GE17 – Why Scotland must vote SNP

With GE17 now upon us, it’s time to seriously consider our options. Two years ago, 56 out of a total of 59 seats were won by the impressive SNP and according to projections from polling companies such as Survation to YouGov, the party are set to win between 42-51 seats this time around. If those figures were to occur, then the SNP will have once again comprehensively won the election in Scotland and Westminster will be privy to welcoming the hard working, passionate group who have fought tooth and nail for Scotland’s interests. Achieving a figure such as 56 seats again would be remarkable, if unlikely at this juncture.

Across the rUK, it seems predictably obvious that the Tories will win overall, despite a narrowing of the polls and a spirited campaign from Labour. Interestingly though, the Tories may not have enough to win by majority, which is why Scotland and how she votes could be pivotal in determining the outcome. A larger SNP seats figure could prevent a Tory majority, a scenario that’s highly conceivable and something that cannot be discounted at any cost.

Since 2015, the SNP have successfully stopped the Tories trimming £7 billion from the Scottish budget as well as providing the principled opposition, first to David Cameron and now Theresa May’s party at Westminster, just as Labour floundered. For all the progress that Scotland has made in recent years, it would be devastating to see Unionist parties syphoning Scottish seats and effectively assimilating our voice into the huge muddy waters of London rule. Let’s face it, Corbyn and May have not demonstrated at any point, reasoning that they truly have Scotland’s best interests at heart, in fact I’m consistently worried by how out of touch they appear in regards to Scottish politics.

There is a feeling that the Tories in Scotland are in danger of being leap-frogged by Labour, something that is partly down to the Corbyn effect as opposed to the hapless Kezia Dugdale. Ruth Davidson has looked like a leader under pressure, her party seemingly having reached a glass ceiling with the electorate and her stock falling through the sheer weight of an appalling Tory campaign; a campaign which includes toxic policies targeting the young, vulnerable and elderly as a whole. This, in essence could play into Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP’s hands as the Unionist party vote could quite easily be split down the middle. It’s welcome news for UK Labour, who alongside the SNP produced the brightest election Manifesto, but my underlying feeling is that ultimately disappointment awaits Corbyn/Kezia and co.

Scotland needs, more than ever to stand up for herself, otherwise the consequences of a Tory majority could have serious repercussions for the country. If we have learned anything, it’s never to assume that the Tories will offer Scotland a veritable land of riches. As for the other Unionist party, a vote for Labour in Scotland would risk letting Tory MP’s in by the back door, as simple as that. To conclude, it’s therefore imperative that Scotland needs to retain its strong voice and that can only be achieved by voting decisively for the SNP.

Twin Peaks return. Has the bar been raised again?

TV series are now a lot weirder, so did we need the relevance of Twin Peaks 3, more than 25 years after the original two series? That was the question being asked by the written media after David Lynch successfully faced down Showtime in order to secure the sufficient budget for the new run. I’ve seen a heck of a lot of TV series over the last 2 years and believe me, nothing even begins to come close to matching the imagination, beguiling quality, artistic sensibilities or sheer understanding of Lynch’s work. As a Lynch devotee, I had no preconceptions of what to expect, yet intrinsically knew that a special cup of fine coffee was brewing.

This is where the audience will split in half. Firstly those who will be enticed by the clamour of Twin Peaks, individuals who enjoy the simplistic narrative, force fed 2+2=4 TV or mystery movies, even if the story is at times complex, as long as the presentation is beautifully shot or the quality is felt only for a few hours. Those are the ones that will quickly switch off, the same ones that require to be force fed art as opposed to actively seeking it out. I’ve seen those type of people leave film theatres early, unsatisfied with Lynch, their unsweetened popcorn and flat coca-cola. That’s fine. Then there are those who see the picture, who are able to absorb the moment and become enveloped in Lynch’s intensely wonderful world. It’s as simple as that.

As I write this, the first four episodes (now available), have transcended anything I envisaged, but although modernized, the spirit of Twin Peaks remains. A healthy number of the original cast return with varying degrees of promise, not least in terms of the aesthetic of natural ageing process, interspliced with those quirks of personality and humour that resonated so well the first time around. Noticeably however, the stories geographical positioning expands outside the town to encompass plots and sub plots taking place in major cities such as New York and Las Vegas, with new character dynamics swelling the story-lines to captivating levels.

