Through the invisible force of social media algorithms I met an Iranian artist called Afsoon Shahriari. This was at a time when I was writing a new album entitled 'Laid under leaf, under branches’. Her gorgeous work resonated with me and my songs the first time I saw it. We found an instant connection through our like minded creative sources; both inspired by the natural world, folklore, pagan and medieval themes, our own imagination and the sense of place and belonging around our homes, though 1000s of miles apart.

We began to collaborate and communicate on line, me in West Cornwall and Afsoon in Tehran. Through time, I understood that Afsoon was working and trying to make a living as an artist, under considerable pressure and restrictions, both from the USA's sanctions on her country and the awful oppressive regime in which she lives. Both these things weighed heavy on her as they adversely affected her ability to promote and sell her work outside of Iran. Having demonstrated on the streets of Tehran, making a brave stand with other Iranian women against the enforced wearing of hijabs and intensifying oppression of women and girls in her country, she became fearful for her safety and fled to Georgia to start a new life.

Our collaboration has now produced this book of my lyrics, as poems, illustrated by her wonderful art and based on the theme of each of my songs. I took that a step further and created a fundraiser to raise money for not only the design and printing of the book but also to raise money to bring Afsoon to Cornwall for some R&R and to display her work in a gallery and bring our cultures together.

The translation of the lyrics into Kernewek is something I was keen to do from the beginning. This is in recognition of my Cornish roots, the deep sense of place I feel here, my love of the county and my home here on the West Cornwall coast. I also wanted to promote and raise awareness of the resurgence of the Cornish language, the Cornish identity and it’s culture.

I feel lucky to have Afsoon’s blessing to include her work on the album and I’m so happy to have been able to provide some additional exposure for her work, both through my music and this book collaboration.

Includes unlimited streaming of Laid under leaf, under branches via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.