Long day in the office, getting as many hours in as I'm in Devon for bits of this week. I think they were largely unimpressed with me today as I'd forgotten to send a bunch of really important emails.
Evening lounge performance around Izzy's - first look at the Christmas show. First half needs beefing up a bit, but the second, more demanding half really works. Yeah, so it's so messy - so incredibly messy, and physically draining, but the clumsy nature of it all certainly counts as entertainment. It needs a little work, but it'll be fine.
That's a relief, then.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Monday 28th November 2016
Freelancing, in between learning lines for Christmas show. My one hour on/one hour off routine seemed to do the trick - but the lines still aren't going in. First preview is tomorrow, I've left it very late this year, but on paper it's a decent show.
Popped out to watch the first rehearsal of my Christmas musical (which opens on the 20th Dec, I'm purely the writer for this). Got there, realised I'd got the wrong day, went home again.
Rehearsed some more, and ignored my bulging to-do list.
Popped out to watch the first rehearsal of my Christmas musical (which opens on the 20th Dec, I'm purely the writer for this). Got there, realised I'd got the wrong day, went home again.
Rehearsed some more, and ignored my bulging to-do list.
Sunday 27th November 2016
Quick dash around town picking up a load of family Christmas presents that mum couldn't sort, then dropped them off around hers, Sunday lunch and then over to Cambridge for long rehearsal with the choir in a cold but weirdly sweaty church cafe place.
Dinner with Ryan and Dave from the band and then over to the gig. Spirits high, as was the performance - singers (all hundred of them) in fine voice, band sounding tight. A long day, but a perfect warm-up for the huge show next month.
Dinner with Ryan and Dave from the band and then over to the gig. Spirits high, as was the performance - singers (all hundred of them) in fine voice, band sounding tight. A long day, but a perfect warm-up for the huge show next month.
Monday, 28 November 2016
Saturday 26th November 2016
Seriously, when am I gonna learn this Christmas show?
Anyway, up early to make the props for the Snowbird filming - wrapping presents, basically, any old tat. Then over to Cambridge to film it. Loads of people pulled out, which made things tricky - in fact only Claudia, Gaf and Vix turned up. Got some footage anyway and hoping Emily can work her magic with it.
After a couple hours filming that off to London for the FH gig. Totally rammed, really attractive audience. Smallest stage ever and I took a short while to adjust but the second set was a stormer. We're not as active right as I'd like us to be, but we're still bloody good live with a really strong fanbase. Another standing ovation tonight, it's becoming the norm now.
Anyway, up early to make the props for the Snowbird filming - wrapping presents, basically, any old tat. Then over to Cambridge to film it. Loads of people pulled out, which made things tricky - in fact only Claudia, Gaf and Vix turned up. Got some footage anyway and hoping Emily can work her magic with it.
After a couple hours filming that off to London for the FH gig. Totally rammed, really attractive audience. Smallest stage ever and I took a short while to adjust but the second set was a stormer. We're not as active right as I'd like us to be, but we're still bloody good live with a really strong fanbase. Another standing ovation tonight, it's becoming the norm now.
Friday 25th November 2016
Got the ball rolling with fringe applications. Nice chat to our director for the musical - she's working really hard on this, you know.
Productive day in the office, I've done well for them this week.
Evening stand-up gig in Leighton Buzzard was great, and I'm so happy it was filmed. Still not sure about being a circuit comic, but I enjoy the rapport with fellow comedians backstage and the set-up for this one was great. I just got a sense before the show that I was going to go down well no matter what, such an easy gig as much as some of the others struggle. Home by 11pm as well.
Productive day in the office, I've done well for them this week.
Evening stand-up gig in Leighton Buzzard was great, and I'm so happy it was filmed. Still not sure about being a circuit comic, but I enjoy the rapport with fellow comedians backstage and the set-up for this one was great. I just got a sense before the show that I was going to go down well no matter what, such an easy gig as much as some of the others struggle. Home by 11pm as well.
Thursday 24th November 2016
My to-do list, mostly trying to fill in annoying gaps in tour schedules, is growing quicker than my ability to finish it.
Looks like I'm taking a show to Edinburgh with Laura next year alongside my solo stuff, I think there's time for all of this. We've got some shows together in February and May next year so we'll see if it works as a concept, I guess.
Was in the office for a bit but I was the only one in, that annoys me when that happened as I could have worked from home.
