Well, as anticipated, 2012 has started off with a flurry of activity. As usual, I'm currently juggling countless projects. This week sees full-on rehearsals with the Seismic Survey project, featuring The Levellers' Simon Friend (vocals, guitars, mandolins), Mick Doyle (mandolins, banjo, vocals), Andy Cooper (bass) and me (guitars, vocals).

This project has been something Simon has wanted to do for some time, and it has taken until now for us to be able to synchronise spaces in our respective calendars to enable it to happen. The first outing for the band will be on 10th February at Derby's Assembly Rooms. Rehearsals are going amazingly well. It is set to be a unique night for people familiar with Simon & the Levellers' catalogue - a radical rethinking and revisiting of songs and arrangements that make it far more than just stripped down acoustic versions of songs you thought you knew. The set will also feature some of Mick's compositions and a few of my own songs.

A couple of the rehearsal sessions are going to be recorded. Depending on recording quality, I am hoping to have time to edit and compile a 'behind the scenes' album that we will attempt to rush together ready for sale at the Assembly Rooms gig.

And on that note, I shall return to the rehearsal room...