Initially I had decided to work with Gavin Ralston of Silverwood Studios in Ireland, and hired him to work as producer for the album. But unfortunetly, the outcome of these sessions although engineered excellently, lacked the punch I desired – which falls both on my shoulders and Gavins. Anyone who knows me, or has worked with me before, knows that I am a perfectionist, and unfortunetly the fruits of the sessions in Ireland resulted in tracks that if released, would ultimetly be a poor reflection of the songs and music that I have created. So I was left with a handful of songs that were “close”, and another handful of songs that needed TLC, with attention on creating the right arrangements for the songs.

As a result, I have hired Brendan O’Brien (Melvin Tree) to help collaborate, and strip the album back to the bare bones, and rebuild from the ground up. So over the last few weeks we have been able to work out the wood from the trees, and I am really really excited about the results. I would have loved to have had the album finished sooner, but I have come this far, and I figured that there really is no point in releasing something that I would not want to stand on the top of a building and scream about.

Everyone knows that there’s millions and millions of albums getting released every year, and the competition is extremely tough, but I want to create an album that is totally honest, and a real reflection of who I am. Sorry to bore you guys with all of this, but I really felt that I needed to share the journey with all of you guys. I’ll be working with Brendan over the next few months, and will 100% keep you posted.

Gavin’s built up a wonderful range of electrics, ranging from some lovely Gibsons, Tele’s, and 12-strings etc. So if you throw into the mix some gorgeous vintage amp’s – I’m pretty much in heaven. So I’m really able to nail the vintage sound that the songs are calling out for.

Today we have Geoff Woods adding some extra little sounds that add’s the extra dimension to alot of tracks. It’s going great, and we’ve been working on a track called ‘Home’, which I think is going to make the cut.

I’ve been back here for 10 days and it’s been manic, but I’ve managed to squeeze alot of things in outside of the studio. As always it’s great to see alot of my friends and family, and great to see Dublin in the lead up for Christmas. The hardest part for me living in Australia, is the lead up to the festive season. I’m use to cold, dark nights, with shitty music on the radio. But you’d be surprised how much you crave the shitty music when you’re in your shorts (i’m serious!) and really bright summer evenings. Dublin is great – but like anywhere it’s the people that makes the place. I’ll have a few beers hopefully before I leave, to celebrate what looks like being an incredibly productive (touch wood) 14-15 days in the studio!

Fingers crossed!

This week we’ve nailed 13 songs to the cross through the direction of Mr Gavin Raltson. We started off with Johnny Boyle (on drums), and Aonghus Ralston (on bass) and myself lay down the bones of the songs, work out the grooves and arragements over the last week. It’s a crazy rush to hear the songs take life and form in the direction I have always wanted. Johnny and Aonghus are total legends – great craic was had.

I also managed to fit in a gig in Whelans on Tuesday night. There was a wonderful turn out on a really bitterly cold November night, and I wanted to thank everyone who made the trip out. I know how hard it is for people to leave the comfort of their homes for nights like this – and you can be rest assured that I truly appreciate every one of you guys who make the effort to come and show your support to me! It means the world to me! Also a massive thank you to Stephen Branigan and Shay Cotter for opening the wonderful night.

Thanks to to everyone for the kind words on MySpace and Facebook – wishing me a happy birthday! The big day is in fact today, so I’ll have a few extra drops of whiskey in the glass tonight for all of you! I honestly can’t believe the amount of well wishers on my facebook page! The internet is a wonderful thing! (or scary thing!)

Anyway – lunch is over – and I had better get back to it. I had mentioned doing a daily video log from the studio, but sorry to say, I have not had a chance to do this. I will however try and do something different in the following weeks when I return to Sydney!

I’m giving myself a few days off to settle back and see friends and families, before I get 100% stuck into recording the album in County Wicklow. I’m having a show in Whelans on the 3rd November, where I will be previewing most of the songs from the new album. It’s actually my birthday a few days later, but this show will also double as my birthday party!

That’s all for now! It’s bloody baltic in Sydney at the moment, and the Winter coat has been taken back out of it’s box!

For anyone in Sydney, my next show in with Mundy on October the 20th in The Brass Monkey in Cronulla. Ticket’s are selling really fast – so be sure to get them now!

