its an awful trade off really. you have to feel your way and work out what's right for you.

I always think there is something a bit missing with artists who have never really had to compromise and play what the public wants.

obviously that doesn't obtain with classical music. But folk - well people is really what its all about. In England we have a class of folk musician who has been cocooned by great critical success, and big recording deals.

and its really bloody sad in a way. because they never learn the essentials of the rhythms that people dance to, and that ordinary folk sing along to - naturally that is, not just cos its the correct response in the holy sepulchre of the folk club. they don't learn their craft - and in a way that's why we don't have a living folk culture.

you can do too many crap gigs, but if you never do them, never have to succeed with an audience to put food on the table - then something will always be missing.

that's what I think.