The start of my run of very daft days. My bedroom is currently a mess of empty beer bottles and crisp packets; my car is currently a mess of empty energy drink cans and Joe Jackson live albums. My hair suggests I'm a bit indecisive.
Managed to have a lie-in, which was essential. Still up by 10.30am though to load gear for the gig; and then head down to Haddenham to play an early festival slot with the guys. We were offered a later slot, but due to my evening plans they put us on early, I'm aware of how kind that was of them. Great sound, nice to have a drum tech (because I'm lazy), amazing to have young Chinners on lead guitar with us again. Polished, slick professional performance. Set: Take a Ride, Fine Life, Face in the Water, Hold On, Standing Next to Me, Ghost Town, Marathon Man, Old Man (cover), Another Universe, Shut Up and Dance, Beautiful You.
And then I literally ran out of the venue and made my way up to Whitby. 4 hour drive, remarkably hassle free, found venue comfortably. No advance ticket sales, always a concern. Amazing venue, brilliant little room. Sophie is a brilliant host. Did the show to 4 people; a great 4 people, and I'm very grateful that they wavered the hire cost of the venue so I wasn't too out of pocket. Infact - considering I did okay last night, and with the little door money I made on this one, I've not made a loss this weekend on the shows. It's nothing like a living, but considering the amount of miles I've done I think this is still an achievement. Good show tonight, I was on it, quite sharp, they were into it - they were my demographic. Just need more people to see this show, I'm quite proud of it.
Long drive home. Had a weird incident at the Leeds bridge toll thingy, the light was green and said 'open' so I drove through it, but heard someone shout "ooooiiiiiiiiiiiiii" really loudly as I did so. I'm pretty sure I did nothing wrong, but still worried about it for 2 hours, which was half of my journey, before I dug out another Joe Jackson live album and that got me through the rest. Home by 2.30am, up in 5 hours.
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Saturday, 30 May 2015
Saturday 30th May 2015
So hungover. Got woken up by Griff, who was walking around the apartment with a croissant hanging out of his flies, pretending it's his cock. That was a strange start to the day...
Long drive home - seriously, I know I say it every time, but can't they just leave the roads alone a bit? So many roadworks, but no people working on them, just lots of angry and frustrated drivers.
Got home eventually at 4pm, quick freshen up, and then off out again - this time for a solo show in Long Sutton. Was a bit wary about this one; the venue is a new one, the management seemed concerned.
Audience of 12, looked tricky at first and the opening 10 minutes was as ropey as anything, but eventually it all calmed down and they all laughed at the right time. The new bits worked well. Top audience, actually, they looked frightening but they were so nice. I'm so tired, but I pulled that one out of the bag tonight, somehow.
Long drive home - seriously, I know I say it every time, but can't they just leave the roads alone a bit? So many roadworks, but no people working on them, just lots of angry and frustrated drivers.
Got home eventually at 4pm, quick freshen up, and then off out again - this time for a solo show in Long Sutton. Was a bit wary about this one; the venue is a new one, the management seemed concerned.
Audience of 12, looked tricky at first and the opening 10 minutes was as ropey as anything, but eventually it all calmed down and they all laughed at the right time. The new bits worked well. Top audience, actually, they looked frightening but they were so nice. I'm so tired, but I pulled that one out of the bag tonight, somehow.
Friday 29th May 2015
Long day; popped by my parents' house to pick up any post (no more speeding tickets, hurrah! Just bills), and then to pick up Ali. Revelation of the day; having been close friends and bandmates with this totally awesome man for the best part of 8 years, it turns out Ali doesn't like being called Ali. This is according to his mum, but he confirmed it later on. Apparently, he prefers to be called Alister, which is of course his actual name. Why didn't Ali tell me this before? He's too awkward and British, that Ali, that's what he is.
Anyway, mostly in tandem (although we lost them a few times) we followed the others to Liverpool, with heavy rain but glorious comedy from Pappy's on the stereo entertaining us all the way. It took bloody ages to get there. We made it to the venue with 21 minutes to spare - just in time for the ceremony; today was 'wedding gig' day. Felt weird being part of the wedding for somebody I've never met before, it was kind of intrusive, like we had crashed it somehow. As Ali (sorry, Alister), Griff and Vix played songs for the ceremony, Gaf and I, being the humble rhythm section, were invited to watch so we sneaked in at the back - only to later find out that's where the pictures were being taken, so we accidentally ended up in the front of all of them.
It was a gay wedding; obviously I have no issues with that - if people love each other, they love each other, what's the problem? Yet it was the first time I'd been to a gay wedding; turns out it's the same as every other wedding I've been to - a glorious, happy day for all, with drunken uncles, embarrassing speeches and a mediocre covers band, as I probably should have known. We were that band; the sound wasn't great, our acoustic set (Griff, Vix and I) was cut short due to time restraints, the covers we learn't in a rush were a little messy. Probably the worst we've collectively played in a while, but everyone loved it. It's a wedding, it's full of love.
Had a great time - Liverpool is lovely. We ate well (and loads of it), we drank well (courtesy of the band credit card), we danced till the early hours and Griff got beaten by a woman in an arm wrestle. We stayed in an incredible apartment looking over the docks; we eventually crashed out, drunkenly, just after 3am.
Anyway, mostly in tandem (although we lost them a few times) we followed the others to Liverpool, with heavy rain but glorious comedy from Pappy's on the stereo entertaining us all the way. It took bloody ages to get there. We made it to the venue with 21 minutes to spare - just in time for the ceremony; today was 'wedding gig' day. Felt weird being part of the wedding for somebody I've never met before, it was kind of intrusive, like we had crashed it somehow. As Ali (sorry, Alister), Griff and Vix played songs for the ceremony, Gaf and I, being the humble rhythm section, were invited to watch so we sneaked in at the back - only to later find out that's where the pictures were being taken, so we accidentally ended up in the front of all of them.
It was a gay wedding; obviously I have no issues with that - if people love each other, they love each other, what's the problem? Yet it was the first time I'd been to a gay wedding; turns out it's the same as every other wedding I've been to - a glorious, happy day for all, with drunken uncles, embarrassing speeches and a mediocre covers band, as I probably should have known. We were that band; the sound wasn't great, our acoustic set (Griff, Vix and I) was cut short due to time restraints, the covers we learn't in a rush were a little messy. Probably the worst we've collectively played in a while, but everyone loved it. It's a wedding, it's full of love.
Had a great time - Liverpool is lovely. We ate well (and loads of it), we drank well (courtesy of the band credit card), we danced till the early hours and Griff got beaten by a woman in an arm wrestle. We stayed in an incredible apartment looking over the docks; we eventually crashed out, drunkenly, just after 3am.
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Thursday 28th May 2015
Massive accident on the A14 today so I was told not to bother coming into the office today, especially as I was only scheduled to be in for 3 hours. Instead, I just lay in bed for a bit, had a long bath, looked at my schedule, and generally wondered how on earth I am going to cope with the week ahead as, even by my standards, it's going to be a bit daft.
Left the house at midday, and got stuck on the A14 in the very queue I was warned about (I didn't think this through) and missed my intended train, but managed to catch the one after. Eventually, with my old mate Jack, got to London for 3.30pm, and met up with the legendary John Otway. I use the word 'legend' too often, but in this instance it's very much justified. And it wasn't just a case of meeting up to film a scene; he was honestly interested in the film, how it's being made, he gave me a copy of his own movie (which I can't wait to watch), we grabbed a pint and chatted for well over an hour about all things Edinburgh Fringe, touring music, making a living out of this. Amazing stuff - and the footage itself is brilliant; short, quirky, and very different to any other sacking I have so far.
Then got an email from Graham Fellows (who plays John Shuttleworth) asking for more details about the film, with his number, so I called him (whilst still in London) and managed to convince him to be in it - as Shuttleworth, that'll happen in Sheffield in a couple weeks' time. This is major stuff, this film...this film is stressing me out a bit, but I'm very excited by it all.
