MY STORY
I’ve been passionate about music for as long as I can remember. Over the years I’ve played in a few bands, but more recently I’ve settled into life as a solo artist. Whether working with others or on my own, the heart of it has always been the same for me: the songs.
Songwriting is what drives everything. I write about whatever captures my attention at the time, and the styles tend to wander just as much as the subjects. Love, the world as it is, the strange times we live in, the small moments that make life meaningful. I’ve never been particularly good at staying in one lane, which probably reflects a curiosity about a wide range of ideas, emotions and experiences.
Like most songwriters, I can’t really explain where songs come from. They appear in fragments, half-formed thoughts, a melody that won’t leave you alone. Then slowly, almost mysteriously, something begins to take shape. When a song finally locks together and feels right, there’s nothing quite like it.
The guitar has always been my main companion, though I’ve long harboured ambitions of being a multi-instrumentalist. The reality is probably closer to “jack of several trades, master of a few,” but I keep adding bits and pieces where I can. Enthusiasm often makes up for what technique lacks. The gods, as they say, love a trier.
I’m no newcomer, and having lived through several musical eras, I’ve absorbed a little from each along the way. Some of it shows up in the melodies, some in the arrangements, and some simply in the attitude that songs should mean something and be built to last.
These days I record and produce independently, focusing on strong lyrics, thoughtful arrangements, and songs that try to say something honest about life, love, and the world around us. Styles may change, sounds may evolve, but the aim stays the same: write songs that connect, and keep chasing that moment when a new one comes to life.
VOTIVE OFFERINGS
MUSICAL APPROACH
SOUND AND PRODUCTION
Once a song has taken shape, the production stage becomes the part I enjoy most. Writing can be a slow wrestle. There are times when the third verse refuses to behave or a middle eight feels like it’s missing a vital chord. But when the structure finally settles and the song stands on its own two feet, that’s when the real creative fun begins.
The song itself is always the foundation. If the core isn’t strong, no amount of studio polish will rescue it. But when the writing works, arrangement and production can transform the experience. Thoughtful instrumentation, space, texture and dynamics can add warmth, character and emotional depth. You can’t turn a weak idea into a masterpiece, but you can take something solid and bring out its shine, shaping the elements into a cohesive and engaging whole.
For Votive Offerings, I was fortunate to work alongside my musical soulmate, Tobi Lustigman. Together we explored, experimented, laughed, questioned decisions and occasionally wrestled with the details. Through that process, each track found its best version.
Tobi has a rare instinct for sound. His recording, mixing and arrangement skills bring clarity, balance and a subtle sense of musical elegance that lifts every piece. Behind the scenes he may be largely unknown, but to me he’s a true studio magician and an essential part of the album’s sound.
RECORDING
Most of the heavy lifting happened in my home studio, which I’ve gradually built up over time with some lovely bits of kit, including Neumann microphones, Neve preamps, an SSL EQ and a Shadow Hills 500-series compressor. For live drums, horns, and some of the lead and backing vocals, I headed over to Tobi’s studio in Barnet.
The strings and most of the piano were recorded remotely by Pete and David. I’d send them a rough guide for each part and, not long after, their interpretations would arrive back through the ether. More often than not, they captured exactly what the song needed, usually better than I’d imagined it myself.
When Tobi and I were in the studio together, we focused on arrangements and rough mixes. He would then take things away, refine them, and send updated versions through. I still remember the little thrill each time a notification pinged on my laptop, knowing I was about to hear what extra magic he’d added. One of the best surprises was when he slipped in harmony parts I’d never thought of. The man can definitely sing.
The album came together over roughly six months, working on it on and off. Along the way I added new songs, let a few go, and gradually shaped the final collection before everything moved on to the final mix and mastering.
SIX ALBUMS THAT INSPIRED VOTIVE OFFERINGS
David Bowie - Heathen
I could have taken inspiration from almost any of his 26 studio albums (perhaps with the exception of his quieter 90s period) because he was simply a genius. I’m not making any comparisons, but the sheer range of styles he explored over the years has been a huge influence on me. He was never tied to one sound for long, and even within a single album the shifts in mood could be dizzying, in the best possible way.
David Gray - White Ladder
I'm not sure if you know this, but this remarkable album was recorded almost entirely in David’s London flat. After being dropped by his record label, he didn’t let the setback define him. Instead, he built the album patiently, piece by piece, shaping the arrangements around a core of beautifully written songs that strike a rare balance between lyrics, music, and melody. I’ve listened to it countless times, yet it still feels honest and alive. In many ways, it was the spark that inspired me to try and create something in that spirit myself.
Blur - Parklife
For me, the late 80s and early 90s felt like a low point for music. There were a few artists doing interesting things, the Madchester scene and bands like Happy Mondays come to mind, but overall there wasn’t much that truly connected with me. Then Britpop arrived and changed everything. It rekindled my love for music and reminded me why it mattered in the first place. There were several bands I could mention, but this particular album was the one that really sparked my creativity again. I think it was the lyrics that drew me in, real stories about real people. I loved that.
Paul Weller - As is Now
It’s a close one between Weller and Bowie, but Weller probably wins for me. His roots and the way he writes just feel more grounded and relatable. After the highs of Wild Wood and Stanley Road, there was a spell where the albums didn’t quite land the same way, but As Is Now felt like a real return to form. It’s raw, tight and full of bite, with hints of Wilko Johnson’s choppy guitar style. I’m a big fan of guitar bands. There’s not a lot of that on my own record, though I wouldn’t mind turning the amps up a bit more on the next one.
Prince - Sign of the Times
Space - Spiders
Space were one of the hidden gems of the Britpop years. Albums like Spiders and Tin Planet didn’t always get the attention they deserved, but they had something really special. Crunchy guitars mixed with synths and electronic beats, plus those comic-book stories about wonderfully strange characters. It all added up to a sound that felt completely their own. The sort of albums you put on and let run all the way through, back when that’s how music was meant to be heard.
The ultimate singer-songwriter-producer who set the bar and showed what was possible. He helped pave the way for artists like me, working from home studios and trying to make the most of what modern technology now allows. Like a few of my heroes, I could have chosen any number of his albums as an influence, each one packed with inspiration for me and countless others. But I’ve gone with this one because, to my ears, it captures him at his peak, the songs, the arrangements, the message and the overall feel all coming together perfectly. A true genius, taken from us far too soon.