"That's OK, I suck at life too"

nobody@vox.com(Indieboy) — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:31:01 +0100

Was the response to my chosen gig buddy of last night after I explained why I was an hour late for the Grammatics gig.

I really like this band. Their music is quite quirky and I hear a lot of different influences in there. Production-wise the stuff I've heard is quite 80's/cure-esque I think. Have a look at their page. The Vague Archive and Shadow Committee are great to listen to.

Missed the last tube so went to the chill bar thing around the corner for a while and watched some jazz/triphop thing. Then went for a wander and bought some cider (classy). Eventually went cab hunting which was unsuccessful. But managed to get into an Ibis hotel foyer for half an hour whilst we waited for one. Luckly a nice scottish bloke let us borrow his pass to get through the door. I had to spend half an hour looking like I was sort of queueing to get a room/sort of playing with my phone. My mate drank cider and took advantage of the free internet I think.

I'm off to see Goldheart Assembly at the Troubadour tomorrow as I came across them a while back and have been meaning to see them for a while. What gigs have you got coming up at the mo? I've had a shortage of 'We're playing here' emails. I'm out again tonight and on Satuday too I think. I should start cycling to venues maybe? That could be disasterous though I guess.

I've got a Columbia A&R meeting today where I'm going to really push an act I've mentioned before (but can't mention now ;-) in advance of meeting our Chairman. Got some really good stuff to present, most of which has come through here so I'm hoping to get a second blog signing some time soon. But that may take a bit of time I guess.

The reason I was so late for the gig was I got my new bike yesterday. The sales bloke looks exactly like Eric Idle and sounded like him too. Anyhoo, I got changed into my completly non-waterproof cycyling gear (monkey magic t-shirt and canvas shorts).

CHopper

It's the first time I've had proper gears, the whole shimano thing is at least 10 years old but I'm a bit behind. I was used to gear changes on the cross bar like on my chopper (it was my brother's actually)

I sort of had an idea where to go, so headed over putney bridge for barnes, came through Barnes, got lost and didn't know where I was until I re-appeared pretty much outside my ex's house. Would have been difficult to explain why I was there so I managed to pedal a bit harder and get to the Thames in record time.

Again, I got lost and it was embarrasing as to how many other cyclists zipped past me at high speed. Probably with a snooty expression on their face but I only got to see their lycra-clad arses disappear into the distance. Hmm, I wonder if I should go for the lycra look? :-)

Eventually I had the "Ahh, I'm here" moment, shortly followed by the "Oh f**k, I'm here!!" moment. I'd overshot by a few miles and had a long trek home. 2 hours later I made it. According to tfl's website it should have taken 35 mins. Shite.

Hope all is tranquil and easy to find with you.

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No Boobs Today, The Lost Levels Rock

nobody@vox.com(Indieboy) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:50:49 +0000

Hello,

On the Road

Jack Kerouac

I wasn't exposed to any boobage today. I was almost disappointed, but not quite.

Reading Jack Kerouac "On The Road" at the moment. Fantastic book, though I do want to quit my job and hitchhike accross the US. I recommend you have a read.

Anyhow, I went to see the Lost Levels last night at 93 Feet East. As mentioned before, I really like these chaps and their set was really good. The sound was amazing too which is sometimes a bit hit and miss at 93FE. They threw a new song in there called Five which I really liked. Not that they were bad when they played my night but they really seemed to up their game for last night's gig. You could see them enjoying performing songs like the Early Sheets (one of my favourites). Plus their overall look on stage was really good. They certainly benefit from a larger stage. For some reason I was reminded of early Super Furries in places, I could imagine them playing

The Lost Levels

one of the summer festivals. I wish I took my camera or still had my N95 to get some pics as it was really good. Keep an ear out for when they're playing next as I think you really should see them.

Ugh, I've got so much to do and so little motivation to do it. It's not the fun stuff like writing this, listening to new stuff etc. It's mostly mess cleaning, meetings, organising etc etc. Cannot be arsed to say the least. :-)

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Life is pretty good I think.

nobody@vox.com(Indieboy) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:01:21 +0000

Howdy,

I nearly always have something to whinge about. Living in London it's very easy to find something inconvenient or otherwise annoying. However today I'm in a sickenly good mood. I'm probably irritating the tits off my colleagues with my relentless chirpyness and overall ready-brek-glow. I think it's the weather and the fact that I've got loads going on with some great acts coming up.

