Hi everybody - sorry it's been such a long time since we updated our news.

It's been about a year now since our last gig, but it's a pleasure to say we'll be returning with brand new songs in January 2009.

The last twelve months have been tough, with big changes for each of us. Between life stuff, jobs, other music and any number of things, we just haven't been in a position to play live.

Sadly Mary O'Halloran is no longer in the band - she is now in Africa doing great work in Ghana, and all of us wish her the very best of luck and support. We're all sad that she's gone, and it's something we're still working our way through. The band very nearly bit the dust at one point, but we pulled together and decided it's too important to let go of.

This was a major factor in our keeping low this year. We tried other singers, and tried to replicate Mary's work. It wasnt right though, and so we've decided that as well as violin, Clare will now take on the bands vocals as well. So it's just the three of us from now on, and that's where we're happiest.

This has resulted in some great new songs, which we'll be bringing your way in the new year. Promoters should contact us now for bookings as of January when we'll be happy to entertain all ideas once again. Similarly we'd hope a 4 song recording can follow quickly on the heels of that.

'Finistere' was great, and we're still very proud of it. The new stuff however is miles ahead of it. It's darker and softer at the same time, and in many instances, simpler as well. We've cut back on the noodling a bit and tried just to write better songs. PJ Harvey's 'White Chalk' album in particular has been a big influence in recent times.
 
Though we've been quiet for the last year, we were'nt totally inactive. Some friends of ours (Ron & Karen) recently got married, and kindly asked us to play at the service. The happy couple wanted some covers in done in the TWS style, which was an amazing learning experience, and resulted in some interpretations that we're all very happy with. So you'll maybe be hearing those at future gigs as well. The Massive Attack cover always went down well, but you might be pleasantly surprised at some of these. Congratulations again to the new husband and wife - it was a great thing for the band to be part of.

So... The Winding Stair are now a three piece, working hard, and writing the best material we've ever done. We cant wait to get out and gig it in the new year, and we hope all of you who've been so brilliantly kind in supporting us over the last three or four years can make it down to catch us once again. Watch this space!