'Refuge' is an instrumental, largely classical piece from our Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate album The Confidence Trick. It follows the story of my great-grandmother's experiences as a refugee, escaping from racial persecution. open.spotify.com/track/2rYfBt...

There was an actual tapestry. Inside the original double album cover is an image of the needlepoint I worked on when I wasn't playing or singing. You can see where I stitched the words "thank you" before I gave it to Lou. From "A Natural Woman" Photo by Jim McCrary Courtesy Lou Adler / Ode Records

"And once you come to this conclusion you cannot remain silent." Location: Parliament Square, London (sound on) youtu.be/WMwqhdVV5as

"We cannot continue to participate in the social network feed of a man who proclaims the death of the media and therefore of journalists... X is a platform that no longer serves the public interest at all, but the special ideological and financial interests of its owner and his political allies"

I've always been baffled by the popularity of Reaction Videos ("Classical Musician Hears Aquatarkus By Emerson Lake And Palmer For The First Time" etc). Whoever imagined there would be such a big audience for 4 minutes of highly performative facial contortions & gurning to a pop music soundtrack

Old but good news. I offered to help with The Zombies' Begin Here Festival a week ago – stacking chairs, or pouring out water, perhaps? I ended up interviewing Hugh Grundy (dr), Colin Blunstone (voc) and Chris White (bass) in St Albans Cathedral and steering a Q&A. 'Twas an absolute pleasure.