Not sure what's brought this on but I'm going to go with it I think. I went to see The Electric City play at 93 Feet East last night. I went after JJ class so I was really late and only got one song. Damn. It was a bloody good track though, 'Sleeping With the Enemy'. So to make it worthwhile I had a couple of pints with the manager, a lovely curry on Brick Lane then headed back to the opposite side of London for a reasonably early night (by my standards anyway)

The Xcerts

Someone has recommended I go see the Xcerts tonight. I don't know if they've got a Vox page but if they're any good I'll make sure they do. :-) I'll be taking along a couple of scouts for company and their opinion as it's always good to have a second pair of ears involved.

I got a punchbag delivered yesterday. Oh my god it's brilliant. You can't imagine how much fun and de-stressing the experience is of beating the crap out of it is. I'm getting my kettlebells today aswell. But I'll shut up about that sort of thing. I'll be going on about Whey again any minute (nerd).

I'm still doing these showcases twice a month, so no sooner is one over and I have to start booking the next one. So I'll open the lines now for anyone wanting to play. :-) Of course there are a few who I want to see so the night's already filling up quite quickly. Just PM me, but make it quick as hopefully I'll get a few.

Got another songwriter coming in today. Can't say who as it isn't one of mine really and it's early days yet. Looking foward to it as I really enjoy the experience of meeting the artists. It's wierd, from the artists' point of view they're coming into an office environment to play to some 'industry executives' in their office with lots of gold discs and awards about the place. Must be quite intimidating for them. For me I see the whole experience quite differently and enjoy it like a mini gig. If I ever run a label I will have a venue attached I think. It still feels strange for me to be thought of as the industry guy after so many years of being percieved as a band member.

Whoops, long post. By-product of being a fast typist with ADD I think. So what's happening out there? I really want to know and comments have been thin on the ground as late.

Hope all is well with you.

IBx

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Getting things moving.....

nobody@vox.com(Indieboy) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:07:21 +0000

Jujitsu was excellent last night. Did more excapes from garotting, though now I have rope burns on my wrist and a couple of scratches on my back. Hmmm. Sounds dodgy but was all in the name of getting my blue belt. Bit battered and stiff today though. Decided to join a gym as I'm eating too many pies.

Although we have sent the message out that we don't accept physical submissions, they keep coming in. I asked the postroom to forward them onto me so I can send them a message getting them on here. However, I've not had time for a couple of weeks and now they've mounted up. I've got loads to get through. It's going to take me ages. I'm going to have to do a pile a day or something as there's too much to sort out.

Ok. The media player, the first and easiest idea to start on. The spec I'm working to so far is:

Sidebar embeddable
30 Track Playlist (20 Playlisted 10 Wildcards - changed weekly - best of get added to playlist)
Can Be embedded on other sites
Each track has link to artist's Vox homepage
Artwork window at top
Play/Pause/Skip/Random Play Buttons

That's the spec. I'm going to approach our digital creative dept to start work on it unless there's anything screaming out at you that needs adding?

Artist services - Well the gigs thing could work. After all I've already started working on my own thing. So if that works out maybe it could be taken larger scale? We'll have to see how that works. The distribution thing is a whole other matter which will need a lot of talking about.

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Gigs 31/10/2007

Busy one tonight for Hallowe'en, you doing it in fancy dress?

Worldview is doing an acoustic set @ The Purple Turtle (Oxford) from 6pm

Our friend Susie Wilkins is returning to the Troubadour tonight, though the actual stage time has been sketchy. I'd say get there for 7 and you'll be fine.

Angular Electro Pop outfit Molloy are celebrating Hallowe'en at 93 Feet East which should be a good laugh. 8pm. Be sure stop by Beyond Retro. It's one of my favourite bits of London around there.

Right, I'm going for a quick sit in the carpark whilst it's sunny then onto the mountain of demos, emails, letters etc.

Hope all is well with you.

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