Regardless of the motives for the Jape is Grape record, the two new tracks showcased do see Egan honing in on and harnessing the influences that have always been prevalent within his music, particularly indie song-writing sensibilities and electro, dance and funk. In this case however, the lines drawn between both have been seriously blurred – no longer are there the Jape indie-torch songs and the Jape electronic songs. It's a sound he has been gradually refining for some years now, and one which he believes he's getting closer to perfecting.

"I think jape has come into it's own in the last year or so, live and on the record. I pulled away from the 'total dance' approach near the end of the record and I'm so glad I did because now it sounds unlike anything except Jape I reckon. For me I'm influenced by experiences that happen to me in life, weird sounds and melodies and I try to put them into the tracks in the most honest way I can."

Egan is in a better position then most to weigh up the pro's and con's of the major label verses independent label experience. Having signed with V2, the label was subsequently bought up by Universal and the operation closed, leaving Richie in the dark as to whether his long-awaited album would see the light of day. He's also been through a similar experience before with David Kitt, and one could understand if he were to become somewhat sceptical or wary when operating in the murky waters of the majors leagues. However, for Egan, the only thing that matters is his music, and regardless of whether the major label money is backing him, or he's forced to return to the bedroom studio, he gives the distinct impression that he'll still be doing what he's doing. "For me, it comes down to the question, 'are you making good music or not?'. Labels just facilitate that. I firmly believe that if you work hard enough and make good enough music you will be fine, because people always want to hear good music."

So what next for Jape? "Like I was saying, it's f**king my heart and soul in album form. When I'm dead stick a few copies in my coffin. And a CD walkman. I think I'm gonna call it 'lightning f..t.i'. Well that's the front runner at the moment."

Jape plays Cyprus Avenue on Wednesday, December 5.

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