FAMILY TIES with Newcastle singer-songwriter Simon Taylor

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48 year old Simon Taylor is a singer songwriter based in Newcastle.

“But, cliche alert, music seems to make me younger every day – mentally anyway.”

Is music in your family?

Yes, my Grandad played piano beautifully in his council house in Longbenton. Classics like Debussy and Ravel. He was a genius really, he was brilliant at science as well, entirely self-taught.

That musical side was passed on to my Mum who also plays piano. I used to love listening to her play as a young boy, maybe a connection was made right back then. On my father’s side my Gran sung at Hexham Abbey and I notice I probably get a bit of my voice from her when I go into my falsetto – er not very often.

Finally, my brother has taken after my Mum and Grandad and is a very well-regarded classical/ jazz piano improviser who plays concerts at venues across the UK and also in Europe. A much more skilled musician than me.

When was the first time you picked up a guitar?

I really got the idea of playing guitar at the age of nineteen when I was on holiday in Benidorm with my girlfriend of the time. I saw a flamenco teacher in a little plaza teaching a student and the image absolutely resonated with me and practically stopped me in my tracks.

I must have decided not long after to learn guitar because I got my first acoustic for my birthday two months later. It might well have been my ex-girlfriend’s lovely father who bought it – I forget. He gave me some early lessons anyway.

I kind of messed about with it for a couple of years from the age of 20 but then it was leaning against the wall of my bedroom for two years, untouched. The decision to then pick it up again at the age of 24 was one of the best I ever made. Almost immediately I realised I could compose melodies and that was how the whole songwriting thing started for me.

What studios have you used or do you record at home?

I have recorded at home, (I made two e.ps around Covid times this way), but decided I was probably better off personally working with a skilled producer on my projects in future. Recently these have included Lisa Murphy and John Martindale at Blank Studios and Ziad Jabero at Chilli Studios. I absolutely love recording and have also recorded at Loft Music Studios in Newcastle and the Old Church Studios in Thropton, Northumberland which were both also excellent.

What is your latest release?

I’m releasing a single whose title is inspired by my recent difficult domestic troubles called Bad Vibes Boulevard. A curator described it recently as ‘alt-pop’, maybe it is, I don’t know. I recorded it with Ziad Jabero at Chilli Studios he also played electric and 12 string guitar on it so I was very lucky to have his assistance there. It’s out on Wednesday 1st July.

When are your next gigs?

I have a couple of gigs coming up but they may have passed by the time this goes to press. The next one after that is an exciting one for me as it will be my first gig with a band performing my music in over eight years. It hasn’t been announced yet so I’d better keep schtum but we’ve been rehearsing at First Avenue Studios and are close to ready for that.

It’s been very gratifying to hear my songs live with added instrumentation as most of them were designed to be performed so we’ll see where that particular avenue of my life leads.

For more news/music/photos contact the official website >> http://www.simontaylormusic.com

Alikivi   May 2026

NEW ROAD MOVIE – new album from Autoleisureland

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In 2022 vocalist Paul Woods and multi-instrumentalist David Brewis released Autoleisureland’s debut album ‘Infiniti Drive’ – now they are ready to release their second album ‘New Road Movie’.

Paul explained “I guess our hopes for the album are just to reach a wider audience. We’re building a little bit of a community of listeners through Last Night From Glasgow, also having a number 1 on Mike Read’s Heritage Radio with our single ‘All the World Over’ has helped too. We’re just getting our music and name out there and then see what happens.”

All the World Over official Autoleisureland video

Back in the 80s David and Paul were founding members of  chart regulars The Kane Gang who formed in Seaham, County Durham in 1982 and signed to Kitchenware & London record labels.

Alongside vocalist Martin Brammer, the group racked up UK and European hits including Closest Thing To Heaven, Respect Yourself and Gun Law. They also scored a US pop hit with Motortown and a US dance No.1 with Don’t Look Any Further. And still spinning in 2026 the debut album released in 1985 ‘The Bad and Lowdown World of The Kane Gang’.

