STOP PRESS  -  I’ll be supporting Brian Kennedy (Irish songwriting legend) for three dates on his forthcoming tour. The shows are in Bilston (outside Wolverhampton), Brighton and Milton Keynes. I’ve put details up on the ‘Gigs’ page and will update with details of tickets and stage times as soon as I can.

I became an uncle for the first time on the 8th of the 8th of the 8th! Alexander Benjamin was born at 9.01 pm weighing 8lbs 10oz. Well done Ben and Jo!

The following day I had a session with Uganda’s premier artists “Da Twinz” for a BBC TV drama scheduled for broadcast in 2009. This was a lot of fun despite the various trials and challenges of the day. My good friend Craig Pruess was producing and my hat goes off (or should I say helmet) to him for his Stirling Moss impression in the wilds of Wiltshire to get me to the train station in time last Wednesday!

Also been working on a Prince Fatty remix for Natty with Mike P, Horseman and Bubblers. This is the second remix we have done for Natty - the first “July” has been getting quite a bit of airplay.

Congratulations also to my friends Adam and Sarah who announced their engagement this week. Looking forward to celebrating with you later today! x

Max

Firstly apologies to you my faithful blogistas for my lack of input these last few weeks. But finally I find myself with a few moments on holiday sitting in an internet cafe called Q-bar sipping a cup of tea looking at the wind and rain through the blu-tak smeared window….

Soon i’m hoping to post some video footage from the shoot with the band at the end of May and there will also be more news soon of a solo tour i’m co-headlining called “From Nashville to Songville” which starts late September. Dates and details as soon as I have them.

Work on the follow up Prince Fatty album is almost completed - recent sessions with Little Roy, Winston Francis, Dennis Al Capone and Horseman have been amazing and there will be some special flavours on the next Fatty album for you to enjoy. The Prince Fatty band is taking it on the road too - we have a show in Thailand in December (its a hard life I know…) and more live work in the pipeline.

I’m also very excited about becoming an Uncle! Any time now…

Battery almost flat - gotta go

Max

This weekend had more of it’s usual share of thrills and spills as my band and I have been shooting a live video plus the recording of a live EP. I spent Friday setting the stage, co-ordinating various elements required for the recording (projectors, lighting, food and beer deliveries!) as well as taking not a passing interest in bassist Paul Powell’s incident filled journey from Malta to Brighton. Despite a few trials and tribulations we managed to film the live show - if an hour late - before Paul had to race off to Paris for another show… Video is currently being edited and there will be some audio for your delectation as soon as I can physically organise it.

So - to the role call of thanks. First the band who worked so hard:- Steve Allsworth, Paul Powell and Adam King, the video team - Tom Rochester and his crew, pro-tools and cowfoot by Brother Pelanconi, Paul Harrison for his conceptual help and the Giant MAX (!), Will Matthews for the projector, Jim for his video footage, Paul Smith for staying awake long enough to take some photos (and giving me a bed for the night - see below), Sarah for asking the questions, all at Scream studios for their help and support - especially when I discovered my keys had gone to London, Gio at Country Wines for helping me out with the beer for the thronging masses, and lastly - everyone who came down to support on the day and make ut feel like a real gig.

There is lots of other good news on the way - as soon as I have recovered will post again…

M

x

Well it’s been a busy time since my last post, almost feel like my feet haven’t touched the floor… Firstly congratulations to ‘Proxmity Effect’ who were the winners of the Wight Noize competition which I had the pleasure to sit on the panel. Some great young bands on the Isle of Wight, well done to all the bands and artists who took part.

I spent a couple of days writing with my good friend Lou Mullen in London and we penned 2 brand new songs, have been recording rhythm  section  parts for one of them with the legend that is Adam King. Also worked on sessions with Little Roy, Fulvio Sigurta  and Dale from the Fat 45s this week.

Also in the planning is a live video shoot with full band on May 24th (sat pm) in Brighton for a new promo pack. If anybody is interested in being in the “Audience” between 2 and 4.30pm on the Saturday please e-mail me. There is only so much room but we will need a rent-a-crowd. There may even be complimentary refreshments!

By the way - happy birthday to my brother Ben whose birthday it is today…

This weekend I’ll be sitting on the panel once again for the “Wight Noize” competition for young bands from the Isle of Wight, giving the winner the opportunity to play on the main stage at the festival in June.

Last week I played a last minute gig at the Joogleberry Theatre in Brighton stepping in for my friend Ashley Slater whose wife was giving birth (Congrats Ash!). If you were singing “Round and Round” with me that night - all power to you, it was a lot of fun - complete with Battle of the Planets!

Thanks to the Openbook crew who put together the Paperbag event - a monthly night of independent short films, animations and a little local live music. Here is the link to their site: www.openbookuk.com

Laura and Sam from Openbook were interviewed on Brighton’s very own Radio Reverb yesterday, and thanks to them for playing one of my songs on air. If you go to Radio reverb’s website you may be able to “listen again” but I cant be sure…

Sun is out finallly - I may not have to emigrate after all…

Pete and myself recorded 4 new tracks in February and these will soon be available both on CD and for download via iTunes. I’m going to post all news and info about any MAP acoustic guitar things on the MAP page when I finallly get around t it….

The tracks are (in no particular order):

Carillon

Evensong

Four Stories

Reel For Eric

The Prince Fatty remix of ‘Politik Kills’ by Manu Chao (which I sessioned on guitar) is getting a lot of interest at the moment - it’s even the autoload song on Manu’s own site at the moment! Check out http://www.manuchao.net/

So just made it back to the south coast after battling with public transport over the weekend. Really enjoyed playing my set at the Musician supporting Kathryn and Neil. A really wonderful audience who helped to remind me why I do this. If you were one of them - thankyou.

This was the set.

Wanted

Always With You

Round and Round

Hate You

All About You

Playing The Game

The following day I had to get from Leicester to Birmingham but of course there were no trains. Love this country sometimes. Fortunately National Express was on hand…

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