Kevin Sale is one of those people who when seen about town, makes one wonder, 'Where do I know that face from?' Well here is the most likely answer. If you think back to the end of 2004, up until then, Kev was the 'Samosa Man' at Ross market, selling the best samosas, pickles and curries available within a 4,000 mile radius. The side of Kevin Sale that people were not aware of at the time is that, in his spare time he is a novelist and musician.

Musically, the songs on the Virtual Twelve album are 'eclectric' in nature.

When asked about his music, Kev replied, 'My music and lyrics are uncompromising. I'm not interested in pleasing people to gain fame and fortune. There is enough of that about these days. I hold a mirror up to the world and ask if it likes what it sees. Is the relentless march of capitalism and global pollution really the way to go? Is this the best we can do? I don't think so. That's what I'm writing about - the stuff that matters.'

'Rock and jazz are my main areas of interest but I like to bring in other influences; folk, world music and classical. I couldn't stand to write in one genre; to have a sound; a band identity. That is why I choose to produce my music independently. Once you get pushed into the music industry's meat grinder, you have to stay in whichever box you get allocated. At that point you may as well be an insurance loss adjuster for all the good you are doing. It's an artist's duty to challenge people's preconceptions and ask themselves who they are and what they want. We can all escape the psychological constraints we've been handed in life if we examine ourselves in total honesty. That's what it's all about, and what I try to reflect in my music.'

Well there you have it. Another talented musician in Ross-on-Wye who writes all of his own material. One of the voices you may recognize if you listen to the album samples on the Virtual Twelve web site is that of Hannah Bengough-Smith from local band 'Trilemma' but wearing her 'Lady Vanilla' hat in the Virtual Twelve song, 'Call My Name'.

Above: Following the publication of my 'Lights of Ross' photos in the Christmas week edition of the Ross Gazette, somebody telephoned the Gazette office to say that 'I had missed one - in Glewstone'. Anyway, to put matters right I drove out to Glewstone last Thursday, 29th December during the early evening and with snow just beginning to fall I took the above photo.

Below: Wednesday evening, 28th December at the Vine Tree Inn, Tudorville, where music from the duo, 'Hero' was enjoyed by customers and a nice evening was had by all.