Timothy Hassall's UK Diary

With the support of Tim's family, friends and the people in the Dubai who knew him through his music - he embarked on a journey with his music to UK last 9th of January and he intended to be back in Dubai early March this year.

Before Tim left Dubai he wanted to encourage his fellow musicians to get out there and be heard, therefore he is updating us on his journey. (This article is being updated every week till the end of Tim's tour in UK).

TIMOTHY HASSALL'S UK DIARY                                                                                                                         Written by himself

9.1.08

"I make for my goal, I go my way; I shall leap over the hesitating and the indolent." – Nietzsche, Thus spoke.

Landing gears engaged, cabin crew seated, children playing tug of war to my left. Almost on the runway now, as the plane slowly descends into a 9 degree foggy London. What awaits me? What chance encounters? What sing-songs? Taxiing now, and I'm thinking about how hard it was to leave Dubai this time round. Sitting on the front steps of my family home yesterday polishing my boots and cleaning my guitar, dusk thoughts took over my mindset. I thought of songwriters I admire; Cash, Dylan, Lennon, Jackie Greene, Marley and wonder where they were when they made their first go for it. To seriously get up in front of people and play like you've got something to offer. So much preparation can in the end only be so much preparation – soon I will have to play. Play with 100% what I've got. I know there must be over a thousand more talented singers in this city, not too mention countless taxi driver poets, singing street cleaners and hip hop producing waiters. It's never been easier to play, it's never been harder to get paid to play. Time to rise to challenge.

Got to fly, got to fight, got to crow.

11.1.08

On a train.

The screams of rusted breaks,

Clawing at rusted tracks.

That smell of damp cold plastic,

The shadows cast by energy efficient public lighting.

These things I thought I had forgotten. Been in England for two days now, spent mostly practising and meeting up with old friends. Sleeping, emailing, letting off steam.

Back into the old routine:

Smoking under hanging baskets in the rain, wandering through once familiar drinking establishments – like running a hand over an ex-lover's new tattoo. Old territory, but things have changed. At present I'm still in Egham where I went to university. But I'm out of here tomorrow and heading for the city. Egham itself is a hole, but I'm staying with some of my best mates in the world so all's good at the moment.

The sun breaks through the clouds for the first time in 48 hours. And then like that it slithers away again behind the grey.

13.1.08

"It's a heartbeat, a whisper, the feel of another hand in yours. It's the rain hammering down, the cold wind running off the shore."

On the underground heading north from South Wimbledon to Angel. Hopefully the sun will still be out when I get there so that I can play on the street somewhere. Note to self: remember to buy some water. I'm also hoping that I can find a café or pub to play in as well, at least for a little bit this afternoon. Not really sure how that is going to work, but just going to go in a couple of places and ask if I can play. Hustle and flow.

A woman with a beautiful perm sits next to me reading act 28:2 of the bible. Opposite me a middle-aged lady is reading the Adventures of A London Call Girl. Man, this city is so varied.

Busked for an hour outside an espresso shop, made £10, hands froze, played Bob Dylan requests, someone rolled me a cig, a beautiful girl smiled. Such things seem so immediate when you are standing playing on the street, fingers freezing outside a coffee shop chain. Now im in Queens Bodicea the place where i'm playing tonight, listening to some good music hanging out and waiting for my chance to play. It's not packed, but the audience are all listening and the musicians are networking and enjoying each other's company.

Things go pretty well and I'm stoked. Should be some more gigs to come from it.