It’s been a while since the last album. What can we expect from Hurricane Skies?
To a point, more of the same, but hopefully not just a continuation, but an evolution of the music also.
The album was originally down for release in 2025, but now 2027 – what has led to the delay?
As with most things that are planned in, they get moved around. Many reasons have culminated to the album moving up to 2027, not least, losing my father in late 2025, illness which impaired the ability for vocal work and of course the intense heat we all experienced here in the UK throughout the summer. It would have been impossible to record in the studio. That said, I didn’t sit still with things, I carried on writing more and more.
How different is this album to the previous two?
As mentioned, I think it’s a continuation. I still feel I have a fair amount to get off my chest in a lot of different ways. Whether this album will draw a line under it all? Who’s to say either way. It depends how the pen flows with the next set of songs, if there were to be a 4th outing.
What else has changed? Any new processes or formula?
The song writing process, for me hasn’t and probably won’t change that much over the years. I still sit down to write as I did back in 2018 when I had been putting together ideas for the 1st album, “One For The Road” – pen and paper first and foremost. You can really get a feel for the way it’s taking you rather than pecking out words on a laptop.
Other than that, there have been a couple of additions of hardware (replacements!). For the guitar sound, I’ve now moved away from the Boss pedal which has dutifully been by my side for many a song / gig / open mic in favour of a Headrush Prime. It’s streets apart and I love the flexibility of creating rigs for specific songs. A real boon for getting the sound exactly how it was when recording which is really useful when you want to go back and work on a couple of overdubs.
The other new part of the register replaces the long admired Presonus interface. Now I’ve installed a Soundcraft UI24R literally in to the mix to allow for any future or side projects. Again, it’s flexibility and the sound that it gives is clear and precise.
Warriors was the 1st single from the new album – what inspired that?
It seems an age ago now since Warriors was released. It was oddly enough scheduled for 21st November, a few days after my Dad passed away. Certainly not planned as releases have to go through checks to ensure they are your own work etc. A process which takes 2 weeks.
Leading up to then whilst writing, I saw on social media that there were so many angry people. Keyboard Warriors, hiding behind their screen. Because of that, they were able to purport their ideals on the rest of the populous. It’s clear to see on a thread when someone is throwing incendiary comments to get a reaction. Warriors is really just about that. The toxicity that’s all around us these days.
Was there a particular song that unlocked the direction of the album for you?
Probably the song which will be the next single – Drifting Sideways. You’re never sure of the direction of a song until you’re probably half way through recording it – mainly as at that point, I’ve found it starts to show you the way rather than the other way around.
It’s a reflective track which probably sums up the last album, but with a few other ideas thrown in for good measure. It’s a little difficult to explain further than that really – you’re just going to have to take a listen!
Do you find it easier to write songs now than when you started?
No. It’s just as difficult to get in to the writing process as it was for the 1st record. Start with an idea, a feeling and then expand on it, but try not to make it sound the same – and give it a new direction. There are definitely songs on Hurricane Skies which I’ve not given any airtime to on the previous two records. A bit more playful and fun maybe. There are still the anchor points on the album but at the time of writing, I’m still recording (late September 2026) so things can definitely change.
When people listen to Hurricane Skies, what do you hope they take away from it?
I guess like anyone creative, you hope that your peers appreciate what you’ve done, possibly carry a song or two with them to use in their own lives on occasion. I’ve been incredibly lucky over the years to receive some really touching feedback from people around the world who I interrupt their usual Spotify, Amazon or Apple Music playlists for a few moments as no more than a wildcard play. Particularly with Dark Angel from One For The Road and Curse Of The Vagabond on Wheel Of Flames.
It doesn’t happen too often, but sometimes when that lightning strikes and you get feedback from people listening to the music, almost always for the 1st time, it really does make it all worthwhile and you just hope your work resonates with the listener.
Has making this album changed the way you look at anything in your own life?
I think it has to. Especially when the reality is weaving around the content of the songs. They are moments. They exist because that’s how I felt at the time when I wrote them. They aren’t meant to be anything other than that really. The songs can act as several things too. Some to acknowledge something or someone, to put a marker down, some are completely cathartic and you just have to get it off your chest, or some are for the pure pleasure of writing.
Every album I’ve done, including Hurricane Skies made me reflect on those moments and how I feel about them now. I rarely listen back to tracks I’ve done, but sometimes, you do have to just listen again and see how the songs are getting on – and if you still feel the way you did when you wrote them or they are disappearing over the hill because they have served their purpose.
What’s the most difficult part of making an album for you?
Actually the end of it when it’s all done and dusted. Where to stop with the mixing or production. You have to keep in mind that I’ve heard snippets of these songs relentless amounts of times, so although you could easily say “that’s enough now, it’s finished” it’s always worth casting an ear over it and seeing the final overall feel and make it fit together. There’s always that part when you listen to the released version that you think “I could have (should have) done that differently”. That’s a lesson for next time…..