A splinter on the beach.

I found myself writing these words the day before our last basement gig and, while this is a piece about connection, I think this post might be more specifically about solidarity. Every time we turn out in the rain to experience someone’s work, that’s obviously it. And then there are the people who ride out alongside you very more than once, lift one end of a very heavy bag with you, help you make sense of things. Help you make much more of life, in fact.

Mark Adkins is that person. He’s had Momo’s backline for years – and we both ache enough today to prove it. His skills match mine on stage with such shared enthusiasm, he helps me bring alive shows to make everyone feel a bit more awake and excited. In warm, half secret basements on drizzly nights he shows up and brings all of himself to those who’ve joined in.

So a huge thank you to The Four Horsemen Pub for their generous welcome to us both lastnight. To easy feeling support from Tom on sound, to the beautiful sets brought by Jack from err: Rawr and Rob from Pylon Buzz, to the unmatchable support of music and scene and venues and artists that Tim Heywood Hopefm is, including for these screen grabs, and to those who joined us determined to dance or to discover a new creative experience – thank you for a spot of solidarity. planned or accidental. I wish I was much better at practicing solidarity myself, with the talents and efforts across my town on hidden nights while we all try to manage our creative energies.

In a world of horrible loud noises and a thousand daily cuts, all any of us can do is show up with what we have and hope it sounds different. And feels different under the skin.