Yes, fan(s), tonight is the night we’ve all been waiting for.  Today sees the release of my latest project, EarthRise by the band Spiral Planet, of which I am a member.  I produced this album, and it took about 16 months to complete, as well as finish it.

Tonight, at Two Rivers Production Company in Coombe Hill, just outside Cheltenham, England, I shall be performing with the band at the album’s launch party during which we shall be playing about half the songs from the album plus a couple of newbies.

Nervous?  Not really.  I’m more nervous about the reception of the album than the gig itself.  Plus the fact that I am in too much physical pain to be nervous.  I’m playing keyboards in the band, the instrument that I have played in every band I’ve been in, apart from the very first one, Scarlett Llama, back in 1982.

Actually, as I wrote the above, I did feel a bit nervous about the gig.  I suppose there is always some apprehension before a big event in one’s life.  And this album is a big event, certainly for me – we have had media attention for I think the first time that I can recall – a 25-minute radio broadcast on Dean Radio on Sunday, and a piece on The Local Answer‘s website; hopefully someone from that particular magazine will be at the gig tonight.

I have to give a small talk on the history of the band as well, and I’m always pretty nervous before speaking in public, more so than playing music.  I don’t know why that is.  The talk will be just a few minutes, but even so I have been pondering it for days now, even thinking of writing a script!

Please find below a copy of the album cover.  If you click on it, it will take you to the Spiral Planet Facebook page, at which you – yes you – can request band leader Mark Millar to send you a copy of the album for a measly sum of £10, part of which (certainly before Christmas at least) will go towards a charity called PTSD Resolution, that helps those suffering from that condition after having been in a war zone.

Not sure whether the album is worth your hard-earned wonga?  Have a listen to each and every track for nowt on the Spiral Planet YouTube Page!  See you on the other side! x