It's been a slightly manic week and a bit, but my to-list suddenly feels much more manageable. After a busy weekend in which we had our Edinburgh Fringe fundraiser quiz (note to self: I could never be a quiz show host), played a couple gigs and re-wrote the Edinburgh shows, I spent two evenings recording with The Trevor Jones Band. It was a nice session, we were at Half Ton Studios (I seem to have spent a lot of time there this year), this time with the incredibly talented and remarkably patient Matty Moon behind the desk, and the purpose was purely to demo four previously unrecorded tracks for Trev's management. The songs were recorded virtually live in three takes, with additional guitar and backing vocals added on top, and they sound lovely already. The legendary Alister Bunclark has since added piano, and his contributions alone just remind me that I NEED to be in a band again with this genius. Not sure if these songs will ever be officially released, but I think they'll be put on Soundcloud at least and have certainly fulfilled their purpose of us having a good record of the full band in full swing.
After that I was back in fringe rehearsals. These feel like pivotal sessions; just getting the scripts perfect before all the learning and direction kicks in. Happy to report that the new Oscar Pike script is now a bit of a treat, after a few somewhat worrying earlier drafts, and we're all quite excited about it. Our other show, Probably The Greatest Goal Ever Scored (And Other Tales) is also going to rock (in a theatrical kinda way) because Michelle Golder is directing and she's just full of ideas. I'm really quite pumped about both shows now, in fact I haven't been this confident about my writing in years...which is probably why I'm writing like a madman at the moment. Currently finishing the script for an alternative musical (called 'Lorry Day' - can't help but feel somehow this could be one for Dowsing For Sound but logistically I just don't think it could happen), as well as working on a new play called 'Mr Honesty' and a film script about the obsession with the need to fall in love called 'The Gabby Factor.' My debut novel, 'Big Hopes In Little Winhaven' is now with a proof reader, it was hard to finally let someone else see it, but I've had it and been tinkering with it constantly since September and I have to hand it over at some point...
Band-wise things feel really positive, the session with the Dowsing For Sound band on Friday night was nothing short of remarkable. The gig at The Corn Exchange in Cambridge is less than a month away and it's going to be huge - biggest night of my drumming career I think. It's not just the size of the venue (played there a couple times before), or the size of the choir (drummed with them a couple times before), but just the size and depth of the project itself. On Friday we were focusing on a brilliantly complex piece of world music (I think it was originally by the Afro Celt Sound System), a free-fall jazz track, a beautiful and punchy rendition of 'Beautiful Child' by Rufus Wainwright and our big set finale, which I'll keep secret for now. The addition of Richard on trumpet is another masterstroke by Andrea, and between all of us (Andrea, Nicky, Gav, Sammy, Richard and myself) we are making wonderful sounds. We're back with the choir next week as rehearsals with both the singers and band kick in ahead of the gig, it's really something rather special. I said the whole 'this will be special' thing ahead of the first gig last year, but that looks like nothing compared to what we're creating this time around. Dowsing For Sound has gone up a gear or three, yet I couldn't have predicted where those gears could have come from. It is an honour and a privilege to be involved with something as good as this; I need to be challenged sometimes and this project certainly does that, yet above all I'm just completely in awe of the talents of those around me. The gig is on June 16th, I don't normally like to advertise gigs on here (I save that for emails and my website) but you really would be an idiot if you didn't attend this one.
I turn 31 on Thursday and I feel like I'm really hitting my creative peak (although as the lovely Cathy said to me yesterday afternoon whilst we were walking a guide dog puppy, 'how do you know it's your peak?' - she has a point I guess). Both musically (Dowsing, British IBM, Flaming June, Trevor Jones Band and also the forthcoming return of Eureka Stockade) and as a writer (the Edinburgh shows, the novel) I'm finally starting to get things right. My attitude seems to be better as well, for example a former band of mine has just started recording their album in a huge world famous studio having been signed on a fairly big record deal - yet I'm not even bitter, or annoyed that I left them. Because I'm starting to realise the less I chase anything that resembles commercial success, the more I seem to enjoy myself. I'm a writer and a drummer for a reason: because I like writing and drumming, and sometimes you do just have to take a step back and remember why I'm doing this in the first place. Maturity, see. Yep. Although my pre-birthday celebrations last night were anything but mature - we drank like we were in our early 20's, and having woken up in a mates spare room with the worst hangover known to man this morning I've also remembered that nights like that are amazing (I was genuinely flattered by the amount of people that came down - my friends are actually the best people in the world - fact) but days like today are just lost as a result and I've got a lot of things I want to do. Right now.