It becomes apparent that Agent Cooper is still trapped inside the Black Lodge while the spirit of Bob, in alter ego form is wreaking havoc in the outside world, moments that provide some of the most creative and disturbingly beautiful surreal sequences of the opening episodes. Eraserhead’s dreamlike atmospheres are revisited as Lynch utilizes his historical creative output, whether through references to his own paintings or audio art, with this in turn offering further dimensions to this wildly creative adventure.

While watching the opening episodes, I irritatingly became distracted by a fly in the room, somehow it became part of the feature while appearing over-exaggeratedly loud and irksome at the same token, I had to deal with the situation. Fly removed, I rejoined Twin Peaks world to see some familiar faces from Lynch’s past, with David Duchovny reprising his role as Denise and the awfully talented Naomi Watts joining the cast. Colour, texture, direction, sound design and exceptional camera work are hallmarks of David Lynch’s  meticulous work and once again you feel exactly why he is revered throughout the industry. Each episode finishes with a music sequence, adding to the cinematic feel of this series and leaving the viewer to dwell on the wonder of what went before.

Twin Peaks may have been credited with revolutionizing TV series over 25 years ago and chances are, the bar has been raised once more. Right now, every other TV offering feels distinctly average in comparison, but then again, catch up is all the more difficult when there is no comparison.

10/10.

Scottish Independence, the arrival of the final chapter

 

Recently, the notion of Tories gaining traction in Scotland seemed more plausible than before and while the party are expected to perform to a higher standard than previous results would suggest during this week’s Council elections, as well as next months General Election, it appears the Conservative party are set to trail the SNP by a fine margin indeed. Polls indicate that at UK level, Labour are equally as far behind the Tories as the Tories are to the SNP in Scotland, yet two different pictures are painted by a mainstream news media who themselves are caught up in a maelstrom.

Growth of online media is effectively holding the Tory party to account, whether it’s in relation to the failing NHS, crippling welfare reforms, rising deficit or even the much maligned and rather insidious rape clause. Unionist voters in Scotland, buoyed by a clear drawing of the constitutional lines have flocked to the Tories and Ruth Davidson’s cause, something that’s measured through a series of polls suggesting a potential sea change on the Scottish political landscape. With the ebb and flow of tides, the Tory surge has retreated of late, just as the mechanisms of the public focusses it’s social conscience and with that, the understanding that Theresa May does not present anything remotely bordering on social justice, let alone represent Scotland’s best interests at heart.

Analysing the wider context of this forthcoming General Election, reveals a government trying to quell several fires at once. Distracting the Scottish public in the hope that Independence momentum will dissipate, whilst allowing time for her British Nationalism message to manifest itself in the psyche of the public, it’s a risk that could easily backfire on Theresa May. Her language has been condescending and downright antagonising at best, with regular mentions of ‘extremists’ and ‘separatists’ uttered in the same breath. There’s no mention of Scotland through those choice of words, instead loaded messages intended to marginalize those who wish to exercise a democratic will in order to make a choice on their own future. You could also argue the offending nature of her statements will by design or fault, resonate with roughly 50% of the Scottish population.

Whitehall sources believe that a hard Brexit is on the cards, recent sound bites from European heavyweights such as Angela Merkel and Jean Claude Junker confirm such theory, which is why it’s imperative for the Tories to sew up another five years in office before the public turns on them in earnest. Nicola Sturgeon is ahead of the game and well aware that the UK government is facing turmoil on several fronts as the walls face collapsing inwards on May’s leadership. A recent Survation Poll placed support for Scottish Independence at 51% with other Polls, most notably the Scotsman placing support as high as 59%. Those figures, whilst not comprehensive by an means, suggest that the foundations are well in place and the process of building an Independent Scotland is reaching a decisive zenith.

With the SNP on the verge of making history by claiming an overwhelming victory in the council elections, the party in essence, will now assume control over Scotland across all regional sectors. With moderate projections of 45 seats to the full 59 seats to be won at GE17 and with a Referendum mandate attained through Holyrood legislative procedure, it’s apparent that Theresa May will have to yield in respect of granting a section 30 order, thus allowing a Scottish Independence Referendum to take place. Failure to do so raises alarming questions and calls into question the fundamental right of democracy on these shores, something that will be open to intense speculation and debate should such a scenario occur. In the meantime, the Scottish Government are working behind the scenes, preparing its argument for Independence and right now, it seems highly likely that time is finally moving the pieces into place that underpins the process of Scotland attaining her historic self-determination.

