Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Tuesday 30th December 2014
Day spent doing family stuff. Would be weird to go into details here, but in short; the results of the scans were in and my dad will be living a bit (or lot) longer than we had thought. Amazing day, emotionally draining. Went to pub with friends to celebrate but was tired and slightly grumpy company. Tomorrow I shall achieve great things.
Monday 29th December 2014
Emailed a couple musician friends about working on a function band with Grace, need to get that one up and running asap. Rehearsals for the rockabilly project start next week.
Confirmed a couple more lounge shows; they're quite soon, you know, I need to get writing this one.
Spent a couple hours filming some poetry with a cajon, did two pieces: 830 Friends Can't Be Wrong, and Bins. I'm really happy with the way they've turned out.
Evening rehearsal for the Neil Young tribute project. Horrid electronic kit aside, not bad - we'll be fine for those two shows next week.
Confirmed a couple more lounge shows; they're quite soon, you know, I need to get writing this one.
Spent a couple hours filming some poetry with a cajon, did two pieces: 830 Friends Can't Be Wrong, and Bins. I'm really happy with the way they've turned out.
Evening rehearsal for the Neil Young tribute project. Horrid electronic kit aside, not bad - we'll be fine for those two shows next week.
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Sunday 28th December 2014
Productive Sunday. Up early to and film a nice scene for the '50 Ways...' movie - today's sacking was from Derecho, who were a sporting and friendly bunch, good scene.
Then picked up my old mucker Rob and we made a short film. It's about a gambler, who has found a jar of loose change, and decides to spend it all on scratchcards. Basically, I have a jar of coppers that I can't get rid of, so we used those. Rob was brilliant, we bought 28 scatchcards from various different garages/shops, and he paid in very small change the whole time. A lot of shopkeepers were annoyed, but the footage is great. This, when I've written and added a narrative, will be part of my new online series, Paul Richards: Voices, alongside a couple of other pieces I've already worked on.
Confirmed 3 lounge shows for the new solo piece.
Then picked up my old mucker Rob and we made a short film. It's about a gambler, who has found a jar of loose change, and decides to spend it all on scratchcards. Basically, I have a jar of coppers that I can't get rid of, so we used those. Rob was brilliant, we bought 28 scatchcards from various different garages/shops, and he paid in very small change the whole time. A lot of shopkeepers were annoyed, but the footage is great. This, when I've written and added a narrative, will be part of my new online series, Paul Richards: Voices, alongside a couple of other pieces I've already worked on.
Confirmed 3 lounge shows for the new solo piece.
Saturday 27th December 2014
I took a few days out for Christmas (whilst still uploading the advent calendar series). Christmas at the family home is so sleepy, probably good for me - and lovely to drink lots of beer with good friends, but equally; it's nice to crack on.
Put the feelers out for lounge shows for January, seems to be quite a lot of interest already.
Evening met up with Edd and Esther to work out an action plan for the rockabilly project. Got drunk and didn't achieve too much, apart from book up the first rehearsal.
Put the feelers out for lounge shows for January, seems to be quite a lot of interest already.
Evening met up with Edd and Esther to work out an action plan for the rockabilly project. Got drunk and didn't achieve too much, apart from book up the first rehearsal.
Monday, 22 December 2014
Monday 22nd December 2014
I've pretty much switched off for Christmas now, although I have made some decent notes for next year's Christmas show.
Attempted to do my Christmas shopping in an hour, failed - of course I did, it's crazy out there. Got it done in 4.
Evening met up with Grace and we discussed the idea of forming a band. We're both keen, we'll be gigging in no time.
Attempted to do my Christmas shopping in an hour, failed - of course I did, it's crazy out there. Got it done in 4.
Evening met up with Grace and we discussed the idea of forming a band. We're both keen, we'll be gigging in no time.
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Sunday 21st December 2014
So we may have ended up drinking in Bristol town centre till the early hours last night following the show. As a result, I overslept, and as a result of that, got a parking ticket. £50!
Slow trip back, seemingly accidents everywhere.
Not a day for my own creative stuff, but in the evening went to watch some experimental dance/theatre with Erin (from Dowsing), experimental dance is not normally my bag but I enjoyed it very much. The show was called Ockham's Razor, by the way, worth checking out.
Slow trip back, seemingly accidents everywhere.
