Andy wrote his first poem aged nine and ever since has scribbled poems and songs and pieces of writing on anything he could lay his hands on. These pieces of paper, books, tickets and old tablecloths went into an old suitcase in the attic. A couple of years ago two novelist friends of Andy's persuaded him to empty the suitcase and sort out the writing. This is the result, his first collection of verse. As well as poetry, included in the book are the complete song lyrics from all of Andy's seven solo albums and a selection of his drawings.

Andy held several poetry readings during the year of publication - in Galway at the literary festival Cúirt, in Glasgow where 'Small boy asks Christine for a light' was the Poem On The Underground for the month of June, and in Belfast at OMAC. The book was launched in the Irish Writers' Centre on Bloomsday, June 16, 1998.

'The Music Of What Happens' is published by Lagan Press, which is based in Belfast. If you're in Ireland you should be able to order it through bookshops, the ISBN number is 1 873687 86 9. If in doubt ring or if you have difficulty ordering like this, call Waterstones' Belfast branch and ask for it by name.

Outside Ireland the only way of getting hold of the book is from us, for details click here. All you have to do is let us know where you live. This direct method may be easier than ordering it through shops - plus you can get your copy signed by Andy if you ask us.