I remember Martin Carthy saying once that, in the '60s, he and Swarb did a tour of all the folk clubs in Manchester. It took them two weeks.

Nowadays there are few folk clubs and some of them are struggling. So I am genuinely interested: how can a single folk performer, or indeed a duo or a band, possibly make a full time living out of their music? Obviously, for a few, it can be done, but we've all heard of performers who have to go back to a job where the wage is guaranteed. I find it difficult to imagine how our music from provide a living wage.

I'd be interested to hear from full or part time performers. How do you do it? Supportive partners with a regular income? Second jobs to fall back on? Other part time work? Instrument tuition? Educational work in schools? Playing solo and also in five different bands?