yes! it's finally here! you can pre-order a copy of 'respect', my album of '80s covers, from where it's at is where you are right now! it'll be released at midnight on 31st december 2010.

you can choose from the basic version with this lovely artwork from ruth green on a card sleeve, or a special deluxe limited edition version, which is in a tin box with hand printed artwork and a special competition! go on, make someone happy this christmas . . . me.

good feeling :indeed! well, it's been a long and interesting journey, but we made it! it's possibly my favourite album finisher of all time, so it's quite appropriate that this should be my last monthly download for 2010. " good feeling" was the last track on violent femmes' debut album, and this is my tribute to them. until the end of the year, you'll be able to download it for free from here!

six different ways: "world of fox in jolly song shock!" yes, the nights are drawing in, autumn is upon us, etc... time for something a little more upbeat to see us through. the curewere a "gateway drug" band for many indie-kids my age. "six different ways" was on their seminal album," the head on the door", which was when they really perfected their unique mix of mainstream pop and goth weirdness. throughout november 2010, my version will be available to download for free from here!

primitive painters: if you'd have asked me what my favourite song was at any point from the mid 80's to mid 90's. i'd have probably said this one. 'primitive painters' was by birmingham legends felt, in collaboration with cocteau twins' robin guthrie and elizabeth fraser. truly a match made in heaven. you can download my version here during october.

respect due: more exciting news on the respect front! we've agreed a release for the whole project with those lovely, lovely folks at where it's at is where you are records. at midnight on 31st december 2010, all the songs featured during the year - plus a few extra tracks - will be released as a cd. the plan is to have two versions: a basic cd release, featuring the tracks in a nice, simple sleeve, which will be available at a special reduced price; plus a limited edition deluxe version which will come in bespoke extra-special packaging, including hand-printed artwork by ruth green, plus the chance to win a very special prize! more news as it's confirmed.

calling the usa! road trip nation: my music is being featured in the next series of road trip nation. it's screening in the usa from 19th september (i've put the full tx details on my blog). if you haven't seen it it's the antithesis of reality tv in that, though it is about a bunch of young folks brought together in a contained space, they're driving across the usa meeting inspirational people who have chosen their own road in life. it's like a happier, more wholesome version of 'real world' but with decent folks instead of dicks. oh, and it's got a cool soundtrack, obviously.

pllleeeessse taaaaakkkke yoouuur tiimmmme: we've been mucking about with some fancy software which does rather splendid things to music files. this is my new take on “please take your time”, stretched 800% and renamed for the purposes of this exercise as “pllleeeessse taaaaakkkke yoouuur tiimmmme”. have a listen and you can download it for nowt if you like it!

frans hals: this month i've covered something a little more obscure. harking back to the nme c86 era, "frans hals" by mccarthy was a perfect slice of marxist indie-pop. throughout september 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

you cage: something a little darker this month. "you cage" was originally by throwing muses. throughout august 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

the first picture of you: the sun is shining, holidays are hopefully just around the corner, so here's a nice summery tune for you! "the first picture of you" was originally by the lotus eaters. lovely. throughout july 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

let the happiness in: we're back from primavera sound in barcelona and ready to face the world! june is my birthday month, so this time i'm giving you a special treat of not just one, but two (or one and a half, strictly speaking) free songs for the june instalment of respect. i've spliced together two lovely songs from big favourites of mine: david sylvian's sublime "let the happiness in" and pale saints' 1989 debut "sight of you". throughout june 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

say hello, wave goodbye: something a bit more upbeat for the start of the summer! (well, relatively upbeat for me...) the fifth respect release is here (a few days early, as i'll be away over the weekend). this time up, it's a radical reworking of one of my favourite songs from the '80s, "say hello, wave goodbye" which was a hit for soft cell. you can listen to it now, and throughout may 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

say hello, moseley: good gig news - i'm playing the moseley folk festival again this year! this is rapidly turning out to be one of the best little festivals of the year, and i'm glad to confirm that i'll be playing the bohemian jukebox stage again. don't know which day yet, but i recommend going for the whole weekend anyway.

wave goodbye, london: bad gig news - the felt tribute gig at the lexington on 9th may is cancelled, i'm sorry to say. delays in the launch of the felt fanzine have meant that the gig has had to be rescheduled. shame, as i was looking forward to airing my version of "primitive painters".

