This whole lockdown thing has been pretty shit for socialising. For us creatives however, it’s actually been quite a good exercise in what you can achieve when you don’t have the distractions of daily chores, you know little things like the day job.

With that in mind I’ve been knocking around with a song I wrote last summer called “Fortitude”. For some reason things just clicked. It might be the current state of the world or possibly my mind but it just sort of fell into place in the home studio this week. I was planning on saving it for a future album but, with the knowledge of how unpredictable life can be at the moment, I have decided to go ahead an self-release it now.

Well, I say “now” but the truth is it will take a week or so before I can get the release date. Yes, even though self-releasing music is something that has been incredibly easy for well over a decade now, I am finally taking the plunge and doing it.

Since leaving Red Star Rebels back in 2007 I have been a big advocate for self-releasing music. The DIY ethic really appeals to me as there’s something raw and honest about it. You’re doing it because you want your art out there in the big wide world, rather than trying to appease accountants in suits. At least that’s been my take on the DIY music release anyway. I have been quite vocal before about my believe that it’s something Red Star Rebels should have done way back when but that’s by-the-by. I haven’t exactly been forthcoming in releasing my solo music before either so, who am I to complain anyway?

I think the real reason I haven’t done anything before is due to lack of confidence. “Think”? I mean I “know”. Putting yourself out there is a scary prospect when you haven’t got other band members to fall back on and take any criticism with you. Not having enough time is another excellent excuse that’s been a favourite of mine. With a day job and my other creative hobby of making videos about motorcycling taking up precious free time it was easy to justify my lack of musical output.

Being furloughed from work because of COVID-19 has been a double-edged sword. On one side my income is drastically reduced, social plans have become non-existent and I haven’t been able to ride my fucking motorcycle! That’s not even counting the tragic personal losses that are happening daily and the huge global financial repercussions.

But no matter how bad the world gets I do always at least try to see some good in everything. The most obvious benefit for me personally is that I have had no excuse not to make a return to music. And return I have!

I’ve finally come to throw caution to the wind and say “fuck it”. Yes, self-releasing my own music could be considered a vanity project and yes, it probably is. But if you don’t believe in your own creations then why would anyone else?

And so, after that rather long winded and excuse-ridden prologue, I would like to announce that my debut solo single “Fortitude” will be officially released on all major streaming and download services very soon. As soon as I have a going live date I’ll be promoting the fuck out of it, so apologies now if you get rather sick of me in the coming weeks!

For now though, here’s the artwork for the single. Thanks for reading this and stay safe folks!