6 posts tagged “shortwave fade”
How do.
So, have you broken your new year's resolutions yet? I only made on specific one which I hope to stick to, the others are a bit more conceptual (be nicer, healthier, strongerfitterfasterbetter....etc)
For me, NY's has always been an astoundingly underwhelming anti-climax. For example, last year I booked a posh suite in the centre of Manchester, tickets for the Comedy Store and a nice restaurant, then got food poisioning and welcomed the new year with my girlfriend of the time nursing me and watching Lethal Weapon 4 in our hotel room. That's pretty much been par for the course for the past few years.
However, that was not the case this year. It did help that I didn't have the scrambled eggs from the hippie cafe again but it also was because the gig on the Saturday was superduper and the NY party I went to was the best I've been to.
I was really really worried about the gig. Ultimately because it wasn't xmas, wasn't new year, just sort of in that grey area where most people are in recovery or preparation for festivity. I also had pretty much everyone pull out on me and all the acts bar one were playing with very sort notice. 24 hours notice in some cases.
The night opened with Ollie from Worldview which worked really well. I took my guitar down so people could get involved if they wanted and Ollie had a good strum. All good stuff. Be sure to visit his blog and say hello.
We were also joined by Alexi, better know as the frontman from The Picture Show. I think it's a true test of a material's strength to cut it down to the bare basics and it was plain to see some strong songwriting there. The material came across really well and Alexi seems at ease in performing alone.
Finishing off the acoustic section of the evening was JB Newman, I was gutted that I couldn't catch all of his set but was really pleased with what I got to see. For a young chap he has a very mature voice and nature to his music and comes across as a seasoned veteran with his performance.
Enki was the wildcard band for me. I'd listened to their stuff a few times on their Vox but wasn't sure how they would be live. If I'm being honest I was a little concerned as I like to get to know an act reasonably well before booking them and these chaps were very last minute. However, I was very glad I did. Like the first End of Camden gig, my expectations were more than exceeded and I feel their recorded tracks aren't reflective of what they can achieve live. I must admit I was getting a little tipsy by this point but I think I would have still be bopping about had I been sober as a judge. Well worth seeing live if you have the chance to experience their huge sound on stage. A band very much punching above it's weight.
Headlining were Shortwave Fade, recent winners of the Slicethepie competition which has given them some nice investment for recording an album. On speaking to the fellas originally they told me they had a stage projector for some visuals which they like to stick on whilst playing. Great stuff I thought. Then I remembered that all the walls around the place are matte black, which doesn't make for much of a cinema. Anyhoo, a high energy, anthemic set ensued which has a real depth of sound and sense of atmosphere about it. Be sure to keep an ear out for what results their recent investment will produce. This will be a good example of what a complete DIY project can result in I think.
One person who should really get a mention is Ellis, the sound engineer. It's not often that engineers get praised but good god can he handle some tricky stage set ups. Nearly every band I've booked recently has had a combination of acoustic instruments, electric, drum samplers, sequencers, multiple vocals etc etc. Not only is feedback non-existent (bar once which wasn't his fault) but he delivers a wonderfully balanced mix. Unlike many venues I go to where all I hear is bass drum, some bass guitar (somewhere) and a huge swimming cesspool of over reverbarated guitar mess.
Managed to get some people to stay after including a couple of bizarre Finnish girls, they were nice enough but they scared me with their strangeness. Apart from that I got a small contingent back to mine to finish off the reminants of Stella and we ended up falling asleep watching Indiana Jones, rock n roll eh? :-/
Overall a really good night. Rather expensive as I didn't charge on the door but I wanted as many people as I could on a slow night. I'll make up the shortfall on the next one as the lineup I have planned is stunning. I wont be drinking next time as I can't handle another 24 hour hangover.
NY's eve was excellent. I recently found a friend of mine who I lived with and worked with for years but fell out of touch. Subsequently he invited me to his house party in New Cross and it was amazing. His flat's huge, on the ground floor and opens into a central courtyard. People were still turning up at 3am and I met some great characters. Got back to mine at about 9am and was good for nothing until this morning. Still got lots of chores to catch up on. :-(
So, what have you been up to? Did you wake up on new years day feeling like new people, driven to do new things and such? I think I have, but I'll start tomorrow as I'm really tired after suffering a bad case of Sundayitus (even though it was Tuesday)
Anyhoo, I have a whole lot of desk tidying to do. Come on, lets hear what you've been doing as I'd like to hear it.
