ONE Hand on the Starry Plough, the fourth solo album by Ian Prowse, is released this week on the back of what has been an incredibly tough time - emotionally, physically and financially - for all of us.

But far from wallowing in the mire, Ian, from Little Sutton, has released a set of tunes designed to uplift, give thanks and create hope as he lends both a hug and a shoulder to cry on.

“I didn’t plan it that way but I guess it’s just the way I am - optimistic,” said Ian. “We’ve all had two years of difficult and dark times and this album is going to reflect that but it’s also going to be shot through with hope and defiance.

“If we’ve all got each other and we keep going, we’ll be fine.”

While many musicians retreated into their bedrooms during lockdown, Ian grabbed the situation with two hands, performing gigs online and keeping in touch with his devoted fanbase.

“It might sound mad but I had a pretty good lockdown,” he said. “At first I didn’t know how I was going to pay the rent - all the tours were cancelled - so I went on Facebook every Friday night and asked my friends to pick the songs and we ended up doing 40 shows. It became a community for people who needed some kind of connection and it felt like I was providing a social service as sometimes we’d have up to 1,000 people watching.

“I’d tell a few stories too and it almost became like a variety show and we included the audience who all became friends - it has been one of the nicest things I’ve ever done.”

As frontman with Pele and Amsterdam, Ian, 58, has been gigging since the mid-1980s and can’t wait to get back on stage when he supports Elvis Costello on his forthcoming tour.

“I feel like I have a whole new set of fans,” he added. “The ticket sales for the shows are up and the orders for the new album have doubled. It feels like an added bonus after the Friday nights in lockdown.

“God bless Elvis for having me back on his tour - ‘we’ve got unfinished business’ were his words to me and I’m absolutely thrilled.”

n One Hand on the Starry Plough is released Released on February 11via Kitchen Disco Records. For tour dates and information go to: amsterdam-music.com