“Martin is busy with us in The Kane Gang. That’s the other great thing happening for us” said Paul. “In the last year or so the KG played two shows at Sunderland’s Fire Station, and at Dingwalls, London, and St Luke’s, Glasgow, aided and abetted by Field Music, We’re also writing and recording a new album with Field Music that we are a good way into. It’s all good”

Autoleisureland’s new release ‘New Road Movie’ is packed with effortless vocals by Paul Woods blended with David Brewis’ deep pop sounds and hooky tunes all wrapped up in an eazy-breezy West Coast feel. Are there any plans to take it out on the road?

Paul added “At the moment we have no plans to play live. We want to concentrate on writing and recording as many albums as we can. Things can change though.”

The 11 track album is released by Last Night From Glasgow on Transparent Amber vinyl, Transparent Red vinyl, CD & digital formats on 15 May 2026.

Alikivi   May 2026

Links to previous interviews >>>

AUTOLEISURELAND – new album by ex-Kane Gang duo | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

THE KANE GANG: On ‘80s Live Music Show The Tube | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

NORTHERN MELODY with North East musician & ex- Kane Gang member, David Brewis | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

BULLFROG 50 YEARS ON with North East songwriter & producer Steve Thompson

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Apprentice steelworkers and musicians Steve Thompson and Robin Hird formed Bullfrog in 1969. Being a Consett band their first ever gig was in The Freemasons Ballroom. Reportedly a wild west of a venue! Bullfrog played all over the North East gaining a huge following, and supporting big names including The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Hot Chocolate and Wishbone Ash.

Bullfrog finally attained the holy grail of a record deal but sadly failed to turn North East popularity into global stardom.

Steve(bass) takes up the story …“Ultimately, we had two record deals on offer from EMI and Cube. After a few years slogging around pubs and clubs in the North East we decided we needed to cut some demos and go after a record deal. So off we went to Multicord studios in Sunderland and laid down our entire repertoire of original songs.”

“We had also come second in a national competition and the prize was a recording audition at EMI Studios. EMI liked the recordings and started discussing a deal. Then we heard from Cube. They liked the demos we had sent and wanted to come see us at a live gig.”

“They came to Wingate Constitutional Club. It couldn’t have worked out better. They were swinging from the rafters and the band were going down great. Girls were banging on the dressing room door desperate to ravage our young bodies.”

“The Cube dudes were impressed and wanted to sign us there and then. We mentioned the interest from EMI. They said at EMI we would just be a small fish in a big pool. Come with us, they said, we’re smaller and can give you individual attention. They convinced us and we agreed to sign.”

“In due course we were booked into Island Records’ Basing Street studios. Many of our heroes had recorded there so it was quite exciting. Our producer was Roger Bain who had produced Black Sabbath of whom we were fans so another plus. Roger’s mate came along for the sessions, a guy called Gus Dudgeon with whom I was to work with several years later. Unfortunately, we made a string of dumb moves.”

“Dumb move one – we wrote a joke song called ‘Ridley Tiddly Tum’. Dumb move number two – we made a demo recording of the joke song. Dumb move number three – we played it to the record company. They declared it would be a massive hit and it was to be our first single. We were horrified but we couldn’t talk them out of it. But they were wrong it wasn’t a massive hit.”

“On reflection something else we did was probably a dumb move too. When you’re young you have a huge propensity for doing dumb things. We declared the single was a double A side and at every opportunity we promoted the actual B side a song called ‘In The City.”

“We did a film for BBC’s Look North driving around Newcastle in an open top car with ‘In The City’ blasting out. At every opportunity and interview we promoted the B side of the single. Our record company must’ve loved this. And so, it wasn’t to be and finally the band broke up in 1974.”

Steve then decided to concentrate on songwriting which led him to Wallsend’s Impulse Studios as House producer and eventually the legendary Neat Records who were responsible for launching the big four North East rock bands – Fist, Venom, Raven and Tygers of Pan Tang.

