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A Statement RE: Live Shows.
It’s with enormous sadness that I am announcing an indefinite hiatus from live shows with immediate effect. Playing gigs has slowly pushed me to a place of facing significant health issues, both physical and mental. I’m sorry to say that means the cancellation of all shows this year. Scheduled talks and conference appearances will go […]
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My First Legit Composer Commission!
Yeah. You read that right. Early this year I was approached by Propel Dance, the UK’s first all wheelchair-rider dance about their forthcoming production of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. They are, conveniently enough, based in the Midlands, needed a composer, wanted to employ a Disabled artist… those roads lead inevitably to me. Okay,…
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AI Songwriting: The Medical Model Edition.
I asked an AI to write a song about Disability. It’s very medical model. It’s belly is full of inspiration porn. Make of it what you will. Sure, here is a short song about disability: Verse 1: I am who I am, I am strong I have a disability, but it doesn’t define me I…
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Back To (Art) School.
So this is kind of a confession. Not a lot of people know this, but I flunked music college. No, back it up. I didn’t flunk. There were lots of access barriers. I faced physical and mental barriers, and if I’m honest, I didn’t try to get the help I needed. Identity stuff. I didn’t…
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Nose Pressed Against The Canvas.
I’m trying to purify my relationship with music. It’s been a long road, and there’s some unhealthy stuff weaved in. I identify with my work in a deep way. I am my work. That’s no boast. It’s actually quite unhealthy, I’m beginning to realise. I struggle to separate what I do from who I am.…
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I Was Wrong About The Gloves.
In my recent blog post, I spoke about a possible end to my performing with the gloves. It’s certainly true that I’ve had a difficult relationship with them at times. They empower me yes, but also are a constant reminder of what I can’t do. I still dream of guitar heroics and piano recitals. It’s…
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On The Future Of The Gloves + Me.
Last week I played my last show of what has been a strange run of gigs for me, post COVID. It was in Birmingham, my home town of sorts, and a place I’ve hardly played. It’s been a running joke in the Dyskinetic camp that I’ve performed for more audiences in Tokyo than in my…
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McCartney IV
McCartney IV is really a song about owning up to the ways you’ve hurt people, and recognising that love is more important than anything else. It’s a love song. I think it’s silly. And very serious. And hopefully romantic. People tell me they like it. Of course, the influence of a Beatle is worn on…
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Tesla Wankers.
There’s a curious attitude around early adopters of seemingly any technology, at least in the UK. It used to be iPhone Wankers. At the moment, it’s Tesla Wankers. This country loves to hate on early adopters. I know about being an early adopter. I was within the first 15 people ever to own a pair…
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iPads are NOT Musical Instruments.
I find myself (again) debating the yawnsome “iPads aren’t musical instruments” narrative with a music service. But actually, they’re right. iPads aren’t (necessarily) musical instruments. And neither is anything else. Lots of pianos are just pieces of furniture to their owners. Vintage guitars make nice wall art for silicon valley CEOs. It’s what we do…
