WE’RE CRAMMED INTO THE WORLD’S SMALLEST DRESSING ROOM. THE LIGHTING HAS DIMMED, THE DJ HAS FIRED UP HIS WHEELS OF STEEL, AND VENUE DOORS ARE ABOUT TO OPEN FOR THE QUEUE OF EAGER PUNTERS I PASSED EARLIER. THE BAND ARE DUE ON STAGE IN JUST 20 MINUTES.

There’s a limited amount of time to record this edition of The Mouthcast, but I’m still handed a tall and friendly beer by one of David Ford’s bandmates and we make a quick toast.
The songwriter is extremely courteous, amiable and happy to chat as I attempt to cover as much ground as possible in the precious few minutes that we’re huddled together on a bench in this tiny – noisy – space. We talk a little bit about terrific new album CHARGE – which once again furthers the notion that David Ford should be massive – but, specifically, we focus on his sometimes funny, sometimes shocking and sometimes moving book I CHOOSE THIS: HOW TO NEARLY MAKE IT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY (“There was a time when people swore I’d be the next big thing… It took ten years of hard work and dedication but I finally proved them wrong”).

Across the pages of a riveting volume that should be standard issue for anyone with the slightest thought of entering the music industry, Ford details the collapse of his former band Easyworld and a series of hard won low-key epiphanies during time as a solo performer which, ultimately, have meant that look-yourself-in-the-eye dignity remains a constant companion.
I get the feeling that Ford would be happy to continue the chat but his audience awaits and I don’t want to keep him from any pre-match rituals he might have developed over the years. We begin to bid our farewells. The curious position of the dressing room means that I have to walk out across the stage, in front of his audience: “You’ll probably be given a big cheer,” he mocks as we shake hands. But, of course, tonight all cheers belong to him.