in the first place and taking photos, and Tim Pardoe for being my merch man.  I’m looking forward to playing in Ireland again next year.

The wonderful mental health charity SANE asked me to talk on camera about my thoughts on the benefits of music for mental health, something I am very passionate about.  You can watch this short video here and find out more about my work in mental health here.

Coming back down to earth after all the excitement of being in Berlin and meeting so many lovely people, most of whom have bipolar disorder like me.  The German Society of Bipolar Disorder (DGBS) is a real community of people all riding the same rollercoaster and I was made to feel so welcome.  I was a bit daunted about meeting an entire roomful of psychiatrists at the World Congress of Psychiatry (would they let me out?) but the feedback was great.  We’ll be touring again in Germany in March next year – dates and details will be announced soon.

Now I’m looking forward to touring Ireland for the first time in nearly 10 years, doing 5 shows with Duke Special starting 25 October (check out my gigs or details).  Can’t wait…

Knackered after a 5 hour round trip to Hereford to perform at a mental health facility called the Stonebow Unit. These gigs are not easy, nor should they be. It’s really confronting seeing such suffering, and yet so incredibly heartwarming too to see the gentle, hugely compassionate way the NHS staff care for their patients. There is a line in Desiderata which says ‘everywhere life is full of heroism’ and it’s so true – good to remember in this crazy world we live in. I hope my singing was at least a distraction in the everydayness of hospital routine and perhaps of some comfort there. Tomorrow I’m in Bristol performing at the launch gala of the wonderful Freedom of Mind festival.

I had every intention of posting a song from my attic every month but then I got completely distracted over the summer by the most fabulous high with songs coming out of my ears and only now I’ve come back down to earth I realise I haven’t posted anything for months! Oh the joys of being bipolar . So here is one of the first video recordings I made earlier this year, and it’s a new song called ‘Symmetry’. I hope you like it.  Click here to see it.

I’m so delighted my gigs with Duke Special in Ireland next month have just been confirmed.  I haven’t played there since we toured with Eric Bibb and Don McLean.  I’m really looking forward to a proper Guinness and rediscovering my Irish roots.  If you can make it to any of the gigs, it would be great to see you there.