Steve explains his new project “It’s been over 50 years since Bullfrog’s first gig with 50 being a magic number in the music business. It’s the amount of years that must pass before recordings drop out of copyright. So finally, Bullfrog are free of that ill fated record deal so I’ve dug out the old master tapes and dusted them off”.

Steve added “These remixes of our 1972 demo tapes have been assisted by AI and I’ll own up to a small number of 2025 overdubs. The band now sounds how it would have done if modern day recording studios had been available when we first cut the demo tapes. And now you can enjoy the songs too – 50 Years On” 

Bullfrog 50 Years On is available on 12 inch Vinyl album and a CD (with bonus tracks). You can hear previews of the songs and purchase your copy here >>>

https://elasticstage.com/bullfrog

Alikivi   May 2026

ELECTRIFYED – new record & new guitarist for Tygers of Pan Tang

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John Foottit was born and bred in York in 1960 and now lives in Darlington with his wife Sandra.

I have been in Darlington for about 30 years.

Is music in the family?

There is no musical history in my family so I am not sure where it has come from. I had a couple of toy guitars as a kid and apparently my mother said I used to play nursery rhymes on one string.

Who were your influences?

Back in the day I loved Hank Marvin and the Shadows and I wanted to play guitar. I broke my ankle at 14 and I asked my mother for a guitar. That was it. The bug was there and I started to learn. I’m self taught and practice for hours. No instructional videos, dvd’s, YouTube etc it’s all by ear and books.

When I started an apprenticeship at 16, I was getting into early Queen, Thin Lizzy, Priest. I was lent an album by UFO featuring Michael Schenker. That was when serious practicing started.

When were your first gigs?

I was in my first gigging band at about 18. Nerve Senta we were called. We just played local gigs in York which had a good music scene back in the day.

I have been in some quite successful bands throughout the years with lots of material on YouTube. Mai Rouge, Change of Heart, Chrome Molly and my own instrumental album called ‘Equilibrium’. It is very influenced by my guitar hero’s Michael Schenker, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Randy Rhodes and George Lynch.

How did the job with the Tygers come about?

The Tygers job came through knowing Huw (Holding) the bass player who I’ve known a few years. We play in a covers band together and one evening he asked me if I was interested in a guitar position that had become available with the Tygers. I knew a few of the band already through gigging and festivals. They knew me and knew I could play so there was no audition as such. We met and it was mainly about how we would get on as people working and travelling together.

What’s next for the Tygers?

The new album is recorded and the first single comes out on May 4th. It’s titled Electrifyed. As is the album. The album was recorded remotely, due to the logistics of the band being so far apart. Some was recorded in Italy, the Netherlands and back home in the North East. It was completed at Christmas.

The songs were pretty much written prior to me joining but I played all the rhythm guitar parts along with Robb (Weir) and 80% of the leads were mine.

It’s a bit heavier than a lot of the albums but is full of catchy hook lines and still has the character of a Tyger’s song. I think it will be received well by the Tyger’s fans. The people that have heard it really like the single Electrifyed. Did I say it is due out on 4th May!

Any gigs lined up this year?

We have just completed a four day Spanish tour supporting FM. It went really well and I’m starting to bed in with the rest of the band now.

We have three UK shows coming up this week. Shows in Europe for the festival season are arranged and we have a South American tour at the end of May for 10 days.

For more news/gigs/photos/shop contact the official website >>>  Tygers Of Pan Tang – The Official Site

Alikivi   May 2026

THE BATTLE OF BOLINGBROKE – The Borestiffers 50th anniversary gig

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Where were you in the latter half of the 70s? New Rose by the Damned was the first single released by an English punk band, Monty Pythons Flying Circus became as big an influence on TV comedy than The Beatles had on music and before the end of the decade audiences were exposed to their surreal comedy film ‘The Life of Brian’. Sadly, millions mourned across the world as 1977 claimed the life of Elvis Presley.

