On the day his second album – Solus – is officially launched Troy Faid is playing to a hundred or so fans, friends and general well wishers in the Brudenell Social Club, Hyde Park, Leeds. Its a curvaceous, spacious, intimate venue. The crowd – predominantly twenty-somethings - is supportive despite the long wait...its well past eleven o’clock before Troy takes the stage.

Opening number is Lucid. An apt starter as this is the first time in the evening (there have been three support acts) when the lyrics have been clearly audible, enunciated and well - lucid. Accompanied by drums (Paddy) and violin (Kerry McMullen) the sound is serious and professional.

Control is next (“its about sadists”). Florence Fawcett squeezes on stage and her cello parts sweeten both this and Julie Sparks. By now the band is fully fledged as flautist (Richard) joins the five piece ensemble. A whimsical laidback mood prevails.

For Broken Ties Troy switches to banjo. He stays firmly seated and disregards the song’s admonition to ‘‘loosen up that frown’’. Either deep in concentration or just a bit shy (or maybe a bit of both) Troy still

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