Not a day for my own creative stuff, but in the evening went to watch some experimental dance/theatre with Erin (from Dowsing), experimental dance is not normally my bag but I enjoyed it very much. The show was called Ockham's Razor, by the way, worth checking out.
Saturday 20th December 2014
Up early for family stuff, then met friends for Christmas catch up/coffee.
Relatively hassle-free drive to Bristol, where I was performing the solo festive show for a final time. A house show, around my mate Matt's pad - I always feel welcome here. Performance a little slow, possibly because of my stinking cold, but audience into it and there was a nice happy feeling in the room. A quiet, but decent end to a show which was disliked by some, loved by others.
Relatively hassle-free drive to Bristol, where I was performing the solo festive show for a final time. A house show, around my mate Matt's pad - I always feel welcome here. Performance a little slow, possibly because of my stinking cold, but audience into it and there was a nice happy feeling in the room. A quiet, but decent end to a show which was disliked by some, loved by others.
Friday, 19 December 2014
Friday 19th December 2014
Woke up feeling a little bit ill, which is not surprising considering everyone else around me has a bug at the moment. But when you're self-employed you can't pull a sickie, so I just carried on regardless anyway. Spent most of the day trying to book tour dates for the new (as yet unwritten) solo show for June, and also emailing magazines to see if they fancied a bit of Richards short story action. Also spoke very briefly to potential management for next year, and had an idea for yet another Christmas story.
Evening gig with Fred's House; my 100th gig of the year. Wasn't keen at first as it's at a folk club and full drums really shouldn't be allowed in these situations, and they gave me a drum riser so I was elevated above everyone else. But it was a cracker, and I certainly didn't feel ill during it, as much as I feel a bit rough now writing this. Good gig; it's nice being in a popular band, feels like we've come along way. Set list: Face in the Water, Hold On, We Don't Talk Anymore, Grown Up a Little, Wrong Time, Bonnie & Clyde, Standing Next To Me, Old Man (cover) <and then there was a raffle> Shut Up and Dance, Fire, Christmas at Home, Fine Life, Ghost Town, Beautiful You. Somebody to Love (encore, cover)
Evening gig with Fred's House; my 100th gig of the year. Wasn't keen at first as it's at a folk club and full drums really shouldn't be allowed in these situations, and they gave me a drum riser so I was elevated above everyone else. But it was a cracker, and I certainly didn't feel ill during it, as much as I feel a bit rough now writing this. Good gig; it's nice being in a popular band, feels like we've come along way. Set list: Face in the Water, Hold On, We Don't Talk Anymore, Grown Up a Little, Wrong Time, Bonnie & Clyde, Standing Next To Me, Old Man (cover) <and then there was a raffle> Shut Up and Dance, Fire, Christmas at Home, Fine Life, Ghost Town, Beautiful You. Somebody to Love (encore, cover)
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Thursday 18th December 2014
Enjoyed those shows last night, and financially made £20 more than my 'going rate' as as a performer. Tonight I made £40 less than my fee, so I guess it evens itself out a bit.
Spent a chunk of the day working out tax stuff, just updating my notepad detailing every expense and any dosh that has come in. Also rehearsed the panto, solo, by prancing around the dining room shouting my lines, as you do, and promoted it - to receive my standard flurry of apologies. I don't mind if people don't turn up, I get that people have lives, it's all okay, dudes.
The second night of performances of Funky Panto. Both were very sparsely attended but those who were there enjoyed it. Performances themselves were remarkably consistent - it's almost like we knew what we were doing. The first one was being filmed but there was also children in the audience so I had to be careful with my language, with the second one (5 people in attendance) I could let go a bit.
In a modest kind of way, this really was a little victory, this show. It was pieced together in a rush as I was focussing on the solo show but we all dug in and made it happen with smiles on our faces; full credit to Izzy as I gave her the tricky lines, and the band - Claudia, Edd and Marcel, are the loveliest and most talented bunch you could ever wish to work for, they really, really enjoyed themselves.
I've just been watching back on the video footage that my mate Antony filmed tonight. It looks great, and, not wishing to sound arrogant or anything, but we look strong as performers. It's very clear that I now know what to do with an audience - I just need to find one. As this and the recent solo show confirmed, that isn't in Cambridge. But next year I'll find them, and we'll have a big party or something.
