Did another 6 hours in the office, flew by. It's a few quid, isn't it?
That'll pay for my speeding ticket. Still anxious about that; I'm still assuming there's more on the way. Not that I drive fast, but I just feel unnaturally stressed about most things at the moment. Maybe it's my dad's health, or the pressure to make this film good, or the forthcoming solo tour (I knew what I was doing with the band stuff, solo always goes either way), or whatever it is. Probably just lack of sleep.
Continued chats with really brilliant people about the film.
Dowsing rehearsal and gig/recording schedule has just come in; basically taking up any availability I have. I'm stretching myself here, but they're all great projects.
Lounge show around Phill's. I feel sorry for Phill; he's a great friend yet I'm always rubbish around his, I do a lot of really good shows but I'm always completely off the pace for some reason when I perform in his lounge. I know this show really well; no excuses at all, really, I just wasn't on it tonight.
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
Tuesday 28th April 2015
Did 6 hours in the office and it felt a bit like a proper job at times, uh oh. Even had a conference call with somebody, but managed to provoke him enough to say "no, what are you doing? Don't ever do that!" when he could see my screen and I was showing him my work. I've still got it, you know.
Confirmed two July performances for the play. Band gigs continuing to pile in. Really want to make an amazing YouTube sitcom.
Really great lounge show at Jo's tonight; brilliant audience who were with me from the start, attentive, laughed at all the right times. It's a long show but they loved all of it, and tipped generously. I like it when I'm on this kind of form.
Confirmed two July performances for the play. Band gigs continuing to pile in. Really want to make an amazing YouTube sitcom.
Really great lounge show at Jo's tonight; brilliant audience who were with me from the start, attentive, laughed at all the right times. It's a long show but they loved all of it, and tipped generously. I like it when I'm on this kind of form.
Monday, 27 April 2015
Monday 27th April 2015
Not needed in the office again as nobody else was in (told you it's great here, not that I've been been 'here' since Thursday) so caught up on sleep as the weekend was crazy.
Replied to all emails, made a promo for the film and backed up all footage. Made a rough edit of 'Bits of Me Hurt' and sent it over to Esther, who didn't like it but we've discussed what's wrong with it and have decided to re-film, and really do this properly. The ending of the pilot episode is so poignant, it could be something amazing, but we just need time. We'll find that time.
Emailed all venues I'm performing in throughout May/June to make sure we're on the same page. The show tonight in Wales was mutually cancelled as it's a 10 hour round trip and there hadn't been any tickets sold.
Started booking tour dates for July, because I don't have any for then.
Sunday 26th April 2015
A long day of drummer sackings for the movie. Up early to head in to London with Alan (who was filming the first 2), first sacking was at Kings Cross with the legendary Peter Buckley-Hill - a man who is responsible for the venues in Edinburgh that I perform in, and without whom many of us wouldn't be able to do the fringe. Great to work with him, he's always buzzing with ideas and the scene is a good one.
Then over to Soho for the Arthur Smith sacking. One of the funniest people I've ever met, yet one of the nicest. He made me wear a dress for the firing, but despite this minor humiliation the scene is amazing - this sort of footage will make the film. Arthur, and his backing singers, were an absolute joy to spend time with; humble, warm, generous with their time, especially they were about to go on stage themselves.
Final stop of the day was Brixton, where I was being fired by Pappy's. My favourite sketch troupe of all time (I've seen them live eight times), Izzy drove down from Cambridge for this one because she's such a big fan. Their current show (The Secret Dudes Society) is a brilliant one; so much energy, it was a joy just to be in the audience. The sacking; on stage in front of their audience, was great fun, as much as I was very worried about it before. There's something quite bizarre about going on stage to a room packed full of people and being booed off for playing jazz drums, but it worked well - the footage is excellent and Pappy's were really into this idea.
Home by 1.30am. A surreal day.
Then over to Soho for the Arthur Smith sacking. One of the funniest people I've ever met, yet one of the nicest. He made me wear a dress for the firing, but despite this minor humiliation the scene is amazing - this sort of footage will make the film. Arthur, and his backing singers, were an absolute joy to spend time with; humble, warm, generous with their time, especially they were about to go on stage themselves.
Final stop of the day was Brixton, where I was being fired by Pappy's. My favourite sketch troupe of all time (I've seen them live eight times), Izzy drove down from Cambridge for this one because she's such a big fan. Their current show (The Secret Dudes Society) is a brilliant one; so much energy, it was a joy just to be in the audience. The sacking; on stage in front of their audience, was great fun, as much as I was very worried about it before. There's something quite bizarre about going on stage to a room packed full of people and being booed off for playing jazz drums, but it worked well - the footage is excellent and Pappy's were really into this idea.
Home by 1.30am. A surreal day.
Saturday 25th April 2015
Spent the morning trying, and failing to get some press coverage for the Wales performance of the show.
Confirmed the local TV filming of Inadequate Man.