Heading home, I confirmed a slot at the Preston Fringe festival, and wrote the whole of the synopsis for the Christmas musical, emailing it over to Meg, whilst still on the train.
I really like travelling by train; I want to do it more often. I get somewhere AND I can get my work done at the same time. This is sort of thing is frowned upon if you're driving.
Got back and wrote up my synopsis for 'Will: The Bad Boy of Trad-Jazz-Funk-Fusion' - a 6-part sitcom I want to make at some point. That'll be a while off yet.
Need to get my priorities in place, too many projects, not enough time. The last thing I need right now is to go on tour, but I'm on a ridiculous solo tour from Saturday onwards, an idea which seemed like a good idea at the time when booking it, bored and skint, in January.
So, here's the plan:
- check with all venues that the shows are happening next week. All of these venues are good, they've been in regular contact, but it's professional to stay in touch.
- finish writing the other episodes of 'Bits of Me Hurt' - being filmed in 2 weeks time
- finish/re-write the non-sacking scenes for the film
- write my 72 minutes worth of new content for the freeview show
- finish writing 'The Make or Break Mix Tape' - assuming this show actually ends up in Edinburgh
- finish the novel.
- spend as much time as possible with the editor making sure the film looks as good as it can be
- write full detailed plan for the musical I'm writing with Claudia/Marcel.
- nail my remaining drum parts for the second FH album
And then it'll be August, Edinburgh Fringe takes over my life for the best part of the month. Come back, nail the script for the Claudia/Marcel musical, première of the film, the musical launches (auditions in September, production end of October), release the novel, release Bits of Me Hurt, write and tour the solo Christmas show, write/rehearse/produce the Christmas musical.
Yeah. This is all doable. I think.
Left the house at midday, and got stuck on the A14 in the very queue I was warned about (I didn't think this through) and missed my intended train, but managed to catch the one after. Eventually, with my old mate Jack, got to London for 3.30pm, and met up with the legendary John Otway. I use the word 'legend' too often, but in this instance it's very much justified. And it wasn't just a case of meeting up to film a scene; he was honestly interested in the film, how it's being made, he gave me a copy of his own movie (which I can't wait to watch), we grabbed a pint and chatted for well over an hour about all things Edinburgh Fringe, touring music, making a living out of this. Amazing stuff - and the footage itself is brilliant; short, quirky, and very different to any other sacking I have so far.
Then got an email from Graham Fellows (who plays John Shuttleworth) asking for more details about the film, with his number, so I called him (whilst still in London) and managed to convince him to be in it - as Shuttleworth, that'll happen in Sheffield in a couple weeks' time. This is major stuff, this film...this film is stressing me out a bit, but I'm very excited by it all.
Heading home, I confirmed a slot at the Preston Fringe festival, and wrote the whole of the synopsis for the Christmas musical, emailing it over to Meg, whilst still on the train.
I really like travelling by train; I want to do it more often. I get somewhere AND I can get my work done at the same time. This is sort of thing is frowned upon if you're driving.
Got back and wrote up my synopsis for 'Will: The Bad Boy of Trad-Jazz-Funk-Fusion' - a 6-part sitcom I want to make at some point. That'll be a while off yet.
Need to get my priorities in place, too many projects, not enough time. The last thing I need right now is to go on tour, but I'm on a ridiculous solo tour from Saturday onwards, an idea which seemed like a good idea at the time when booking it, bored and skint, in January.
So, here's the plan:
- check with all venues that the shows are happening next week. All of these venues are good, they've been in regular contact, but it's professional to stay in touch.
- finish writing the other episodes of 'Bits of Me Hurt' - being filmed in 2 weeks time
- finish/re-write the non-sacking scenes for the film
- write my 72 minutes worth of new content for the freeview show
- finish writing 'The Make or Break Mix Tape' - assuming this show actually ends up in Edinburgh
- finish the novel.
- spend as much time as possible with the editor making sure the film looks as good as it can be
- write full detailed plan for the musical I'm writing with Claudia/Marcel.
- nail my remaining drum parts for the second FH album
And then it'll be August, Edinburgh Fringe takes over my life for the best part of the month. Come back, nail the script for the Claudia/Marcel musical, première of the film, the musical launches (auditions in September, production end of October), release the novel, release Bits of Me Hurt, write and tour the solo Christmas show, write/rehearse/produce the Christmas musical.
Yeah. This is all doable. I think.
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
Wednesday 27th May 2015
I bought some beer on the way home as I feel strangely happy today. It's been a productive day but I think it's been a day of progress, or at least signs that things are moving in the right direction.
Did some hours in the office today and successfully managed to wing chatting about really technical stuff without understanding it (I even cracked a techie joke about URLs and people chuckled...god I'm great).
Then had a meeting about a freeview show, and somehow ended up with a regular, 12 minute slot in every episode, all six of them. That's 72 minutes worth. That's a lot of new material, that needs to be written by 9th June, but will get me to a much wider audience.
Then bought some new drumsticks and some new shirts, and then met up with the lovely Meg to discuss our Christmas musical, the ideas were just flowing, it's gonna be awesome.
And then dinner with old friends Audrey and Michael, who I haven't seen for a long time. It was lovely, really lovely, because it just confirmed how different I am these days, how I've progressed from those days chatting in the kitchen at the old job...the progress I've made, the projects I'm doing, the stuff I could only dreamed of back then. Sometimes I don't realise this, but it's all good, really.
Did some hours in the office today and successfully managed to wing chatting about really technical stuff without understanding it (I even cracked a techie joke about URLs and people chuckled...god I'm great).
Then had a meeting about a freeview show, and somehow ended up with a regular, 12 minute slot in every episode, all six of them. That's 72 minutes worth. That's a lot of new material, that needs to be written by 9th June, but will get me to a much wider audience.
Then bought some new drumsticks and some new shirts, and then met up with the lovely Meg to discuss our Christmas musical, the ideas were just flowing, it's gonna be awesome.
And then dinner with old friends Audrey and Michael, who I haven't seen for a long time. It was lovely, really lovely, because it just confirmed how different I am these days, how I've progressed from those days chatting in the kitchen at the old job...the progress I've made, the projects I'm doing, the stuff I could only dreamed of back then. Sometimes I don't realise this, but it's all good, really.
Tuesday 26th May 2015
Got into an interesting conversation with a TV comedy star about him potentially having a cameo in the film...this could be the thing that tips it into the bigger league.
Did a couple hours in the office, not many but enough to keep me in the loop.
Got these two really big ideas for stage shows (one of which can be developed into a sitcom) that I just need to sit down and write. Never enough time though, is there? Still need to finish the novel. And the other episodes of Bits of Me Hurt before we start filming it.
Evening rehearsed covers with the band ahead of Friday's big wedding gig in Liverpool - big not only because of the money but also because of the attendees. We're pretty good, you know, at winging things. Almost like we're proper musicians.
Did a couple hours in the office, not many but enough to keep me in the loop.
Got these two really big ideas for stage shows (one of which can be developed into a sitcom) that I just need to sit down and write. Never enough time though, is there? Still need to finish the novel. And the other episodes of Bits of Me Hurt before we start filming it.
Evening rehearsed covers with the band ahead of Friday's big wedding gig in Liverpool - big not only because of the money but also because of the attendees. We're pretty good, you know, at winging things. Almost like we're proper musicians.
Monday, 25 May 2015
Monday 25th May 2015
Bank Holiday Monday, up early-ish for another gig - this time we closed a nice little festival in Market Harborough. We know the venue well, was much easier than yesterday - comfortable 90 minute gig, in front of a big and appreciative audience. Good vibes, happy if tired band.
Home by 7pm, these few days have exhausted me. Too much on my mind, need to calm down a bit.
Home by 7pm, these few days have exhausted me. Too much on my mind, need to calm down a bit.