Spent a chunk of the day working out tax stuff, just updating my notepad detailing every expense and any dosh that has come in. Also rehearsed the panto, solo, by prancing around the dining room shouting my lines, as you do, and promoted it - to receive my standard flurry of apologies. I don't mind if people don't turn up, I get that people have lives, it's all okay, dudes.
The second night of performances of Funky Panto. Both were very sparsely attended but those who were there enjoyed it. Performances themselves were remarkably consistent - it's almost like we knew what we were doing. The first one was being filmed but there was also children in the audience so I had to be careful with my language, with the second one (5 people in attendance) I could let go a bit.
In a modest kind of way, this really was a little victory, this show. It was pieced together in a rush as I was focussing on the solo show but we all dug in and made it happen with smiles on our faces; full credit to Izzy as I gave her the tricky lines, and the band - Claudia, Edd and Marcel, are the loveliest and most talented bunch you could ever wish to work for, they really, really enjoyed themselves.
I've just been watching back on the video footage that my mate Antony filmed tonight. It looks great, and, not wishing to sound arrogant or anything, but we look strong as performers. It's very clear that I now know what to do with an audience - I just need to find one. As this and the recent solo show confirmed, that isn't in Cambridge. But next year I'll find them, and we'll have a big party or something.
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Wednesday 17th December 2014
I'm racing through my checklist this week, which probably means I'm not doing things properly, not sure.
One of the the things I should have done earlier, perhaps, was sort the props out. Leaving it till the day of the show is never a good idea, especially when Tesco doesn't sell wigs. Couldn't find a suitable dress for Cinderella, either, so had to make do with a Disney onesie, but it got a cheap laugh.
Spent a ridiculous amount of the day making the props. Although the lamp - which was made out of 2 cans of Carlsberg and a Red Bull tin was frowned upon by those who were in the show it did get some chuckles.
The first 2 performances were tonight and weren't half as bad as we thought they would be. True, so they were messy, but with no major cock-ups. Izzy, although nervous beforehand, nailed it, I stumbled my way through it. The band - Claudia, Marcel and Edd stole the show. I'm happy for them to. The audiences - about half full for both performances, were very kind. Same again tomorrow.
One of the the things I should have done earlier, perhaps, was sort the props out. Leaving it till the day of the show is never a good idea, especially when Tesco doesn't sell wigs. Couldn't find a suitable dress for Cinderella, either, so had to make do with a Disney onesie, but it got a cheap laugh.
Spent a ridiculous amount of the day making the props. Although the lamp - which was made out of 2 cans of Carlsberg and a Red Bull tin was frowned upon by those who were in the show it did get some chuckles.
The first 2 performances were tonight and weren't half as bad as we thought they would be. True, so they were messy, but with no major cock-ups. Izzy, although nervous beforehand, nailed it, I stumbled my way through it. The band - Claudia, Marcel and Edd stole the show. I'm happy for them to. The audiences - about half full for both performances, were very kind. Same again tomorrow.
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Tuesday 16th December 2014
Spoke to a jazz singer who is keen on my drum services, updated websites with additional Fred's House tour dates for next year.
Started arranging rehearsal dates for the new project with Esther, Adam and Edd.
Ran the panto 4 times. I think I know it, but not sure. We'll soon find out tomorrow, I guess.
Evening, lovely gig with Dowsing Sound Collective at The Maltings, Ely, as part of Boo Hewerdine's Christmas show. Stripped down and with only a handful of singers but it really worked still, and got to see/meet legendary comedian Arthur Smith.
Set: Awake My Soul, Mama Told Me Not to Come, It's Christmas and I Hate You, Det Hev Ein Rose Sprunge, Baby It's Cold Outside, Winter, Brightest Lights, Fairytale of New York.
Started arranging rehearsal dates for the new project with Esther, Adam and Edd.
Ran the panto 4 times. I think I know it, but not sure. We'll soon find out tomorrow, I guess.
Evening, lovely gig with Dowsing Sound Collective at The Maltings, Ely, as part of Boo Hewerdine's Christmas show. Stripped down and with only a handful of singers but it really worked still, and got to see/meet legendary comedian Arthur Smith.
Set: Awake My Soul, Mama Told Me Not to Come, It's Christmas and I Hate You, Det Hev Ein Rose Sprunge, Baby It's Cold Outside, Winter, Brightest Lights, Fairytale of New York.
