Influences

Collaborations! ‘Drink Me’ video session wt Grethe Borsum

oooh …..this song gives me the chills every time I hear it!

Me and the fabulous Grethe Borsum (Get Her Band) sat down a couple of years ago with some beers and whisky, my resonator and a means to record. The intention? to do some songwriting…

Approaching collaborations you never really know how it will go until it does. The best I bring to it is to focus everything I’ve learned as a musician and songwriter and try to stay focussed on getting something to come away with, as well as having an experience that nurtures the creative process….it needs to flow 🙂   Admittedly, I was a teensy bit nervous, mostly because I’m used to writing on my own and it feels so vulnerable doing that with someone else.

It turned out that we had a lot to talk about…as the evening passed we crafted and played, had a chat and beer break, repeated this countless times. The result of which is this beautiful, lullaby of a song I get lost in every time I hear. Drink Me.

Proud. Happy.  A genuine marinated shared creative experience.

When Grethe made a trip back to Liverpool last month we got together and recorded this video in Jacaranda, I’m so happy it’s here to share.  Thanks to Grethe for her amazing video skills as well as the experience of writing this song together! Also, shout out to Luke Moore who jumped in and did some videoing for us too.

Enjoy x

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Luke, Me, Grethe

Quiet Power – Stan Ambrose

Today, I would like to pay my respects to Stan Ambrose.  A longstanding host of BBC Radio Merseyside ‘Folkscene’, a Folk Musician and Harpist (that he picked up once retired..) and ever – present on the Liverpool music scene.

I had the pleasure of being invited by Stan on a couple of occasions to be on his show.  This involved an hours worth of conversation interspersed with recordings of my songs.  My first impression was how softly spoken and gentle he was, humble, listening.. We had insightful conversations before we even began recording.  I came out of the whole experience feeling inspired, grounded, listened to and that I’d had opportunities to talk about the spiritual and creative elements of my musical process, what had inspired my choices to play the music I did and what I valued. I felt encouraged and proud of what I do. I have massive thanks to Stan for that experience to connect with someone who values pushing the boundaries in creativity, this also helped me to reconnect with my own values of why, how and what I do.

I find this anchor when I get caught up in the superficial sides of music and ego.

Ever – grateful.

RIP Stan. Thank you for the inspiration and connection.  You have influenced many people  xxxx

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Stan Ambrose