However, here in South Shields also in 77, boxing’s Heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali visited the town to have his wedding blessed at Laygate Mosque. And legendary punk band Angelic Upstarts formed and within a few year appeared on Top of the Pops and toured the USA. Before making it they gigged at the Bolingbroke Hall in the town. Another crew who played in that hall were The Borestiffers.

Who were The Borestiffers? The Borestiffers featured an early Wavis O’Shave he of later musical fame and appearances on live TV music show The Tube, other members included Heedfuzz, Braddy, Teddy Anteater and John ‘Fig Roll’ Davies who would rarely turn up. February this year was the 50th anniversary of that notorious gig played in front of several rival gangs of the town.

A surreal non-musical skiff-lish group playing empty suitcases, sooty guitars, bullworkers and even a kitchen sink, The Borestiffers in total recorded two cassette albums, played four gigs in South Shields, three at Bolingbroke in 76 and one at The People’s Palace in 77. But it was the initial gig that ended in a riot that remains in folklore memory.

Heedfuzz, Wavis, Braddy & Teddy.

I hear you had some trouble during your Bolingbroke rehearsal?

WAVIS:  Two of hardest men in the town used to work out in the gym there and when they heard us making such a racket they turned up to see what was happening. All of the band went deadly silent and I had to explain. When they asked how much we charged admission I told them, a slice of bread, hard boiled egg or a stick of celery.

HEEDFUZZ: They wanted to sit in on the rehearsal of the first piece of our noise. Once we finished, they silently returned to the gym.

Who and how many turned up – any local ‘celebs’ of the town?

WAVIS: There was a fair turn out from about four different rival town gangs – Whiteleas, Biddick Hall, the Nook and Westoe.

BIG PHIL: There were about twenty members of the Whiteleas Estate Aggro Boys – most of them didn’t have a clue what to expect. I knew it was going to be nuts but the idea of trouble wasn’t in my mind, we were a well-known gang of lads who stood together in times of trouble.

HEEDFUZZ: About 50 or so attendees from various parts of the town. Turf warfare was a common practice during the 70s.

Teddy, Braddy & Heedfuzz

What songs were on the set list?

WAVIS: Most I recall were from the first Borestiffers cassette album ‘Black Shoes and Mongooses’ like Rubber Song where we dropped the stylus onto the rubber turntable and chanted ‘Rubber song’. Three different songs about shoes, one making it to my ‘Anna Ford’s Bum’ album, also Josepheener Tursepheeners with accompanied customised absurd dance.

HEEDFUZZ: We also did The Seven Puppets of Corbett – spoofing the Queen hit, and it was about The Sooty Show. Intro music was the Can Can followed by a loud recording of an outside back yard toilet flushing where we entered the stage, wandered round like lost souls, and then re-entered again.

Can you remember how you were dressed?

WAVIS: I had a Subbuteo floodlight strapped on my head and played a Sooty guitar.

HEEDFUZZ:  I had a top hat with a child’s pink telephone attached around the rim with elastic bands, and a tailcoat.

BIG PHIL: The gig itself was so surreal many of the lads just couldn’t cope with what they had witnessed – the weird outfits, the fact that the group couldn’t play. I was in heaven.

On the night was there a compere?

WAVIS; Nope, we had no one to spare but I doubt anyone would offer if we did, but we did have member of the Sunderland Hells Angels on the door as a bouncer who in later life featured on various TV shows as Martial arts instructor. His jacket was padded out with multiple parts of a lathe.

HEEDFUZZ: Spike Milligan would have been superb but he had earlier wrote to Wavis declining an invite to manage us thinking we were musical.

Heedfuzz, Braddy, Wavis & Teddy. pic taken in the famous South Shields landmark The Westoe Netty.

Why did you choose to play Bolingbroke Hall?

WAVIS: I had to tell the owners that we wanted it for a poetry recital otherwise I doubt they’d have given it us. Eight quid it cost. I thought it was the perfect size venue for an expected sizeable gathering and if there were any trouble which I’d predicted, they’d be plenty of space for people to fight! It inspired the Angelic Upstarts to book the place.

