Profile

I was taught the violin by Mr and Mrs Bellinger from the age of 8 and played in their children’s orchestra until I left school. At Uni I fell amongst Morris dancers, some of the most Rock & Roll people I’ve ever met. Rock bands inevitably followed.

My mum gave me my first guitar lesson at 13, before then I had mimed with a cardboard replica in a rudimentary Gary Glitter tribute band. Ten years later I finally played a proper electric guitar in public. I was allowed to do backing vocals in bands because I used to be able to sing like a lady, a skill I learnt in church choirs.

Singer, violinist and guitarist, (I can also get a sound out of various instruments including viola and stylophone) teacher and composer. I play solo as the Languid Balladeer ‘butchering’ well-loved songs in the words of a butcher, so it may be a compliment.

My first solo album: Before we go to Paradise, has an official release date of 31.1.12 and will be distributed by Proper. Here's a review from the website Whisperin' and Hollerin', and another from FATEA. This review is just in by Lee McFadden of Mudkiss webzine.

My previous bands 

Red Harvest 1984 -1990
Dr Millar and the Cute Hoors 1988-1992
The Shanakies 1991-1995 who supported Blur on their Parklife tour
Defrosting the Fridge 1991-1994

I have appeared with Swill and the Swaggerband and The Men they Couldn’t Hang. I also perform with Swill Odgers now  and again.

My current bands 

The Bitter Springs- who have accompanied Vic Godard as the Subway Sect 

Jowe Head and the Demi-Monde

Valerie and her Week of Wonders

Kindred Spirit

The Talesmen

The Long Decline

These all feature original material that veers between rock and folk 

I also play fiddle in Fire in the Mountains, a successful barn dance band 

Compositions

Original material for my album and other solo work

Christmas No 1 (Worship the King) A short musical Nativity which is now available on a special Christmas CD with carols performed by Hounslow Light Opera Company. Available from the Hounslow Light Opera website at £9