Monday 15th December 2014
Such a great night, last night. Woke up a bit earlier than I had planned as a result but it was worthwhile.
Did some more of what I like to call 'life admin' stuff and then wrote the final 6 pieces of the advent calendar series.
Went to Izzy's, filmed the final batch and then rehearsed the panto. It opens on Wednesday; we're certainly cutting things very fine.
Got back and edited those videos until 2am. All done with the advent calendar series now, apart from remembering to set one live every day.
Did some more of what I like to call 'life admin' stuff and then wrote the final 6 pieces of the advent calendar series.
Went to Izzy's, filmed the final batch and then rehearsed the panto. It opens on Wednesday; we're certainly cutting things very fine.
Got back and edited those videos until 2am. All done with the advent calendar series now, apart from remembering to set one live every day.
Monday, 15 December 2014
Sunday 14th December 2014
Up early for Dowsing Sound Collective soundchecks.
Long day but what a day! I've never enjoyed playing the Corn Exchange because the sound is always an issue, but this time around it worked, it really worked. All of the little glitches that had been bugging us in the rehearsal came together at the last minute. It's such a beast of a project - over a hundred singers, brass, strings, piano, bass, guitar, banjo, eigenharp...to try and glue this with drums isn't at all easy and sometimes it doesn't work, but this one did. Audience even started doing the conga. Haven't felt this festive in years...a truly remarkable show, performed by remarkable people.
Set list: Awake My Soul, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Santa Baby, I and Love and You, Det Hev Ein Rose Sprunge, Silent Night, Little L, Black Christmas, Mary's Boy Child, Holding Onto Heaven, Stone Cold Sober, Eskimo, I Believe in Father Christmas, Winter, In Dulce Jubilo, Counting Stars, Hoppipolla, The Parting Glass, I Want a Little Doggie, The 12 Days of Christmas, Baby It's Cold Outside, Lovin' Machine, Brightest Lights, I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), Fairytale of New York.
Went to the after show party, and then the after-after show party, before eventually dragging my feet out at 3am. I spent the evening surrounded by people who completely get what I'm about, life is a wonderful thing.
Long day but what a day! I've never enjoyed playing the Corn Exchange because the sound is always an issue, but this time around it worked, it really worked. All of the little glitches that had been bugging us in the rehearsal came together at the last minute. It's such a beast of a project - over a hundred singers, brass, strings, piano, bass, guitar, banjo, eigenharp...to try and glue this with drums isn't at all easy and sometimes it doesn't work, but this one did. Audience even started doing the conga. Haven't felt this festive in years...a truly remarkable show, performed by remarkable people.
Set list: Awake My Soul, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Santa Baby, I and Love and You, Det Hev Ein Rose Sprunge, Silent Night, Little L, Black Christmas, Mary's Boy Child, Holding Onto Heaven, Stone Cold Sober, Eskimo, I Believe in Father Christmas, Winter, In Dulce Jubilo, Counting Stars, Hoppipolla, The Parting Glass, I Want a Little Doggie, The 12 Days of Christmas, Baby It's Cold Outside, Lovin' Machine, Brightest Lights, I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), Fairytale of New York.
Went to the after show party, and then the after-after show party, before eventually dragging my feet out at 3am. I spent the evening surrounded by people who completely get what I'm about, life is a wonderful thing.
Saturday 13th December 2014
Was more than little hungover today. Feels like a bit of a wasted day. Put up the Christmas decorations with my landlord/housemate and got an idea for an eerie short festive film, which I'll film next week.
Evening watched my landlord's band play, felt good to watch rather than play for a change.
Got offered a load of stand-up gigs, have told them my availability.
Evening watched my landlord's band play, felt good to watch rather than play for a change.
Got offered a load of stand-up gigs, have told them my availability.
Friday 12th December 2014
Promoted panto, continued to try and learn lines for it.
Was on family duty today so typically spent a lot of time waiting around in a car park as the dog bites me. Managed to write 2 more pieces for 'Hospital' - the project I'm working on with Anna.
Got back and recorded a little video demo of storytelling/cajon stuff.
Evening got drunk for a mate's birthday.
Was on family duty today so typically spent a lot of time waiting around in a car park as the dog bites me. Managed to write 2 more pieces for 'Hospital' - the project I'm working on with Anna.
Got back and recorded a little video demo of storytelling/cajon stuff.