Theresa May comprehensively losing the battle.

As tactical blunders go, this one could be pivotal in ensuring support for an Independent Scotland increases ahead of the forthcoming Scottish Referendum. You could palpably feel the indecision and lack of decisiveness running through the core of Theresa May’s pre recorded statement as she repeatedly gestured that “now was not the time”. Of course we all know the bigger picture relates to the section 30 order that the Scottish government requires from the UK government in order to fully bind the process of running the Referendum, however the keeping of wild birds in a cage for no particular reason denies them the natural freedom they so choose. It’s entirely the same process living in a democratic society whereby a mandate held by the Scottish government to hold a vote on a particular constitutional status becomes statutory.

Denying the people of Scotland their expressed will, only serves to strengthen the pro-independence cause and while Theresa May’s best bet was always to sound unequivocal about immediately granting the section 30 order in the hope that the Scottish people would once again reject Independence, something that was a stronger possibility until today,  she has now perhaps unwittingly, played the ‘bad guy’ card.

So, the UK government are on the point of exhausting their options. For instance, blocking permission equates to ‘check mate’ for the UK government, it’s a highly unlikely scenario which explains why Theresa May is currently being so vague. She knows full well that the constitutional variance of the Union is in a state of flux, hindered further by hard Brexit negotiations following on from the triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Focussing on both narratives reduces her governments effective fighting capacity.

If there is any light at the end of the tunnel for the UK government then that arrives though the lucid hope of denying 170,000 EU nationals living in Scotland the vote during the Referendum, something which could in actual fact become a possibility. That would depend on the terms of Brexit negotiations having being concluded, thus invalidating their right to vote. It’s not hard to imagine EU nationals living in Scotland already feeling disenfranchised by the UK government so, by denying them a voting opportunity on their own future could quite conceivably boost the chances of a NO vote prevailing in 2019.

By that time though, Independence could all be but inevitable. #ScotRef pledge through donations initiated by the SNP has already catapulted the Pro-Independence momentum into the deep wild yonder. Couple this with similar crowd pledging initiatives by Pro-Independence organisations such Wings Over Scotland and the Common Weal (with the former being the most successful monetary pledge in their history), ensures that the Yes chains are oiled and the gears in place for the battle ahead.

What must be particularly galling to the UK government, is the understanding that history might reflect on the fact that it was the Tories that contributed significantly to the dissolution of this creaking and outdated old Union. Nicola and the SNP are the most robust political unit that we have seen on these shores for many years, with a leadership now adept at watching the opposition unravel in front of them. Theresa will try and paper over the cracks, bury what she can, but her stalling tactics only speeds up the loosening of the foundations of her position, a stance already on the verge of collapse.

Don’t underestimate the Tories during Indyref2, by Paul Maclaren

This is a decision for the Scottish people, words uttered by David Cameron. It never really was though. If the 2014 Scottish Referendum taught us anything, it’s that the UK Tories are adept at circling overland and dropping propaganda statements left, right and centre, with an agenda led onus squarely pinpointed towards the far right of centre. Our memories are still vivid enough to remember supermarket bosses visiting Downing Street, curious uprooting statements from banking establishments, and the threat of loss of pensions for Scots, tactics deployed by Cameron and his government last time around. No stone was left unturned, I even recall David Cameron contacting Sony in regards to the UK release of TV series Outlander, which lo and behold, was subsequently delayed until after the Scottish Referendum.

That was three years ago and as dangerous as they were then, today’s Tories have seemingly morphed into a different animal, albeit a more dangerous one. Part of this synopsis is guided by the curious subjugation of negative Brexit reporting and its subsequent related branches by the mainstream news media outlets. Normally, the decision of a UK Government to reverse a decision in regards to allowing child refugees into the country would generate mass headlines and debate; but like haunted spectators we watched the Dubs amendment which allows child refugees into the UK being scrapped by the Tory government, therefore meaning only 350 of the agreed 3,000 vulnerable children will actually have arrived in the UK. Of course, there has been revulsion and outrage at the Governments decision from outside margins, but perhaps strangely the press have remained patently silent on the matter. Meanwhile, bloated coverage of Donald Trumps every move seemingly gains traction, greedily grabbing all the main headlines.

