Self-effacement, stoicism, and modesty are probably things of the past - thank you The Internet. Nevertheless, I played in various Manchester bands during the nineties and noughties, with varying degrees of success and aspiration. I started on bass, expanded to guitar, and I understand drums better than I play them. I used to be am competent at most of them. Sometimes, when the stars are aligned, and the wind is blowing in just the right direction, I can sing. Optimistically, I think I write a better song than any of that would represent. I have fond memories of driving up and down the M6 at horrendous o'clock, to and from London, in my clapped-out Ford Mondeo Estate, with three exhausted bandmates. I'm a long-time Cubase fan, and I've done some mixes (and remixes) I'm pretty proud of. They remain languishing in obscurity ;-) Fun fact: I once made a vinyl record with Howard Marks, Kermit Leveridge, and Greg Wilson - although I never met any of them.

I've been messing around with Photoshop for nearly thirty years. As well as the musical, the visual has always been a fascination. I did sculpture at A Level, and failed it. Then again, I failed most of them (what do they know? lol). Latterly, I've dabbled with videography, co-creating some short social documentary pieces.  Like live gig photography, it tends to frustrate, as you have very little control of the environment - it tends to be just point and shoot. I once made a music video, and have a secret desire to maybe get back into that.

Life catches up with you, and for the last ten years or so, my channels for creative output have been a bit diminished; parenthood and other responsibilities came first. I have a day job which I love, and that's not about to change. But, for the first time in a while, I'm feeling fertile, fecund, and inspired, hence the photography. I can do this by myself, I don't have to wait around for anyone, and it gives me a huge sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. Meeting new people and seeing their reactions to the photos is a real joy, and if there's one small, tiny way I can restore some faith in humanity into the universe, it's probably this.