Sunday 24th May 2015
So, 34 then. Long day; up early for 4 gigs in the middle of nowhere (quite near Newbury). We travelled in 2 cars, which is the norm for these shows, and somehow my 'navigator' Alister and I managed to take 5 wrong turnings. We were on the site on time, but missed the first show - which was at midday. Frustrating, we could hear G and V bash through the set without us, but just couldn't get quite make it to the stage.
Had this revelation that the cream I've been using as moisturiser, isn't actually moisturiser. That explains a lot.
With our next set not until 4pm we killed a bit of time on the very odd site. Lots of people shooting things, and dogs jumping through fire hoops. Fell asleep for a bit, and then played a sleepy set in front of a polite, if family-based audience. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, Standing Next to Me, Fire, Shut Up & Dance, Old Man, Take a Ride, Marathon Man, Ghost Town, Beautiful You.
Our next two sets were for the organisers/crew/the festival owner. Managed to combine both sets into one, it felt like a pointless gig that ended up with us having to cover a One Direction song to please a toddler.
Tired, long drive home.
Had this revelation that the cream I've been using as moisturiser, isn't actually moisturiser. That explains a lot.
With our next set not until 4pm we killed a bit of time on the very odd site. Lots of people shooting things, and dogs jumping through fire hoops. Fell asleep for a bit, and then played a sleepy set in front of a polite, if family-based audience. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, Standing Next to Me, Fire, Shut Up & Dance, Old Man, Take a Ride, Marathon Man, Ghost Town, Beautiful You.
Our next two sets were for the organisers/crew/the festival owner. Managed to combine both sets into one, it felt like a pointless gig that ended up with us having to cover a One Direction song to please a toddler.
Tired, long drive home.
Saturday, 23 May 2015
Saturday 23rd May 2015
We finished drinking at 4.30am last night - we're still rock n roll, you know. Woke up at some point in the early afternoon at my mate Jack's house, and eventually headed home. So hungover; quickly replied to a bunch of emails about the film, before heading to St Ives to catch up with my parents, and also my sister, who I haven't seen for ages.
Then dashed over to Histon to play a trio covers gig. It's such an easy gig for us; the set Griff and Vix have put together, which they've been playing for years, is so polished, seamless, everyone enjoys it without fail. These gigs are physically hard work as they're quite long, but mentally these are the most non-taxing songs we've ever played. Gave them a good show tonight, keeps the cash coming in.
By the time I finish writing this, I'll be 34. It's been a strange year, the last one, in retrospect. In the year from 33-34 I quit the day job, I moved house twice, I fell in love, I fell out of love, I fell briefly into debt, I climbed my way out of debt, I've played well over a hundred gigs with audiences ranging from 3 people to 2000, I've toured solo 3 times, I've toured with the band twice, I've made a film, I've written a book. Not sure what I'll be saying when it comes to this time next year but, it's a cliche I know, in the last year I've really found myself - as an artist I've worked out what works, what doesn't, I'm growing in stature all of the time.
Yeah, so some things aren't right at the moment. The fact that I've been caught by the same speed camera 3 times is a concern, and my dad is really struggling with the chemo at the moment. But there are plenty of things to be happy about; I'm in 3 amazing bands and constantly turning down really nice drum work because there simply isn't enough days in the year, I'm making a film which is really, really special and is on the verge of completion, I'm touring the UK with a really strong solo show that I've worked exceptionally hard to nail after a really limp start, I've nearly finished writing my novel and musical, my sitcom script has been liked by a producer for a major production company and it's now been passed on to another producer - if she likes it then I'm sorted, I've got my own forthcoming show on freeview TV. I'm not scared of anything. Apart from bees; they scare the shit out of me.
Then dashed over to Histon to play a trio covers gig. It's such an easy gig for us; the set Griff and Vix have put together, which they've been playing for years, is so polished, seamless, everyone enjoys it without fail. These gigs are physically hard work as they're quite long, but mentally these are the most non-taxing songs we've ever played. Gave them a good show tonight, keeps the cash coming in.
By the time I finish writing this, I'll be 34. It's been a strange year, the last one, in retrospect. In the year from 33-34 I quit the day job, I moved house twice, I fell in love, I fell out of love, I fell briefly into debt, I climbed my way out of debt, I've played well over a hundred gigs with audiences ranging from 3 people to 2000, I've toured solo 3 times, I've toured with the band twice, I've made a film, I've written a book. Not sure what I'll be saying when it comes to this time next year but, it's a cliche I know, in the last year I've really found myself - as an artist I've worked out what works, what doesn't, I'm growing in stature all of the time.
Yeah, so some things aren't right at the moment. The fact that I've been caught by the same speed camera 3 times is a concern, and my dad is really struggling with the chemo at the moment. But there are plenty of things to be happy about; I'm in 3 amazing bands and constantly turning down really nice drum work because there simply isn't enough days in the year, I'm making a film which is really, really special and is on the verge of completion, I'm touring the UK with a really strong solo show that I've worked exceptionally hard to nail after a really limp start, I've nearly finished writing my novel and musical, my sitcom script has been liked by a producer for a major production company and it's now been passed on to another producer - if she likes it then I'm sorted, I've got my own forthcoming show on freeview TV. I'm not scared of anything. Apart from bees; they scare the shit out of me.
Friday 22nd May 2015
Creatively achieved very little today, to be honest. Did quite well in the office again, ie - no fuck ups, they seem happy with me.
Managed to reply to all my show-related emails, and am really quite confident about this next run of shows ticket-wise, they are selling quite nicely indeed.
As I'm gigging over the next few days, this was the closest I'd get to my birthday for celebratory drinks, so we all went out tonight and got very merry. I was so drunk; but I have wonderful, beautiful friends, and so many of them too - I'm just very flattered indeed by the love I was feeling from these people.
Managed to reply to all my show-related emails, and am really quite confident about this next run of shows ticket-wise, they are selling quite nicely indeed.
As I'm gigging over the next few days, this was the closest I'd get to my birthday for celebratory drinks, so we all went out tonight and got very merry. I was so drunk; but I have wonderful, beautiful friends, and so many of them too - I'm just very flattered indeed by the love I was feeling from these people.
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Thursday 21st May 2015
I'm knackered. Because I didn't really enjoy last night too much (although - what's not to love about doing a show to 2 people in Coventry on a Wednesday night?) I bought some beer on the way home to cheer myself up. Only had a couple cans, but it was enough to make this morning feel a bit slow.
Off to London this morning, aided by my good friend Simon, to film a scene with Heaven 17. They really are 80s pop icons, but they are also the nicest people you could ever meet - it was a joy to spend time with them, they were so welcoming, and so up for the idea of this film. Great bit of footage today - me playing a cajon to their electro pop, it was beautifully awkward.
You know what, this film is gonna be great; I'm onto something really special here. It's so daft, but it works - I've stumbled into a wonderful concept. Today was a joy, a lot of them are.
Then over to St Ives to give Dad some computer lessons, was a bit of a struggle, but we got there in the end. I was in St Ives anyway to play a covers gig with G and V. One of those gigs where the audience enjoys it a lot more than we do. It was just full of people of seemed to think they know me; I've probably met them once or twice before - that doesn't mean we're friends. We put on a good show tonight, we got paid well enough, we have to keep doing these shows to keep the bills paid. Let's not pretend we're passionate about them, though.
Off to London this morning, aided by my good friend Simon, to film a scene with Heaven 17. They really are 80s pop icons, but they are also the nicest people you could ever meet - it was a joy to spend time with them, they were so welcoming, and so up for the idea of this film. Great bit of footage today - me playing a cajon to their electro pop, it was beautifully awkward.
You know what, this film is gonna be great; I'm onto something really special here. It's so daft, but it works - I've stumbled into a wonderful concept. Today was a joy, a lot of them are.
