Below, you'll find a selection of questions I've been asked, and my answers to them. If you want to ask me a question to be answered here, use the form at the bottom of the page!

Q. As you prepare for your April tour, I wonder if you can mention some of your favorite concert venues (in Sheffield and elsewhere) and what has made them special for you.
Joe

A. I found I came up with these four straight away:
In Sheffield, my favourite place is the Lantern Theatre, tucked away on a leafy residential street in Nether Edge. It's a tiny theatre and seats less than a 100 (we had some photos there which appeared in the sleeve of the second Monkey Swallows the Universe album). The owner told us it was built as a toy theatre for some rich children!

In London I have two favourites. The first is Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush where I've had the pleasure of playing quite a few times now. The chandeliers and the balcony (and the audience of course!) make it a beautiful sight from the stage.
My other favourite is the Luminaire which is a really friendly venue, plus you get delicious food downstairs! I feel like I'm being paid to advertise these venues now...

My favourite place of all however, is a bit different. It's in the middle of nowhere in North Yorkshire and is basically a barn, but it's a brilliant place to play becaue of the people, the atmosphere and the surroundings. http://www.thebandroom.co.uk/

Q. After watching Nat's Bandstand Busking performance, I remembered a story I heard on the radio a while back. Joshua Bell, a virtuoso concert violinist, participated in a stunt in which he played his Stradivarius for 45 minutes during rush hour at a Washington DC Metro stop. Of the more than 1000 people who passed by, only 7 stopped to listen. Only 1 of those recognized him. His total take was $59, including $20 from the woman who recognized him.

With this in mind, I wonder if Nat could share her experiences as a busker.

A.The first time I tried busking, I too was playing violin, though I was about 9 years old at the time and certainly no virtuoso! I raised £50 for the Children in Need charity and they put my picture in the local paper. Slow news day! I even got on national TV as there was a film crew at the nearby theme park and they wanted people there to show what they'd been doing and how much was being raised in my hometown. I was asked by the presenter how much I'd raised and answered in a tiny voice 'fifty pounds' whist hiding inside a big duffel coat.

We sort of busked in the Monkey Swallows the Universe video for 'Bloodline' but the staff at the train station didn't like that too much and moved us on!

The Bandstand Busking didn't feel like real busking to be honest because there was a camera and we had to stop and start again every time a plane went overhead. There were a few people in the park but no one dared get close because of the cameras!

And that is the story of how I busked.

...and here's a bonus question, just to save you asking it!

Q. Are you ever going to play in [insert place here]?

A. I'd love to! I'm always on the lookout for new places to play. However, it's not always possible for all sorts of reasons. Rest assured though, as soon as it's practical to play near you, I will make every effort to do so!

Here's your chance to ask me a question! I'll answer all that I can, and the answers will appear here in due course