Spent most of the afternoon worried about my first ever speeding ticket (apparently I did 58 in a 50 zone...I can't really argue with that, it was late at night, post-gig, I was in the wrong), worried because that's a road I use a lot and...well, what if I may have accidentally slipped over the speed limit on other occasions? I'm sure I haven't, I'm a safe driver but I'm sure it's easily done and it would be the worst thing in the world to be without transport...but what if I have done it another 3 times? I worry too much, I feel stressed these days, there's a lot going on.
Evening show with the band in Bedford. Sold out show, utterly mesmerising again...that audience, who were all seated, gave us two standing ovations. Something very special is happening here. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, We Don't Talk Anymore, She Says, Take a Ride, Fire, Skin and Bone, Standing Next to Me, Hold On, Old Man (cover), Bonnie and Clyde, Marathon Man, Ghost Town, Another Universe, Shut Up and Dance, Beautiful You, Grown Up a Little (encore), Somebody to Love (encore, cover).
Confirmed the local TV filming of Inadequate Man.
Spent most of the afternoon worried about my first ever speeding ticket (apparently I did 58 in a 50 zone...I can't really argue with that, it was late at night, post-gig, I was in the wrong), worried because that's a road I use a lot and...well, what if I may have accidentally slipped over the speed limit on other occasions? I'm sure I haven't, I'm a safe driver but I'm sure it's easily done and it would be the worst thing in the world to be without transport...but what if I have done it another 3 times? I worry too much, I feel stressed these days, there's a lot going on.
Evening show with the band in Bedford. Sold out show, utterly mesmerising again...that audience, who were all seated, gave us two standing ovations. Something very special is happening here. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, We Don't Talk Anymore, She Says, Take a Ride, Fire, Skin and Bone, Standing Next to Me, Hold On, Old Man (cover), Bonnie and Clyde, Marathon Man, Ghost Town, Another Universe, Shut Up and Dance, Beautiful You, Grown Up a Little (encore), Somebody to Love (encore, cover).
Saturday, 25 April 2015
Friday 24th April 2015
The bosses from the team I'm freelancing for were all in a meeting out of town so I wasn't needed today. Again, that's why I like the flexibility of this role - it meant I could revel in the glory of last night's gig a bit more than I should have done...had some sleep, watched some of the footage. Fuck, we're good.
Updated my schedules, adding in another bunch of shows, and started editing Bits of Me Hurt. That'll take a while, though.
Long drive up to Kirton, which was pretty much in Scunthorpe and much further away than I thought it was. Found it, eventually. Big venue, much bigger than I'm used to - it's an old town hall. Not a bad show tonight, gave them both shows, so was on stage solo for 100 minutes (with an interval), 'Getting Lost...' seemed to appeal more than 'Inadequate...' but that's mostly because the latter has lots of Facebook references and this audience were, in the nicest possible way, of an age where perhaps they don't use social media. Still, this is the sort of venue where I really used to die on my arse, but it was nice tonight, if unspectacular. 5 and a half hour round trip, 100 minutes on stage, home before midnight and a few quid in the pocket - it's all good.
Updated my schedules, adding in another bunch of shows, and started editing Bits of Me Hurt. That'll take a while, though.
Long drive up to Kirton, which was pretty much in Scunthorpe and much further away than I thought it was. Found it, eventually. Big venue, much bigger than I'm used to - it's an old town hall. Not a bad show tonight, gave them both shows, so was on stage solo for 100 minutes (with an interval), 'Getting Lost...' seemed to appeal more than 'Inadequate...' but that's mostly because the latter has lots of Facebook references and this audience were, in the nicest possible way, of an age where perhaps they don't use social media. Still, this is the sort of venue where I really used to die on my arse, but it was nice tonight, if unspectacular. 5 and a half hour round trip, 100 minutes on stage, home before midnight and a few quid in the pocket - it's all good.
Friday, 24 April 2015
Thursday 23rd April 2015
Turned down yet another 'day job', but my first day freelancing confirmed I've made the right decision - lovely people, so flexible (I pick the hours I work, around 20 a week) and I get to do creative writing stuff. And I get paid daily, which is brilliant/needed.
Evening gig with the band at The Junction in Cambridge. Amazing sound, brilliant audience - absolutely rammed, this is the best the band has ever sounded, and the best band I've ever been in. Heartbreakingly good tonight, I came incredibly close to collapsing in between the last song and the encore as I had run out of water and was working really, really hard up there under the hot lights. Amazing gig, best ever. The culmination of years of hard work, fighting against line-up changes, getting through it. This was a victory. Fucking wow. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, We Don't Talk Anymore, She Says, Take a Ride, Fire, Skin and Bone, Standing Next to Me, Hold On, Old Man (cover), Bonnie and Clyde, Marathon Man, Ghost Town, Another Universe, Shut Up and Dance, Beautiful You, Grown Up a Little (encore), Somebody to Love (encore, cover).