Then over to St Ives to give Dad some computer lessons, was a bit of a struggle, but we got there in the end. I was in St Ives anyway to play a covers gig with G and V. One of those gigs where the audience enjoys it a lot more than we do. It was just full of people of seemed to think they know me; I've probably met them once or twice before - that doesn't mean we're friends. We put on a good show tonight, we got paid well enough, we have to keep doing these shows to keep the bills paid. Let's not pretend we're passionate about them, though.
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Wednesday 20th May 2015
I was pretty good in the office today, turned on a bit of form, showed them what I can do. Clicking a mouse, mostly, but I did it well.
Confirmed Christmas tour dates for Bristol, Norwich, Shepreth and Southampton - that's for my Rudolph show. Another 5 to go and that's the first bit of December sorted. Got a little stroppy with another promoter, who doesn't seem to understand the concept of 'promoting.' Just do your job, matey, and I'll do mine, and together we'll have a mediocre success of about 15 people in a small cave in Stamford. Anyway, Christmas will be awesome. Meg said something interesting the other night about my ideas for a Christmas show relating to the fact that I was trying to work out how to get the rights to famous festive songs (Last Christmas, and all the others), she said why don't I use original Christmas music instead? And then she jokingly offered to write a bunch of Yuletide songs for me. A day and a half later, I'm holding her to it, and she's agreed, so we start work on the Christmas musical soon.
Drive to Coventry took hours as the roads were all full of cones, but NO WORKERS DOING ANY WORK AT ALL so I don't think that counts as road 'works', there's just cones there to piss me off. Really thought the show wasn't going to happen tonight; initially because the venue manager warned me that there's no passing trade (because they're a bit hidden away) but then because I just couldn't find the venue - I mean, I found Coventry fine, but the venue itself was so tucked away. Rough place, Coventry, rough as shit. Venue was lovely. Had an audience of 2 tonight; the venue manager, and one bloke who goes to everything there. Bit awkward. Gave them a full show, they laughed at the right times, but it wasn't great, to be honest. Manager still paid me - he didn't have to, but he did, and if I ever do get somewhere with my career I'll remember this. I'm really fond of this show, it's so open and flexible and with the right environment I know it can be a winner - like it was in Coalbrookedale the other week where I totally nailed it. But there's so many nights where I feel the quality gets compromised by the circumstances I find myself in. The Edinburgh Fringe can't come quickly enough.
I was in petrol station this morning, about 8.30am, buying snacks...lots of them. The bloke at the counter looked at the amount of stuff I was buying (seven quids worth of junk food, I'm not proud) and jokingly asked "long day then?". "No," I replied, "I should be home by midnight." And he looked a bit concerned.
Confirmed Christmas tour dates for Bristol, Norwich, Shepreth and Southampton - that's for my Rudolph show. Another 5 to go and that's the first bit of December sorted. Got a little stroppy with another promoter, who doesn't seem to understand the concept of 'promoting.' Just do your job, matey, and I'll do mine, and together we'll have a mediocre success of about 15 people in a small cave in Stamford. Anyway, Christmas will be awesome. Meg said something interesting the other night about my ideas for a Christmas show relating to the fact that I was trying to work out how to get the rights to famous festive songs (Last Christmas, and all the others), she said why don't I use original Christmas music instead? And then she jokingly offered to write a bunch of Yuletide songs for me. A day and a half later, I'm holding her to it, and she's agreed, so we start work on the Christmas musical soon.
Drive to Coventry took hours as the roads were all full of cones, but NO WORKERS DOING ANY WORK AT ALL so I don't think that counts as road 'works', there's just cones there to piss me off. Really thought the show wasn't going to happen tonight; initially because the venue manager warned me that there's no passing trade (because they're a bit hidden away) but then because I just couldn't find the venue - I mean, I found Coventry fine, but the venue itself was so tucked away. Rough place, Coventry, rough as shit. Venue was lovely. Had an audience of 2 tonight; the venue manager, and one bloke who goes to everything there. Bit awkward. Gave them a full show, they laughed at the right times, but it wasn't great, to be honest. Manager still paid me - he didn't have to, but he did, and if I ever do get somewhere with my career I'll remember this. I'm really fond of this show, it's so open and flexible and with the right environment I know it can be a winner - like it was in Coalbrookedale the other week where I totally nailed it. But there's so many nights where I feel the quality gets compromised by the circumstances I find myself in. The Edinburgh Fringe can't come quickly enough.
I was in petrol station this morning, about 8.30am, buying snacks...lots of them. The bloke at the counter looked at the amount of stuff I was buying (seven quids worth of junk food, I'm not proud) and jokingly asked "long day then?". "No," I replied, "I should be home by midnight." And he looked a bit concerned.
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
Tuesday 19th May 2015
Really want to tour a bunch of independent record stores around the UK, with a storytelling comedy about music. September, maybe, I can squeeze in a few shows then?
Left the office unlocked; see - this is why I shouldn't be left in charge of things. Text the boss, he never replied but I'm sure he's grateful.
My Christmas schedule is looking messy; 3 different musical projects needing my time, an actual musical, a solo tour...why isn't December longer?
Filming of 'Bits of Me' postponed due to the busy nature of the actress, meaning I can work on the novel tonight.
Been offered a tour with a signed band for October. Uh oh, this could get complicated.
Left the office unlocked; see - this is why I shouldn't be left in charge of things. Text the boss, he never replied but I'm sure he's grateful.
My Christmas schedule is looking messy; 3 different musical projects needing my time, an actual musical, a solo tour...why isn't December longer?
Filming of 'Bits of Me' postponed due to the busy nature of the actress, meaning I can work on the novel tonight.
Been offered a tour with a signed band for October. Uh oh, this could get complicated.
Monday 18th May 2015
Did a few hours in the office, forgot I was logged into the company Twitter account and tweeted to all our followers that I'm rather enjoying the music of Deacon Blue at the moment, before panicking and deleting it an hour later. This is why I shouldn't be left in charge of things.
Set myself some pretty strict creative targets for the next few months; I think it's all possible though. The novel is the one which I need to work more on, though, it's been lingering for far too long. I just need a week, at a PC, to nail it. When do I have a week spare? November. That's way too late.
Evening performance was for a new freeview channel. Odd show that; rather intimidating actually. The filmed interview with Emma beforehand was nice, because she's rather good at this, but for the performance it's 3 (hot) cameras on you, several (hot) lights and a little stage - plus a carefully selected audience of 13 or so people, who were ordered to laugh a lot. It'll be shown on freeview/cable channels in 16 different counties, so potentially a big audience. Performance was fine; I played it safe, it was very professional of me. So professional to the extent that it was unspectacular and I thought it was a little underwhelming. I think that's what they needed, though, so it was very much a case of 'job done'. Probably won't be tuning in, though.
Set myself some pretty strict creative targets for the next few months; I think it's all possible though. The novel is the one which I need to work more on, though, it's been lingering for far too long. I just need a week, at a PC, to nail it. When do I have a week spare? November. That's way too late.
Evening performance was for a new freeview channel. Odd show that; rather intimidating actually. The filmed interview with Emma beforehand was nice, because she's rather good at this, but for the performance it's 3 (hot) cameras on you, several (hot) lights and a little stage - plus a carefully selected audience of 13 or so people, who were ordered to laugh a lot. It'll be shown on freeview/cable channels in 16 different counties, so potentially a big audience. Performance was fine; I played it safe, it was very professional of me. So professional to the extent that it was unspectacular and I thought it was a little underwhelming. I think that's what they needed, though, so it was very much a case of 'job done'. Probably won't be tuning in, though.
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Sunday 17th May 2015
The problem with sleep, I've found, is that when you eventually get some of it (I've had loads of it today) it really makes you rather sleepy. I've been a bit dozy today, to say the least, which proves that my whole 'running around everywhere' routine probably is the way to go after all.
Met up with Izzy and Matt to get some pics done for our Edinburgh show, they look good, and then we brainstormed the format. Feeling very positive about that one now, as much as I was too drowsy to be good company.
