Some of you may remember a really top gig at Jrink in Soho back in September. You may also remember our friend Amy who was pointing a fancy camera around the place. Well as you can see from the shot above she took some fine photos - check them out and if you are in Oz and need a photographer give her a yell.
3rd November, 2007
Going North Productions
St Georges, Leeds
Well a great time was had up in Leeds. The train trip up was very comfortable. I sat in the quiet carriage which was very . . . erm . . . quiet. I arrived in Leeds feeling like I’d been sitting on a mountain in Tibet meditating for four years or so - although a little bent out of shape from carrying my guitar and supplies around trying to find the venue. I got there in good time and it was nice to have a quiet little room to have a bit of a strum and warm up, chat to a few folks, catch up with some lovely old friends and settled in. Overall I have to say I really enjoyed (in no particular order):
- The musical connection with the homeless work
- Neil McClarty. Great voice and lovely tunes. The Ryan Adams of the north?
- Me being a touch hyperactive but folks getting into the spirit of it.
- Andy taking her water provision responsibilities seriously. That was fun.
- I gave a couple of new songs a run ‘Someone Sometimes’ and ‘Old Shirt’ and got through them without hurting anybody.
- John’s possibly career defining advice. We are talking getting a handle on some Monkey’s covers and a genius idea for a musical collaboration. This thing could blow Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton out of the water.
- Sue’s amazing passion for music and chit chat and Alistair’s command of the kitchen. That pizza was tasty. Thanks so much for your hospitality.
Thanks to everyone who came out. Keep in touch and hope to see you all again sometime. Hope you had as much fun as I did.
Tuesday, 20th November 2007
Cobden Private Member’s Club
I have to be honest and say I’ve not always been that truthful in these gig reports. I generally say “was a great night blah blah blah” but I think from now on I’ll be straight up. I wasn’t in a great mood - I’d been having ear problems which really affects my confidence. Its hard to have a conversation with people and just feel with it and it obviously affects what what I can hear of myself. Its tough but thankfully all seems to be cool now. I also felt a bit over the whole caper of turning up to a venue and being ignored by the promoter. Its just so rude when you make the effort to bring some folks out and come out and play. So yeah, it makes me really think about choosing my gigs a bit more carefully.
In any case its a lovely venue - really beautiful space. I played ok, bought a few expensive drinks, hung out with my homies, and enjoyed some of the other acts. Special mention must go to Sundown from New York. These fellas were cooking. Beautiful songs and great harmonies. Brilliant.
To top it off I also caught the wrong train and ended up at Heathrow till after midnight. Happy days. Anyway you win some you lose some and life goes on. More songs to be sung and great gigs to be played.
17th October, 2007
Glasswerk New Music Awards
AKA London
So I rolled up to this awards shindig with my good buddy Mark. We thoroughly enjoyed a fine meal from Ultimate Burger beforehand and were gastronomically satisfied. Good burgers indeed. Anyways on to the awards and they were all good. Was very nice indeed to meet some cool folks, have a few beers, see some great acoustic performances and do a few tunes myself. I missed out on the award for Best Folk Act but it did go to a good home. If there would have been an award for ‘Introspective Bearded Hipster With Severe Mood Swings’ I would have walked it in. Maybe next year. I also want to put a large shout out to Karim Fanous. This guy is some kind of force of nature. He just got up on the stage and rocked it. Awesome. I also really dug Stillman - lovely tunes and a great bloke. I hope we can do a gig or two together.
Big respect to everyone involved for supporting real music.
Sunday September 23, 2007
Live Sessions London
Jrink Soho
What a top night! Thanks heaps for the great bunch of folks that came out. We all enjoyed a few drinks, the little light mobile phone spectacular and the all round good vibes in this lovely little bar. Top night. Photos to follow soon.
5-11 August 2007
New Wine Summer Conference
Royal Bath and West Showground,
Shepton Mallet,
Somerset
Had an awesome time taking house act duties for the Rendezvous venue at New Wine Week B. Was a great week in the sun chilling out, hanging with cool people, punching the odd mouse in the head, letting the beard fuzz out etc etc Musical highlights for me during the week were Cathy Burton (for her general down to earthness, super cool vibes and great tunes) and Doug Walker (for being the most hyperactive, big hearted, uber talented pop songster I’ve had the pleasure of having breakfast with). Everyone should buy Doug’s new single ‘Mystery‘. Big wraps to my new best mate Charlie Groves too who joined me for a couple of nights. Was a pleasure to get to know Charlie a little more and his songs are just fantastic. Buy his CD ‘Searchlight‘. I just had such a blast playing - the hustle bustle of the cafe made things real lively and fun - loved it.
Also big wraps to the staff from Toybox who ran the cafe. They served their hearts out and made me feel so cosy and at home. Looking forward to working with you guys more. Check out their website to find out more about the awesome work they do with street kids in Latin America.
6 - 7 September 2007
TNT Eternal Summer Festival
Wow - had such a blast at the TNT Eternal Summer Festival down in Newquay. Really enjoyed getting to hang with the peeps from Outgoing, playing some chilled sets by the BBQ and on the beach, throwing some shapes on the dance floor at night and I even had a luxury caravan all to myself. A really top few days.
Check this slightly embarassing photo of me getting sunburnt playing by the beach. The outfit was not intended for style purposes. I think I’m becoming an englishman.
Sunday July 15
Jrink
62 Frith Street, SOHO
Music starts at 6pm - FREE ENTRY
Last minute gig announcement - looking forward to playing at this night run by Natalie (ex-FOPP’ster and legend).
Wednesday July 4, 2007
BBC Radio Wales, Cardiff
Had a fantastic time down in Cardiff with BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday. I played a couple of tunes and got grilled about where I grew up, what the heck I’m doing, the music I like etc etc. The team there were a lot of fun and it was a joy to be in Cardiff where my family roots are. In other extraordinary news while I was there the audio engineer had a Kit Kat and when he bit into it he found it was solid chocolate. No wafer! I felt honoured to be there to see it.
You can download an MP3 of the live cut of ‘Other Side’ from the session here.
Monday July 16
Halfmoon Putney,
93 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15.
From 8pm.
Price: £2.50.
Halfmoon Putney Website
Halfmoon Myspace
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