Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
This Turkish cafe here has been family run for years. Its walls feature pictures of famous artists who have played upstairs at Premises Studios, where I rehearsed before my first tour. I first heard my first solo song, Heaven, on the radio here—that was really special. It was an amazing moment when my photo got put on the wall.
They do a mean veggie breakfast and awesome Buck’s fizz, too!
209 Hackney Rd
209 Hackney RoadThis Turkish cafe here has been family run for years. Its walls feature pictures of famous artists who have played upstairs at Premises Studios, where I rehearsed before my first tour. I first heard my first solo song, Heaven, on the radio here—that was really special. It was an amazing moment when my photo got put on the wall.
They do a mean veggie breakfast and awesome Buck’s fizz, too!
A favourite vegan cafe in Boxpark Shoreditch that’s introducing veganism to a younger generation. It’s extremely popular with a lot of creatives and is run by a man called King Cook and his wife. He has Laotian heritage, which is reflected in his cooking.
Boxpark has occasional open mic nights with really interesting performers. I’ve met a lot of new artists of the next generation here who are very creative and independent-minded, like Anjelo Disons.
CookDaily Croydon
A favourite vegan cafe in Boxpark Shoreditch that’s introducing veganism to a younger generation. It’s extremely popular with a lot of creatives and is run by a man called King Cook and his wife. He has Laotian heritage, which is reflected in his cooking.
Boxpark has occasional open mic nights with really interesting performers. I’ve met a lot of new artists of the next generation here who are very creative and independent-minded, like Anjelo Disons.
Arts & Culture
When I moved to London from Glasgow in 2009 to pursue a music career, I lived near Brick Lane, and went to this gallery a lot. It’s very peaceful, shows new and innovative artists, and the gift shop is great. Visual art is always inspiring—seeing how people communicate through colours and textures the way I do through music.
I’m a huge admirer of Frida Kahlo and the gallery introduced the then little-known Mexican painter to London audiences in 1982. I love this part of the gallery’s history and feel it has special meaning for me.
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Πινακοθήκη Ουάιτσαπελ
77-82 Whitechapel High StWhen I moved to London from Glasgow in 2009 to pursue a music career, I lived near Brick Lane, and went to this gallery a lot. It’s very peaceful, shows new and innovative artists, and the gift shop is great. Visual art is always inspiring—seeing how people communicate through colours and textures the way I do through music.
I’m a huge admirer of Frida Kahlo and the gallery introduced the then little-known Mexican painter to London audiences in 1982. I love this part of the gallery’s history and feel it has special meaning for me.
Drinks & Nightlife
A regular haunt for me when I lived near Brick Lane, especially during the summer when everyone sits outside. I went drinking Peroni a lot there one summer with a music producer called Chris Loco. As the name suggests, it’s a very chill place to relax. I like that it’s open-plan, casual, and laid-back, often with reggae-infused music.
Enjoy a mojito or beer. As it’s off Brick Lane there are lots of creatives around, and it’s very social if you sit outside. It seems to attract open-minded, chilled-out people—music lovers. You can get into pretty deep discussions with complete strangers.
E1 6QL
Brick LaneA regular haunt for me when I lived near Brick Lane, especially during the summer when everyone sits outside. I went drinking Peroni a lot there one summer with a music producer called Chris Loco. As the name suggests, it’s a very chill place to relax. I like that it’s open-plan, casual, and laid-back, often with reggae-infused music.
Enjoy a mojito or beer. As it’s off Brick Lane there are lots of creatives around, and it’s very social if you sit outside. It seems to attract open-minded, chilled-out people—music lovers. You can get into pretty deep discussions with complete strangers.
Shopping
When I first lived there you’d find all sorts of everyday items. It’s now a huge vintage and crafts market, especially at the Truman Brewery end. You can find lovely one-of-a-kind pieces. Look for the guy who sells gold jewellery, including vintage pieces. I’ve bought tonnes of his rings and chains, which I’ve worn on stage.
There’s a guy called Benny Button, who cuts open coconuts in front of you and serves them with a straw. There are also amazing food trucks and stands, with dishes from all over the world.
