Christmas tree in the corner

19th December, 2011

Blog tags:
- christmas

2011 is almost over and I’m sat in the same armchair by the fire as I was this time last year. The Christmas tree is in the corner - looking pretty good if I say so myself - chopped it down yesterday in the woods. Things are peaceful other than the near constant whistling of the wind, which doesn’t seem to have stopped since October. This is my favorite time of year though, always a good occasion for a bit of positive dwelling.

'The Impossible song & other songs' was what my year was all about, finishing it off, releasing it and then touring it intermit idly for the rest of the year. We've a great band going on and we played some memorable shows - Union Chapel, T in the Park, Celtic connections, Queens Hall, to name a few. In-between all this is I was kept busy with growing things, fishing a bit, swimming in the sea, reading, cooking - all the things that people do. I enjoyed new albums by Fleet Foxes (the family favorite), Wilco, Veronica falls, Vetiver, Steve Malkmus & the jicks, Laura Marling & Bjork as well as oldies like Wu-Tang Clan, Public enemy, Red Garland, Dylan’s 'Street Legal' and anything by Michael Hurley. I'm forgetting a lot I know. Didn't get to see many shows this year - Wilco at the concert hall and Laura Marling at the Aros hall in Tobermory were the only two. What a couple of gigs though. Almost didn't need to see anymore.

Next year I’ll be continuing what I’ve started - Uk tours in March & May in between which we'll be recording the new collection of songs, with a new LP out either later in the year, or maybe more likely early in 2013. I guess I’ll put it out when it's done, no need for the big build-ups anymore, I’m not pretending that my musical career (or whatever you want to call it) is anything other than Low key. I doubt any new album of mine will be troubling the charts. What’s important to me is to keep doing it – to produce meaningful work, and to go out and play it. My concerts are still well attended and the reactions to the songs are always positive, so that's reason enough for me. I think ‘the impossible song & other songs’ is a wonderful thing and I’m lucky to have the people around me to make this work and I’m grateful for it - So thank you Sorren, Gavin, Seonaid, Danny, Craig, Gordon & An tobar and heres to another year full of new songs and concerts!

I'll sign off with a clip someone filmed from the audience at our recent 'Christmas Hootenanny' in Stirling. The sound quality isn't too bad, and it's as near as I can get to sending a Christmas card to you all. I'd like to wish everyone reading this a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy & productive 2012.