IB
Hello,
Due to the wonderful world-wide-t'internetweb it looks like a few familiar faces will be joining us this evening.
Enki
JB Newman
Alexi (From the Picture Show)
Susie Wilkins and Worldview may be joining us but I'm not sure yet.
Looking at the lineup I think it's going to be a much more laid-back atmosphere in comparison to last time's hedonism. So keep quiet for the acoustic acts, I hate it when people are talking over the folks playing.
AS REGARDS THE OPEN MIC THING, THEY'LL BE NO PIANO TONIGHT! As I can't get a lift to the venue and it's well heavy. I will take my electro acoustic down for anyone who fancies dazzling those in attendance with their skills.
As mentioned, I wont be running around with a camera this evening. I'll be getting drunk instead. Though I will be on the door for part of the evening as I am getting charged for the PA and engineer this time. It's going to be £2 entry to cover costs. I hate charging anything, but as long as I keep it below the cost of a pint I can't be accused of being unreasonable. I mean really, what can you get for £2 these days?
Hope all is well with you, any questions and such just message me or leave a comment as usual.
IB
I'm still alive, just.
Had the worst lurgy of the year over xmas. Was in bed and everything which has led to a more than usual slapdash approach to getting a gig going.
I fancy some kind of party tomorrow and having a bit of fun. So rather than running around with a camera and such tomorrow will be a straight normal gig with plenty of beer and festive cheer for those who attend. I might get a photographer down though, just to get some pics of the pretty people. :-)
Currently I have Enki and Shortwave fade as booked, I'll be phoning them this afternoon. I've also asked JB Newman who I'm a big fan of, hopefully he'll get my message.
Anyone want to play tomorrow? I'm thinking of having an open mic bit at the beginning. There's only two requirements, you can't be crap and don't bring and 42 piece orchestra with you. I fancy seeing some songwriting talent and such.
Even if you have a random friend who you think is amazing, tell them to come down. A friend of mine did this recently and stumbled across 2 really good writers. It would be nice to be that lucky but I'm really aiming for a fun night for all involved. I'll try to make sure some beers are available for those performing.
Obviously, if loads and loads turn up it may be difficult to get everyone on, but I will try my best. If you're well up for playing now, just drop me a message today and I'll make sure you're on the bill
I'm back after my bout of man flu and I'd like to share with the world the cure I have found for the common cold. Which is detailed below the nex bit.
Gig of Vox Acts
OK. THE GIG ON THE 1ST DECEMBER. LET'S GET THIS SORTED ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!
Through combinations of people cancelling then uncancelling acts telling me various dates they can and can't do I've been left totally confused. So, I will be emailing those who I think are playing on the 1st. If you are one of those bands, or think you are playing but not sure. Email me. I'm 90% sure of the 4 acts I have for the 1st but I want to get this sorted for the flyer and such.
The gig is definately happening and I have the headline set for the Foxcubs, truly a gig to attend. It's a small venue so should be a wondefully intimate, but loud, gig. SO keep the 1st free for much fun and debauchery.
Stuff to Do Today
I have a whole heap of jiffy bags to attend to (you remember the box?). Save some trees, and more importantly, my time and stop sending them. There are people in Vox who are still sending me stuff in the mail. Please, stop, can't, bear, any, longer, fingers, numb, from, opening.......:-s
I've got to mail over my concepts for what I see as possible integration of LastFM. Nothing is solid yet, just been having a chat really to see what the benefits are. But I will probably jump the gun as usual and come up with a whole scheme, complete with presentation and scale model with 5 year plan.
I've also started a new project to recruit some online scouts. This is in response to the suggestions that I spawn more indieboys to cope with the expansion of the Vox community. On being rejected by several female colleagues with my suggestion of carrying the next generation of digital A&R people, I released I needed to be a little more sensible with a more immediate plan. This will consist of two types of scout. The first, are people who I know directly or who are highly recommended for the task who are connected to the industry in some way, with whome I will meet a few times a month to have a digital A&R meeting. The second type will be an entirely remotely placed affair which is open to anyone who is interested and has ears for that kind of thing. More details to follow.
