Acoustic virtuoso to launch ‘a different animal’ at Leamington gig

The acoustic guitar virtuoso has announced a new UK tour and this month will release a new album, both of which will bring him to Leamington in May - and he can’t wait to get back on the road.

He said: “I did a little tour to road test the new material which went so ridiculously well, I’m now so excited to do the ten new songs on the tour.

“Playing new songs in front of an audience is always terrifying on so many levels, so when it goes well it’s amazing.

“It’s a strange one especially when you are a completely solo performer because you aren’t coming off and high-fiving your bandmates and really buzzing or anything - before I know it I’m usually in a hotel room on my own.

“Everyone you know is trying to pick up the gear or they are our front and trying to get everything sorted as quickly as possible.

“I read a page of a book before I go on stage and then straight after read another page to try and get back into normality, a bit of an equalisation chamber.”

It’s strange to think that it is six years since Faulkner burst onto the scene with his guitar tapping style and beardy, dreadlocked look with the single Dream Catch Me, but already he is on his third album.

“It has been an incredible six years,” he said. “Even the build up to the first album, to me it was such a straight diagonal line which is really valuable in keeping your feet on the ground when it bursts into a completely mental proportion.

“The one thing that confuses me is one when can’t quite work out where they remember me from. They look almost angry and have a vague recollection but can’t put a finger on it. I had one guy who went through a list of all the places he might know me from, and I’m not going to be the guy who says ‘don’t you know who I am’!”

The new album Sketches has taken him in a slightly different direction to his previous two and he is excited by its possibilities.

“It’s a different animal this one, the first two were very linked and the way they were written.

“I’ve got a different producer for this one and it was done in a much more casual way, largely because of how technology has advanced - we actually finished some songs via Skype.

“This was written to be played live, the songs just feel right on it. The songs have to mean something to me on every level - I wouldn’t do anything if it didn’t. I draw from absolutely everything,

“My enthusiasm has not been dampened in any way. Being back on the road, I needed that. Touring is my home in a weird way.”

As well as the new songs he will be performing some of his classic hits when he performs at the Leamington Assembly on Sunday May 13.

For tickets, costing £16, go online.