LATEST NEWS: Bellowhead have, yet again, won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Live Act. Paul received the prize from no less than Lewis, aka Kevin Whateley – a double whammy!

Faustus tour in September, Lost Chord and Bellowhead with Belshazzar’s supporting in October, Faustus again in November and then Belshazzar’s huge ‘Frost Bites’ tour in December, followed by Bellowhead’s New Year’s Eve at the South Bank. Interspersed with this, Belshazzar and Bellowhead appearances on BBC Radios 2, 3, and London, and BBC Four’s Christmas Special with Paul as the ‘genial host’, and a house move.

 And there’s no rest for the wicked.

January kicks off with a South Bank project called ‘Collision’, a collaboration between members of Bellowhead and other musicians and artists of a range of genres and backgrounds.

Faustus have a smattering of gigs during this period – more on them in a bit. At the very end of the month Bellowhead do their annual tour of Wales – this year will be a chance to try out and consolidate material for their new album, to be produced by the renowned John Leckie and recorded at Abbey Road in the spring. Bellowhead also have a short residency at the Bristol Old Vic at the start of February, working with Tom Morris (Warhorse) and others; and are presenting a rerun of the Ancient Mariner at the South Bank in March.

  Unfortunately, several members of Bellowhead will have to abscond from the Bristol stint for a night to attend the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, in which the band has received the now almost inevitable nominations. However, Paul will be there in a double capacity as Belshazzar’s Feast have received a nomination for Best Duo. The two Pauls will be appearing at a number of  venues over the next few months, in preparation for a May Tour, provisionally entitled ‘MAYhem’.

 So back to Faustus. The trio were joined by Pete Flood for a series of early autumn gigs, and then, due to Benji’s other commitments, the latter’s post was filled by James Fagan for a couple more dates.  Plans are being hatched for a new, expanded line-up – watch this space . . .

 In between band dates, Paul will be depping at Winchester Cathedral, working with Streetwise Opera on a ‘fables’ project, preparing pupils for exams, hosting a weekend with Live Music Now for delegates from the Continent, rehearsing the Andover Singers for a concert in April, and decorating in his spare time. See you at the end of term!