Heaps of tracks to listen to. In my absence loads has been submitted so I know what my Friday night is going to consist of.
Flu Cure
The ingreadients are as follows:
Bacon & cheese baguettes
Chicken and sweetcorn soup
&
The Steven Segal Box Set!!! Yeah!....
8 DVD's of the finest 90's Martial Arts cheese you can get. I loved it. Forget get the whole Chuck Norris internet thing thats gone on, Steven Seagal is the new internet legend. Did you know that he's touring?!? Ah... well he plays guitar check this.
Anyway, enough of my net geekyness. Wifi + ill = hours on youtube.
Gigs This Weekend
Saturday:
Shortwave Fade are playing http://www.nottinghillartsclub.com/, it's 4 till 8pm, so a bit of mid-afternoon gigging for you. I'm going to try and make it down before I head to the Foxcubs gig.
Foxcubs are playing the Purple Turtle in Camden, 8-11pm, will try and make it down for fun and shennanigans.
The Beetroot Kings are at the Red Lion in Walesby in Nottinghamshire. Kick off at 8pm
Scottie dazzlers Lady Mercedes are playing Maggie May's in Glasgow. Some rock n roll fun for those north of the border. Another 8pm start.
Enough waffle, more work....
Hope all's good with you.
Just sent off my new A&R list to the labels, will get onto them this afternoon and hassle them to see what they think. I treat the lists as almost my own personal best-of's. I will start publishing them once this platform has been running a year I think. I'm in with RCA tomorrow so will be able to show off my wares there aswell.
I was meant to go to the Fox Cub's gig last night but as it took me about an hour and a half to get home to drop my stuff off, and I couldn't get any cash out because of this...
..I couldn't make it. Damn. I had to scrounge change from around my room to make it to work this morning.
It's such a hassle but it will probably stop me spending for a while which isn't a bad thing.
Anyhow. I've forwarded on the results from the discussions happening around the development of the A&R platform to my boss. I also mentioned to Ged the recent activity and he was pleased to hear of the input and has been having a look around I believe.
Rather than put a poll up, which is what I thought about doing in the first place. I'm simply going to investigate every option to see how feasable it is first then see if I'm in a position to implement them. If it's something fairly easy (like the new media player) then we might aswell just do it. The more complicated ideas, like co-branded nationwide gigs, may be a little harder to acheive. But I will have a look nonetheless.
Big apologies to the Fox Cubs, it all got a bit much once I got home. Will have to catch the next one. Did anyone go to the Claire Toomey gig? I'm curious to see what she is like live too.
Tonight Shortwave Fade are playing at the Charlotte in Leicester. They've been in the community a while and are worth checking out. I really like their track Stay As You Are, take a listen if you get time.
Hope all is well with you, keep on adding the gigs and as soon as I've glued my card back together I'll start getting out and about again.
Hope all is well with you.
Had a great response for a short notice gig. I don't know that much about the evening as I left it in the hands of the venue. Chalky just asked me if I knew any bands who'd want to do a gig in Camden. Turns out I did looking at the response. So far (please correct me if I'm wrong) I think the following are playing:
He's waiting on news from:
He also mentioned the Melancholiacs? They haven't been in touch with me, are they in Vox. Couldn't find them.
As gig's go I'm not sure what you can expect. I did the sound there a couple of times. They've since upgraded the PA and it sounds pretty good from what I could tell. The stage is tiny (see right*), so if you're akin to the Arcade Fire/Polyphonic Spree (anyone remember them?) in size you may struggle.
What I do remember is a great atmosphere in there with many sweaty youths dancing around and drinking lots.
I will get a camera down there and film the evening as best I can. I've found a really posh camera but it's missing a battery (anyone got a BP-915 battery or similar I can borrow for a Canon XL1?). If not it will have to be my trusty handicam. Served me well but the sound can be dodgy. I interviewed Nigel Place a while back and I'm still trying to get the audio right. When I filmed The Beat Poets it was just white noise. I've asked if I can take an audio feed off the desk so I can mix in the overall sound. Be warned, I'm no cameraman or video editing professional so don't expect the 'Seven Ages of Rock' or anything. I'm looking forward to it though.
Just got a message from Chalky, he may have another slot going so if you're up for a gig tomorrow drop me a PM.
(*Found the pictures on Flickr, let me know if you want em taken down)
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