Evening got drunk for a mate's birthday.
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Thursday 11th December 2014
Family plans cancelled (due to a machine in the hospital not working, always a worry) so I was at a slight loose end. Was up till 3am last night though uploading the advent calendar stuff so an extra hour in bed was nice. A company emailed me about a job but it was full-time hours so I politely declined...I'm convinced there is enough money in theatre/comedy/drums, even if I'm not sure where that is just yet.
Put another batch of adverts up advertising my drum services - not being arrogant or anything but my drum CV is bloody impressive.
Got frustrated writing stand-up so drove to Ely and paced around a supermarket a bit. It worked; got back and wrote some nice stuff.
Plugged next week's panto like crazy.
Tried and failed to record an 'hilarious' cajon/storytelling thing because it wasn't hilarious. Just watched the footage back. Christ, it's bad.
Dowsing dress rehearsal; I still get told off a lot but that's part of it. I think it's known as 'direction' actually. Amazing musicians, you know, Andrea really has picked a winning team here. From the drum seat this one will be different to other Dowsing gigs; technically easier, physically more exhausting. From the audience point of view it will be sensational.
Put another batch of adverts up advertising my drum services - not being arrogant or anything but my drum CV is bloody impressive.
Got frustrated writing stand-up so drove to Ely and paced around a supermarket a bit. It worked; got back and wrote some nice stuff.
Plugged next week's panto like crazy.
Tried and failed to record an 'hilarious' cajon/storytelling thing because it wasn't hilarious. Just watched the footage back. Christ, it's bad.
Dowsing dress rehearsal; I still get told off a lot but that's part of it. I think it's known as 'direction' actually. Amazing musicians, you know, Andrea really has picked a winning team here. From the drum seat this one will be different to other Dowsing gigs; technically easier, physically more exhausting. From the audience point of view it will be sensational.
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Wednesday 10th December 2014
Up early, printed scripts and then drove to Izzy's for 5 hours; initially recording 8 more different instalments for the advent calendar series, and then rehearsing the panto. The panto opens next week; we'll be okay with this, I think, it feels simple, very digestible. And I've written it so that Izzy has all the tricky bits...
Filmed my Christmas message for BBC radio as requested.
Then over to Gaf's for Fred's House acoustic rehearsal ahead of the show next Friday, learnt a few festive numbers for that which may or may not make the gig.
Evening spent editing the calendar videos, and making notes for what will be my 'stand up' (as much as I'll be sat down, playing a cajon) routine for next year.
Filmed my Christmas message for BBC radio as requested.
Then over to Gaf's for Fred's House acoustic rehearsal ahead of the show next Friday, learnt a few festive numbers for that which may or may not make the gig.
Evening spent editing the calendar videos, and making notes for what will be my 'stand up' (as much as I'll be sat down, playing a cajon) routine for next year.
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
Tuesday 9th December 2014
Really, really enjoyed last night. Woke up a little later than planned, did a little emailing (trying to get freelance/temping work, turns out there is none out there....uh oh!), and then spent a majority of the day writing more episodes for the advent calendar series. Wrote 9 of them today, not bad going, some of them quite good.
Evening; 2 more performances of the Christmas show. I was really looking forward to these. The first one, in front of a big-ish audience, was quite messy. Yesterday, knowing it was the opening night, I'd rehearsed all day and nailed it. Tonight I took my foot off the gas and the first performance was a little all over the place...I know that's the act anyway, but it was pushing a bit. The audience, all lovely, laughed a lot and I got away with it.
Psyched up, I really wanted the second performance of the evening to be a stormer. Slightly smaller audience, I knew everyone in the room which is always weird. I ran on, dressed as a snowman, and the vibe wasn't there in the room - you could just feel it, odd and flat. I did my joke 'fall' but as I was trying so hard I landed quite badly and really hurt my knee...blood, lots of blood. Kept it from the audience and pretended everything was okay. "Are you feeling festive?" I asked them at the start, a woman in the front row said, loudly, "No." This was going to be a tough hour. Performance-wise I thought it was the best I've done it, it felt a little slow at times though, as I said yesterday - it's a show where those in the room need to be with you, and they weren't always, whilst still quietly enjoying it.
That show is done until the 20th now, tomorrow we need to start learning those panto lines.