This begs the question, is the government complicity putting pressure on the press in order to dampen down negative reporting surrounding Brexit and all noise surrounding its broader narrative? They may argue that it’s prudent for them to do so in order to regulate market stability, but then worryingly, what effect would tomorrows Tory influence have on our very own upcoming Indyref2 coverage?

It’s no secret that Theresa May is putting together a strategy behind the scenes to combat the effects of the Yes campaign once Indyref2 is sounded. This is why we need to be prepared. Scrutinizing the words of prominent Pro Unionist commentators and campaigners such as David Torrance and Ruth Davidson, leads me to believe that Unionists are extremely worried by what appears to be the beginnings of some real momentum for the Yes side. Support is starting to shift towards Independence in the polls to the point where you can sense Unionist confidence already ebbing. Analysis of online chatter confirms the panic, with Unionists limited to the margins of political shouting. It’s not difficult to see why.

The security blanket of a pro UK vote in 2014 for foreign nationals living in Scotland was a driving factor in determining 55% of people living in Scotland voting to remain. But how many of those very same people will conceivably vote the same way next time, when on one hand you place the anti immigration UK government rhetoric next to the open doors policy of the SNP and current Scottish government. People are genuinely frightened about their future, none more so than those from other shores who have set up life in Scotland and right now, Nicola Sturgeon as a standard bearer alongside Independence seems the strongest bet.

It’s important to realise the multifaceted metropolis that encompasses the Independence debate, which is why a full economic plan including a firm currency solution should form an intrinsic part of developing the picture before the voters reach the ballot box. Relying too heavily on the pitfalls of Brexit plays into the hands of those who wish to look for weakness in the Yes campaigns plan. There are still a number of SNP voters, Yes and No voters who baulk at the idea of the UK or Scotland being part of the EU, which is why their voice must also be heard.

So whilst we should be creative, vibrant and think more deeply about how we wish to shape Scotland’s future we must also be ready to absorb the heavy artillery from behind the scenes, because right now, Theresa May and her government are in the formative stages of planning for a fight on two fronts, clean or dirty, by any means necessary. Indyref2 will be a fraught affair, especially during the closing stages, so while our largely peaceful democratic process was commended during the last Indyref campaign, it remains to be seen whether this will be replicated. With the political temperature ramped up across the spectrum of western politics over the last year, we should all pay heed to the warning signs, as we are well aware of the changes to the collective mindset across the entire length of the UK, regardless of political allegiances.

By doing the clean hard work and thinking fluently, we should escape many of the pitfalls and traps being prepared for us, but we must be clever.

Why Scotland will soon become an Independent country. By Paul Maclaren

In our heart of hearts, we all know that IndyRef2 will arrive, such has been the clamour surrounding the constitutional question since 2014. With the SNP (a party with Independence running through the core of its DNA) cementing their utterly dominant position as Scotland’s number one party, it’s hardly surprising that the political temperature of the nation remained at a light simmer in regards to that seemingly all encompassing question.

Of course, knowing that the starting pistol for Indyref2 has yet to be fired, it is quite rightly believed that an announcement will inevitably follow suit, perhaps days after article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is triggered by the UK government. Interestingly and crucially though, Theresa May’s less than technical speech this week confirmed that we will have no access to the single market. We now begin to see the fuller picture when considering two thirds of Scotland voted to remain as part of the EU, a figure substantially different to the rest of the UK.

Since 2014, the 45% who voted for Independence have remained for the large part, resolute. According the latest polling figures, there has been no slump in support, which is remarkable given the deflating and heartbreaking nature of the 2014 result. In fact, when you consider Independence was polling at around 25% a couple of years before the the last vote, you begin to realise the healthy position the YES campaign will find themselves in, to begin with.

Additionally, the Yes movement are already mobilising, with the creation of new initiatives seeking to address the crucial factors that perceivably contributed to 55% people voting No last time. The Common Weal have commissioned a White Paper project, outlining areas the YES campaign need to address, such as; What currency do we use? How do we deal with the collapse in oil revenue? How do we ensure Scotland has a credible fiscal position? What do we do about Scotland’s border with rUK? What would the division of assets and liabilities be?

Meanwhile, a radical think tank event was held at the Scottish Independence Conference in Glasgow last weekend, looking at new ways to address the forthcoming IndyRef2 campaign, as well as asking the fundamental question, what kind of nation would we like to live in? I believe that will be a key slogan over the next two years as the SNP (who have also been working hard behind the scenes), and others strive to freshen up their approach to what will be an entirely new campaign.

