Kirbie and I moved to (nearby) Stoke Newington in the summer of 2022. It was truly a wonderful time. We soaked up the sun on our south-facing balcony, swam in the lake that was a 5 minute walk from the flat, and wandered up and down the high street looking for inspiration and connection in this new place we found ourselves in. I remember stepping in to St. Mary’s Church on a hot summers afternoon and feeling the cool relief emanating off the grey stone walls. It was and still is a magical place; I find this to be the case with all old English churches. St. Mary’s church in Stoke Newington is actually a 13th century Gothic style Victorian building, but the Old Church over the road dates back to 1563 and the site as a place of worship goes back even further.

I think Kirbie sensed the history there, and decided she wanted to put on a gig. All our family came down from out west and we reached out to a bunch of other artists to play as well. It was a magical night and the first time I ever performed anything I’d written in front of a live audience.