HEEDFUZZ: It was a suitable size and ideally situated in the centre of town ideal for public transport.

BIG PHIL: At the end it all erupted, and the place got trashed in unison by all the gangs there. On the way home everyone was laughing in bewilderment. We knew we had witnessed something out of the ordinary but most couldn’t grasp what! I was a bit upset about the mini riot but over the moon that I had witnessed so much absurdity in such a short space of time.

HEEDFUZZ: On the way to the show I met a kid who was going and he opened his wallet to prove he had a ticket as well as a slice of bread in there asking if it was really needed. I told him it was a charity gig for the Marine Park wildlife.

Alikivi   April 2026

THREE MINUTE POP SONG with Newcastle singer-songwriter Alan Fish

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In the 1980s Alan was guitarist and songwriter in Newcastle bands Loud Guitars and White Heat – who signed to Virgin records and recorded one album.

For the past 10 years he has toured as a session musician with American singer-songwriter Jesse Terry. He has also produced a number of recordings as The Attention Seekers.

‘The Attention Seekers were formed around 1999, our first album was released in 2002 since then we have released six albums and a seventh is in the final stages.’

‘I am very fortunate in the fact that over the years I have built up a relationship with a number of radio stations in the UK, and USA. I measure the success of my releases by the number of plays they attract. It’s always a thrill to hear one of my songs on the radio like Seven Bridges, The Prudhoe Song, The Girl With The Jukebox Mind and Sweet Anna Brown.’

Watch the video here >>>

The Attention Seekers – Sweet Anna Brown – YouTube

In the 1970s Subbuteo teams and pop singles was what I spent my pocket money on. The first singles I bought were Elected and Hello Hurray by Alice Cooper plus Sweet and Slade who were always on Top of the Pops.

‘Good choices. I was a big fan of Alice Cooper. I discovered them on Old Grey Whistle Test performing Under My Wheels. The album ‘Killer’ is a classic. Slade finally won me over with How Does it Feel – a brilliant song.’

‘Examples of perfect pop singles would be All The Young Dudes – Mott The Hoople, When You Are a King – White Plains, Virginia Plain – Roxy Music, Fire – The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks. My first single was Woodstock by Mathew’s Southern Comfort. To this day it still sounds perfectly crafted.’

Tony Davis & Sam Blewitt, Cluny Studios, Newcastle.

‘In my opinion the three minute pop song is the ultimate art form. This feeds directly into the way I write and record. The flexibility of The Attention Seekers is the perfect vehicle for me to explore this concept. In the studio the song will dictate the line up.’

‘My ‘go to’ musicians include Trevor Brewis, Tony Davis, Sam Blewitt, Jesse Terry, Romaana Shakir, and Niles Krieger. I would definitely feel compromised if I had to use a conventional ‘rigid’ band line up.’

Trevor Brewis, Cluny Studios, Newcastle.

What have you got planned for this year?

‘I am presently in the final stages of completing a new Attention Seekers album, I have recording sessions booked for the end of April. Tony Davis’s Cluny Studio is my studio of choice. I am also working with ’The City Of Newcastle Male Voice Choir’ developing a choral version of ’Seven Bridges’.

‘Recently the choir invited me to play a guest spot at one of their concerts. I enjoyed the challenge of performing ’stripped back’ versions of my songs, and the impact of the choir adding their voices to the choruses was an experience I’m keen to repeat.’

For further information, news, photos, songs, video & gigs contact the official website >>>

Home | The Attention Seekers

Alikivi   April 2026

LET THE MUSIC PLAY – in conversation with Martin Francis Trollope owner of Harbourmaster Studios, South Shields

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The studio in Prospect House, Simonside is handy to get to as Bede metro station is only 5 mins away and it’s just off the main road between South Shields and Jarrow. I was feeling flush so I got a taxi there.

Last time I was in this area it was 1982 and I’d just left school. With proper jobs being scarce at that time there were only Government schemes around like YOP’s – Youth Opportunity Programmes which lasted under a year.