Got back, sent 27 emails to try and get some previews in for July. Updated all my sites with forthcoming show/gig schedules and tried to work out if I'll have an audience in Coventry this Wednesday.
Met up with Izzy and Matt to get some pics done for our Edinburgh show, they look good, and then we brainstormed the format. Feeling very positive about that one now, as much as I was too drowsy to be good company.
Got back, sent 27 emails to try and get some previews in for July. Updated all my sites with forthcoming show/gig schedules and tried to work out if I'll have an audience in Coventry this Wednesday.
Saturday 16th May 2015
Slow drive back from Wolverhampton. I don't wish to moan about this all of the time, but they really are just digging up most of the country, aren't they? Is there a road that's actually open in the UK?
Good show, though.
Was in for literally just a couple of hours, during which I replied to a bunch of emails and confirmed some more sackings for the film. That's nearly there now. I really want to get this novel and film finished before August, just so I know that when I'm at the fringe I have all those projects in the bag. Want to get this sitcom nailed, too, that's been in my head, and finish writing the book for the 4th Lab musical...I'm feeling quite excitable at the moment.
Off to Colchester with the band. Odd but brilliant, intimate venue, with outstanding technical team and we were looked after very well. Supporting an acclaimed American singer-songwriter who was touring the UK, she was lovely but her manager/roadie/whatever he is was by far one of the rudest people we've ever met. So rude, seriously, such a tosser. We retaliated by eating a majority of the shared rider, and just letting him know, in passive-aggressive manner, how much we enjoyed his company. Gig was great, mind. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, She Says, Hold On, Bonnie & Clyde, Standing Next to Me, Take a Ride, Fire, Old Man (cover), Grown Up a Little, Another Universe, Shut Up & Dance, Marathon Man, Ghost Town.
Good show, though.
Was in for literally just a couple of hours, during which I replied to a bunch of emails and confirmed some more sackings for the film. That's nearly there now. I really want to get this novel and film finished before August, just so I know that when I'm at the fringe I have all those projects in the bag. Want to get this sitcom nailed, too, that's been in my head, and finish writing the book for the 4th Lab musical...I'm feeling quite excitable at the moment.
Off to Colchester with the band. Odd but brilliant, intimate venue, with outstanding technical team and we were looked after very well. Supporting an acclaimed American singer-songwriter who was touring the UK, she was lovely but her manager/roadie/whatever he is was by far one of the rudest people we've ever met. So rude, seriously, such a tosser. We retaliated by eating a majority of the shared rider, and just letting him know, in passive-aggressive manner, how much we enjoyed his company. Gig was great, mind. Set: Fine Life, Face in the Water, She Says, Hold On, Bonnie & Clyde, Standing Next to Me, Take a Ride, Fire, Old Man (cover), Grown Up a Little, Another Universe, Shut Up & Dance, Marathon Man, Ghost Town.
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Friday 15th May 2015
The good thing about being freelance is that sometimes you're just not in the mood for work, so you don't do it. I had the time this morning, but I just couldn't get my head into the social media zone, which is my current project, so instead I worked promoting the shows I have next week, replying to record label emails, backing up all of the film footage.
Then a long drive to Wolverhampton. Shouldn't have been long, but Friday traffic is ridiculous, and ended up being an hour later than planned. Still - lovely lounge show tonight around Penny's house. Performance dipped a bit in the middle, but they stuck with it. Generous with their tips, and I was put up in a very nice hotel. What's not to like?
Filmed the performance and watched it back in the hotel afterwards; it was so much stronger than the Cornwall show I filmed the other day, the bounce is back in the performance, which is a nice.
Then a long drive to Wolverhampton. Shouldn't have been long, but Friday traffic is ridiculous, and ended up being an hour later than planned. Still - lovely lounge show tonight around Penny's house. Performance dipped a bit in the middle, but they stuck with it. Generous with their tips, and I was put up in a very nice hotel. What's not to like?
Filmed the performance and watched it back in the hotel afterwards; it was so much stronger than the Cornwall show I filmed the other day, the bounce is back in the performance, which is a nice.
Friday, 15 May 2015
Thursday 14th May 2015
Popped into the office for a couple hours to work on the social media stuff, and then off to Welwyn Garden City for the latest sacking for the film. Today it was Nik Kershaw - a genuine 80s pop star with hits and everything. A joy to film with, he got the idea of it completely; one of the easiest sackings we've had yet.
Then off to Cranfield, where we were playing the launch of a brand new evening. As with anything new there was teething problems - the sound was a real issue in the soundchecks and we felt a bit of tension in the air. It was also weird, as a professional band, having our somewhat stressful soundchecks in front of a full audience; why were they let in? It all felt a little awkward. With that in mind, we kind of weren't really looking forward to the show too much - but it was fine, more than fine in the end. Another cracking gig - this is a band on absolute fire at the moment, a sellout show (seems to be the norm for this band), so, so tight up there. A loud, rocking show with some wonderful tender moments. Very proud. 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)
Then off to Cranfield, where we were playing the launch of a brand new evening. As with anything new there was teething problems - the sound was a real issue in the soundchecks and we felt a bit of tension in the air. It was also weird, as a professional band, having our somewhat stressful soundchecks in front of a full audience; why were they let in? It all felt a little awkward. With that in mind, we kind of weren't really looking forward to the show too much - but it was fine, more than fine in the end. Another cracking gig - this is a band on absolute fire at the moment, a sellout show (seems to be the norm for this band), so, so tight up there. A loud, rocking show with some wonderful tender moments. Very proud. 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, 13 May 2015
Wednesday 13th May 2015
Popped in to the office for a couple hours, but given the events (outside of work) yesterday afternoon I was the only one in, and kind of ran out of things to do. I stayed on, just in case, and did some of my 'proper' stuff (sorted some sackings for the film, some PR for the shows, spoke to promoters about my other show, discussed fringe stuff with new pianist) but probably won't charge them for this.
Then drove to Stamford, which is much closer than I thought. I allowed 3 hours, got there in 50 minutes. I knew ticket sales for this one would be low; you can just feel it sometimes. Venue was probably my favourite so far in the sense that it felt like one of the proper fringe venues, it was in a cave, it just smelt like the Edinburgh Fringe. Walking on that stage to set-up I felt great. 9 tickets sold, 5 of them by mistake, so an audience of 4. Tough first half - nobody engaged by it, I wasn't enjoying it, they weren't with me at all. Amazed that they came back for the second half but there was a real sense that 'right, it didn't work, but we're doing this properly now' and I was quite confrontational in my performance - I was asking them lots of questions. They asked quite a few back, they were an intellectual, chatty bunch who really did question bits of the show but I could justify it. By the end of the show it felt like we were all friends, it was nice. Had a quick drink with them afterwards, turns out one of them was a journalist for the NME, they've all got interesting jobs.
One of the audience members said to me that she was feeling uncomfortable throughout the performance and she couldn't work out why and then it came to her afterwards so we discussed it in great length. In short; I'm on stage playing the loser - the loser with women, the loser who doesn't get his deposit back, the loser with cats, beards, all that. Yet, (in her words, blush) I'm clearly a very funny, confident, intelligent man who is quite comfortable in his own skin. The bits she enjoyed the most in the show are the cajon/poetry stuff, because I'm clearly happier with this, and she wasn't keen on the dating scenes because it was so self-deprecating she wasn't convinced I'd be that inadequate in real life.
I was thinking about this on the way home. I am on stage a LOT at the moment, I am getting pretty confident with what I'm doing. As a result, my awkwardness is diminishing...but at the cost of the material? Have I accidentally shot myself in the foot by knowing what I'm actually doing up there?