Evening; 2 more performances of the Christmas show. I was really looking forward to these. The first one, in front of a big-ish audience, was quite messy. Yesterday, knowing it was the opening night, I'd rehearsed all day and nailed it. Tonight I took my foot off the gas and the first performance was a little all over the place...I know that's the act anyway, but it was pushing a bit. The audience, all lovely, laughed a lot and I got away with it.
Psyched up, I really wanted the second performance of the evening to be a stormer. Slightly smaller audience, I knew everyone in the room which is always weird. I ran on, dressed as a snowman, and the vibe wasn't there in the room - you could just feel it, odd and flat. I did my joke 'fall' but as I was trying so hard I landed quite badly and really hurt my knee...blood, lots of blood. Kept it from the audience and pretended everything was okay. "Are you feeling festive?" I asked them at the start, a woman in the front row said, loudly, "No." This was going to be a tough hour. Performance-wise I thought it was the best I've done it, it felt a little slow at times though, as I said yesterday - it's a show where those in the room need to be with you, and they weren't always, whilst still quietly enjoying it.
That show is done until the 20th now, tomorrow we need to start learning those panto lines.
Monday, 8 December 2014
Monday 8th December 2014
It's sometimes difficult to be disciplined when you're freelance/whatever it is I am, but today I was because it was finally the day that Paul Richards Will Make You Festive opened. I was a little panicky today, even though I feel like I know this show pretty well. After spending the first couple hours of the day emailing for drum/session work and then updating my various sites (still too many), I spent the rest of the morning and then the afternoon rehearsing.
Audience numbers weren't great - 6 in the first performance, 11 or 12 for the second, but sometimes that doesn't matter if they're up for it. Which they were. This is a very different kind of show; they have to buy into it quite early on, it's not stand-up but it's certainly the furthest thing away from theatre that I've ever written. But it works - I could feel it would do after the preview last week (as much as it needed a lot of tweaking), it really works. This could well be the sort of thing I'll end up doing in Edinburgh next year. Happy Paul.
Grabbed a quick drink with my mate Esther after the show and we formed a rockabilly wedding covers band, as you do.
Audience numbers weren't great - 6 in the first performance, 11 or 12 for the second, but sometimes that doesn't matter if they're up for it. Which they were. This is a very different kind of show; they have to buy into it quite early on, it's not stand-up but it's certainly the furthest thing away from theatre that I've ever written. But it works - I could feel it would do after the preview last week (as much as it needed a lot of tweaking), it really works. This could well be the sort of thing I'll end up doing in Edinburgh next year. Happy Paul.
Grabbed a quick drink with my mate Esther after the show and we formed a rockabilly wedding covers band, as you do.
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Sunday 7th December 2014
I needed a rest; that sounds a bit pathetic, yeah? But it's been a draining few days, and a big week is coming up - the Christmas show tomorrow finally, properly, opens, and then the Dowsing Sound Collective gig. At some point, I should really think about earning some money, probably temping work or freelance stuff, not sure.
Slept in till 11am today, which felt amazing, and then went off to a lovely little party around Gaf's where we played Christmas games. Get the sense I wasn't the chattiest today, but I'm sure in the scale of the year I've done enough chatting already.
Got back and found that my 'Comedy CV' has been uploaded and looks good (http://comedycv.co.uk/paulrichards/index.html) - time to try and market the comedy drummer act, I think.
Emailed a couple people I'd like to form a function band with and uploaded some more of the Christmas advent calendar films.
I'd like next week to be great, please.
Slept in till 11am today, which felt amazing, and then went off to a lovely little party around Gaf's where we played Christmas games. Get the sense I wasn't the chattiest today, but I'm sure in the scale of the year I've done enough chatting already.
Got back and found that my 'Comedy CV' has been uploaded and looks good (http://comedycv.co.uk/paulrichards/index.html) - time to try and market the comedy drummer act, I think.
Emailed a couple people I'd like to form a function band with and uploaded some more of the Christmas advent calendar films.
I'd like next week to be great, please.
Saturday 6th December 2014
Up early, drove home from Leeds.
Dowsing session was amazing - strings, brass, over a hundred singers...whilst I may have started the day in a foul mood, it changed very quickly thanks to the magic that was being created. The gig is next Sunday and there's still loads to do but it's going to be spectacular, and challenging, and joyous.
