iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Evenin' all. 🌕 (apologies for blue speck...ancient phone)

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

First ever review in a music mag..and it was a good 'un (that wouldn't last 😉)

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

My copy of The Island Book of Records just arrived...who'd have thought that back in 1971 (when I received the Island Records sampler LP "El Pea" for Christmas off my Aunt Mildred) that 55 years later my garbled reminiscences about the album would appear in a book!

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Sounds Mag, OTD 2/6/79 Thanks to @soundsclips.bsky.social for tagging me in on a (good!) review of the launch gig for Yachts' 1st album aboard The Royal Iris, on the River Mersey. Unannounced support act Elvis Costello, + Deaf School's Clive Langer. Pic: Sad state of Royal Iris, 2017, River Thames😪

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

22/5/79: Elvis Costello performing as secret special guest at Yachts' Royal Iris album launch, going up & down the Mersey (we were both signed to Radar Records). See my beautiful grey Farfisa organ nestling next to Steve Nieve's rather vulgar Vox Continental keyboard. 😜 #myorgansbetterthanyours

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Out today, "When Saturday Comes", a song I wrote/recorded back in 1994!! Made up that The Christians are releasing it as their “new” single (should that be "old"/"vintage"?), as a taster for upcoming 40th anniversary of the band’s 1st album. Available usual platforms: orcd.co/whensaturday...

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Well I never! 40 years ago today, introduced by Jools H & Stephen Fry, we (The Christians, only recently signed to Island), did our 1st ever TV appearance, on The Tube, miming to an early Clive Langer-produced version of "Forgotten Town" (not the later single version Jan '87).

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Reposted by Henry Priestman

🎼 𝕊𝕋𝔼𝕍𝔼™ @stevomusicman.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Fascinating, thanks for sharing.

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

It's great what you come across when you have a clean out of your external hard drive: 2 minute clip from 1982. Recorded on a Tascam Portastudio using a Polymoog & the original Boss Dr Rhythm drum machine, plus some “sampling” of Vincent Price's "Marissa" script from a Co-Star LP.

youtu.be

Extract from "Melissa" (1982). A film by Mark Herman, music by Henry Priestman.

YouTube video by Henry Priestman

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

I don't keep gig tickets, so a surprise the other day when I found all of these in a jacket pocket... Michael Nyman, Brian Wilson, Belle & Sebastian, and Joy Division Reworked, all at the Liverpool Phil. Conor Oberst/Big Thief at Academy, Low at Epstein, & @kermodemovie.bsky.social at Playhouse.

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Nice two page spread, re our recent S4C TV's "Cân i Gymru" (Song for Wales) win, in current issue of weekly Welsh language news and current affairs magazine "Golwg" @golwg.cymru. My Dosbarth Cymraeg homework for this week...👍🤔

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

50 years ago today Albert Dock (who'd mutate into Yachts a year later) played their 1st public gig at The Dale pub in Wallasey. Set list incl “Road Runner”, “She’s Looking Good”, Lee Dorsey’s “Occapella”, “Jackie Wilson Said”, and ummm “Je Ne Regrette Rien”. What a wild ride it's been!

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Ha, just spotted this Bluesky post of mine from Feb 17th...little did I know we'd actually go and win the damn thing ...whodathoughtit?..not me obvs, gauging by the original post below.

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

The perfect end to one of the most memorable weeks in my musical "career". Radcliffe and Maconie just played Yachts' "Suffice to Say" on their BBC 6Music show. Back to the start of it all...the arc is complete

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

The 2nd single I co-wrote that gets released today (see other post), the song that won "Cân i Gymru 2026" (Song for Wales) last Sat on S4C's live TV show. Y Gân by Sara Owen. Just about recovered from the shock...not least of seeing myself on TV (who's that old git?!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh4Q...

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

I'm not exactly prolific when it comes to releases, so to have co-written TWO songs released by different artists on the same day, TODAY (coincidentally), is quite something. "Alabaster Skin" by new artist Pegsy. Influences: Nancy, Lee, Duane, Ennio... www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV3O...

youtube.com

Alabaster Skin

YouTube video by Release - Topic

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Just leaving this here...instrumental teaser clip of a new single, Alabaster Skin, by new singer Pegsy, that I've co-written, out on Friday; if you like a bit of twangy guitar, check out below Here's the pre-save link for Spotify/Youtube/Tidal etc: ditto.fm/alabaster_skin #thetwangsthethang

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Can't quite believe this... Bendigedig!

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Dead chuffed to have co-written 2 songs that have made it into last 8 for S4C's annual live "Can I Gymru" (Song for Wales) on Feb 28th...need to start practicing my "well, chwarae teg, the best song won" maganimous expression for when the cameras spin round and pick me out when we come last :-) .