Evening gig with the band at The Junction in Cambridge. Amazing sound, brilliant audience - absolutely rammed, this is the best the band has ever sounded, and the best band I've ever been in. Heartbreakingly good tonight, I came incredibly close to collapsing in between the last song and the encore as I had run out of water and was working really, really hard up there under the hot lights. Amazing gig, best ever. The culmination of years of hard work, fighting against line-up changes, getting through it. This was a victory. Fucking wow. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, We Don't Talk Anymore, She Says, Take a Ride, Fire, Skin and Bone, Standing Next to Me, Hold On, Old Man (cover), Bonnie and Clyde, Marathon Man, Ghost Town, Another Universe, Shut Up and Dance, Beautiful You, Grown Up a Little (encore), Somebody to Love (encore, cover).
Wednesday 22nd April 2015
Realising I'll be losing about 20 hours a week to actually earning money, I spent today really making sure everything is in shape with the forthcoming tour, with the film. All correspondence very much up to date, which took bloody hours.
Went over to Izzy's to film a lovely sacking for the film by her dad (who enjoys a terrible pun!) and over to Esther's. We filmed the first episode of 'Bits of Me Hurt' - such an interesting, strange concept, have no idea if it'll look good or not but quite looking forward to editing it.
Went over to Izzy's to film a lovely sacking for the film by her dad (who enjoys a terrible pun!) and over to Esther's. We filmed the first episode of 'Bits of Me Hurt' - such an interesting, strange concept, have no idea if it'll look good or not but quite looking forward to editing it.
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Tuesday 21st April 2015
Interview about a nice little part-time, flexible job. Got offered it and accepted, I start on Thursday.
Got home, did some work on the novel for a bit, replied to a couple of emails.
Back into town to chat with a new TV station that's launching soon, agreed to host a series for them and also film a studio version of my Edinburgh show.
Rehearsed with Esther ahead of her band sacking me in the evening, we decided I might as well just play the full gig as it's all easy enough. Popped in to the Dowsing choir rehearsal to be sacked by them for the film, the footage looks great, and then did the 2 hour Esther gig - the sacking footage for that is long but brilliant.
Got home, did some work on the novel for a bit, replied to a couple of emails.
Back into town to chat with a new TV station that's launching soon, agreed to host a series for them and also film a studio version of my Edinburgh show.
Rehearsed with Esther ahead of her band sacking me in the evening, we decided I might as well just play the full gig as it's all easy enough. Popped in to the Dowsing choir rehearsal to be sacked by them for the film, the footage looks great, and then did the 2 hour Esther gig - the sacking footage for that is long but brilliant.
Monday 20th April 2015
Up early, over to St Ives to film a promo video for Inadequate Man with the lovely Karen. Basically me walking around in a field plugging the show, getting stung and falling over.
Got back and spent hours working on the GoFundMe page for the film - with suggestions from my lovely little team all helping the page look like something worth donating to.
Evening performed both solo shows around Fiona's house; lovely audience, great vibe - decent performance, too. That felt good, tonight. Then over to Gaf's for his birthday celebrations and a catch up with the band. Lovely meal, great people, great night.
Got back and spent hours working on the GoFundMe page for the film - with suggestions from my lovely little team all helping the page look like something worth donating to.
Evening performed both solo shows around Fiona's house; lovely audience, great vibe - decent performance, too. That felt good, tonight. Then over to Gaf's for his birthday celebrations and a catch up with the band. Lovely meal, great people, great night.
Monday, 20 April 2015
Sunday 19th April 2015
Had some sleep, lots of it. I needed that, I'm a better person when I've had more than 6 hours sleep.
Sent another load of emails about the film, got 2 very positive replies from established bands.
Band photo shoot, back in Relevant Records (which is probably my favourite place in Cambridge right now, not just because really good looking ladies seem to hang out there...), some great shots taken by Oliver. For the solo pics though I'm blatantly thinking of a flyer design for my next show, I just can't help but look lost.
Evening we had a BBC session. All seems well again in the band after my stropiness last night. We played 2 songs and chatted a bit, we were very good tonight.
Got back and worked on the funding spiel for the film. It's good to go into the whole crowd-funding thing, but only if people buy into it (literally). We'll look really daft if they don't.
Sent another load of emails about the film, got 2 very positive replies from established bands.
Band photo shoot, back in Relevant Records (which is probably my favourite place in Cambridge right now, not just because really good looking ladies seem to hang out there...), some great shots taken by Oliver. For the solo pics though I'm blatantly thinking of a flyer design for my next show, I just can't help but look lost.
Evening we had a BBC session. All seems well again in the band after my stropiness last night. We played 2 songs and chatted a bit, we were very good tonight.
Got back and worked on the funding spiel for the film. It's good to go into the whole crowd-funding thing, but only if people buy into it (literally). We'll look really daft if they don't.
