Nick Bold has been around the local (and beyond) music scene for some time now, playing with his band Virginia Wolf and more recently appearing on the local acoustic circuit. He's just released a new album, packed his job in, and made the decision to go pro. You'll see him busking on the streets of Bolton, selling his albums, and having heard a copy all I can say is its very good indeed. I started off by asking him how long it took to record.

NB: It took 12 months to record in total, although I wasn't in the studio continuously! I got a percussionist in for the rhythm tracks, but other than that, its all my own work.

AM: Your songs are always very melodic, who are your influences?

NB: The Beatles, of course, but also James Taylor, Jimmy Webb, Paul Simon and Burt Bacharach.

AM: Have you any plans to get a band together?

NB: No, not at the moment. Getting good players is an uphill struggle, as you know yourself. I often work as a duo with keyboard player Dave Pike, but there are not that many capable musicians prepared to do original stuff. If the album took off I'd consider getting session musicians in.

AM: You started off with local rockers Virginia Wolf, how did the deal with Atlantic come about?

NB: We approached the publishers Chappell. They liked the songs and put us in touch with Ian Gillan's manager, Phil Barfield, who in turn got Queen's Roger Taylor to produce the first album. We got Led Zepp's John Bonham's son in on drums, and the next thing we were touring the states supporting Jimmy Page's band The Firm. It was a fantastic experience. Our second album was recorded in San Francisco, but by this time Atlantic had begun to lose interest in rock and they didn't put a lot of effort into promotion. It did quite well though, especially in the States, but eventually they dropped us.

AM: Then you returned to the UK?

NB: Yes, I came back and did a lot of writing with a variety of singer/songwriters including Paul Young and had some material produced by Mike Rutherford of Genesis. I began experimenting with jazzy type stuff and blues and met black jazz singer Sani who has enjoyed some success with my material on the BMG label. I went over to South Africa to see him a short while ago. He's a big success over there in Africa, and I'm very pleased about that.

AM: Where can we buy your album then?

NB: Well I'll be busking on the streets of Bolton, so people can come up to me and buy one! Other than that I hope to have it in X Records and I'll be selling it at my gigs. I play regularly at the Blue Cat Cafe in Stockport, and will be playing the Band on the Wall most Tuesdays.

AM: The Blue Cat's quite a nice little venue isn't it?

NB: Yes, its closed for refurbishment for the next few weeks, but they get some good musicins there I've even heard you there a couple of times!

AM: You sure have...its a shame Bolton can't have something similar. What are your plans for the future?

NB: Well just to keep playing and pushing the album. I have a solo gig at Bury Met on October 13th so we'll see what happens next. At least I'm in control and doing what I want.

AM: Nick, thank you and good luck with the album. Don't forget me as a support act when you get famous!

NB: Thanks!