Then drove to Stamford, which is much closer than I thought. I allowed 3 hours, got there in 50 minutes. I knew ticket sales for this one would be low; you can just feel it sometimes. Venue was probably my favourite so far in the sense that it felt like one of the proper fringe venues, it was in a cave, it just smelt like the Edinburgh Fringe. Walking on that stage to set-up I felt great. 9 tickets sold, 5 of them by mistake, so an audience of 4. Tough first half - nobody engaged by it, I wasn't enjoying it, they weren't with me at all. Amazed that they came back for the second half but there was a real sense that 'right, it didn't work, but we're doing this properly now' and I was quite confrontational in my performance - I was asking them lots of questions. They asked quite a few back, they were an intellectual, chatty bunch who really did question bits of the show but I could justify it. By the end of the show it felt like we were all friends, it was nice. Had a quick drink with them afterwards, turns out one of them was a journalist for the NME, they've all got interesting jobs.
One of the audience members said to me that she was feeling uncomfortable throughout the performance and she couldn't work out why and then it came to her afterwards so we discussed it in great length. In short; I'm on stage playing the loser - the loser with women, the loser who doesn't get his deposit back, the loser with cats, beards, all that. Yet, (in her words, blush) I'm clearly a very funny, confident, intelligent man who is quite comfortable in his own skin. The bits she enjoyed the most in the show are the cajon/poetry stuff, because I'm clearly happier with this, and she wasn't keen on the dating scenes because it was so self-deprecating she wasn't convinced I'd be that inadequate in real life.
I was thinking about this on the way home. I am on stage a LOT at the moment, I am getting pretty confident with what I'm doing. As a result, my awkwardness is diminishing...but at the cost of the material? Have I accidentally shot myself in the foot by knowing what I'm actually doing up there?
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Tuesday 12th May 2015
Got quite a lot done today; in between 6 hours in the office I managed to confirm an awesome sacking for Thursday, and managed to squeeze some more gigs into my already somewhat rammed schedule. There's a day in June I'm particularly looking forward to - 3 gigs in one day with 3 different bands. Ah, just like the good old days...
Really want to find the time to get this novel finished. If I can get the novel and the film finished before August then I think I'll really enjoy Edinburgh a lot more.
Evening covers trio gig; nice fun, those shows, undemanding mentally, a good work out physically, a nice vibe to it all. And good money, of course. Alister has pulled out of the 'Make or Break...' show, which has really, really pissed me off. Seriously, why agree to it in the first place? It's difficult to be angry with one of your best friends, but I am really annoyed by this - he could have just said no in the first place. I've got a few pianists lined up, will approach them tomorrow.
But then I got back to a really serious email. It's unfair to give details about it on a blog like this, but it's relating to one of my new colleagues - horrible, shocking, tragic news. Puts everything into perspective; tomorrow is going to be a bit strange.
Really want to find the time to get this novel finished. If I can get the novel and the film finished before August then I think I'll really enjoy Edinburgh a lot more.
Evening covers trio gig; nice fun, those shows, undemanding mentally, a good work out physically, a nice vibe to it all. And good money, of course. Alister has pulled out of the 'Make or Break...' show, which has really, really pissed me off. Seriously, why agree to it in the first place? It's difficult to be angry with one of your best friends, but I am really annoyed by this - he could have just said no in the first place. I've got a few pianists lined up, will approach them tomorrow.
But then I got back to a really serious email. It's unfair to give details about it on a blog like this, but it's relating to one of my new colleagues - horrible, shocking, tragic news. Puts everything into perspective; tomorrow is going to be a bit strange.
Monday, 11 May 2015
Monday 11th May 2015
My left foot is doing lots of strange things at the moment. Just thought I'd mention it, I'm sure it's fine, but it's got a mind of it's own right now.
Tiredness kicked in today, realised that last week I drove over 1400 miles...not bad. Spent some time in the office, about 6 hours, not only for the money but also because it's really pressure-free there, quite therapeutic.
Promoted Wednesday's show extensively, got an audience for the filmed show next week and agreed to be a guest speaker at an event in Ely next month.
Recorded a radio session with the band, nice to be back after a short break - bit sloppy at times, but great by the end, it was a nice long radio gig (50 minutes is very long for a radio performance) that will be broadcast on Wednesday. I love this band, we missed each other so much we had dinner afterwards and ranted about all the people we mutually hate, like good friends do.
Tiredness kicked in today, realised that last week I drove over 1400 miles...not bad. Spent some time in the office, about 6 hours, not only for the money but also because it's really pressure-free there, quite therapeutic.
Promoted Wednesday's show extensively, got an audience for the filmed show next week and agreed to be a guest speaker at an event in Ely next month.
Recorded a radio session with the band, nice to be back after a short break - bit sloppy at times, but great by the end, it was a nice long radio gig (50 minutes is very long for a radio performance) that will be broadcast on Wednesday. I love this band, we missed each other so much we had dinner afterwards and ranted about all the people we mutually hate, like good friends do.
Sunday, 10 May 2015
Sunday 10th May 2015
See, I could never be a businessman, a proper one, because I'm into the arty stuff too much. I know technically I co-run a record label, and I have this idea of forming a TV production company (because none of the current ones are *that* interested in me) but today confirmed where my priorities lay...I'm all about the show, even if it loses me money.
That was a long day. I left the house at 9am (an hour later than planned, but I'm an artist, not a morning person) and drove to Cornwall. Deepest Cornwall. The sat-nav on my phone, whilst brilliant, is just obsessed with going via Milton Keynes. No matter where I'm going. Was it made in Milton Keynes? Is it endorsed by Milton Keynes, if being endorsed by a town (city?) is a thing? Either way, Milton Keynes looked quite shut today, due to an accident, so I followed signs to 'south' and eventually my phone cheered up and got me to my venue, 6 hours later.
The show was in a museum. Sue, who runs it, was really lovely, and I'd messed her around a little bit with the performance dates before agreeing on this one, but she'd plugged it well - if you Google the show that performance is the one that comes up a lot. Let's be honest; the locals weren't really interested, but she'd done more than most venues have done and I appreciate that. An audience of 9, all of whom felt awkward about the size of the venue compared to attendees, but they warmed to the situation eventually...by about 10 minutes in I had them, completely, and I kept them onside. The feminism stuff is working really well these days, that's 2 shows in a row where I've really got big laughs out of this tricky old subject.
I made a slight loss out of today; we're not talking much here, probably a tenner or so. And I was on the road for 13 hours, which has made my legs a little achy but this Joe Jackson live album I've been listening to has kept me going. Some days I just want to be Joe Jackson - what an intelligent, witty, complex songwriter he is.
I've enjoyed myself. People on Facebook politely praise my courage for digging in and keeping on going. To me that's not the case - I've made 9 strangers laugh, a lot, today, that's a good thing, yeah? I'm happy enough. I need to read more, and eat less scotch egg bars (4 today!) but it's all good.
That was a long day. I left the house at 9am (an hour later than planned, but I'm an artist, not a morning person) and drove to Cornwall. Deepest Cornwall. The sat-nav on my phone, whilst brilliant, is just obsessed with going via Milton Keynes. No matter where I'm going. Was it made in Milton Keynes? Is it endorsed by Milton Keynes, if being endorsed by a town (city?) is a thing? Either way, Milton Keynes looked quite shut today, due to an accident, so I followed signs to 'south' and eventually my phone cheered up and got me to my venue, 6 hours later.
The show was in a museum. Sue, who runs it, was really lovely, and I'd messed her around a little bit with the performance dates before agreeing on this one, but she'd plugged it well - if you Google the show that performance is the one that comes up a lot. Let's be honest; the locals weren't really interested, but she'd done more than most venues have done and I appreciate that. An audience of 9, all of whom felt awkward about the size of the venue compared to attendees, but they warmed to the situation eventually...by about 10 minutes in I had them, completely, and I kept them onside. The feminism stuff is working really well these days, that's 2 shows in a row where I've really got big laughs out of this tricky old subject.
I made a slight loss out of today; we're not talking much here, probably a tenner or so. And I was on the road for 13 hours, which has made my legs a little achy but this Joe Jackson live album I've been listening to has kept me going. Some days I just want to be Joe Jackson - what an intelligent, witty, complex songwriter he is.