Saturday, 18 April 2015
Saturday 18th April 2015
I've somehow ended up with 2 part-time job offers from those emails I sent last night, awesome!
Afternoon gig with Claudia at Relevant Records. Part of the record store day thingy. the amazing Stornoway were on before us and naturally most of the crowd were there for them. We didn't have a huge turnout as a result, but enough for it to work. Played well, always a pleasure to play those songs. Set: The Love I Give, No Strings, Caramel (cover), Happy, Glory Box (cover), Some Days, No Peace in Dreams, She, Staying in Tonight.
Then off to band rehearsals in Barton ahead of the Junction gig next week. Sounds good.
Then evening gig with the band at a private party; somebody who won us in an auction. Outside in a freezing cold marquee. Sound was really bad but I was made to use rods, not sticks. Was drowned out completely, even made mistakes on purpose to see if anybody noticed/cared, they didn't but when I explained this to them later on it may have caused a bit of tension. Unprofessional? Maybe, but it's a rare situation when the drums are being drowned out. I love this band, but I'm allowed an off day. Not a great evening. Set: not sure, I was too cold to care.
Afternoon gig with Claudia at Relevant Records. Part of the record store day thingy. the amazing Stornoway were on before us and naturally most of the crowd were there for them. We didn't have a huge turnout as a result, but enough for it to work. Played well, always a pleasure to play those songs. Set: The Love I Give, No Strings, Caramel (cover), Happy, Glory Box (cover), Some Days, No Peace in Dreams, She, Staying in Tonight.
Then off to band rehearsals in Barton ahead of the Junction gig next week. Sounds good.
Then evening gig with the band at a private party; somebody who won us in an auction. Outside in a freezing cold marquee. Sound was really bad but I was made to use rods, not sticks. Was drowned out completely, even made mistakes on purpose to see if anybody noticed/cared, they didn't but when I explained this to them later on it may have caused a bit of tension. Unprofessional? Maybe, but it's a rare situation when the drums are being drowned out. I love this band, but I'm allowed an off day. Not a great evening. Set: not sure, I was too cold to care.
Friday 17th April 2015
Up very early (for an artist, at least...okay, I started work at 8am) to email every newspaper, radio station and social media outlet for every tour date of my forthcoming tour. Took a while. Got some lovely press coverage confirmed in Sheffield.
Popped into town to chat to a sunglasses shop about a part-time job, I clearly didn't fit in there...full of good-looking people, chatting about fashion.
Felt a bit grumpy, then got a parking ticket. But I paid for parking! But *apparently* it's illegal to be touching the curb when parked. Got home and Googled it. Bollocks.
Got home and decided to get myself sorted; this whole 'sorting myself out a part-time job' malarkey is taking up too much time when I quit my job to be a writer/creative time, but equally it needs to be done. So I thought I'd email every company in Cambridge with my CV and an explanation about what I do, what I'm about etc. Do it all in one go, that's the best I can do. Sent over a hundred emails, still only on C.
Evening rehearsal with Claudia and band was a joy; good food, great company, brilliant songs.
Popped into town to chat to a sunglasses shop about a part-time job, I clearly didn't fit in there...full of good-looking people, chatting about fashion.
Felt a bit grumpy, then got a parking ticket. But I paid for parking! But *apparently* it's illegal to be touching the curb when parked. Got home and Googled it. Bollocks.
Got home and decided to get myself sorted; this whole 'sorting myself out a part-time job' malarkey is taking up too much time when I quit my job to be a writer/creative time, but equally it needs to be done. So I thought I'd email every company in Cambridge with my CV and an explanation about what I do, what I'm about etc. Do it all in one go, that's the best I can do. Sent over a hundred emails, still only on C.
Evening rehearsal with Claudia and band was a joy; good food, great company, brilliant songs.
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Thursday 16th April 2015
Had a wonder around Ely, partly to pay in the cash from last week's acting work, and partly to see if there's a nice quirky little shop that I could do some part-time work in as I'm very much against the idea of spending time in an office again. No luck, as much as I'm meeting somebody about a nice quirky shop post in Cambridge tomorrow, but I realised just how lovely Ely is - the people, the vibe of it all.
Got back, confirmed another lounge show and then headed over to the Junction for drummer sacking number 32. This time it was The Leisure Society; a wonderful, intelligent band who seemed quite awkward about sacking me as they're so nice, but it was still a good one. I like them very much.
Got back and washed all of my clothes, because I won't get a chance over the next month or so. I'm an organised lad, sometimes.
Currently emailing yet more bands for the film.
Got back, confirmed another lounge show and then headed over to the Junction for drummer sacking number 32. This time it was The Leisure Society; a wonderful, intelligent band who seemed quite awkward about sacking me as they're so nice, but it was still a good one. I like them very much.
Got back and washed all of my clothes, because I won't get a chance over the next month or so. I'm an organised lad, sometimes.