91 Brick Ln
91 Brick LaneWhen I first lived there you’d find all sorts of everyday items. It’s now a huge vintage and crafts market, especially at the Truman Brewery end. You can find lovely one-of-a-kind pieces. Look for the guy who sells gold jewellery, including vintage pieces. I’ve bought tonnes of his rings and chains, which I’ve worn on stage.
There’s a guy called Benny Button, who cuts open coconuts in front of you and serves them with a straw. There are also amazing food trucks and stands, with dishes from all over the world.
This open-plan used and new record store is literally around the corner from me, two minutes from my house. There’s a great mix of music here, covering all genres, and it’s run by a team who are passionate and dedicated. The staff are all music lovers—their knowledge is deep.
They have some great finds if you’re willing to look. I bought an original copy of Joni Mitchell’s Blue and lots of classical music here.
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Flashback Records
50 Essex RdThis open-plan used and new record store is literally around the corner from me, two minutes from my house. There’s a great mix of music here, covering all genres, and it’s run by a team who are passionate and dedicated. The staff are all music lovers—their knowledge is deep.
They have some great finds if you’re willing to look. I bought an original copy of Joni Mitchell’s Blue and lots of classical music here.
A big cinema and arts centre in Bethnal Green where I go to see new and independent films. It’s a community arts hub that also stages live music and other performances. It’s got a casual vibe with a bar and a gallery. I love the art and the different entertainment events mix going on there.
When you walk to the cinema screen, you’re above the performance space and you can peek through the curtains and see who is on stage below.
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Rich Mix
35-47 Bethnal Green RdA big cinema and arts centre in Bethnal Green where I go to see new and independent films. It’s a community arts hub that also stages live music and other performances. It’s got a casual vibe with a bar and a gallery. I love the art and the different entertainment events mix going on there.
When you walk to the cinema screen, you’re above the performance space and you can peek through the curtains and see who is on stage below.
I love going to see the gorgeous flowers in an array of colours, and to feel the bustling vibe. There is often live music, and couples and families strolling around. You always see people around east London with flowers wrapped in brown paper and you know they’ve been to Columbia Road. The street is also full of independent shops full of creativity.
They start setting up at 4 am and open at 8 am, though I’ve never made it there before 12 noon.
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Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadI love going to see the gorgeous flowers in an array of colours, and to feel the bustling vibe. There is often live music, and couples and families strolling around. You always see people around east London with flowers wrapped in brown paper and you know they’ve been to Columbia Road. The street is also full of independent shops full of creativity.
They start setting up at 4 am and open at 8 am, though I’ve never made it there before 12 noon.
This place is amazing. It’s the biggest supplier of art material in the UK and always fun to look around. It’s just got everything, every type of paint and colour. Visiting pushes and stretches the mindframe and reminds me how much you need to work on your craft. I find the creative people and seeing different ways of making art here really inspiring.
I have a weird obsession with stationery and they have great pens and notebooks, which I always use when writing songs and lyrics.
Atlantis Art Materials
Bayford StreetThis place is amazing. It’s the biggest supplier of art material in the UK and always fun to look around. It’s just got everything, every type of paint and colour. Visiting pushes and stretches the mindframe and reminds me how much you need to work on your craft. I find the creative people and seeing different ways of making art here really inspiring.
I have a weird obsession with stationery and they have great pens and notebooks, which I always use when writing songs and lyrics.
Parks & Nature
A beautiful space on the top floors of the skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street, with tropical-looking gardens that are free to visit—but you must book ahead. It has the biggest amount of plants and the walls are all glass with a 360-degree view of the city. It’s a really special and inspiring place to explore and look out over east London and beyond.
There are two restaurants and two bars up there. Fenchurch Restaurant, housed in a glass box within the glassed building, is great and really accommodating for veggies and vegans, with a special vegetarian menu, great wines, and great service. I’ve never heard music there though a live show would be great.
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Κήπος του Ουρανού
A beautiful space on the top floors of the skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street, with tropical-looking gardens that are free to visit—but you must book ahead. It has the biggest amount of plants and the walls are all glass with a 360-degree view of the city. It’s a really special and inspiring place to explore and look out over east London and beyond.
There are two restaurants and two bars up there. Fenchurch Restaurant, housed in a glass box within the glassed building, is great and really accommodating for veggies and vegans, with a special vegetarian menu, great wines, and great service. I’ve never heard music there though a live show would be great.