Currently reading: Charlotte Street by Danny Wallace
Currently watching: Would I Lie To You, I'm Alan Partridge, Not Going Out
Currently listening to: Joe Jackson - Rain, The Cinematic Orchestra - Live At The Royal Albert Hall, Bill Ryder-Jones - If.
Sunday 20 May 2012
Saturday 12 May 2012
Gig report: The British IBM @ The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
Band: The British IBM
Venue: The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
Date:12/05/12
Audience: Packed, quiet
Set: Make It Happen, Pain In My Heart, Down Like That, Cannibal, Sugar Water, Animal, Not Your Day, The British IBM, 3 Years, Washing Machine
Notes: After Tuesday's gig, we decided that tonight's show would be our last in Cambridge for sometime - a year. The gig was for Mencap, and was organised and run by some lovely people, and you know - it's always nice to do charity gigs. We played well, it was a fairly standard set, the audience - well, there was a lot of them, but they just didn't seem to really get into it, but they were very friendly. It kind of justifies our decision to not play around here, it was nice, but it just didn't work tonight.
Venue: The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
Date:12/05/12
Audience: Packed, quiet
Set: Make It Happen, Pain In My Heart, Down Like That, Cannibal, Sugar Water, Animal, Not Your Day, The British IBM, 3 Years, Washing Machine
Notes: After Tuesday's gig, we decided that tonight's show would be our last in Cambridge for sometime - a year. The gig was for Mencap, and was organised and run by some lovely people, and you know - it's always nice to do charity gigs. We played well, it was a fairly standard set, the audience - well, there was a lot of them, but they just didn't seem to really get into it, but they were very friendly. It kind of justifies our decision to not play around here, it was nice, but it just didn't work tonight.
Gig report: Dowsing For Sound @ Busking outside the Guildhall, Cambridge
Band: Dowsing For Sound
Venue: Just outside The Guildhall, Cambridge
Date:12/05/12
Audience: Lots of them, gathered around
Set: Not sure.
Notes: Ahead of the absolutely huge gig at the Corn Exchange, Dowsing For Sound - the choir, complete with acoustic band (featuring myself on congas, Andrea, Gav and Nicky) played outside The Guildhall in Cambridge, it was licenced busking. We had a fantastic crowd and it was nice to see some friends there (especially Heather - I forget what a good friend she is sometimes). Although it was sunny, the conditions weren't great - because of the wind, so timings were a little askew sometimes as we couldn't always follow each other. The ending of that Coldplay song was terrible - and I didn't like the way it was so obviously terrible. So, I made a mistake, but I do feel it could have been not so clear to the audience somehow, professional dignity and all that. The choir were in awesome voice throughout, and as a whole it did get better as it went along, song by song. The Corn Exchange gig will be incredible - but that's weeks of rehearsals away, and we'll be a full band then with mics and everything, rhythmically today was just a bit of a struggle.
Venue: Just outside The Guildhall, Cambridge
Date:12/05/12
Audience: Lots of them, gathered around
Set: Not sure.
Notes: Ahead of the absolutely huge gig at the Corn Exchange, Dowsing For Sound - the choir, complete with acoustic band (featuring myself on congas, Andrea, Gav and Nicky) played outside The Guildhall in Cambridge, it was licenced busking. We had a fantastic crowd and it was nice to see some friends there (especially Heather - I forget what a good friend she is sometimes). Although it was sunny, the conditions weren't great - because of the wind, so timings were a little askew sometimes as we couldn't always follow each other. The ending of that Coldplay song was terrible - and I didn't like the way it was so obviously terrible. So, I made a mistake, but I do feel it could have been not so clear to the audience somehow, professional dignity and all that. The choir were in awesome voice throughout, and as a whole it did get better as it went along, song by song. The Corn Exchange gig will be incredible - but that's weeks of rehearsals away, and we'll be a full band then with mics and everything, rhythmically today was just a bit of a struggle.
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Edinburgh scripts, Bank Holiday stuff
So, right, this is probably going to be the best summer ever. It kind of goes: Dowsing For Sound MASSIVE gig at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, British IBM tour, 2 shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, Lodestar Festival. And in between that lots of nice little things (the forthcoming event at Ickworth Park looks manic - I'm playing in three bands and also doing the relay for charity, a few festivals and hopefully we can finally get around to filming 'The Oscar Pike Diaries' as I'm proud of these scripts). And less nice things (turning 31). My to-do list keeps growing before I have a chance to really tick things off though, and I'm drinking too much Red Bull - even by my own standards. And the flat is a tip. But that would have probably been the case even if I wasn't busy because I am a messy person, end of.
