One of the biggest blessings of this tour so far has been the wealth of creativity and creators that I have met along the way. For me, being on the road is often a very dry time creatively. And I think for many artists, even though travelling is such a rich and intense period of stimuli, we find it hard to convert it into something that takes the form we want while we are there. Being away from our studios, our safe spaces, our favourite writing spots or our usual collaborators, we struggle to capitalise on the new experiences, and we can feel like we are wasting infinite opportunities.

Preparing for this long trip, I knew that this was going to be something I struggled with. And I think I had come to be OK with that - there’s often no point trying to force something out if it is not coming naturally. I just make the effort to journal a lot of my thoughts, jump on creative thoughts if they come, and pile up my memories ready to draw from when I am in the right space.

But one thing that I wasn’t counting on was the effect that other people’s creativity would have on mine along the way. When I have met a fantastic songwriter, or musician, or painter, or stylist, I feel like I have been refuelled and incredibly inspired by the way they approach their craft, the passion and the details they share, the differences in opinions that we debate over, and the common goals that we all work towards.

To have this continual refuelling and reviving of my creative well is a precious gift. It is allowing me to write more, to dream more, see more, experience more. Just this morning, we were talking with an art collector about stopping and taking time to truly look at a painting. And so, as we visited Angel Oak this afternoon, instead of just taking a few snap shots and leaving, I took time to walk, to think, to soak, to look, to smell, to smell, to ask.

And I was moved.

The other side of the coin is that I am able to be that source of inspiration to others. Of course, there are the shows I play - whether it’s in a living room for eight hand-picked guests or in a beach bar with flip-flopped, sun-burnt, holiday makers coming and going all evening, I know that the music I share is able to bring something good. And when I sit down and share with other artists, they’re often inspired to do more; better and truer.


We need each other so. Artists are perhaps more fragile souls than some. So lets collaborate, share, support and promote each other and our work, so that all the more striking our works and worlds will be.