About writing and me
I am a freelance researcher having written on arms conversion and international security for various peace organisations including CND, CAAT and for trade unions. My main interest is workers control of industry and the transition to a post-capitalist economy owned by working people.
About me and music
My songwriting focuses on political themes and reflects a range of musical influences from pop through to classical. Lyrically, subject matters include the environmental crisis, capitalist exploitation and working-class struggles. I have been collaborating with musicians in West and North Yorkshire and have completed one collection of songs – Subversion, released in 2018 and am working on a new set of songs – Insurrection for release in late 2019.
Music
Subversion
CD, downloadable album and individual tracks all available here
The cover and album title were inspired by Arnold Newman’s photograph of the German industrialist, Alfried Krupp, taken in 1963. He was expecting a normal public-relations shot but through the brilliant use of shading and positioning, Newman gave Krupp a demonic quality that completely subverted his status as a respected businessman. Newman’s motivation was to expose Krupp’s history as the managing director of one of the major arms manufacturers supplying the Nazi war machine, and personal responsibility for the use of slave labour working in appalling conditions and on starvation rations. He was prosecuted and jailed as a war criminal but only a few years later, and under mysterious circumstances, given an early release.