Currently emailing yet more bands for the film.
Wednesday 15th April 2015
Seemed to somehow lose a whole morning sorting out my schedule. The updated band list of shows came through, alongside some more performances of the solo show, so I spent quite a few hours basically filling in my diary...I'm really busy, crazy busy. Well, I will be, soon. All of this must count for something, at some point.
Then spent quite a while uploading the recording from last night (which sounds great) to the distributor, with Matt kindly tweaking the art work for me, only for the distributor to tell me that they don't accept spoken word. Sigh. So I'll just sell it at shows instead, then, but that was three hours I won't get back.
Spoke to a few of the venues on my forthcoming tour about PR stuff and they're all lovely.
Evening session with the band, learning covers for the big wedding we have coming up. Felt good having to learn stuff again, having been playing the same set all years. The banter was good, I've said it before and I'll say it again; I love this band.
Then spent quite a while uploading the recording from last night (which sounds great) to the distributor, with Matt kindly tweaking the art work for me, only for the distributor to tell me that they don't accept spoken word. Sigh. So I'll just sell it at shows instead, then, but that was three hours I won't get back.
Spoke to a few of the venues on my forthcoming tour about PR stuff and they're all lovely.
Evening session with the band, learning covers for the big wedding we have coming up. Felt good having to learn stuff again, having been playing the same set all years. The banter was good, I've said it before and I'll say it again; I love this band.
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
Tuesday 14th April 2015
I mean, I'm pretty sure there is no place for me in 'the real world', as dramatic as that sounds (because I've had 2 beers). I thought getting temp work was supposed to be the easy bit? Everyone goes temping, every now and then. Richards doesn't, agencies don't seem to like Richards, with his arty CV. The one I had basically fell through, which niggled me a lot, before I'd even started the thing. And then an agency asked me to take a test online, which I did, and I did well - the results were good because I'm no thickie, but that took out TWO HOURS of my day. Applied for a part-time post working for a funeral agency, should be fun.
And all of that generally gets in the way of what I quit my day job for in the first place...to be a proper artist. I don't have a free evening until 17th May.
Had another couple of interesting emails from proper celebs about the '50 Ways...' film, this one really is building into something, you know.
Spent quite a long time listening to the tracks Marcel gave me last night - the tracks which will be in the musical I'll be writing very soon, as soon as this novel and film are out of the way.
Evening tried out the very new storytelling show. I performed it as a 'storytelling lottery' style event, with the audience picking a number and then I read the story which relates to it. Really, really worked tonight. Shouldn't have done, but I just felt so good performing in front of Esther, Meg, Claudia, Marcel and Edd, such an easy show. The new material is dark, so very dark (the one about the suicidal spider really seemed to upset Esther) but you write how you feel, and I'm a bit uncertain about things right now. The recordings sound great, will set that up for release tomorrow. Happy enough Paul.
And all of that generally gets in the way of what I quit my day job for in the first place...to be a proper artist. I don't have a free evening until 17th May.
Had another couple of interesting emails from proper celebs about the '50 Ways...' film, this one really is building into something, you know.
Spent quite a long time listening to the tracks Marcel gave me last night - the tracks which will be in the musical I'll be writing very soon, as soon as this novel and film are out of the way.
Evening tried out the very new storytelling show. I performed it as a 'storytelling lottery' style event, with the audience picking a number and then I read the story which relates to it. Really, really worked tonight. Shouldn't have done, but I just felt so good performing in front of Esther, Meg, Claudia, Marcel and Edd, such an easy show. The new material is dark, so very dark (the one about the suicidal spider really seemed to upset Esther) but you write how you feel, and I'm a bit uncertain about things right now. The recordings sound great, will set that up for release tomorrow. Happy enough Paul.
Monday, 13 April 2015
Monday 13th April 2015
Quite a slow day. Slow days shouldn't apply to us creative types, even if it is a Monday. Just one of those days when nobody gets back to you about anything.
So you spend the day writing - mostly new material bits for tomorrow's audio recording, and then sent out another batch of emails for sackings, and suddenly everyone wants to email you! Confirmed 2 outstanding sackings for the film though, equally excited about them.
Evening gig with Claudia, really nice to catch up with a few people who made it down but it was so hot, and the event overran a bit. I wasn't exactly 'on it' by the time we did make it to the stage, but those songs are so nice we still got away with it. Set: Somedays, Happy, The Love I Give, Staying In Tonight, Hit The Road, Caramel.
So you spend the day writing - mostly new material bits for tomorrow's audio recording, and then sent out another batch of emails for sackings, and suddenly everyone wants to email you! Confirmed 2 outstanding sackings for the film though, equally excited about them.
Evening gig with Claudia, really nice to catch up with a few people who made it down but it was so hot, and the event overran a bit. I wasn't exactly 'on it' by the time we did make it to the stage, but those songs are so nice we still got away with it. Set: Somedays, Happy, The Love I Give, Staying In Tonight, Hit The Road, Caramel.
