This Machine Births Change: Soundtracking The Climate Revolution

“Just sayin’ that today is the last day you can get in the van with us and come along” my friends told me as I helped them load tipi poles onto the roof of their van for Glastonbury. I was tempted, but after a moment’s hesitation, I stepped back and waved them off, happy with…

This song represents a huge move forward for the music industry, as it is the first time an international household name has released a climate song. And what a song!! A true anthem! Like me you’ll probably want to immediately learn it. Here’s my guide so far, on the ukulele (tuned to ADF#B first and…

I began this year by deciding to commit all my musical energy to making music for protest – especially climate protest – and have been bemoaning the fact that the topic simply doesn’t appear in the mainstream music scene. Dolly Parton seems have heard me and answered my call just a few months later, with…

After months of preparation, I’m all ready for The Big One today – The first day of four days of protest around Westminster London, which looks to become the biggest climate protest ever!  Final rehearsal with my band – anthems for change project It’s been an absolute joy to work with my band, who are…

This week I started working with my friend Chris on the song Rebel For Life, which I wrote based on Extinction Rebellion messaging back in 2020. The song has always gone down really well, even though I’ve only had a few opportunities to perform because the pandemic got in the way. The reason Rebel For…

This song is my first collaboration (of sorts) and represents an exciting new turn in my songwriting which has really delighted me. The words are taken from a beautifully written speech by Jan Yarker, which was sent to me by chance. The speech appeals to the police to break ranks and stop policing climate protest…

Choosing the right instruments to take to a protest may seem like a strange thing to devote 45 minutes videos to (below), but for me it’s the first and most essential thing to sort out. I’ve been in protests where I simply couldn’t play anything usefully because I had the wrong kit. For example, back…

Do you mean “why write a blog called This Machine Births Change” or are you asking why this machine births change? Or even possibly, and much more importantly, how? Or perhaps you’re asking why I’m devoting all my musical energy this year to making music in protest? Big questions. I’m glad you asked. You probably…