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Forest Trail

                 Musical Friends & Inspirations

 

This page is a celebration of the artists, bands, and music communities that have inspired me, supported me, and walked alongside me on my musical journey. Some are dear friends, others are creative kindred spirits whose work I deeply admire. Each link leads to a corner of the music world that’s brought me joy, insight, or collaboration. I invite you to explore their sounds, support their art, and discover the magic that connects us all through music.

The We Are Wild Sessions

Among the bluebells of Ebber Gorge near Wookey Hole, I had the honour of filming a special music video with We Are Wild Sessions—a grassroots project led by singer-songwriter Jya Raine that beautifully weaves music and nature together. Their mission to raise awareness for environmental causes through art deeply resonates with me, and I’m grateful to have been part of their vision.

The song I performed, "Part of It All," was written in memory of a dear friend who tragically took his own life. It’s a gentle reminder that even when someone is no longer with us in this world, their spirit remains part of everything—woven into the wind, the trees, the light, and the music. Filming in such a sacred natural space brought a quiet strength to the moment, and I hope that feeling reaches you through the video.

 

This performance was featured as Episode 15 of We Are Wild Sessions. You can watch the video above, and I invite you to explore more of their inspiring work featuring incredible artists at their website below.

https://www.wearewild.earth/

Discovering Nick Mulvey

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Nick Mulvey - A Musical Awakening

I first discovered Nick Mulvey while browsing CDs in HMV in Taunton. The cover of his album Wake Up Now caught my eye, it had a design that reminded me of Islamic Arabic script, and the title itself sparked my imagination. I bought it on a whim, not quite sure what to expect.

On first listen, I wasn’t sure it was for me. But something drew me back for a second go, and that’s when it all clicked. The album unfolded like a revelation: uplifting, mystical, and full of clever, poetic lyrics paired with intricate yet catchy instrumentals. I was hooked. Nick Mulvey’s music has a way of reaching deep into the heart and mind, and I think he’s a truly special artist.

One of the most unforgettable moments in my connection with his music came on Tuesday 17 October 2017, when I saw him live at St George’s in Bristol. It was a full house, and we only managed to get tickets at the very last minute thanks to a couple of cancellations. I’m so, so glad I followed the inspiration and went—it felt almost like a religious experience. By the end of the night, the entire audience was singing along to the lyrics of Wake Up Now, united in a kind of joyful communion. It was very special.

Since then, I’ve even covered a couple of his songs on YouTube, which I hope I’ve done justice to. You’ll find those videos below. If you’re curious, I highly recommend checking out his website and exploring his music—it’s a journey worth taking.

https://nickmulvey.com/.

The Pearls Of Islam

I first met The Pearls of Islam in 2010 at the Glastonbury Assembly Rooms during a Sufi event where I’d been invited to perform. That night holds a special place in my heart—not only for the atmosphere, but because a live recording of the song I sang, Salaam, ended up on my Talking Angel CD. It was a beautiful gathering, and The Pearls of Islam—real-life sisters Sakina Lenoir and Rabiah Mali—brought a deeply heartfelt contribution to the evening.

Their music blends devotional poetry, soulful melodies, and praise of Allah in a way that feels more like a spiritual offering than a performance. I remember them telling the audience that their songs were meant to be shared, not just heard, and that anyone was welcome to join in. That openness and sincerity made a lasting impression.

My own performance of Salaam was warmly received, and to my delight, they invited me to London to perform at Rumi’s Cave for an event they were organising. That was the beginning of a beautiful creative

connection. I was later invited to take part in their Ladies of Light events, and in 2015, Sukina asked me to appear on British Muslim TV’s Sisters Hour, which she was co-hosting at the time. I travelled to Birmingham for the filming and performed a few songs for the show.

In 2018, I was invited back to BMTV to appear on a show called @The Warehouse, hosted by Faraz Yousufzai. It was another wonderful opportunity to share my music—I performed a harp piece called Awake . You can listen to the song here :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting The Pearls of Islam was more than just crossing paths with fellow artists—it was the start of a shared journey rooted in faith, creativity, and community.

🌐 Check out their website here: https://www.pearlsofislam.co.uk/

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