The Careers Office sent me to an office building on Bede Industrial Estate which offered a number of practical courses. I took a 3 month course in Basic Industrial Electronics – how to solder and wire a plug that sort of thing. It’s come in handy.

I’ve been self employed for over 30 years so understand the highs and lows of working in a creative industry. I’ve talked to people on this site about ‘how do you survive in the arts?’ And asked Martin the same question.

Martin Francis Trollope, Harbourmaster Studio pic. Alikivi March 2026

‘With two kids I try to have some structure to my work but am still available via text, email or phone every minute of the day really. The odd email comes in late at night ‘I think we can change the mix on that.’ It’s a 24 hour thing. People with creative brains man, it can happen at all sorts of times.’

Could you see yourself with a ‘proper’ job like an office or factory?

‘I was a very good barman at The Fountain in South Shields. The job wasn’t just about pulling pints. I was quiet at first but learned how to talk to people and have conversations. I’m quite good at making spread sheets, but I’m not sure about an office job.’

For a number of years Martin worked in Customs Space a community recording studio in South Shields, sadly, now demolished.

‘I started recording over 20 years ago at home then went to The Cave youth club with John Clavering (musician/producer) which became Customs Space. Unfortunately, the building was planned to be demolished and no plans were in place for the studio to move. The feeling was that the time was up.’

How long have you been in this studio?

‘Nearly 6 years. It was essentially a Covid thing. When that hit, I knew I wasn’t going to have a job after it. After being on furlough at Customs Space for around 8 months I went freelance. I used that time to get things together, put the wheels in motion and look around for studio space.’

‘Luckily Jen Stevens (vocal coach) and Jordan Embleton (photographer) who worked at Customs Space had found units here in Simonside so asked me to come down.’

Is this your dream job?

‘I’ve never really had ambitions but deep down I really wanted to do it. I suppose you never think it’s viable. The work is great though. It’s so varied from first timers to experienced musicians like Steve Thompson who you’ve interviewed. Not everything is recorded here some people bring stuff over that they’ve recorded in their house and we work on it here.’

As well as recording and mixing Martin offers guitar lessons.

‘I enjoy teaching all ages. I have seven people at the minute but my time is restricted with the amount of recording and mixing that I do. All I want to do is take the music that the musician is hearing in their head and put it down so they hear it back’.

‘I rarely push my ideas on them it’s all their work. They don’t want to take a CD home and wonder why they let the engineer put that sound on! I’m not offended when they say no I don’t want that. Although some have asked me to put a solo on cos they don’t play guitar! A collaboration is fun to do. As long as it comes out the way they want it to, I’m happy.’

Martin Francis Trollope, Harbourmaster Studio. pic. Alikivi March 2026

Do your customers travel far to get to the studio or are most people local?

‘All over the North East is where they mainly come from. There is a death metal band called The Larches from Yorkshire, they should have an EP ready soon. There is also a guy from Leeds called Fun Park Fugitives who comes in and makes really good low fi indie. He’s got a really good ear for a tune.’

It must be worth it for him travelling a 200 mile round trip?

‘Sometimes you make a connection with someone. Making art is a very personal thing. When I make a song, I’m careful who I show it to. You are sharing a private thing. Especially if it’s not fully formed and complete. You have to feel comfortable around someone having bad ideas.’

When you were starting out can saying no to some work be hard to do?

‘When I started doing this, I took on some work teaching music in primary schools – up to 30 kids at a time absolute chaos but they enjoyed it. I said yes to a lot of jobs that’s why I ended up working on a lot of styles of music. That’s the challenge, you learn something. And a new connection can lead you to another job.’

How do you find making contact with other small business and networking at formal events?

‘I’m not great at starting conversations with strangers at these events but I realise the importance of them. But for me going to gigs is my networking event really. My advice to anyone starting a music career for want of a better word, is go to gigs, chat with the band, find out who organised it, see who runs the venue, maybe talk to the sound tech. Straight away you’ve found a load of information.’