I've enjoyed myself. People on Facebook politely praise my courage for digging in and keeping on going. To me that's not the case - I've made 9 strangers laugh, a lot, today, that's a good thing, yeah? I'm happy enough. I need to read more, and eat less scotch egg bars (4 today!) but it's all good.
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Saturday 9th May 2015
Spent the morning replying to emails; usual session of apologies because things are clashing, and pretending that I can make things when those things happen to be clashing with other things, and hoping that when those things (gigs, mostly) happen I can drive fast or something so I can do everything. It'll all work out, yes? Yeah, probably.
Visited parents; dad struggling but doing his 'brave face on it' thing, mum is well and the dog is mental.
Got my haircut, bought a new jacket and a new suit; that old brown suit I've been wearing on stage for the last 6 years can finally be retired.
I need to get my head around this whole '50 Ways...' film, I feel like I need to put a few more hours into the admin of all of this. Instead though I've been working on the promotion for the solo show. There just isn't enough hours, is there?
Went to Sophie's party and had a lovely time. Spent most of the evening chatting projects to Andrea, and then life to Cathy; both of these ladies are amazing. Jules politely informed me that I'm "going to die" because of my love of scotch egg bars. Cheers for that.
I'm up in 6 hours, for a 12 hour round trip, for an hour show. I've planned this badly.
Visited parents; dad struggling but doing his 'brave face on it' thing, mum is well and the dog is mental.
Got my haircut, bought a new jacket and a new suit; that old brown suit I've been wearing on stage for the last 6 years can finally be retired.
I need to get my head around this whole '50 Ways...' film, I feel like I need to put a few more hours into the admin of all of this. Instead though I've been working on the promotion for the solo show. There just isn't enough hours, is there?
Went to Sophie's party and had a lovely time. Spent most of the evening chatting projects to Andrea, and then life to Cathy; both of these ladies are amazing. Jules politely informed me that I'm "going to die" because of my love of scotch egg bars. Cheers for that.
I'm up in 6 hours, for a 12 hour round trip, for an hour show. I've planned this badly.
Friday 8th May 2015
...and, relax. I need to do that, a little bit, and this was one of those days. Did a bit of work in the office and had a lovely lunch with the team. Generally spent the day being confused by building a website, and thinking about how good the show was last night. I like shows like that.
Lots of emails coming in; decided to let them go for a bit. Just a day. I tend to reply to everything within an hour, but my brain is tired.
Enjoyed catching up with Guilliuame, Vicky and Izzy tonight - I'm stressed and rambling, but they're lovely about it.
Lots of emails coming in; decided to let them go for a bit. Just a day. I tend to reply to everything within an hour, but my brain is tired.
Enjoyed catching up with Guilliuame, Vicky and Izzy tonight - I'm stressed and rambling, but they're lovely about it.
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Thursday 7th May 2015
Dragged my tired legs into the office to do a couple hours work; I like it there, they don't seem to mind that I look an absolute tired mess.
Confirmed some more gigs with the band, and also confirmed that some more stuff is clashing. My diary is one crazy thing at the moment, yet there's still more stuff I want to do. I will do it; this is what energy drinks were invented for.
3 hour drive to Coalbrookdale, hassle-free journey. Fantastic venue - lovely function room at the back of a quiet cafe up a steep hill that gave my car a bit of a challenge. Audience of 14 people, but it just felt right tonight; I enjoyed the space. I am pacing around on stage a lot more than I used to, sometimes I'm practically running about...this is a recent thing and I don't know why this is happening, but it seems to be working. Put loads of new bits into the second half of the show tonight, ideas I've been working on recently - just one liners, little extra flourishes. All of them worked, happy Paul.
3 hour drive home. Not bad, I mean - they closed half the roads again, but somehow it doesn't feel so bad when you've had great show and you've found your Galton & Simpson CD.
Confirmed some more gigs with the band, and also confirmed that some more stuff is clashing. My diary is one crazy thing at the moment, yet there's still more stuff I want to do. I will do it; this is what energy drinks were invented for.
3 hour drive to Coalbrookdale, hassle-free journey. Fantastic venue - lovely function room at the back of a quiet cafe up a steep hill that gave my car a bit of a challenge. Audience of 14 people, but it just felt right tonight; I enjoyed the space. I am pacing around on stage a lot more than I used to, sometimes I'm practically running about...this is a recent thing and I don't know why this is happening, but it seems to be working. Put loads of new bits into the second half of the show tonight, ideas I've been working on recently - just one liners, little extra flourishes. All of them worked, happy Paul.
3 hour drive home. Not bad, I mean - they closed half the roads again, but somehow it doesn't feel so bad when you've had great show and you've found your Galton & Simpson CD.
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Wednesday 6th May 2015
As I write this it's 2.11am; I've not long got home. Mostly, of course, because I did a show miles away (turns out 'near Swindon' wasn't really the case, it was basically Devon) but also because in this country they decide to close down all the roads at 11pm. Seriously, it's like in Father Ted when they have 'taken the roads in' - it's tiring enough driving back at bastard-o-clock as it is, but it's even worse when when you get diverted through the middle of a town (Farnham) because they've closed down one junction at a motorway for essential maintenance, so essential there's nobody actually working on it. This country is taking the pleasure out of driving. Not that I've driven anywhere else.
I didn't have a great night. The day was fine, I was doing some freelance stuff in the office and managed to panic a computer programmer by getting a bit carried away. I get the feeling I'm enjoying being there more than they're enjoying me being around.
Long drive to Warminster. Used the sat-nav on my phone, which is amazing because, unlike my actual sat-nav, it tells me the correct roads to get onto. The only problem being my lack of cigarette lighter, so it drains the battery - the 'battery low' light was flashing when I was on a road known as 'unnamed' - the venue really was in the middle of nowhere but luckily my battery held out, dying just as I was parking up, and I charged it up during the show. The show frustrated me tonight; it should have been fine; a lovely village bar, and they put me in the function room. The audience were old, but then again - they always are these days, aren't they? For both band and comedy stuff. But this table of 7 old ladies just talked all the way through the show - it was like they were having their own party, yet they'd come for the show. I don't understand it, and yes, I was a bit snappy to one of them but she deserved it, to be honest I wish I said more than "well, if you had been actually listening for the last half an hour you would know who Jeff is, so sorry, I'm not going to explain it again." My friend Steve, and his wife Cathy, turned up - unexpectedly, to surprise me, and I felt sorry for them, I just kind of did the show to them in the end. They're awesome people, but those old ladies...seriously, look at yourselves, and your lack of basic manners. I drove 4 hours to fucking entertain you, be grateful.
Ironically, it was my best night for tips, maybe it was an apology from them, I don't know, but I made quite a bit tonight, more than the sold out show on Monday, even, I had a rubbish show, but somehow made better by a drink with the lovely Laura afterwards, the bar manager who booked me in the first place, and was so apologetic about her clientèle, she's my favourite new person I've met on tour so far. As much as I didn't enjoy the performance, I'm rather keen to find a way to be in Warminster again...
Long drive home because clearly this country haven't finished building the roads yet. I'm tired, and I have to work tomorrow, and then find Coalbrookedale, wherever/whatever that is.
I didn't have a great night. The day was fine, I was doing some freelance stuff in the office and managed to panic a computer programmer by getting a bit carried away. I get the feeling I'm enjoying being there more than they're enjoying me being around.