Christmas script, now all finished, is a bit awesome. No idea how I'm going to learn this. Feels like a bit of a mish-mash of too many ideas at times, but it's all got enough charm and Christmassy costume changes to work.
Evening meal at Lachy's for thanksgiving was both lovely and excessive. Great company, and we played a bunch of great tunes as well. We're all growing up but it's fun being an adult sometimes, dinner parties and all that.
Looks like I'm taking a show to Edinburgh with Laura next year alongside my solo stuff, I think there's time for all of this. We've got some shows together in February and May next year so we'll see if it works as a concept, I guess.
Was in the office for a bit but I was the only one in, that annoys me when that happened as I could have worked from home.
Christmas script, now all finished, is a bit awesome. No idea how I'm going to learn this. Feels like a bit of a mish-mash of too many ideas at times, but it's all got enough charm and Christmassy costume changes to work.
Evening meal at Lachy's for thanksgiving was both lovely and excessive. Great company, and we played a bunch of great tunes as well. We're all growing up but it's fun being an adult sometimes, dinner parties and all that.
Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Wednesday 23rd November 2016
Worked from home, waiting for my record player to arrive. It did, it's awesome, and there's probably a show I can use it in. Listened to Dad's old record, the one we've just covered, on it - it's a lovely thing. He was a GREAT drummer. So disciplined. Thing is, back then they had to do everything live as they didn't have the technology for overdubs so you just had to be good, you had to be tight.
Nailed the Christmas script. I hope it works. No idea how I'm going to learn this in time.
Evening rehearsal with the choir band was nice, it feels like we're a proper band these days - there's a rapport there that previously wasn't, we're all so comfortable around each other. And I'm drumming really well right now, really, really well and I'm loving finding jazz/soul/Latin grooves in my playing. Let's be honest, FH don't have much in the pipeline right now, I can start a jazz thing in 2017?
Nailed the Christmas script. I hope it works. No idea how I'm going to learn this in time.
Evening rehearsal with the choir band was nice, it feels like we're a proper band these days - there's a rapport there that previously wasn't, we're all so comfortable around each other. And I'm drumming really well right now, really, really well and I'm loving finding jazz/soul/Latin grooves in my playing. Let's be honest, FH don't have much in the pipeline right now, I can start a jazz thing in 2017?
Tuesday 22nd November 2016
My 'day off' so mostly spent taking mum to every shop going in town, whilst checking and replying to as many emails as possible as I'm sat in the car park.
Accepted two really, really nice stand-up comedy gigs. I can easily see myself accidentally becoming a circuit comedian, the offers do come in quicker than I thought they would.
Spent about 7 hours getting confused about music licensing, before finally working it out and setting up the album for an online release.
Nearly nailed the Christmas show.
Accepted two really, really nice stand-up comedy gigs. I can easily see myself accidentally becoming a circuit comedian, the offers do come in quicker than I thought they would.
Spent about 7 hours getting confused about music licensing, before finally working it out and setting up the album for an online release.
Nearly nailed the Christmas show.
Monday 21st November 2016
That was a really nice weekend and today was nice too. Popped into the office for a bit, both the boss and I were on good form - it just felt like a nice day really. Not entirely sure I achieved much for them today but I'm trying.
Set up a private industry link for the charity album...now just need some industry to be as excited by it as I am. It's a wonderful project, this one, it deserves a little more attention.
Bought a record player. It'll arrive by Wednesday. This excites me.
Got home and spent many hours working on the Christmas script. It's getting there, finally.
Set up a private industry link for the charity album...now just need some industry to be as excited by it as I am. It's a wonderful project, this one, it deserves a little more attention.
Bought a record player. It'll arrive by Wednesday. This excites me.
Got home and spent many hours working on the Christmas script. It's getting there, finally.
Sunday, 20 November 2016
Sunday 20th November 2016
Got back very late last night, but up early-ish for a Sunday, this time for a meeting with Emily about the Snowbird video. She's great - so experienced, a wealth of knowledge and answered all of my questions as we brainstormed ideas in Sainsburys cafe.
Bought a new clothes rail and did my weekly food shop, then spent about an hour trying to work out how to assemble that clothes rail.
Caught up on show admin stuff, and then off to a stand-up gig in Ely. It was in a pub; not in a function room of a pub, but the main pub. Shouldn't have worked but mostly did...lots of us on the bill, I chickened out of trying new material. Was solid if unspectacular, this is a safe set that does me well. Woman praised me afterwards for being the only comic on the bill who didn't swear. I usually do, to be honest, but I judged it well tonight I think.