On November 3rd, I’ll be playing songs off the new album. Due to the fact that I’ll literally have only been in the country a few days, I’ll be doing this show solo. I’d love to be doing it with a band, but cost and time are restricting this. As it’s more a celebration “album / birthday” vibe, I’ve tried to keep the price as low as possible – e8 for non-members of the Minus Circus mailing list / e6 for members. Everyone will also receive a small gift on the night!

I’m delighted to announce that my great friend, and in my opinion one of Ireland’s finest songwriters and guitarists, Mr Shay Cotter will be special guest on the night, as will another one of Ireland’s most promising artists, Stephen Branigan. Some of you may remember as the opener of last years sell out show in Bewleys’ Theatre on Grafton Street.

For anyone around Sydney, I will be opening for Mundy at The Brass Monkey on October 20th. This will be an excellent show, as all you Irish know, Mundy is one of Irelands most loved and talented performers. I’m delighted to be playing with him.

Stay tuned for Music Box for Life news – and I’d like to pay tribute to the other two members of the MBFL team – Mr Noel Taylor and Ciara O’Gorman. These guys are the skin and bones of the project, and I am absolutely honored to share this incredible journey with them by my side. Noel keeps everything ticking over, and Ciara keeps us all sane and legal! I can’t start to tell you how much this project means to me, and to watch it grow from an idea inside my head and see it all the way through to a full-registered charity in it’s own right, is nothing short of amazing – but it has only been possible with Ciara and Noels expertise. Now with your help and support we can all give life and blood to this project and make Music Box for Life a force to be reckoned with!

Just wait ’till you see the list of Irish artists who we’ve managed to get involved…..

That’s all for now. Over and out!

So feel free to tweet, respond to the related status update on Facebook, or comment after this blog entry with your quotes! What’s your favourite song? What does it make you feel?

I’ll post a more general news item in the next day or so, so check back soon.

Hope you can join me in celebrating both coming back to Ireland and also my birthday!

I’ll announce one or two supports in the next couple of weeks.

All is going really well and starting to get really excited about hitting Ireland again at the start of November for a few weeks, and being able to work with some great friends and musicians on my album. I think it’s going to be alot of fun, and the outcome should be exactly what I am looking for.

So here’s some suggestions for name titles for the album. If you can tick the box of your favourite, it would mean alot, as your feedback on my choices are really important to me! Pass it on to any of your friends who you think might be interested! Thanks again!

For the last 18 months or so, since I moved to Sydney, I guess I’ve felt this “pressure” that was on me to write a certain way. I can totally relate to stories I’ve read over the years, by musicians who are in major deals, and have to write the “hits” and the songs for airplay. I guess when I started writing for the album, I had plans that have since changed into the plans that I wanted myself wanted to draw. It took 18 months for me to realise this, and it took time and courage to take the leap and make the decision. It’s funny but once I made the decision, the songs started to flow, and I was able to take ownership of what I hope to be a “strong” debut album. Fingers crossed

I’ll be returning to Ireland in November for a block to record the album in County Wicklow. For anyone not familiar with Wicklow, it’s regarded as “The Garden” of Ireland. It’s an incredibly beautiful part of Ireland, and still within a stones throw of Dublin city. I’m really excited to be going home to record and am sure I may have a few people/friends drop in on the recording process. Will keep you posted on that.

I’ve had some brilliant gigs recently, some to lots of people, and some to not so many people. But have been trying out new songs, and revisiting old songs. I’d forgotten how nerve wracking it can be to play a new song that’s only days old. But once it’s arrived, it’s there for good. Also – while I’m on the topic of gigs, I’ll be opening for Mundy in The Brass Monkey (Cronulla), Sydney on October 20th. This should be a great night. Mundy’s written some amazing tracks over the years and am looking forward to it.

Of course, the other massive thing at the moment that is taking up alot of my time (early mornings and late nights) is Music Box for Life. It’s crazy to have had an idea 12 months ago, and to see it grow from inception through to reality is extremely exhilerating, and fullfilling. I love spending as much time on this project, as it’s so close to my heart (no pun intended!). The big news is that we’ve secured Paul Brady and Chris De Burgh for the project. We’re in the middle of working out publishing and legal details for both of these incredibly successful Irish musicians. It’s an incredible thing to be able to add these to the roster of Irish artists for the project.

Right that’s about all from me. I’ve been meaning to post some demos of songs up here, but surprise surprise, I’m a little hesitant about doing it. I might bite the bullet next week….

It’s the end of Winter in Sydney. It’s 30 degrees today. Crazy isn’t it?!