The Wedding Singer musical was awesome by the way - we got it right by the final couple of performances, in fact I started to more than enjoy it, I found myself being genuinely excited by it all and want to do it all again. Maybe I've found my calling. Or maybe just because I like the challenge - it was a near impossible task to learn this in time but when it worked out I felt ever so powerful. I've not even claimed for my expenses yet, I feel I got a lot more from this show than any financial worth. Although it's this kind of mentality that is probably the reason why I'm always skint...
So, post-Wedding Singer, I was straight back into fringe meetings with the always fantastic Izzy and Grace. These girls (well, women, of course) have so much life to them it helps a great deal - so many ideas, so much drive, even when I'm on a knackered day they keep these projects nicely in shape. We've got a pretty strict rehearsal schedule now, and we're on the verge of confirming preview dates for both fringe shows in Cambridge, London and Bristol before Edinburgh, it's all very exciting. And Dowsing is very exciting too - I know it's all about the choir (and what a lovely bunch they are too), but the jams around Andrea's house with Gav, Nicky, Sammy and Andrea herself are nothing short of inspirational, we constantly challenge each other musically and it feels like there's a real musical mutual admiration there. Sammy - who joined us this year, fits in perfectly on guitar, he just 'gets it' and between all of us I can't help but feel it's it's limitless what we can create. On the few occasions we've joined up with the choir it's been a little nervy, as predicted, but it was like this last year and it will fit together after a few more sessions, and they have beautiful voices.
The Bank Holiday weekend was productive enough; beers with good friends Marcus, Jack, Ali and Michael on Friday (which turned into whiskeys at 4am whilst listening to Japanese jazz and Okkervil River mp3's), Saturday went to a wildlife park with a young lady which was oddly therapeutic - otters, tigers and all that, and fresh air - which I just don't get enough of these days, and then on Saturday night saw the quite remarkable Slow Club play in Cambridge. I love that band, and finally seeing them live was nothing short of inspiring. But after all that fun I needed to actually get things done - I don't think I have the capacity to switch off for more than a day at a time.
Finally finished writing, 'There's Absolutely Nothing Wrong With Oscar Pike,' - it's been a tricky beast to write. Whereas last year's show featured plenty of set changes as we followed Oscar in the run up to turning 30, this one is set completely in the one time zone - one evening, New Year's Eve. It's more of a challenge - I'm still not 100% all of it works but will re-write it until it does. Structurally I think it's solid, and the first 20 minutes is among some of my best material - but the tempo does drop a bit, it feels like a play very much of two halves at the moment, but at least there finally is a first draft that we can dig into and turn into something rather special. Our other Edinburgh show, 'Probably The Greatest Goal Ever Scored (And Other Tales)' is now being directed by Michelle Golder, which is by far the best news I've had all year as she always manages to add something to every show she's been involved with. It's going to be good you know, I just know, I just need to work on my time management a little better if we are to achieve everything I know we can this year...or say no to some projects, but we all know that's never been a strong point.
Currently reading: Charlotte Street by Danny Wallace
Currently watching: the climax of the football season, Not Going Out
Currently listening to: Allo Darlin - Europe; The Proclaimers - Like Comedy; Human Don't Be Angry - Human Don't Be Angry
The Wedding Singer musical was awesome by the way - we got it right by the final couple of performances, in fact I started to more than enjoy it, I found myself being genuinely excited by it all and want to do it all again. Maybe I've found my calling. Or maybe just because I like the challenge - it was a near impossible task to learn this in time but when it worked out I felt ever so powerful. I've not even claimed for my expenses yet, I feel I got a lot more from this show than any financial worth. Although it's this kind of mentality that is probably the reason why I'm always skint...
So, post-Wedding Singer, I was straight back into fringe meetings with the always fantastic Izzy and Grace. These girls (well, women, of course) have so much life to them it helps a great deal - so many ideas, so much drive, even when I'm on a knackered day they keep these projects nicely in shape. We've got a pretty strict rehearsal schedule now, and we're on the verge of confirming preview dates for both fringe shows in Cambridge, London and Bristol before Edinburgh, it's all very exciting. And Dowsing is very exciting too - I know it's all about the choir (and what a lovely bunch they are too), but the jams around Andrea's house with Gav, Nicky, Sammy and Andrea herself are nothing short of inspirational, we constantly challenge each other musically and it feels like there's a real musical mutual admiration there. Sammy - who joined us this year, fits in perfectly on guitar, he just 'gets it' and between all of us I can't help but feel it's it's limitless what we can create. On the few occasions we've joined up with the choir it's been a little nervy, as predicted, but it was like this last year and it will fit together after a few more sessions, and they have beautiful voices.
