Strumbling in: music and friendship

Strumbling in: music and friendship

On Saturday afternoons, you’ll find me making music with my friends. Our group is collectively known as the Strumbles. The group has been going for more than ten years. Most of us play ukulele and sing, with the addition of various other instruments: double bass,...
Songcatching

Songcatching

How to write a song: The other day a client said to me: “I’d like to write songs, but I don’t know where to start. How do I choose a good songwriting course?” This is actually a complex question! Writing a song is incredibly personal. Vulnerable. Even more than a...
I remember Yesterday

I remember Yesterday

This is where it all began: the old family copy of Abbey Road. I’ve put myself in the picture. I saw Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle’s film Yesterday last week. It gave me a sense of déjà vu. Because I can remember living in a world where The Beatles didn’t...
My fiddling journey

My fiddling journey

This is the story of how I became a fiddler. I’ve been fiddling for more than three decades. I’ve played fiddle across a wide range of genres. I’ve played in covers bands, bluegrass bands, folk groups and alternative rock bands, and bands that play Celtic music and...
Musical foremothers

Musical foremothers

This is a post celebrating some of the women who have inspired me to make music. Growing up, I didn’t see many women musicians. I spent a lot of time looking for role models and people to play with. Plenty of men have inspired me as well. But, identifying as a...