easter parade: a seasonal release for the fourth track in the respect project! "easter parade" was originally by scotland's finest, the blue nile. you can listen to it now, and throughout april 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

jeane: the third release in the respect project is now available! "jeane" was of course originally by the smiths. you can listen to it now, and throughout march 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

tiny children: the respect project got off to a flying start in january, with loads of people downloading "don't talk to me about love". next up is "tiny children" which was originally by the teardrop explodes. you can listen to it now, and throughout february 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

facebook fans: you can now become a fan of world of fox on facebook! click here to get to the page. become a fan and you'll see the latest updates, offers and news in your facebook live feed. i won't be twittering though. there has to be a line drawn somewhere...

well, it's been a great year in the world of fox, with an album release, plus two singles. all have been received very well (reviews here). the latter part of the year saw quite a few gigs around the uk to support them. plenty more to follow in 2010...

2010 news

r.e.s.p.e.c.t.: i've got an exciting new project planned for 2010 which will result in you, my lovely friends, getting a whole heap of free music! i often play the odd cover at gigs and, in response to lots of requests, i've decided to record some of them and give them away. i noticed that several of the songs i've covered over the years have been from the 1980s (something to do with my age, perhaps?), so i decided to turn it into a bit of a concept.

so, throughout 2010, i will be releasing one new song a month. each one will be a cover of a song from the 1980s which has a special significance for me, so it will be quite a personal selection. some of them will be recognisable, some less so, but they'll all be pure fox...

each song will be available to download for free during that month. after that, you will still be able to listen, but not download it, and the next song will be available to download. at the end of the year, i plan to release them all as a limited edition album, with some extra songs on it as a thank you.

first up is "don't talk to me about love" by altered images. throughout january 2010 it will be available to download for free from here!

people talking 2: there's an interview with me in the latest edition of brum notes magazine. you can open a pdf of it here. they also published quite a nice review of the album (it got more stars than the stereophonics and mr hudson, at any rate!).

don't look back: in response to ongoing requests, i've updated the old grover website. it now has full streaming of every official grover release, so you can hear all the tracks instantly. the site is now more of an archive for those who want to go back and find out more about my old band. aah, memories...

people talking: the music page now includes links to reviews of the various releases too.

there are no others, there is only us: i've been commissioned by supersonic to produce a soundtrack to marc silver's new film, there are no others, there is only us! premiering at supersonic festival, 24-26th july, it is a monochrome video projection, which explores how we protect ourselves from a seemingly more chaotic planet.

in a time where the world is ever more connected and unbordered, silver considers whether crowds are a force for oppression, or a potential for resistance. the centerpiece of the film is an aerial dance of half a million swarming birds, projected at birmingham moor street station, where 7,000 commuters come and go daily. four other artists have been invited by supersonic to compose scores to accompany the film: andrew moscardo-parker, stuart tonge, matt snowden and sam underwood. you can hear a preview of my piece on myspace.

another new single: this summer, where it's at is where you are records are paying tribute to the boss with the monumental "play some pool, skip some school, act real cool - a global salute to bruce springsteen". there will be a number of singles, a double album, badges, posters and quite possibly a book, featuring over 40 acts.

first up is the june instalment of the wiaiwya monthly singles club, including tracks by the snow, little eiffel & the birthday girl, the neath street band and fox. it's all available to download, with sleeve art and a poster from here: wiaiwya.com

competition time! to celebrate the forthcoming release of the new album, everything is for the best, commercially inviable records have put together an exciting competition with over £400 worth of prizes up for grabs, including:

• £50 in cash
• signed cd of everything is for the best
• signed, limited edition, hand made print of the album artwork by ruth green
• a selection of commercially inviable records cds and goodies
• hand-made vinyl bag from needles and hooks (one of only 7 made)

Full details are available from commercially inviable records - good luck!

new album available for pre-order: the new album, everything is for the best, is scheduled for release 1st august 2009 on commercially inviable records. however, there are a limited number available for pre-order. you can get them from the music page, or direct from the label. come back soon for details of free downloads and a competition to win a bunch of stuff!

new single: those lovely folk at where it's at is where you are records have released a new fox single, "fruit", as part of their monthly singles download club. their plan is for the best bands around to have a single available for a limited number of downloads, along with sleeve, and sometimes other bits and pieces (maybe posters, lyric sheets, photos etc). there will also be a limited quantity of cd versions available for sale at shows, and by mail order.

once again, it's got exquisite artwork by ruth green. these songs aren't available anywhere else, so make sure you get yours before they run out!

new website: this is the new look website, based on ruth green's lovely artwork for the new album, everything is for the best, scheduled for release 1st august 2009 on commercially inviable records. hope you like it!