Getting a band together is, I have discovered, not an easy task. Over the years I’ve put on gigs where I’ve played my songs, having taught myself basic guitar, along with musicians who have come recommended by various people. But it’s only when circumstances work out that you find the right people.

I was very lucky during work on the album to be introduced to the Hang Drum, and to the great player, Manu Delago. My sabbatical has given me the time to work with him in a collaborative group which we call Living Room In London. In return, Manu lends his diverse talents to being the drummer in the band.

Another project I worked on recently was with Teatro Vivo, a sight-specific theatre company with whom I helped devise a music and theatre production called Hothouse. We needed to find a bass player, and were fortunate to get Pete Clarke, who answered an ad we put on Gumtree.

The guitarist in the band, Vinnie Stergin, is a friend of Manu, and is also from Austria, and he’s such a positive guy to have on stage beside me. The challenge we are up against is transforming the songs from a highly polished studio product into live performance. And it’s really interesting how the songs change in the process!