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

It’s with a heavy heart that I’m having to cancel Saturday night’s sold out Thornton Hough gig. 1st gig in 49 years I've had to cancel due to ill-health. Woke up feeling absolutely awful (all the symptoms of this nasty new flu going round). Rescheduled date March 21st '26, tickets valid for new date

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Roy Harper (84!) amazing last night at Manchester Bridgewater Hall. Played the set list of my dreams. Wonderful accompaniment from son Nick. @harperspace.bsky.social

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Our first taste of the music press…and it was a good one (it couldn’t last 😉)

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

August 31 1977, Yachts support XTC at London’s Hope & Anchor…

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Continuing the nearly unanimous run of 8/10 (or 4/5) reviews from virtually all the printed monthly magazines (+Guardian/Observer), here's review of the "new" Yachts LP 'Missing in Action - The Lost Tapes 1980-81', in latest Vive Le Rock mag. available from www.henrypriestman.com/merchandise-2/

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

An early line-up of Swing Out Sister? No, me and my girlfriend Jackie ( #stilltogether ) on a jaunt to West Kirby with the late Con McConville c1985. Pic by Rupert Flindt

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Yet more It's Immaterial...just been sent this (thanks Stephen Watson), from Sounds, November 5th 1983...

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Re my last post, on the LP release of all the It’s Immaterial Peel sessions, I thought I’d better clarify whether I was actually ON the final session (by which time I’d left Itsy, & was writing songs for what would become 1st Christians album) Found my diary from ‘85, entry for April 21st: [7 am!!!]

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Been enjoying listening to this album. It’s a new It's Immaterial album, all the four John Peel sessions that we did between 1981 and 1985…great to hear the development of the band from the first session (early days) to the final one (after “Driving Away from Home…” and first album had come out)…

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Had a great few days in Liverpool this last week; belated birthday meet-up with school/college friends (even a bit of an Albert Dock/Yachts reunion), & a photo session with John Hollingsworth that was a joy...notice I brought along my rather photogenic vintage Farfisa as a prop.

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Spotted this on photographer Mick Mercer’s FB page; OTD in 1979 I was playing keyboards as a member of Bette Bright & The Illuminations, at London’s Music Machine. Bette/vocals, Glen Matlock on bass, Clive Langer on guitar, Paul Pilnick on guitar, and Rusty Egan on drums. What a band!

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

3rd (& final) of my vaguely retrospective “Evening With” gigs, looking back & celebrating having made it to 70. Anglesey/Ynys Mon, Saturday October 25th, in Cemaes‘ Llanbadric Church (Eglwys Llanbadric)…the church by the roundabout at end of Cemaes high street. Tickets £10 call Gaynor: 07796 306163

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

I took this photo in the kitchen the other day…so as long as my next album is called “Rhubarb”, I’m sorted for cover artwork

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Love these plectrums that my pal Les Glover got me the other week for my birthday…our “Six of One…” album cover artwork, with our motto ”how long have we got?” emblazoned across it.

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Reposted by Henry Priestman

Surfin Dead @surfindead.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Said it before. I will say it again…

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Suddenly, just 45 years too late (😉), Yachts are flavour of the month…great reviews for the ‘new’ “Missing in Action” album, a single still hanging around The Heritage Chart (reaching #26), now this excellent “Rough Guide to Yachts” in latest issue of ‘Vive le Rock’. Still, better late than never. 😊

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

“I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me.“ Sunday June 22, 2pm, Talking Pictures TV

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Saturday night, a gig to celebrate my upcoming 70th, 3 members of Yachts in the same room for the 1st time since 1981. Managed to persuade Mick Shiner to play a couple of tunes with us off the new "Missing in Action" LP. Love this clip of Mick realising he can't read the chords with shades on!

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

70th Celebration gig #2 tomorrow...drinkers, take note, NO BAR...see small print at bottom: "bring own drink/glasses!"... Don't want a lot of grumbling from the punters 🙂

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Reposted by Henry Priestman

Sounds Clips @soundsclips.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

The Yachts' album 'Yachts' reviewed by Hugh Fielder and Pic by Paul Slattery in Sounds 9th, June 1979. @henrypriestman.bsky.social

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Reposted by Henry Priestman

Sounds Clips @soundsclips.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

The Yachts album 'Yachts' and UK Tour advert in Sounds 9th, June 1979. @henrypriestman.bsky.social

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Henry Priestman @henrypriestman.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

My Grandfather gave me this wheelbarrow for my 11th birthday in June 1966... Last day of May 2025, and it's just given up the ghost.

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