Bought a new clothes rail and did my weekly food shop, then spent about an hour trying to work out how to assemble that clothes rail.
Caught up on show admin stuff, and then off to a stand-up gig in Ely. It was in a pub; not in a function room of a pub, but the main pub. Shouldn't have worked but mostly did...lots of us on the bill, I chickened out of trying new material. Was solid if unspectacular, this is a safe set that does me well. Woman praised me afterwards for being the only comic on the bill who didn't swear. I usually do, to be honest, but I judged it well tonight I think.
Saturday 19th November 2016
I slept well, I slept lots. I needed it. We did something very special last night - this is the first of many steps for this album. First step done, £445 made for the charity in the process. It feels like everyone is backing this now, everyone is on our side.
Long trip to Newbury with FH. Good food. I didn't approve of the lack of bass drum mic, but nice venue. Managed to watch the end of the Spurs game in the dressing room.
Lovely audience, lots and lots of them (not a sell-out but not far off), quiet at first, but the rockier we got, so did they. Played 'Looking Glass' live for the first time in about 3 years and it felt good, we'll probably do that again soon. 2 standing ovations and quite a few obsessive fans, we're still getting this right.
Long trip to Newbury with FH. Good food. I didn't approve of the lack of bass drum mic, but nice venue. Managed to watch the end of the Spurs game in the dressing room.
Lovely audience, lots and lots of them (not a sell-out but not far off), quiet at first, but the rockier we got, so did they. Played 'Looking Glass' live for the first time in about 3 years and it felt good, we'll probably do that again soon. 2 standing ovations and quite a few obsessive fans, we're still getting this right.
Friday 18th November 2016
Spent most of the morning burning the rest of the CDs, whilst keeping an eye on the freelance stuff. Took bloody ages but just got all 100 copies made in time.
Felt very stressed about that gig, emotionally this one was tugging at heart strings I didn't know existed. This is all for Dad, I know he'd be proud. I even wore his shirt and tie.
Soundchecks were messy, frantic and I was generally quite snappy to people around me...musicians got stuck in traffic, a few administrative tasks were forgotten about. But, because people are all totally and utterly awesome, it all came together. Gaf learnt to play the piano part in Everything I Own (because we forgot to reassign that task) despite the fact he's a bassist, not a pianist (WHAT a great musician Gaf is - seriously, that was unreal how quickly he picked that up on an instrument he doesn't know how to play), my chore band of Marcel, Claudia and Adam all nailed it, totally in soundchecks.
The gig itself? Well, as much as this sounds like a cliche, it was a blur. A stressful blur, an emotional, stressful blur. But we stormed it, completely. I didn't expect to have to do a speech at the end, I wasn't in the right frame of mind for it - I mean, I do stand up a LOT, but this was different. This was a gig where we recreated my deceased father's record on stage, in public, words were an issue. Jess didn't allow my first, short speech, there was a demand for more so I gave them a bit longer. It was a rollercoaster. It worked, the whole night worked. I have such amazing friends, pretty much all of my best friends were there, the general public in the audience were totally on side. All of the musicians when on stage added their own characters to the performance, and when they weren't performing they were supporting those who were.
We've created something fucking special here.
That was probably one of the best nights of my life, shame I didn't appreciate it fully at the time because I was so stressed about it.
Felt very stressed about that gig, emotionally this one was tugging at heart strings I didn't know existed. This is all for Dad, I know he'd be proud. I even wore his shirt and tie.
Soundchecks were messy, frantic and I was generally quite snappy to people around me...musicians got stuck in traffic, a few administrative tasks were forgotten about. But, because people are all totally and utterly awesome, it all came together. Gaf learnt to play the piano part in Everything I Own (because we forgot to reassign that task) despite the fact he's a bassist, not a pianist (WHAT a great musician Gaf is - seriously, that was unreal how quickly he picked that up on an instrument he doesn't know how to play), my chore band of Marcel, Claudia and Adam all nailed it, totally in soundchecks.
The gig itself? Well, as much as this sounds like a cliche, it was a blur. A stressful blur, an emotional, stressful blur. But we stormed it, completely. I didn't expect to have to do a speech at the end, I wasn't in the right frame of mind for it - I mean, I do stand up a LOT, but this was different. This was a gig where we recreated my deceased father's record on stage, in public, words were an issue. Jess didn't allow my first, short speech, there was a demand for more so I gave them a bit longer. It was a rollercoaster. It worked, the whole night worked. I have such amazing friends, pretty much all of my best friends were there, the general public in the audience were totally on side. All of the musicians when on stage added their own characters to the performance, and when they weren't performing they were supporting those who were.
