BELFAST born and raised, but now living in Melbourne, Andy White (pictured) has earned a global following for blending folk and pop stylings with a poet's sensibility.

He embarked on a tour of the UK at the end of last month — and Café No 8 in Launceston is among the venues.

'How Things Are' is Andy's eleventh studio album, and his most intimate to date. Released through Floating World Records, the album contains a beautiful and honest collection of songs, straight from the heart.

Never afraid to write about a difficult situation, 'How Things Are' came about after Andy's 15–year-long marriage ended, in order to answer the question. 'How are things?' Whilst detailing his heartbreak in his writing, Andy's optimistic and appreciative outlook on life has managed to create an empowering and uplifting album, full of promise.

Andy has released ten studio albums, from 'Rave On' to 'Songwriter' in 2009, two books of poetry, and '21st Century Troubadour', an on the road journal/novel with accompanying double CD, in 2011.

Having worked with the great names of Irish music — Sinead O'Connor, Donal Lunny, Van Morrison — and writing with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Neil and Tim Finn, Andy has won Ireland's top songwriting awards and toured the world many times over.

Perhaps no one has articulated the experience of growing up in the chaos of Belfast of the '70s and '80s, heading out into the world of literature — he studied at Cambridge —rock'n'roll — he signed to Stiff Records — and travel.

Andy will be performing from 8pm on Thursday, February 20. Tickets are £8 and can be booked by calling Alison on 01566 785386.

Food can also be enjoyed at Café No 8 from 6.30pm. To book, contact 01566 777369.