in the uk the sun has finally got his hat on - and in studio land the bits and peices and the headaches and frustratons are getting ironed out - i guess that's the main problem of trying to do everything yourself - you've actually got do actualy do it, like, yourself - which can sometimes be a process that stifles creativity instead of enhancing it y'know.....but the demos are slowly starting to trickle out - hold tight - there's talk of a new track as a b-side in the USA ..... talking of which - USA tour announced last week - a walkabout involving a load os solo dates on the front, Chicago, NY, and LA with the full band, and then back to the wandering minstrel vibe - i'm touring with blue Note Artiste Jay May - so if you're around come and say hi - check the myspace for the details.... i just got back from LA where i was "workin" for a week - i guess that's the musicians equivalent of the infamous "working from home" blag - only problem was - as soon as i got out there the diary filled up like holed submarine - and i ended up working pretty hard, doing showcases, tv stuff, and an amazing thing for Current TV - can't wait to see it - chris and his wife were totally ace, taking me to a 50's bowling alley that had been turned into a punk pit! full of cool 50's bowling stuff - my hotel had a pool on the roof - and loads of girls staying there who worked in "info-mercials" - and loads of industry types who were there for coachella (Portishead really blew some minds, {rince did a cover of Creep!) and musexpo (goons by the dozen)....man.....if it wasn't for the food i'd almost enjoy LA.... fin we did some wonderful gigs in Switzerland last week - such a delight - played in the cellar of a beautiful old mansion in the moutnains of Martigny - wonderful crowd at both both gigs actually - although having beer ON TAP backstage is a terrible idea - and we left only when it was completely dry.....excellent.....to wake up to the sight of mountains is such a good look.... and since then we've been in studio hell - the whole of my loft is like a bomb site of wires, dust, and kit all looking lonely and helpless -but we're nearly there - and the whole of May is slated for new demos for ninja for the new lp - some of the new stuff, as embryonic as it is, sounds heavy !!!...... I did a tv show for ARTE last month or so, one Shot Not.....it airs tomorrow night, a version of If Only and a jam of Pretty Little thing with the legendary Pino Palladino on Bass and the seminal Manu Katche on drums....as soon as i'm allowed i'll post it up - but i gotta warn you - i did forget a line in the song i was having so much fun.....and the solo at the end is a bit sick i gotta say.... off to LA tomorrow for some promo and stuff - no gigs unfortunately (sorry west coast crew) but we've announced the USA tour dates now - so check the 'space.....also announced are some euro festies too to keep us busy through the summer......including a Massive Attack support that we're pretty stoked about...... much love everyone - see you out there fin hey all mad hectic as always - too hectic to even blog on the space - since the last blog the Future Rock N Roll Show has been promoted !! - hurrah - babycham corks a-poppin !! - Me and The James Kendall are now on Friday nights between 9 and 10 !! ther archive will be on the space as always - so enjoy sweden - my first time - was quite possibly the most expensive place in the world - beer was like prohibitively pricey - 25 songwriters holed up in a complex in gothemburg with no drugs - scary concept - but strangely, very constructive - after 5 days though i was ready to go postal - if any of them get used, trust me, i won't let you know !!! it was great to hang with Blair again though (we wrote This Is the Thing together last year).... then straight home to broken heating, an amazing Patrick watson gig in Brighton, followed by the Ping Pong 10th anniversary gig in Paris at Bataclan - with coldcut, new flesh (great guys), busdriver (he smacked it) and Kel from the heavy doing Cameo Karaoke to Word up !!! - well worth it - Ping Pong have promoted all of ninja, dada, and Counter's stuff in France and done us all favours big time - so the lack of soundcheck and the absence of beer was forgiven in a maelstrom of laptopicalism.... more posts as things calm down a bit - a few gigs in switzerland this weekend if you're around - after that - a brief sojourn to LA and lots of writing for the new album.....can't wait.... fin To Read the archives, visit the Diary → page.		Little Blue Mailbox Released: 05.11.2007 Available on: 7" (ZEN7199) - BUY Digital (ZENDLS199) - BUY Distance and Time Released: 01.10.2007 Available on: LP (ZEN136) - BUY CD (ZENCD136) - BUY Digital (ZENDL136) - BUY This Is The Thing Released: 13.08.2007 Available on: Digital (ZENDLS198) - BUY Fink - Distance & Time (White) Available as: White/Large (TS106L) White/Large (TS106M) BUY Fink - Distance & Time (White) Available as: White/Medium (TS107M) BUY