‘Social media has its functions my customer base use it so yes for that purpose it’s good, but really talking face to face and experiencing a live gig can’t be beaten.’

For further information check out the official website >>>

http://www.harbourmasterproductions.co.uk

Alikivi   March 2026

SHE’S SO EUROPEAN – New tour planned for UK Rhythm & Blues singer-songwriter Emma Wilson

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Emma Wilson 2026 pic. Paul May

These past few years have been golden for Emma – tours, awards, recording in Memphis, appearing on BBC Radio 2 with Cerys Mathews and in April she is getting ready to represent the UK in the European Blues Challenge in Poland.

‘And In January just gone I went to Memphis in America to represent the UK at the International Blues Challenge. That was great, of all the times I’ve visited Memphis this was the first opportunity I had to play on the iconic Beale Street.’

‘I also played a live session on Memphis Radio with DJ Ric Chetter. He’s championed me for years and always gets me in the studio when I’m over in the States’ said Emma.

‘On a more sombre note, my visit to Memphis coincided with a wake for the late Don Bryant. As you know Don and I duetted on his song What Kind of Love for my ‘Memphis Calling’ album. It was a very moving day and it was a privilege to be there.’

‘I was able to meet up with friends from the record – Scott Bomar and Hubbie Turner. A few of us went out later for some food and to raise a glass to Mr Bryant….Mr.B..’

Since we last spoke you have lost your good friend and fellow vocalist Terry Reid, how has this affected you?

‘It was so sad losing Terry, he really was one of those people you thought would go on forever. He shone so brightly in every way. I was lucky to have him as a friend and mentor. Even writing this hurts, I miss him so much.’

Emma added ‘We used to chat on Whatsapp (he lived in California) and he would tell me all the tales about his life in the 70s with Taj Mahal, Crosby Stills & Nash and David Lindley when they were all young crazy lads. He had some brilliant stories and an incredible memory for detail.’

‘There will be a tribute concert in 2027 which his lovely wife Annette has asked me to perform at. I’ll probably sing the song we wrote together See You in The Morning – if I can hold back the tears.’

You are putting together a new tour for 2026 are you playing any new venues?

‘Yes! It’s great to be expanding my gig repertoire! Of course, Katowice in Poland is new I’ve never played there before. I’m also on a festival in Germany – Dreyland Festival. Then in the UK the Swanage festival, I’ve played as a guest before but this time headlining. And the Beer Blues Festival in Devon is a new one for me’ said Emma.

‘Also, there are a couple of clubs such as The Angel in Bardsey and the Chantry Brewery in Rotherham. It’s fantastic that promoters – some of whom are musicians – are starting new clubs. Then in December I’m back at the 100 Club in London which is always a cool night – the room just throbs with energy.’

For further information on singles, albums and full list of tour dates contact the new official website >>>  www.emmawilson.co 


Listen to the new album ‘A Spoonful of Willie Dixon’ >>> 

https://EmmaWilson.lnk.to/SpoonfulofWillieDixonNE

Alikivi   March 2026

THESE ARE MY BOUNDS – new collection from Jarrow born poet, Tom Kelly

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Playwright, lyricist and poet Tom Kelly who now lives further up the Tyne river at Blaydon, has released a new collection of poems published by Northumberland based Red Squirrel Press.

‘My collection, prior to ‘These Are My Bounds’ was ‘Walking My Streets’ (interview on site July 2024) published in 2024 and from that point I was building up work for my next collection’ said Tom.

‘I prefer to have new work published in magazines and the majority of poems in a new collection have been published. It allows me to see them more objectively.’

‘Once I’ve had a number of poems published, I begin to select which ones may work in the together. Next is the business of the running order. I found with, ‘These Are My Bounds’ they worked best by moving from past to present. I open the collection with a poem using my grandmother, Maggie Henderson, who died in Jarrow in 1969.’

Tom has had fourteen books published by Red Squirrel Press, the first was ‘The Wrong Jarrow’ from Smokestack Books.