We've created something fucking special here.
That was probably one of the best nights of my life, shame I didn't appreciate it fully at the time because I was so stressed about it.
Friday, 18 November 2016
Thursday 17th November 2016
Up early, dashed over to printers in Cambridge and got 100 copies of the artwork printed. Steve called to say he's had the masters back so over to Red Lodge to spent a couple hours there checking and double checking everything - it's the best album ever.
Home to freelance for a bit, whilst burning as many copies of the album as possible ahead of the launch tomorrow whilst cutting out the album covers. It's cutting it fine but we'll get away with it.
Swung by to give my mum a copy of the album - as it's a tribute to dad it only makes sense that she gets the first copy. She loved it and it all felt a bit emotional.
Quick covers gig with G+V, was fine - we're good, those trio covers gigs are purely work, but we entertained the locals nicely enough without barely breaking into a sweat.
Got back at midnight, back on with the CD burning...
Home to freelance for a bit, whilst burning as many copies of the album as possible ahead of the launch tomorrow whilst cutting out the album covers. It's cutting it fine but we'll get away with it.
Swung by to give my mum a copy of the album - as it's a tribute to dad it only makes sense that she gets the first copy. She loved it and it all felt a bit emotional.
Quick covers gig with G+V, was fine - we're good, those trio covers gigs are purely work, but we entertained the locals nicely enough without barely breaking into a sweat.
Got back at midnight, back on with the CD burning...
Wednesday 16th November 2016
Went into the office for a bit but had such a head cold I barely made any sense and left at 3pm.
Guillotine, CDs, clear wallets and stamp arrived. Artwork for the album by Bryan is totally perfect.
Stopped for an hour to have a bath and my emails went crazy. Calm down, world.
Brilliant rehearsal with the choir band tonight, such great musicians - we're creating wonderful sounds here.
Got back and stayed up late, stamping the logo on a 100 blank CDs...
Guillotine, CDs, clear wallets and stamp arrived. Artwork for the album by Bryan is totally perfect.
Stopped for an hour to have a bath and my emails went crazy. Calm down, world.
Brilliant rehearsal with the choir band tonight, such great musicians - we're creating wonderful sounds here.
Got back and stayed up late, stamping the logo on a 100 blank CDs...
Tuesday 15th November 2016
As normal for a Tuesday I took the day out, driving Mum to every shop she wanted to go to and being bitten by the dog. Still managed to find time to reply to a dozen or so tour enquiries for next year.
Lovely coffee with Emma, before meeting up with my old chum Rob for dinner.
Home by 9.30pm to crack on with the Christmas show, whilst keeping an eye on the charity project stuff.
Lovely coffee with Emma, before meeting up with my old chum Rob for dinner.
Home by 9.30pm to crack on with the Christmas show, whilst keeping an eye on the charity project stuff.
Monday 14th November 2016
This feels like an important week.
Office in the morning to make sure the bills get paid etc, and then over to Steve's to approve the final mixes of the album. Spent a good few hours there, listening to everything intensively whilst eating lots of pizza. It sounds incredible, I cannot begin to express my gratitude to Steve for how much work he's done with this album. My dad would have been so proud.
By 6pm, the final mixes had gone over to Andy to master.
Got back, ordered 100 blank CDs, a stamp and a guillotine ready to turn the dining room into a bit of a factory to get the albums ready by Friday's launch.
Stand-up set in Cambridge was fun, a small but polite crowd. I look tired, but bashed out all the usual stuff and they seemed to enjoy it.
Then spent 4 hours editing together a documentary about the making of the album. No wonder I look tired.
Office in the morning to make sure the bills get paid etc, and then over to Steve's to approve the final mixes of the album. Spent a good few hours there, listening to everything intensively whilst eating lots of pizza. It sounds incredible, I cannot begin to express my gratitude to Steve for how much work he's done with this album. My dad would have been so proud.
By 6pm, the final mixes had gone over to Andy to master.
Got back, ordered 100 blank CDs, a stamp and a guillotine ready to turn the dining room into a bit of a factory to get the albums ready by Friday's launch.
Stand-up set in Cambridge was fun, a small but polite crowd. I look tired, but bashed out all the usual stuff and they seemed to enjoy it.
