YOUNG musician Ed Goodale calls Asperger’s Syndrome his ‘gift’ and will be performing in Peebles next month to raise awareness of the wonderful match between autism and creativity. 

This will be Ed’s second time visiting the town, as he played a free gig at Peebles High School last year to showcase his new material as well as raise awareness for autism. His music was very well received and he now has a big following in the Borders. He will be performing at the Neidpath Inn on Friday, August 12, as part of his weekend-long Borders tour.

Ed’s songs tell moving stories from his observations and interpretations of a world viewed through the eyes of someone with Asperger’s. The talented performer, from West Sussex, was bullied at school for ‘being different’ and his creativity came alive when he channelled that pain into music.

“My music has made me more confident and able to cope with life’s ups and downs; I really have found my path in life,” he said.

“When I was younger, my release was to shut myself in my room and strum away on a guitar I had been given for Christmas. 

“I loved it, I was producing music and it sounded good. And I then started to put some words to these tunes; I wrote about my life and how I saw the world.”

Ed decided to pursue a career as a singer/songwriter in 2011 and started playing small local gigs; with his earlier songs bringing crowds to tears. 

“I wrote my song ‘Symptoms’ as my interpretation of living with Asperger’s,” he said. “When I sang it for the first time it was weird - people clapped but they also cried; my songs connected with people.”

Ed released ‘Symptoms’ as a single with half of the proceeds going to the National Autistic Society and released his debut album, ‘The Same But Different,’ in December 2014.

He has also acted as an ambassador for the National Autistic Society for many years and worked to try and inspire and support others who are on the spectrum.

“I have met so many wonderful people along the way, many of them on the spectrum with creative gifts,” Ed added.

“The picture for my album cover was painted by a wonderful artist with Asperger’s, David Downes and photographer Karen McGuire, who is also on the spectrum, has interpreted each song on the album in a series of wonderful pictures.

“I am never happier than when I am on stage behind a microphone singing my songs to people. Whether it be to the two people in a Scottish pub I played to or thousands at a festival - if one person connects it makes it all worthwhile.”

See Ed at the Neidpath Inn on August 12, 8pm.