Sitcom stuff

So the radio sitcom is finally done...written in February, recorded in July and then mixed in September. A lot of work has gone into this project, alongside the actors (Colin, Steve, Az, Vaughan), myself with the writing, the engineer (Alan) and then more recently our editor (Martin), and it's a lovely feeling to know all 5 episodes are completely mixed, with theme tune (a highly edited version of 'She Got Good' by Eureka Stockade from our forthcoming album) and lots of clever sound bits. The editing process is something which I found difficult in all honesty, and I wasn't even the one doing it. It was the cutting process, every episode now times in at exactly 13 minutes, making it perfect for the radio station that are going to be broadcasting it (and any online activity afterwards), as a result it's really sharp and at a nice tempo, and there's no rambling bits whatsoever. It's all good, I know it is, but considering the recordings of some of them were originally 17 minutes, it was clear we had to cut a lot of material from it and I can't help but feel we've thrown away some really good stuff, and some terrible jokes which needed to be cut anyway. It's a harsh learning curve for a writer, a frustrating but invaluable process. The results are good though (I hope), and 'The Modest Adventures Of Patrick & Cameron' will finally go public in November. One concern though is that the only person who isn't within the team who has heard it so far really, really disliked it for many reasons. Time will tell I guess if it's going to go further, or if it'll flop, or perhaps it'll just do what our show 'Cat Food' did at the Brighton Fringe this year which is never succeed or fail dramatically, but just get completely ignored by anybody with any kind of influence. Either way - I've been saying for ages I've wanted to have a sitcom out there, and even if this is starting on a relatively small scale, it's a very satisfying tick on the checklist of creativity.

Gig report: Trystonbury Festival, Windsor

Bands: Eureka Stockade, Aidy
Venue: Trystonbury Festival, Windsor
Date: 25/09/10
Audience: Sparse, friendly
Sets: Eureka Stockade - not sure of the order but it was identical to the recent Cracking Tunes showcase gig with one extra track, 'Sharks' added. Aidy - I've only had one rehearsal so not sure of the song names just yet...
Notes: A nice idea this one, and glad we did it. Long drive to Windsor, being delayed constantly by accidents and roadworks, Trystonbury is a very small - but equally very friendly festival that I felt instantly welcome at. Being the first and second acts on, both of the bands I played with played to next-to-nothing audiences, but even so those who were there seemed to be enjoying themselves and I imagine it was a brilliant atmosphere later in the evening (sadly I couldn't stay and get drunk with the others due to an important commitment back in Cambs). Eureka Stockade's set was tight and likable enough although we all know we can play a lot better than this, and I was very aware of the fact that I was so close to the edge of the stage and was extremely lucky not to fall of it on various occasions so I couldn't put every energy into it. Playing for Aidy afterwards found me on congas, not drums, so had a little more space and generally relaxed more into his wordy, itchy, guitar-led songs which I'm starting to get the hang of (a couple gigs next week with him and his band should see me really hit the groove running). Unlike some festivals I've played at over the years, the organisers of Trystonbury are remarkably friendly, and the setting is nice too, which suggests it could grow into something rather brilliant.

Gig report: Flaming June @ The Portland Arms, Cambridge

Band: Flaming June
Venue: The Portland Arms, Cambridge
Date: 21/09/10
Audience: Grew as the set continued, very enthusiastic, some of them were really, really into it
Set: Rejoice, Stop The Ride, The Devils Daughter, You Do Moody So Well, Hit The Ground, Nerves Of Steel, The Wizard, Little Love In A Cruel World, Insane Ex Girlfriend Parade, Wednesdays & Weekends, Under My Skin
Notes: My first gig with Flaming June, a band I've had 2 rehearsals with - and a band I originally met many years ago when we shared the bill at the Boat Race (2002 I think, now I feel old). I really like this little four piece, I'm playing congas a lot at the moment but there's something about the FJ material that really lends itself to percussion, more so than most - although the band is deeply rooted in rich folk influences, Louise writes really angry songs in the vein of PJ Harvey and the whole thing culminates in a really exuberant (and when performing, knackering) set. I knew most of the set pretty well, there was a couple grey areas after the couple rehearsals we've had (the stops in Wednesdays & Weekends, and I completely missed the ending of Little Love...) but for a first gig it was really pretty strong I think and we all seemed pretty happy after. The lively audience helped a great deal, and the sound as always at the Portland was excellent, looking forward to our next show in a few weeks time now. Gutted I couldn't stay for the headline band but I've got a million (okay, 2) big writing deadlines that I just haven't had time to work on, this could be a long night...

Sitcom mixing

Yesterday we started mixing the sitcom and I have to say I am a very happy man at the moment; 2 episodes nailed in the 7 and a bit hours. It feels like we actually recorded it ages ago, even though it was actually July, but finding the time to mix and do this project justice has always been an issue. Yesterday though I took the short trip down to Martin Randle's lovely cottage and we started work on it - the man's a genius, I'd like to think the raw materials we gave him in the first place was pretty good, but now it's tight, the ambiance of the whole piece is perfect, it has a nice energy to it, I'm buzzing and am pretty clear the whole radio thing is the way to go. We've mixed the first 2 instalments; 'Anna' and 'Text With The Ex' and should have another 2 done this Thursday, with the dramatic conclusion next week. This should all be ready for the launch in November, very exciting stuff.