Contrast this to the beleaguered Better Together campaign who as such, will be relying on the mainstream media to craft out its message. Given the propaganda perpetuated from London and Westminster in the closing days of the last campaign, it will be interesting to see whether the Scottish people will be, to coin a phrase ‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’ this time around. Little credence has been quite rightly given to the Vow, with the Smith Commission report widely viewed as a Scottish Government booby trap exercise.

Speaking to No voters, you can sense the pause, upon being addressed on Scottish Independence, or sense their panic through garbled musings and hastily drawn up memes on Facebook pages. Absolutely, there will be a plethora of staunch Unionist supporters entrenched in their position, for reasons that perhaps were instilled well before they imagined the vast narrative of the constitutional question. There are however, a considerably greater number of decent No voters, from public sector workers, working and middle class voters who, given the right information and environment would happily vote Yes next time. 5% is a small figure to be chasing.

We know that the SNP, Scottish Greens, Solidarity and RISE support Independence, but there has been an interesting shift in the perception of the electorate to draw battle lines between two main rival parties. As Labour flounder, the Tories have positioned themselves firmly as the defenders of the Union, surging past the sinking ship that’s Scottish Labour. Although the voting system for this May’s Scottish Council elections will favour Labour, it remains to be seen the exact extent of the damage those elections will have on the party. Kezia Dugdale made a tactical error by continuing to abandon their former socialist principles by deciding to support the Union, much to the dismay of many of their remaining supporters, some of which have reformed the rejuvenated Labour for Independence collective.

Scotland will be guided by two principles over the next two years, Brexit negotiations and Independence. There’s change in the air throughout western politics, Trump’s US election victory and Brexit demonstrated an unhealthy lurch towards the political right wing, with immigration and workers rights central to its core message. 2016 taught us that our mind-set has been programmed for change, for better or for worse, so perhaps we ourselves will witness a braver response to Scotland’s renewed quest to attain her Independence.

 

The Lost Highway – Search For Audrey, my journey.

A mere few words regarding my latest music album release would represent scant justice to myself, considering the sheer amount of time, work and emotional investment that’s been poured into my latest release. I would never make for a great sales person, and if I find myself illuminating a room on social occasions, it’s never a platform I would use to  trumpet my own achievements, especially that of my work with The Lost Highway. In many respects, I’m content to be the surprise package, building walls of art in a fast moving consumer led world, a place where we scroll speedily through pages on smart phones and tablets, jumping from one field to another like digital lambs searching for the next quick fix.

Analysing and processing are inexorably linked, especially when locked away in a space that requires meticulous judgement and concentration levels that subconsciously remove you from the reality of your seated environment. I’m one of the souls, who’s happy to input individual snare drum notes manually to my music program, someone who creates additional channels of sounds to achieve a singular moment, rather than relying on the trickery of special effect filters.  I would rather build cities slowly, with consideration over time as opposed to letting the machines and all their unholy programs run the show.

This is why I have such a deep rooted affection for the albums I make, nothing even comes close to throwaway, how could one not care for something so beautifully nurtured and cared for. I will sit of an evening, listening to my own music for hours on end. Some may cite that as painfully vain, I on the other hand have a different perspective, based on the fundamental principle that I write music categorically for myself, charting the evolution of my own life.

In fairness, critical acclaim is something we all enjoy and thrive upon, and I wont lie and say that part of me craves that understanding, that maybe someone out there has taken the time to immerse themselves in The Lost Highway music.  I am a sensitive person, which possibly explains why I am guarded and keep a tight leash on my work, as somehow criticism of my music would be akin to the slighting of ones own child from the outside. The lure of fame and stardom is not something I feel that I ‘d be ready to accept. I have an understanding of my own weaknesses, whether it’s through alcohol consumption, or sensitivity, all this despite spending a number of years fronting a touring band, something that only exacerbated any alcohol dependency issues I may have had at the time. They say that through age comes wisdom, yet I don’t feel stable enough to deny the lure of the demons when they come calling.

