Eckhart Tolle - hearing a few words from a talk this man gave completely changed something in me. I had never shown any interest in spirituality or "gurus" prior to stumbling upon him and I still don't believe in spirituality and gurus but I know what I am not now and he played a major part in revealing that to me.

Travis - they get a hard time in the music press but I've enjoyed their music since The Man Who and their child-like simplicity is one of the reasons why. They also appear to me to not be trying to be something they are not.

James - I've liked James since the 90s and they are one of the bands of that era who I still get something from. I get the feeling Tim Booth knows more than most about the reality of this world.

Jimmy Cliff- another reggae legend and another who sings about life. He has an incredible voice and some quality songs. "The Harder They Come" is possibly my favourite and one of my favourite films too.

U.G. Krishnamurti - as a person he is probably the most real I've come across. Certainly of all the teachers there have been past and present, I'm not sure if anyone has been so uncompromising as him. He tells it like it is and sometimes it's painful to realise the truth of what he is saying. The world needed someone to show up the phoneyness of spirituality, which has become another organisation/institution like religion.

Manu Chao - I've only just discovered this guy's music in the last few weeks. He is of Spanish/French origin and his music was like a breath of fresh air to me. In this day and age it's good to know there is someone out there singing songs like "Politik Kills". Having read about his lifestyle, I also admire the way he goes about things, playing the industry game on his own terms.