Otherwise all still busy here, was in London on Friday to start work on a Christmas album with the brilliant Helen Arney, the album is called 'Darling, It's Going To Be An Awkward Christmas' and we've basically got about 5 weeks to write and record it but it seems to have started well, and I just need to nail the tour script for early November - it's called 'Robert's Room' and is taking shape nicely, but just a bit slowly and I sense the cast may be starting to get a bit worried about the timescale we're working to...

Gig report: Under The Streetlamp @ B-Bar, Cambridge

Bands: Under The Streetlamp
Venue: B-Bar, Cambridge
Date: 12/09/10
Audience: Seated, fairly polite, despite us being very much a sideshow to the comedy
Set: 3 short sets, a fairly unprepared range of covers and originals
Notes: This was a weird gig. We were on the bill of a new comedy night - where 9 brand new comedians, who have never before performed, bravely took to the stage after a weekend of intensive training. I might add, most of them were pretty good, particularly my old mucker Steve Matthew, who is a very surreal man. Under The Streetlamp performed as the audience walked in, during the interval, and 4 songs at the end. Due to the fact that we were only asked yesterday morning if we could do this gig, our bassist Chris couldn't make it, so we played acoustically - with Alister on the venue's upright piano, me on congas and Jess singing, we were a tad unprepared for this arrangement but got through it with relative ease - mostly because we felt so relaxed. Yes, there were times when we were very much the backing to people's conversations, but there was always generous applause and it was certainly one of the more easier gigs I've ever played.

Gig report: Cracking Tunes gig @ The Cornerhouse, Cambridge

Bands: Under The Streetlamp, Eureka Stockade
Venue: The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
Date: 11/09/10
Audience: Plenty of them, sweaty
Sets: Under The Streetlamp - Sunny Rainy Tuesday, I Never Win, Anything Nothing, Do I Don't I I Do, Mostly Twilight, Last Excuses Of Summer, Honest Lullaby. Eureka Stockade - can't remember, but it was 9 songs, opening with She Got Good and ending with Heroes Fall.
Notes: A bloody good night, that was. With my label, Cracking Tunes, starting to become more publicly prominent, I put on a night of some of the acts we've signed recently at the intimate, but lively Cornerhouse in Cambridge. There was four bands altogether, in between my bands there was a brilliant set from the ever consistent Tom Tilbury and a full-throttle set from the frighteningly tight Lost Weekend. Under The Streetlamp, appearing second, were unrehearsed (despite our intentions - although getting all four of us in a room at the same time seems to be an issue at the moment) but we've been playing these songs on and off for a couple years now and we just slotted back into them relatively comfortably. It was incredibly hot up there - which may have drained our performance slightly, but the audience took to us and we responded well I think, I still love this band very much. After the Lost Weekend did their thing, I was back up again with Eureka Stockade, who were marginally more rehearsed (ie; we rehearsed on Tuesday for a session that was nothing short of worrying) and we fought through the humidity, we were all drenched in our own sweat by the end of it. But it was a decent show - a little shaky at the start, but technically probably the best we've ever played. It was a longer set for us, but we're hitting form again after a bit of a break, and on a personal level it's really good for me to be back hitting drums in front of a good audience again after what feels like six months of studio work and light conga playing. Good stuff. I'm already thinking we should do another Cracking Tunes gig soon - there's something about the title 'Have A Cracking Christmas' that I like the idea of very much.

Lodestar Festival

It finished a couple days ago, yet I'm still feeling like I'm recovering from it. Yes, that's how good Lodestar Festival was this weekend, a creatively inspiring two and a bit days surrounded by lovely people, great bands and some top-notch theatrics. On a personal level, my own shows seem to go down very well - 'Clowns' didn't feel too good on stage as we felt we were being drowned out a little by the main stage which was diagonally behind us, but the audience didn't seem to mind, kept with it (and there was plenty of them too) and even said nice things after which was a relief. I wasn't comfortable being the narrator, a concern previously expressed, but with other options falling through I had very little choice - still not sure if it worked with me at the helm or not but if it goes further (which it looks like it's going to) we'll bring in a proper actor, leaving me to play the congas. On the Sunday things seemed much more peaceful, and our comedy 'Year Of The Rat' sailed by with a nice audience and everyone happy - I'm particularly happy that I wrote scripts of the more boisterous nature for this event as instant comedy seems to be the way forwards with festival crowds. I also played a gig with Jon Orchard whilst there - it's been a while, and we were a touch unrehearsed, but in keeping with the Lodestar vibe it was a nice experience and much fun was had, he writes some top tunes and it was great to be on stage alongside him. Outside of putting on shows, other productions which I had recommended/booked for the event went down a storm - my old mate from Wales, Tracy put on some excellent theatre, as did the ever brilliant Gytha Lodge with her award-winning 'Otherwise' production, The Gamlingay Players put on two top-notch comedies, and the finale for the Arts Stage was a comedy triple bill with three mates - Jen Spencer, Julia Bolden and David Trent all storming it. This on top of frighteningly brilliant bands all over the place, much social fun and banter till the early hours and wonderful hospitality from the organisers and I drove back from Lodestar with no voice, having had very little sleep, but the happiest I've felt in years.