My lifestyle choices have held me back in life, something I’m acutely aware of, which is why I place such vast emphasis on the dedication to my work with the Lost Highway. There are a number of tracks on this record that directly address those lifestyle issues, none more so than Skylark and the Siren, and The Mislaid Magician. One of the interesting aspects of the Search For Audrey record as a whole, can be found on deciphering the number of bedfellow tracks on the album, one track is never alone, this lifeblood can reach out and connect with another soul mate amongst the twelve arrangements. I felt it was important to use luminary voices in sample forms such as Audrey Hepburn and Richard Burton, two people who lived exceptional lives, yet were not immune to hardship and struggles. My interpretation of those voices is stark, vividly clear, yet deeply contrasting in context, when placed on this record.

So, while there are moments of self reflection, it’s important to stress the overwhelming feel and temperature of this record, one that branches out to encompass celebration, just as it does, fervent wild abandon. Evidence of this quickly arrives on the opening track, Captain of my Vessel, a self explanatory and passionate phrasing of a journey to a new land to meet the love of my life. Lyrically, I wanted to impose the trials of leaving behind family, friends and the country I loved, battling those emotional tides, to highlight my determination. The end result is a positive one, which is a thematic presence striking a pressing dominance throughout great swathes of this record. When you counter in the unashamed sense of humour on moments such as Pleasure Lagoon and Celestial Bodies, it’s apparent that my own personality is roundly represented for better or for worse.

I completed my album notes for the digital release of Search For Audrey, so I’ll leave you with those, and to reflect on an album that’s taken a part of me, a sacrifice that I needed to make, for my own health and wellbeing…

‘Search For Audrey by The Lost Highway, a music album that sets its own unique standard, certainly in terms of precedence, now sitting handsomely beside the backdrop of previous releases. I’m Paul Maclaren, and my journey is one that recently encompassed a fresh narrative in terms of leaving my homeland, Scotland, to set up residence in Spain. Over a year later, and after an enormous amount of toil and endeavour, as well as adapting to a new culture, I’ve created a record that’s brimming with the stories that represent part of who I am.

Throughout the period of time since my last release, I’ve been able to catalogue a plethora of experiences through the minds eye, firmly documenting a myriad of adventures throughout this record. Through love, lifestyle choices, embracing and observing brand new land horizons, or an honest appraisal of my own character flaws, I’ve provided a record succinctly written to reflect my own world view.

I’ve remained true to The Lost Highway sound, enticing new spices to the mix, ingredients that greedily fills me with an enormous sense of pride. Heat, and a culturally rich environment provided the modus operandi, the fulcrum, a steadfast epicentre for a record conceived in Spain, with the vocals recorded in Glasgow, Scotland. An extended period of time between the writing of the music and vocal recording provided me with the perfect opportunity to hone the music to the highest production standard, with love and tender care.

I’m deeply proud of this record, to the point where I’ve combined the music with visual rewards, and ensured every track features its own individual video on YouTube. I hope you are able to discover something that fascinates you here, that takes you on your own spiritual adventure. There is gold awaiting in the recesses of untapped corridors, those undiscovered lanes in many facets of life, and discovery plays an intrinsic part in that journey. Search For Audrey is my diary, my story book, and as the title suggests, a complete body of work that embraces challenges, celebrates, whilst searching for the purer aesthetic in life’.

Paul Maclaren

The Lost Highway.

 

 

The Lost Highway?

I am Paul Maclaren, writer, singer, producer and all round handy man for the music project The Lost Highway. There has been a journey thus far, a rather extensive one if the back catalogue of music is anything to go by, as I am in fact at the advanced stage of completing my seventh record. It all began in 2002 with the debut album ‘Scandinavia’ and as I write this I’m scheduling the new seventh record for a 2016 release.  Some of you will be familiar with the music and others will be wondering just exactly what all the fuss is about. Well, I place my faith in the world of electronics, sonic layering and good old vocal led song writing. Of course there is also the crashing or crushing (depending on your outlook) instrumental pieces too, so a little flavour for all tastes in the cooking pot…perhaps.

The million dollar question is who do I sound like?  In this instance I could provide my musical influences and marry them up with artists that people have suggested I sound like….get ready for a barrage of names but all the same a good indicator if you are looking to discover.

The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Underworld, Simple Minds, Covenant, Sisters of Mercy.  A little teaser of names right there. 🙂

The good news is that all my records are absolutely, completely and utterly free to download or listen to with all the juicy information contained inside my spangly new website –

http://thelosthighway.wix.com/the-lost-highway

Paul Maclaren -aka Mr The Lost Highway 🙂