Evening had a quick run-through of Funky Panto with our brilliant house band, then had dinner/drinks with Claudia and Marcel to chat about all things music. Lovely.
Friday, 5 December 2014
Friday 5th December 2014
Sunday's performance in Devon has been cancelled, also due to poor ticket sales. The venue tried really hard, but clearly a Christmas show at Christmas just doesn't sell.
I can't get angry about this; I mean - the shows aren't even selling in my hometown, ticket sales for the first performance currently stand at 1. What is the point in this? Very close to cancelling the Cambridge performances too, thus pretty much just cancelling the whole run. Paul Richards Will Make You Festive was a nice idea, but one that just didn't work out. I'll put it down to be an expensive mistake and try a new direction; one that doesn't involve me spending days and days writing and rehearsing a show only for nobody to want to see it.
I would say releasing things online is a safer option but the advent calendar series is only getting 5 hits a day. Even the film, the film which we were so proud of, didn't hit 50 views. We can't even give this stuff away. There's no point. No point at at all to any of this.
Had a bit of a rant on Facebook about it all, because that's what we do in this day and age. Lots of people telling to 'keep going' which is very sweet of them to care, but at the same time I'm not sure which direction I'm supposed to be going in. I've been looking up stand-up venues around the UK but they just look terrifying; full of people actually expecting jokes and puns and things that are in your face. Not storytelling comedy, which is very different. Yet, what I do clearly doesn't fit in to the theatre scene either as tickets just don't sell. I don't actually think this is about marketing; I think it's about the project. Do I change my act?
Or, of course, I could just get a proper job.
Recorded the Christmas novella; all 65 minutes of it, and am putting it on Bandcamp now. Not sure if anybody will be interested in the audio book version but to be honest, I'm losing my mind a bit and it was just something to fill a couple hours of the day with.
I can't get angry about this; I mean - the shows aren't even selling in my hometown, ticket sales for the first performance currently stand at 1. What is the point in this? Very close to cancelling the Cambridge performances too, thus pretty much just cancelling the whole run. Paul Richards Will Make You Festive was a nice idea, but one that just didn't work out. I'll put it down to be an expensive mistake and try a new direction; one that doesn't involve me spending days and days writing and rehearsing a show only for nobody to want to see it.
I would say releasing things online is a safer option but the advent calendar series is only getting 5 hits a day. Even the film, the film which we were so proud of, didn't hit 50 views. We can't even give this stuff away. There's no point. No point at at all to any of this.
Had a bit of a rant on Facebook about it all, because that's what we do in this day and age. Lots of people telling to 'keep going' which is very sweet of them to care, but at the same time I'm not sure which direction I'm supposed to be going in. I've been looking up stand-up venues around the UK but they just look terrifying; full of people actually expecting jokes and puns and things that are in your face. Not storytelling comedy, which is very different. Yet, what I do clearly doesn't fit in to the theatre scene either as tickets just don't sell. I don't actually think this is about marketing; I think it's about the project. Do I change my act?
Or, of course, I could just get a proper job.
Recorded the Christmas novella; all 65 minutes of it, and am putting it on Bandcamp now. Not sure if anybody will be interested in the audio book version but to be honest, I'm losing my mind a bit and it was just something to fill a couple hours of the day with.
Thursday, 4 December 2014
Thursday 4th December 2014
Show in Lancaster cancelled due to "lack of interest". I don't have a problem at all with the venue - we've spoken a lot over the last couple of days and they're really nice people, with an offer for a re-booking for next year (March or April) in which we'll plug it a bit better. But still, does feel like EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG AT THE MOMENT.
Saying that, it did give me a chance to rehearse a bit more.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire interview about the Cambridge performances of the show; pretty good I thought, Sue is a joy to talk to, it was all very easy.
Got back and made a YouTube promo for the Christmas show and sent it around, and emailed 57 friends to try to get them to come to the shows. I was determined not to rely on my friends to be the audience for this one. They probably won't be, to be honest. 1 ticket sold from the email and that was to our bassist.
Made a comedy CV and sent it to the site to be uploaded. I think it might be time to attempt 'proper' stand up.
Saying that, it did give me a chance to rehearse a bit more.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire interview about the Cambridge performances of the show; pretty good I thought, Sue is a joy to talk to, it was all very easy.
