Ian Siegal is one of the UK’s leading blues artists. Ahead of his appearance on the main stage of the Burnley International Rock and Blues Festival on Sunday he answered a few questions.

You’re no stranger to the Burnley Blues Festival. What makes events like this so special? Actually it's been a while since i've been to Burnley. It's great to have UK and US acts well represented.

For Burnley who will you have on stage with you in the band? Andy Graham and Nikolaj Bjerre, who have been my regular UK band members for many years.

Every time you release an album, the accolades seem to follow. How do you achieve such consistently good records?

I don't approach any album with any particular intention other than to get the best I can out of each individual song. Working with great musicians, producers and technicians, AND raising that bar each time is, I suppose, something i've done up to now.

Your schedule is extremely busy. How do you fit in time to write? Usually with a 5am start and a huge pot of coffee before the session. I'm doing that in Mississippi as we speak.

Playing fantasy festivals for a moment, which artist (living or dead) would you most like to share a stage with and why? As I'm sure everyone will say to this question — way too many to mention. I've been asked this many times over the years and Levon Helm is one name I consistently cite. So sad he passed away recently — I was depressed for several days. Mavis Staples would be another, Muddy Waters, of course. Among contemporary bands, Alabama Shakes spring to mind. And, of course, The North Mississippi Allstars but I was lucky enough to do that last week in Texas.

*Ian Siegal and his band, Burnley Mechanics, Sunday, 6pm