The Bank Holiday weekend was productive enough; beers with good friends Marcus, Jack, Ali and Michael on Friday (which turned into whiskeys at 4am whilst listening to Japanese jazz and Okkervil River mp3's), Saturday went to a wildlife park with a young lady which was oddly therapeutic - otters, tigers and all that, and fresh air - which I just don't get enough of these days, and then on Saturday night saw the quite remarkable Slow Club play in Cambridge. I love that band, and finally seeing them live was nothing short of inspiring. But after all that fun I needed to actually get things done - I don't think I have the capacity to switch off for more than a day at a time.
Finally finished writing, 'There's Absolutely Nothing Wrong With Oscar Pike,' - it's been a tricky beast to write. Whereas last year's show featured plenty of set changes as we followed Oscar in the run up to turning 30, this one is set completely in the one time zone - one evening, New Year's Eve. It's more of a challenge - I'm still not 100% all of it works but will re-write it until it does. Structurally I think it's solid, and the first 20 minutes is among some of my best material - but the tempo does drop a bit, it feels like a play very much of two halves at the moment, but at least there finally is a first draft that we can dig into and turn into something rather special. Our other Edinburgh show, 'Probably The Greatest Goal Ever Scored (And Other Tales)' is now being directed by Michelle Golder, which is by far the best news I've had all year as she always manages to add something to every show she's been involved with. It's going to be good you know, I just know, I just need to work on my time management a little better if we are to achieve everything I know we can this year...or say no to some projects, but we all know that's never been a strong point.
Currently reading: Charlotte Street by Danny Wallace
Currently watching: the climax of the football season, Not Going Out
Currently listening to: Allo Darlin - Europe; The Proclaimers - Like Comedy; Human Don't Be Angry - Human Don't Be Angry
Gig report: The British IBM @ The Portland Arms, Cambridge
Band: The British IBM
Venue: The Portland Arms, Cambridge
Date: 08/05/2012
Audience: Handful of people, enthusiastic enough
Set: Cannibal, Pain In My Heart, Animal, Sugar Water, The British IBM, Make It Happen, 3 Years, Not Your Day, Guns, Washing Machine
Notes: Headline slot on a rainy Tuesday evening in a venue we've all played at lots of time before. Don't get me wrong, I like the Portland a lot - the sound is usually pretty good there (and Will, who did our sound again last night, is a top bloke who always gets it right) but this just felt slightly demoralising. It's a long old evening when you're the headline band with three support slots, and we played pretty much to the main support (the excellent Feeds - who were an out of town band but still stayed for the whole evening to watch us, we appreciated this) and Dave's housemate. It was annoying because we played really well, it was the first time that the actual British IBM set started to flow properly alongside the old Aidy stuff we've been gigging for a while, and these new songs really are pretty strong. Not being arrogant, but we're in good shape as a band; we're well rehearsed, we're sharp, this is the best we've been and I can't wait to get on the road and start playing this set to new crowds. As for last night, it was all very nice, but - as we often feel about Cambridge gigs, what is the point?
Venue: The Portland Arms, Cambridge
Date: 08/05/2012
Audience: Handful of people, enthusiastic enough
Set: Cannibal, Pain In My Heart, Animal, Sugar Water, The British IBM, Make It Happen, 3 Years, Not Your Day, Guns, Washing Machine
Notes: Headline slot on a rainy Tuesday evening in a venue we've all played at lots of time before. Don't get me wrong, I like the Portland a lot - the sound is usually pretty good there (and Will, who did our sound again last night, is a top bloke who always gets it right) but this just felt slightly demoralising. It's a long old evening when you're the headline band with three support slots, and we played pretty much to the main support (the excellent Feeds - who were an out of town band but still stayed for the whole evening to watch us, we appreciated this) and Dave's housemate. It was annoying because we played really well, it was the first time that the actual British IBM set started to flow properly alongside the old Aidy stuff we've been gigging for a while, and these new songs really are pretty strong. Not being arrogant, but we're in good shape as a band; we're well rehearsed, we're sharp, this is the best we've been and I can't wait to get on the road and start playing this set to new crowds. As for last night, it was all very nice, but - as we often feel about Cambridge gigs, what is the point?
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