Have just finished applying a second coat of Danish oil to the floor of my garage conversion/potting shed/ recording studio. It doesn't sound like the most strenuous of tasks, I know, but I can't move my head to the left or walk upright and am currently unable to alight from my Lazy boy recliner without a loud, involuntary grunt. Those wandering, unprepared into earshot could be forgiven for thinking that Anna Kournikova had popped round for some Robertson's barley water and was in the process of executing a forehand smash.

So, of what possible interest could this mean to you? Well, quite possibly none whatsoever, but this does mean that soon I will be able to move my mountain of hugely expensive recording equipment into said garage conversion/potting shed/recording studio. I will then be faced with the task of connecting it all together with the 2 miles of cable currently piled in the spare room. Assuming all the sticky labels are still in place from when I last dismantled it and I'm able to employ the services of the local Sherpa community, this should take me no longer than a few weeks.

I'm lying, of course. If the truth be told, technology has advanced somewhat in recent years. Most of the recording process can be achieved using a laptop plugged into something the size of a box of fish fingers (haddock). On consulting the oracle (ebay) I discovered that my "mountain of hugely expensive recording equipment" had the market value roughly equivalent to that of a large sliced loaf (wholewheat) and so, with a heavy heart and a light wallet, 90% of it has already been dispatched to the nearest available skip. Anything saved was on the basis of how many flashing lights and dials it had.

Please submit any questions for drum talk to drumtalk@shorthouserecords.com

I've listened to your Human Racing album many times, and often I get a strong feeling of Stevie Wonder's influence, even in the way you sing. Is this true? A good example is the title song - it makes me think of the song 'Village Ghettoland'. Also (somewhat related), I maybe reading into them too much, but I also get the feeling of spiritual themes from some of your songs. If you were to describe your spiritual path in a few words, what would they be? I love the heart and wit in your songs and it is very apparent that you put a lot of work into them.

Nik: I listened to a lot of early Stevie Wonder in my formative years and people have commented in the past about the track "Human Racing". Though I'm very flattered by the comparison, I don't see it myself and certainly wasn't trying to sound like him (tonight Matthew, I'm going to be Stevie Wonder). As regards to being spiritual, I'm not sure I even know what that means. I think a lot of people who claim to be spiritual have just read too many books about being spiritual. I know that there is more to us than flesh and bones. Does that make me spiritual?

For those few of you who haven't read the Iceland Review of 28th April 2007, you will not be aware of my recent trip to that magnificent country. My good friend Chesney (Hawkes) and his good friend Ginny organized a song writing retreat in a secluded hotel on the banks of an un-pronounceable Fjord very close to the middle of nowhere in the south west of the island.

On landing, as the plane emerged through the low cloud, you could've forgiven any one of us for believing we had arrived on another planet. The vast expanse of black volcanic rock, covered in light brown and pale green lichens was alien to anything I had ever seen.

Within an hour and a half of the plane touching down, we were all getting our kit off and jumping into a hot bath together. The bath in question was the Blue Lagoon (a natural lake fed by hot springs). This was a great way of getting to know each other, at least from the neck up!

Please submit any questions for drum talk to drumtalk@shorthouserecords.com

I wondered if there was any truth in the ironic rumour that Nik had used some of his royalty money, from the recent well-known sofa manufacturer's advert, to purchase a sofa from said vendor. If so, did he take up their offer of 5 years interest free credit, with nothing to pay for the first year?

Nik: No truth, I'm afraid

Just a quickie to say THANKS for all the cards and greetings on the occasion of this, the first day of my 50th year (that means I'm 49, in case you haven't worked it out). I still feel like I did when I was 17...... KNACKERED!!!

Please submit any questions for drum talk to drumtalk@shorthouserecords.com

What is your advice to budding songwriters like myself for getting involved in the music business? I don't know where to begin, and Chrysalis rejected my demo!

Nik: Ignore the rejection slip but keep it for framing at a later date (I've still got all mine). You have to believe that you have what it takes and keep plugging away regardless. Play your songs to everybody, no matter how much influence you believe them to have. As long as you have faith in your own abilities, you've as much chance as anyone else. Once you lose it, it's time to visit the Jobcentre.

ShortHouse Records HQ

Well, here we all are, loins girded. Assembled before me is a crack team of posters and packers, poised like Serengeti cheetahs waiting for the first stray Wildebeest to stick his head out from behind the water cooler.

All hands are on the ShortHouse deck. There's Maureen from accounts, Beryl the tea lady, Norman the doorman, Gina the cleaner and Edwin from personal grooming, all puckered up and ready for those first orders to come in.

Have just taken delivery of gazillions of copies of "You've got to laugh", all cellophane wrapped and shiny. You don't realize exactly what gazillions of Cds looks like until you're trying to climb over them to get to the toilet.

Laid end to end, they would stretch for quite a long way and back again; melted down and poured into a mould, they would form a full scale model of David Hasselhoff‘s ego; chopped, shredded and fried with a medium onion and a liberal sprinkling of coriander, there would be enough to feed a whole battalion of quantity surveyors . . . twice.

How the hell am I going to get rid of this lot?

01/09/2006

Lying on my front looking down at the Atlantic crashing against the rocks 150 feet below. Not a good place to drop my contact lens.

I love it over here, Ireland's a special place. I've been a frequent visitor ever since investing in a bit of property. You can drive for hours and not see a soul. You can also drive for hours and not see a road sign.

Please submit any questions for drum talk to drumtalk@shorthouserecords.com

Is there any particular method as to how you arrange the order of the track listing on your albums?

Nik: There's no particular science to putting together a running order. It's a bit like constructing a setlist. You look at the pace and energy of the tracks and try to vary that a bit. Separate tracks with similar keys, guitar solos etc. Alternatively, you can stick them all in a hat and pick your order that way.