Got back and made a YouTube promo for the Christmas show and sent it around, and emailed 57 friends to try to get them to come to the shows. I was determined not to rely on my friends to be the audience for this one. They probably won't be, to be honest. 1 ticket sold from the email and that was to our bassist.
Made a comedy CV and sent it to the site to be uploaded. I think it might be time to attempt 'proper' stand up.
Wednesday 3rd December 2014
Majority day doing family/hospital stuff, which stressed me out big style. The dog biting me didn't help.
Radio interview with Cambridge 105 was awesome, I'm getting quite good at this now...
Rehearsal with Dowsing (with band) was fantastic - great to have the brass involved.
Bit worried about tomorrow's opening performance of the Christmas show.
Radio interview with Cambridge 105 was awesome, I'm getting quite good at this now...
Rehearsal with Dowsing (with band) was fantastic - great to have the brass involved.
Bit worried about tomorrow's opening performance of the Christmas show.
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
Tuesday 2nd December 2014
Last night was good for me; I should really preview shows a lot more than once though.
Spent the morning catching up on emails and booked in yet more radio stuff.
Then after lunch I nailed the rest of the panto script, and wrote 4 more episodes for the calendar series. Second episode of that went live today, it's been pointed out to me that I've been spelling calendar wrong. One of Izzy's friends, a dickhead called Chris, was particularly rude about it on Facebook because he clearly didn't have anything better to do with his time. I've corrected them all now (it was just one letter, one simple letter), but that wasn't to impress 'Chris', if that's what he calls himself.
I'm tired.
Decided to call next year's Edinburgh Fringe show: Paul Richards: Inadequate Man.
Ran through panto stuff with Izzy, and filmed 5 more CALENDAR episodes.
Need to learn my lines for Thursday. And calm down a bit.
Spent the morning catching up on emails and booked in yet more radio stuff.
Then after lunch I nailed the rest of the panto script, and wrote 4 more episodes for the calendar series. Second episode of that went live today, it's been pointed out to me that I've been spelling calendar wrong. One of Izzy's friends, a dickhead called Chris, was particularly rude about it on Facebook because he clearly didn't have anything better to do with his time. I've corrected them all now (it was just one letter, one simple letter), but that wasn't to impress 'Chris', if that's what he calls himself.
I'm tired.
Decided to call next year's Edinburgh Fringe show: Paul Richards: Inadequate Man.
Ran through panto stuff with Izzy, and filmed 5 more CALENDAR episodes.
Need to learn my lines for Thursday. And calm down a bit.
Monday 1st December 2014
One of those dates where everything is released; basically - it's Christmas now.
Released the Christmas film, dipped massively under the radar as I feared. But still, it's out there now - forever, people might start watching it at some point. I'm really proud of it at least.
Then launched the first of the advent calendar series online, which seemed to get more hits. Considering we put a lot less effort into that, I'm quite annoyed.
Spent a lot of the day building my set for the Christmas show. And yes, actually building things; it's quite something. But spent so long on it I didn't get a chance to rehearse.
Dashed over to the piano studios in Milton to go through the Funky Panto stuff with Claudia, Marcel and Edd; our brilliant house band. They have lots of ideas, happy for them to do what they like with it.
Then over to Phill's house to preview the Christmas show. His housemates are lovely, I lost them a bit during it but had them by the end. Did most of it with a script in my hand, which is worrying considering it opens properly on Thursday. Most of it works, and the bits that didn't well...it's overrunning anyway, this show may take a few performances to get good, but it will do.
Released the Christmas film, dipped massively under the radar as I feared. But still, it's out there now - forever, people might start watching it at some point. I'm really proud of it at least.
Then launched the first of the advent calendar series online, which seemed to get more hits. Considering we put a lot less effort into that, I'm quite annoyed.
Spent a lot of the day building my set for the Christmas show. And yes, actually building things; it's quite something. But spent so long on it I didn't get a chance to rehearse.
Dashed over to the piano studios in Milton to go through the Funky Panto stuff with Claudia, Marcel and Edd; our brilliant house band. They have lots of ideas, happy for them to do what they like with it.
Then over to Phill's house to preview the Christmas show. His housemates are lovely, I lost them a bit during it but had them by the end. Did most of it with a script in my hand, which is worrying considering it opens properly on Thursday. Most of it works, and the bits that didn't well...it's overrunning anyway, this show may take a few performances to get good, but it will do.
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