Sunday, 12 April 2015
Sunday 12th April 2015
We may have had a bit of a tipple last night in the Travel Lodge, which made the early start today a bit of a struggle. Up early, hearty, greasy breakfast and then off to Salisbury for an early soundcheck and then lunchtime gig at the arts centre there. Performance a little sloppy at first (not that anybody noticed) but great by the end. Beautiful venue, decent audience. Set - set one: Fine Life. Face in the Water, Wrong Time, Hold On, We Don't Talk Anymore, I'm Not Sayin', Grown Up a Little, Bonnie & Clyde, Another Universe, Shut Up & Dance. Set - set two: Take a Ride, Skin & Bone, Standing Next to Me, Fire, Old Man (cover), She Says, Ghost Town, Marathon Man, Beautiful You.
Saturday 11th April 2015
...and back on the road. How lovely it is to be on the road, with some of my favourite people. Having spent most of the week writing, to go off to the other end of the country and hit drums, in a nice big venue, with cracking musicians, felt like a bit of relief.
Arts Centre in Bath tonight, great venue. We were tight, that was a good one. First set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, Wrong Time, Hold On, We Don't Talk Anymore, I'm Not Saying, Too Late to Go Home, Bonnie & Clyde, Another Universe, Shut Up & Dance. Second set: Take a Ride, Skin & Bone, Standing Next to Me, Fire, Old Man (cover), She Says, Ghost Town, Marathon Man, This Little Boy, Beautiful You, Somebody to Love (cover, encore).
Arts Centre in Bath tonight, great venue. We were tight, that was a good one. First set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, Wrong Time, Hold On, We Don't Talk Anymore, I'm Not Saying, Too Late to Go Home, Bonnie & Clyde, Another Universe, Shut Up & Dance. Second set: Take a Ride, Skin & Bone, Standing Next to Me, Fire, Old Man (cover), She Says, Ghost Town, Marathon Man, This Little Boy, Beautiful You, Somebody to Love (cover, encore).
Friday 10th April 2015
Emailed a load of producers, it's harder finding radio producers than TV producers but have emailed 8 or 9 of those I could find the direct contact for. Had an amazing contact for one of the biggest producers around (turns out he's the brother of a former work colleague) who has agreed to read the script.
Emailed another 20 acts for the '50 Ways...' film.
Nailed another couple chapters of the novel.
Rare weekend night off from gigging; I just didn't know what to do with myself.
Thursday, 9 April 2015
Thursday 9th April 2015
Both producers have rejected my radio script, both of them saying it just didn't make them laugh enough.
I'm not really achieving anything here, am I? I'm 34 next month, I'm living in my overdraft, nobody in the industry is particularly interested in what I do (and I figure you only get one chance with these people), I tour my little solo show around in the desperate hope I get 10 people in the audience, I'm working so incredibly hard but I don't have a single thing to show for it. I'm knackered, single and a bit of a mess.
Izzy, always the voice of reasoning, allowed me 24 hours to sulk before getting on with it again. Tomorrow morning I'm going to send this script to every producer in the country - someone, somewhere must like it.
Evening gig with the band, up in Bishops Stortford. First gig with Adam depping on lead, great show that - absolutely rammed, we played very well indeed. Another packed audience for one of our headline gigs without us really trying - very positive times indeed. Short set, about a million support acts. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, Hold On, Standing, Ghost Town, Shut Up & Dance, Beautiful You, Somebody to Love (cover, encore)
I'm not really achieving anything here, am I? I'm 34 next month, I'm living in my overdraft, nobody in the industry is particularly interested in what I do (and I figure you only get one chance with these people), I tour my little solo show around in the desperate hope I get 10 people in the audience, I'm working so incredibly hard but I don't have a single thing to show for it. I'm knackered, single and a bit of a mess.
Izzy, always the voice of reasoning, allowed me 24 hours to sulk before getting on with it again. Tomorrow morning I'm going to send this script to every producer in the country - someone, somewhere must like it.
Evening gig with the band, up in Bishops Stortford. First gig with Adam depping on lead, great show that - absolutely rammed, we played very well indeed. Another packed audience for one of our headline gigs without us really trying - very positive times indeed. Short set, about a million support acts. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, Hold On, Standing, Ghost Town, Shut Up & Dance, Beautiful You, Somebody to Love (cover, encore)
Wednesday 8th April 2015
Early start; my acting role today was to play the part of 'drummer' which was easy enough. It was an online advert for a microphone shield thingy. Easy morning, that, despite the pretty makeup lady getting a bit carried away with my face.
Got back and spent the rest of the day writing the novel until 2am, it's gradually coming together.
Got back and spent the rest of the day writing the novel until 2am, it's gradually coming together.
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Tuesday 7th April 2015
Confirmed three new lounge shows, which should work as good warm-ups for my forthcoming solo tour.