‘That was in 2007 and is now out-of-print. Before these collections I had a number of pamphlets published by a variety of small publishers.’

Tom adds ‘My first pamphlet was the ‘Gibbeting of Wm. Jobling,’ published by the Bede Gallery, Jarrow in 1972.The publication was made up of poetry, prose, contemporary documents and illustrated by Vincent Rea.’

What are your hopes for this new collection?

‘I would, like most poets, to find readers who warm to my work with positive reviews and good sales to have my publisher Sheila Wakefield of Red Squirrel Press publish my next collection.’

Quotes and reviews from previous collections.

‘Another consummate, heart-warming collection from the talented Tom Kelly’.

Alan Morrison, in Morning Star.

‘He writes in a simple style, sometimes in the dialect of his native north-east. What he writes about should never be forgotten, though the rich and the powerful do their best to expunge it from collective memory.’ Review of ‘No Love Rations’, short story collection. MQB  

‘Tom Kelly writes poems that are straightforward and about the people and the places he’s known all his life. The North-East is his “small patch” and its history and traditions loom large in just about everything he writes. If the term “regional writer” means anything it certainly applies to a writer like Kelly. You can see and smell and hear both the past and the present as you read the short, jabbing lines with their penny-plain words.’ The Penniless Press 

‘These Are My Bounds’ available from Red Squirrel Press.

Alikivi   March 2026

HOME SWEDE HOME – with singer & songwriter Alan Barker

/ Alikivi

Originally from Middlesbrough, for the past 12 years 71 year old Alan has lived in Sweden with his wife Jude.

‘After school I went to train as a school teacher at Durham University then spent my first seven years in the workplace as a teacher then in business for several years in and around the Northeast.’ explained Alan.

‘The first business was an up market private health and fitness Centre in Yarm. It was called Gym and Tonic. My second business was a construction company renovating properties and building new houses’.

When did you first pick up a guitar?

‘When I was 12 year old and sang my first song at the school folk club. It was Bob Dylans Blowing in the Wind. Like everyone else at the time I joined a band at 16 and played a few gigs around the Teesside area particularly Redcar pubs. It didn’t last. We didn’t get a record deal. But I really did enjoy it.’

Was music in your family, did anyone play an instrument?

‘Yes, my mother. She played a mean piano but she had to have her arms twisted too actually do it. She was a musical one. Most family and friend’s parties ended up around the piano with her playing the hits of the day. So, I guess I got my performing bug from her and from her brother. My uncle was a professional singer all his working life.’

‘Fast forward five decades and songwriting has taken over. There was a song in me called Running Man. I wrote it quickly and we recorded it. Since then, I’ve just kept writing.’

‘Jude and I became involved with a professional football club In Sweden and formed a refugee team called The Mighty Cosmos. The original members of this team had all escaped the 2003 and still ongoing genocide with Sudan and Darfur and had an amazing story to tell.’

‘Over two years, they told me their personal stories and every line in Running Man was a part of one of those stories.

One night at the height of the refugee migration across Europe I saw the Hungarian foreign minister say we will build a fence and send them back and that became a line in the middle eight part of the song. The rest of the song came very quickly.’

Alan’s song has received radio airplay in Sweden and he has been interviewed on several radio stations across northern Sweden.

‘Songwriting came to me late, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I think the early protest singer songwriters of the 60s and 70s especially Dylan, Roy Harper, Tom Paxton, Loundon Wainright along with the amazing Leonard Cohen have influenced the way I write.’

‘There’s a rich pallet of subject matter in the world right now so plenty to go at. I have several songs on Spotify now and a whole load lined up ready to be recorded including an EP of four songs of nostalgia about my home town.’

Songs recorded in Studio 306, Ostersund, Sweden. Produced & engineered by Johan Arveli & Anders Lagroix Kronlund. Available to download on all music platforms.

Tracks include Jamtland County, Monster in the Water, War is Cancelled Today, Darfur Wind, Into the light and Lady Liberty.

Alikivi     March 2026