Long drive to Warminster. Used the sat-nav on my phone, which is amazing because, unlike my actual sat-nav, it tells me the correct roads to get onto. The only problem being my lack of cigarette lighter, so it drains the battery - the 'battery low' light was flashing when I was on a road known as 'unnamed' - the venue really was in the middle of nowhere but luckily my battery held out, dying just as I was parking up, and I charged it up during the show. The show frustrated me tonight; it should have been fine; a lovely village bar, and they put me in the function room. The audience were old, but then again - they always are these days, aren't they? For both band and comedy stuff. But this table of 7 old ladies just talked all the way through the show - it was like they were having their own party, yet they'd come for the show. I don't understand it, and yes, I was a bit snappy to one of them but she deserved it, to be honest I wish I said more than "well, if you had been actually listening for the last half an hour you would know who Jeff is, so sorry, I'm not going to explain it again." My friend Steve, and his wife Cathy, turned up - unexpectedly, to surprise me, and I felt sorry for them, I just kind of did the show to them in the end. They're awesome people, but those old ladies...seriously, look at yourselves, and your lack of basic manners. I drove 4 hours to fucking entertain you, be grateful.
Ironically, it was my best night for tips, maybe it was an apology from them, I don't know, but I made quite a bit tonight, more than the sold out show on Monday, even, I had a rubbish show, but somehow made better by a drink with the lovely Laura afterwards, the bar manager who booked me in the first place, and was so apologetic about her clientèle, she's my favourite new person I've met on tour so far. As much as I didn't enjoy the performance, I'm rather keen to find a way to be in Warminster again...
Long drive home because clearly this country haven't finished building the roads yet. I'm tired, and I have to work tomorrow, and then find Coalbrookedale, wherever/whatever that is.
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Tuesday 5th May 2015
As much as I enjoyed last night, I wasn't so keen on the early start. My mate who I was staying with gets up at 5.30am for work, meaning I had to leave the house too at that time. Long journey back, not helped by as massive accident on the A1 which meant I was stationary for about an hour and a half.
This week I am mostly doing shows, but luckily today I wasn't needed in the office for freelance stuff so I could catch up on boring things; washing, changing my sheets, normal stuff. And generally acted like a tired zombie for a bit.
Managed to break the cigarette lighter in my car, which is a bugger because I kind of need it for my sat nav for the shows this week. I may actually have to use a map...for the first time. Oh dear.
Launched the first instalment of '4 Minutes...' and did some work on the novel. Got concerned about lack of promotion for tomorrow's show near Swindon, but the venue have assured me there will be a good turnout. I'm heading very much into the unknown with that one.
This week I am mostly doing shows, but luckily today I wasn't needed in the office for freelance stuff so I could catch up on boring things; washing, changing my sheets, normal stuff. And generally acted like a tired zombie for a bit.
Managed to break the cigarette lighter in my car, which is a bugger because I kind of need it for my sat nav for the shows this week. I may actually have to use a map...for the first time. Oh dear.
Launched the first instalment of '4 Minutes...' and did some work on the novel. Got concerned about lack of promotion for tomorrow's show near Swindon, but the venue have assured me there will be a good turnout. I'm heading very much into the unknown with that one.
Monday 4th May 2015
Long day. Up early, drove to Darlington. Got very lost in Darlington - it's mostly one-way, and not the way I wanted it to be. My venue "wasn't accessible by car" which is never ideal, took me about half an hour to work out road was parallel to it and dumped by Fiesta in an NCP and walked down, carrying both drums, the CD player, my other bits of set. The walk was a bit further than I thought and I arrived at the venue a sweaty mess.
Show was an odd one - an afternoon performance on a Bank Holiday Monday, in front of a (sold out - more than sold out, they had to get extra chairs in) room full of mostly pensioners who had just come from the tea and cake morning. They were a nice crowd, very reserved, and I had to calm down the act considerably, but it was a gentle hour. They are certainly not my target audience, but they wanted to like me, that's certainly the impression I got, anyway.
Then made the short trip up to Stockton-on-Tees, where I had a lounge show at my mate Matt's place. Haven't seen Matt in years; he used to promote one of my bands whenever we had northern dates, and we've been trying to sort out a lounge performance for a while. Great to catch up with Matt (and Erin), the show was as you'd to expect it to be around an old pal's house - great fun, and very drunken. I certainly made up for the lack of swearing from the earlier show!
Show was an odd one - an afternoon performance on a Bank Holiday Monday, in front of a (sold out - more than sold out, they had to get extra chairs in) room full of mostly pensioners who had just come from the tea and cake morning. They were a nice crowd, very reserved, and I had to calm down the act considerably, but it was a gentle hour. They are certainly not my target audience, but they wanted to like me, that's certainly the impression I got, anyway.
Then made the short trip up to Stockton-on-Tees, where I had a lounge show at my mate Matt's place. Haven't seen Matt in years; he used to promote one of my bands whenever we had northern dates, and we've been trying to sort out a lounge performance for a while. Great to catch up with Matt (and Erin), the show was as you'd to expect it to be around an old pal's house - great fun, and very drunken. I certainly made up for the lack of swearing from the earlier show!
Sunday, 3 May 2015
Sunday 3rd May 2015
The room in Louth was so comfortable I overslept, but eventually left there at 10.30am.
With the performance in Sheffield mutually terminated (they forgot I was coming, I wasn't sure about the space anyway) I had a chance to catch up on emails, and finished writing the other bits of '40 Minute Stories...', which I was writing in my hotel room last night after the show.
Put them together with some footage I've had for a while - me looking depressed opening 'bad post', Ali cycling, Rob buying scratchcards etc. Recorded the dialogue, all exactly 4 minutes long, and put it all together. 3 episodes made, on YouTube, will 'release' them at some point.
Next week looks crazy, and I'm not sure if it's all doable. We'll see.
With the performance in Sheffield mutually terminated (they forgot I was coming, I wasn't sure about the space anyway) I had a chance to catch up on emails, and finished writing the other bits of '40 Minute Stories...', which I was writing in my hotel room last night after the show.
Put them together with some footage I've had for a while - me looking depressed opening 'bad post', Ali cycling, Rob buying scratchcards etc. Recorded the dialogue, all exactly 4 minutes long, and put it all together. 3 episodes made, on YouTube, will 'release' them at some point.
Next week looks crazy, and I'm not sure if it's all doable. We'll see.
Saturday 2nd May 2015
Bit hungover, but a nice evening, that was.
Replied to a bunch of emails and then made the annoyingly long drive up to Louth. See, it shouldn't have been long - it's only 90 miles away, but it's a drive that's littered with speed cameras (huge thanks to Gary for the heads up about this) so it's pretty much 40 miles an hour the whole way.
Got there; fantastic venue - great hotel. Wonderful hospitality, lovely hotel room, amazing stuff. Audience of about 14 or so, but small performance space so it worked. A, shall we say, respectful audience - some big laughs, but mostly polite smiles, but generous tips afterwards. Lovely meal afterwards, a worthwhile adventure up in to deepest Lincolnshire.
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Friday 1st May 2015
Early start in the office, trying to put a few extra hours in as I'm on tour next week so not really available.
Tour was supposed to start tonight in Louth - the first of a 2 night run, but disappointing ticket sales lead to the venue cancelling it. Tomorrow's performance in the same space is on though, with tickets going well enough for that.
Confused by having a rare night off, I got very drunk with my friends Rachel, Steve and Ali. Good night, my friends can see I'm a bit stressed at the moment.
Tour was supposed to start tonight in Louth - the first of a 2 night run, but disappointing ticket sales lead to the venue cancelling it. Tomorrow's performance in the same space is on though, with tickets going well enough for that.
Confused by having a rare night off, I got very drunk with my friends Rachel, Steve and Ali. Good night, my friends can see I'm a bit stressed at the moment.
Thursday 30th April 2015
Never enough hours in the day, is there? Dashing about a lot at the moment, and generally sat in traffic.
Annoyed about my performance last night.
Gig cancelled with the band so we rehearsed new material instead; new songs sounding great, Griff and Vix are coming up with some amazing stuff. Long, late session but didn't feel like it - drumming relaxes me.
Annoyed about my performance last night.
Gig cancelled with the band so we rehearsed new material instead; new songs sounding great, Griff and Vix are coming up with some amazing stuff. Long, late session but didn't feel like it - drumming relaxes me.
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