Long day in hospital with dad as he starts chemo again.
Nice gig in the evening; such an easy covers show in a local bar. Easy money, no pressure. You could argue very little creative satisfaction, but financially you have to do these and was rather enjoyable.
Been offered a nice little bit of acting work for the morning.
Long day in hospital with dad as he starts chemo again.
Nice gig in the evening; such an easy covers show in a local bar. Easy money, no pressure. You could argue very little creative satisfaction, but financially you have to do these and was rather enjoyable.
Been offered a nice little bit of acting work for the morning.
Monday, 6 April 2015
Monday 6th April 2015
Bank Holiday Monday. Long day writing, very long day. This novel is taking shape nicely though.
Sunday 5th April 2015
Easter Sunday. Family stuff, mostly. Had some beers with my mate Matt in the evening, who does a good job in reassuring me that I'm doing the right thing with my life.
Then got attacked by my parents' dog.
Then got attacked by my parents' dog.
Saturday 5th April 2015
Finances. Ouch. That is all. Mostly because it's a Bank Holiday weekend so money for work that I've done takes longer to transfer in but still, ouch. This will all work out, won't it? Project Richards? I'm sticking with it, I'm too far in now.
Evening gig with the band, off in Gillingham. Grotty little place, isn't it? We did well, though. We're a bit tired, but consistently quite good at the moment. Set - part one: Fine Life, Face in the Water, I'm Not Saying, Norwegian Wood (cover), We Don't Talk Anymore, She Says, Another Universe, Old Man (cover), Hold On, Shut Up & Dance. / Part two: Skin & Bone, Standing Next to Me, Take a Ride, Fire, Beautiful You, Marathon Man, Ghost Town....and then we entered covers land for a bit.
Evening gig with the band, off in Gillingham. Grotty little place, isn't it? We did well, though. We're a bit tired, but consistently quite good at the moment. Set - part one: Fine Life, Face in the Water, I'm Not Saying, Norwegian Wood (cover), We Don't Talk Anymore, She Says, Another Universe, Old Man (cover), Hold On, Shut Up & Dance. / Part two: Skin & Bone, Standing Next to Me, Take a Ride, Fire, Beautiful You, Marathon Man, Ghost Town....and then we entered covers land for a bit.
Saturday, 4 April 2015
Friday 3rd April 2015
Seriously running out of venues to ask about my solo show - every time I see a venue listed I get excited only to realise I've messaged them already...I've sent over 1400 emails to potential venues since December.
Confirmed another 'name' act for the film.
Evening gig with the band in Coventry. Nice venue, really nice promoters. Big boomy room but the soundman was superb and we could go for it without fear. Late show but the audience stuck with it, we were very, very tight tonight. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, Hold On, Bonnie & Clyde, Standing, Shut Up & Dance, Fire, Marathon Man, Ghost Town, Beautiful You, Somebody to Love (encore, cover)
Confirmed another 'name' act for the film.
Evening gig with the band in Coventry. Nice venue, really nice promoters. Big boomy room but the soundman was superb and we could go for it without fear. Late show but the audience stuck with it, we were very, very tight tonight. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, Hold On, Bonnie & Clyde, Standing, Shut Up & Dance, Fire, Marathon Man, Ghost Town, Beautiful You, Somebody to Love (encore, cover)
Friday, 3 April 2015
Thursday 2nd April 2015
Turned down the Dowsing aftershow party, instead choosing to go home and watch Some Mothers Do Ave Em on YouTube. What's wrong with me?
Confirmed a good big established name for the film, emailed a few new venues and then went for my part-time interview. Bit surreal, they seem to know a lot about me and treated me a bit like a celebrity.
Got back, wrote a bit more of 'The Unhappy Happy Man' and then went out for dinner/drinks with the lovely Esther to moan about relationships. We also read through the 'Bits of Me Hurt' script, which feels like a winner, we'll start filming that in 2 weeks' time.
Confirmed a good big established name for the film, emailed a few new venues and then went for my part-time interview. Bit surreal, they seem to know a lot about me and treated me a bit like a celebrity.
Got back, wrote a bit more of 'The Unhappy Happy Man' and then went out for dinner/drinks with the lovely Esther to moan about relationships. We also read through the 'Bits of Me Hurt' script, which feels like a winner, we'll start filming that in 2 weeks' time.
Thursday, 2 April 2015
Wednesday 1st April 2015
Long day. Dad now has a blood clot, alongside the other issues; he's going through a bit too much but what can you do? Keep on fighting, I guess.
Made final edits to THE script and eventually sent it over to THE producer, who responded straight away, very positively, saying he's looking forward to reading it and will get back to me very soon.
Messaged more acts about the film, haven't had a big name confirmed for a few days now so need to keep this moving. Decided against the idea of touring a murder mystery show purely because the venues are the same venues that I would be asking for the comedy show, and I'd rather do Inadequate Man. Basically; I'm running out of venues to ask. Instead, carrying on booking more solo shows for an October run.
