3 posts tagged “worldview”
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
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.
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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