Article from the Easter edition of Communique
As always, my life away from Integra revolves largely around family, music and football!
The last couple of weeks have sadly seen a family bereavement with my wife Sue’s brother Michael passing away aged just 71.
His passing wasn’t a shock in that he had been undergoing treatment for cancer and heart issues for some time and spent the last few weeks of his life carrying on the fight from a hospital bed, but nevertheless, it was very sad.
As an Executor, I am now working on sorting out the estate, made more complex by a number of business interests.
On a happier family note, both a of my grandsons have enjoyed fabulous school trips in recent weeks with Jack going to Spain skiing and James going to Devon and experiencing abseiling, caving and other energetic outdoor activities.
In March, Sue and I went to Liverpool for a few days and stayed at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel just around the corner from the Cavern where we were on the guest list with reserved seating for The Small Fakers gig (thank you Matt Bond – really appreciated). A fabulous night with Matt and the band in fine form and the sell-out crowd enjoying every minute. It was good to catch up with Trevor and his wife Emma on the evening too. Like me, Trevor is a regular on the local open mic circuit.
The trip also enabled me to catch up with long term friend and client Eddie Goldsmith of You Convey. An enjoyable breakfast and great conversation ensued.
Before returning home, Sue and I had breakfast with Rebecca, Sue’s niece and daughter of Michael, who lives in Liverpool. Obviously some of the conversation was a little sad but overall we concentrated on looking forward.
Whilst in Liverpool we visited the Anglican cathedral, a highly impressive building although, to me, not as dramatic and impressive as the Catholic cathedral that we visited on our last trip.
We also had dinner at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms – an impressive Victorian pub with great original architectural features including very impressive gents toilets. Look them up on the web if you haven’t seen!
At the end of April, Sue and I are heading to the Italian Lakes for a couple of weeks. We fly to Verona and are staying at Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como before heading back via Milan.
We love Italy and have visited many times yet the lakes will be new to us. We were due to visit in 2020 but Covid thwarted our plans at the time.
In September we have trips booked to Chester for the Wishbone Ash convention and to Shoreham on Sea for Sue’s birthday.
I will be playing at the fan’s night on the Friday of Ashcon at the St Werberg’s Centre in Chester and at the main event at the Live Rooms on the Saturday afternoon.
Our trip to Shoreham on Sea will involve all twelve of the immediate family. I have booked a house right on the beach with a balcony and hot tub and a weekend of fun is planned. It is also likely to be competitive with discussions underway about pirate golf, ten pin bowling and greyhound racing and possible trips to the i360 viewing platform, the pier and the Bluebell Railway under consideration.
This may be the last time we get all of our three generations together as everyone is busy growing up and getting on with their lives.
On the music front, I continue to undertake open mic gigs regularly (I will do eight in April alone) and will have played at eleven different venues in 2026 by the end of the month. I was also asked to join the High Wycombe Songwriters Group and thoroughly enjoyed my first meet in March. The group is an opportunity to share and critique new original music.
Following conversations with Derek White, I am hoping to play again at the Blues at the Tropic later in the year. Always a fun gig.
My album – Prodigal Son has been well received and a live solo acoustic version of the closing track – Please Don’t Go – recorded for the Narrowboat Sessions – has been viewed over five million times on Facebook – incredible! Mind you, Taylor Swift still hasn’t called to offer me a support slot on her next world tour!
The all originals studio album can be purchased via the Bandcamp platform as either a digital download or an impressive CD package and lyric booklet – five of the songs are not available elsewhere so, go on, treat yourself!!
I am currently working on some new material including another possible charity Christmas single – watch this space – a trip to Long Dog recording studios to work with Piers Nolan again – looks likely!
The coverage I have been getting for my music has resulted in a couple of potential radio interviews and a wonderful interview article in Aldora Britain Records e-zine
Gig wise, I have recently seen The Small Fakers, Paul Cox and the Proof, Big Wolf Band and Burning Rope and have tickets in my wallet for gigs in the next few weeks for The Cinelli Brothers, The Matt Long tribute gig featuring Brave Rival, Alice Armstrong, Will Wilde, Elles Bailey, Thomas Heppell and others, Nigel Bagge and Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham.
One of my volunteer involvements outside of work is as a Governor at the Harefield Academy where I am getting my feet under the table and, hopefully, making a growing contribution in both supporting and holding to account, the hardworking team that work there.
Finally, and possibly last and least – the football.
Watford look set to finish the season outside of the play-off places and, given the size and depth of the squad, this is a huge disappointment.
Yes, the team is young and that has probably contributed to our inconsistency, together with unfortunate injuries to key players and now working with our third head coach of the season. No doubt we will cash in on a few assets in the summer and go again in September. Our season tickets will be renewed next week!
They say its the hope that destroys you!
Michael S Day