Evening Dowsing gig; soundguy so angry, drummer put in a cage. We just smiled and got on with it...the result? A brilliant evening, something to really take my mind off my mind of my dad's health issues. Not sure of the final figures, but over 1200 tickets had gone before the show had started with more expected to attend, so quite a large crowd there. Performance wasn't bad - I messed up the start of 'Valerie' but Gav is such an incredibly good reader of these things and he saved me with the bass line until I locked in with the groove. Rest of the gig was solid, it was an easier set than normal, felt rather satisfying. Woman who's interviewing me for that part-time job was in the audience, somewhat randomly, and sang my praises after the show, which can only really help my chances of getting it. Set - first half: Let Me Entertain You, Play That Funky Music, Crazy, Do Your Thing, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves, Valerie, Counting Stars, Sex On Fire, Should I Stay or Should I Go / Second half: Thriller, Sit Down, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Place Your Hands, Stay With Me, Another Brick in the Wall, Stone Cold Sober, One Day Like This, Back in Anger, Movin' On Up, I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles (encore)
Made final edits to THE script and eventually sent it over to THE producer, who responded straight away, very positively, saying he's looking forward to reading it and will get back to me very soon.
Messaged more acts about the film, haven't had a big name confirmed for a few days now so need to keep this moving. Decided against the idea of touring a murder mystery show purely because the venues are the same venues that I would be asking for the comedy show, and I'd rather do Inadequate Man. Basically; I'm running out of venues to ask. Instead, carrying on booking more solo shows for an October run.
Evening Dowsing gig; soundguy so angry, drummer put in a cage. We just smiled and got on with it...the result? A brilliant evening, something to really take my mind off my mind of my dad's health issues. Not sure of the final figures, but over 1200 tickets had gone before the show had started with more expected to attend, so quite a large crowd there. Performance wasn't bad - I messed up the start of 'Valerie' but Gav is such an incredibly good reader of these things and he saved me with the bass line until I locked in with the groove. Rest of the gig was solid, it was an easier set than normal, felt rather satisfying. Woman who's interviewing me for that part-time job was in the audience, somewhat randomly, and sang my praises after the show, which can only really help my chances of getting it. Set - first half: Let Me Entertain You, Play That Funky Music, Crazy, Do Your Thing, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves, Valerie, Counting Stars, Sex On Fire, Should I Stay or Should I Go / Second half: Thriller, Sit Down, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Place Your Hands, Stay With Me, Another Brick in the Wall, Stone Cold Sober, One Day Like This, Back in Anger, Movin' On Up, I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles (encore)
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Tuesday 31st March 2015
I need to calm down a bit, nobody likes a grumpy Richards and I was certainly that last night.
I spend too much time booking tour dates and sending out emails asking bands to sack me; felt good to get out there today and do some busking with the band to promote the forthcoming Junction gig. Amazing how we felt it didn't go well - it was so incredibly windy (all of our merch blew over at one point) and it felt like a struggle to get heard yet quite a few friends messaged me afterwards to say they happened to be walking by and enjoyed. We made enough to cover the car parking and get a nice lunch, and it means I get to hang out with some of my favourite people again.
Got back and confirmed an interview on Thursday for a nice part-time job; they seem keen on me. I'm less keen on a 9am start each day, considering I'm often back from shows at 2am, but it's only 4 hours a day, there's energy drinks that can get me through that and it'll help pay for the fringe.
Continued re-writing 'The Return Trip', continued to discuss dates with the venue regarding my new podcast show (first one is confirmed, we're just trying to agree the next 7 months worth) and then went out to dinner/drinks with my lovely friend, Grace, who is just one of those inspiring, exciting people.
And then back to writing the script before crashing out at 2am. The Return Trip really could be THE script, I think.
I spend too much time booking tour dates and sending out emails asking bands to sack me; felt good to get out there today and do some busking with the band to promote the forthcoming Junction gig. Amazing how we felt it didn't go well - it was so incredibly windy (all of our merch blew over at one point) and it felt like a struggle to get heard yet quite a few friends messaged me afterwards to say they happened to be walking by and enjoyed. We made enough to cover the car parking and get a nice lunch, and it means I get to hang out with some of my favourite people again.
Got back and confirmed an interview on Thursday for a nice part-time job; they seem keen on me. I'm less keen on a 9am start each day, considering I'm often back from shows at 2am, but it's only 4 hours a day, there's energy drinks that can get me through that and it'll help pay for the fringe.
Continued re-writing 'The Return Trip', continued to discuss dates with the venue regarding my new podcast show (first one is confirmed, we're just trying to agree the next 7 months worth) and then went out to dinner/drinks with my lovely friend, Grace, who is just one of those inspiring, exciting people.
And then back to writing the script before crashing out at 2am. The Return Trip really could be THE script, I think.
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