• Tell us a little bit about where you’re from?

I’m from New Zealand originally, although I spent time growing up living in Scotland and moved to London in 1996.

• How has your location affected your music?

The main influence on my songs are people and places, and people influenced by places.  My current single Ibrahim is about a London mini cab driver who happens to be from Afghanistan.  He has his own story to tell, but London is a unique part of his story, and how he wrestles between the influences of his birth and the society he finds himself in today.  The album which is nearly finished has a song on it which is actually called ‘London Reverie’ – a dreamlike flight over London during each of the seasons, and is going to be called ‘River’s Tent’ which is a line from TS Eliot’s poem ‘The Wasteland’.  But the theme of the album is very much about that contrast between old and new worlds… and the 80s are a very strong influence in the music, not in a musical way specifically, but in a more socio-political way… that contrast exists in communities throughout Britain today that have changed so much since the 1980s, whether it be London, Tyneside or Glasgow (all namechecked in various songs).

• What genre would you describe your music as?

Pop, in that it’s not classical or jazz.  Although it has some jazz influences and some classical influences.  Contemporary Singer-Songwriter perhaps.

• What are you listening too? What are your influences?

I listen to a wide range of music, lots of jazz, classical and pop.  Biggest influences on this project are probably Tears for Fears, Joe Jackson, Radiohead, Elbow, Kate Bush, David Gilmour, Bat for Lashes, Robert Wyatt himself, Anneli Drecker, Brian Wilson…

• Where can we see you play?

I don’t have any shows planned, but will certainly be playing some in the New Year to support the album release.  Keep an eye on @greatdivideuk on twitter, or www.thegreatdivide.co.uk (FB) for updates.

• Are there any evocative personal experiences that come through in your music?

That’s exclusively where my lyrics come from.  Every song tells a story, most the stories are true…

• Tell us about your live setup?

I’ve played a lot live just me at the piano, but when I can I add a rhythm section.  This is usually Tim Robertson on Bass and Eric Young on Drums… they’re like my house band.  I also work with Singer-Songwriter’s Maria Payne and Scott Ferguson and Scott plays the guitar as well.  That, a string quartet and a horn section would be my dream band, but that’s also expensive.

• What’s next?

Ibrahim is on general release now as a 10″ vinyl single.  I’m currently finishing the album ‘River’s Tent’ which should be ready for release in the New Year.  I’m also working on some film projects.