Then spent 4 hours editing together a documentary about the making of the album. No wonder I look tired.
Sunday 13th November 2016
Because I didn't get a chance to get the percussion parts done yesterday I came into the studio early to get that done for Claudia's stuff. I was on 2 hours sleep, but I respect her as a musician and a friend and couldn't let her down. She accepted my apologies for dashing yesterday, as much as I didn't have much choice in the matter. Played really well this morning, much better on percussion with those songs.
Then over to Steve's studio to watch Andrea, Cathy, Esther and Lauren nail their vocals, and then Lauren did her track too. Briefly had a chance to catch up with Matt who had come up from Bristol for harmonica and backing vocal duties but I had to dash to another session.
Then over to rehearse with the choir for four hours - really lovely session, sold 11 books in the interval, the vibe there is just great.
After quickly buying Matt dinner as a thank you for his recording I finally got home and a chance to stop for the first time all weekend.
The charity album is done, kind of. All of the parts are there at least. It's all going to be okay.
Then over to Steve's studio to watch Andrea, Cathy, Esther and Lauren nail their vocals, and then Lauren did her track too. Briefly had a chance to catch up with Matt who had come up from Bristol for harmonica and backing vocal duties but I had to dash to another session.
Then over to rehearse with the choir for four hours - really lovely session, sold 11 books in the interval, the vibe there is just great.
After quickly buying Matt dinner as a thank you for his recording I finally got home and a chance to stop for the first time all weekend.
The charity album is done, kind of. All of the parts are there at least. It's all going to be okay.
Saturday 12th November 2016
I get that it's fun to have lots of projects on the go but Saturday I just felt like I was pushing things a bit far. Claudia had booked me from 10am-6pm for the recording session, but the FH gig was a bit further away than I thought (I thought it was in Milton Keynes, turns out it's basically Bristol) so as a band we needed to head off earlier - about 2pm. But Claudia booked me for this in January. Suddenly I was forced to pick between the two, and friendships were being tested. The result? Me panicking and not playing well, drum takes for 6 tracks down but, whilst in perfect time, you feel the edge in my playing...which is not what Claudia's songs are about. Meanwhile, during the sessions, FH were calling me constantly - in the end they came to the studio to basically take me away to the gig, I was basically kidnapped by the other band! The Claudia recordings will be fine, there's enough technology to fix any flaws in my playing, but I never like to be one of those drummers that relies on the studio to put right any wrong doings.
Long trip to Tewkesbury, good food, nice soundcheck. Gig itself was fine - big headline show, 300 capacity sold out gig. We played well, hardly buzzing at the moment but so tight, the audience were probably oblivious to the ongoing awkwardness in the band right now.
Home very late.
Long trip to Tewkesbury, good food, nice soundcheck. Gig itself was fine - big headline show, 300 capacity sold out gig. We played well, hardly buzzing at the moment but so tight, the audience were probably oblivious to the ongoing awkwardness in the band right now.
Home very late.
Friday 11th November 2016
Did a spot of freelancing, didn't achieve much but not for the want of trying.
Tour for next Feb is still missing a Dundee date. That's the only one I'm missing but nobody in Dundee wants a bit of Richards.
Christmas show is slowly getting there.
Rehearsal with Claudia and band in the evening was tired but good fun. Rearranged drum parts ahead of the session tomorrow, in which I'm now starting early being double booked to buggery.
Tour for next Feb is still missing a Dundee date. That's the only one I'm missing but nobody in Dundee wants a bit of Richards.
Christmas show is slowly getting there.
Rehearsal with Claudia and band in the evening was tired but good fun. Rearranged drum parts ahead of the session tomorrow, in which I'm now starting early being double booked to buggery.
Thursday 10th November 2016
Book launch day!
Did a spot of freelancing in the office, and then over to a local radio station plug the launch...naturally in my brief interview on air with them I ending up plugging other stuff too...so many projects, probably not enough airtime. In my 3 minutes of chatting, though, I plugged 6 different things - which probably confused the listeners somewhat.
Quick catch up with my mate Vicky, and then over to the book launch which was, on all levels, a total disaster. 3 people turned up - the guy from the radio station, my mate Andy and Izzy's dad. Claudia, bless her, still played a storming set and I read a bit from the novel but the whole thing felt thoroughly depressing.
Got home and started reading the novel again just to make sure I'm doing the right thing in promoting it. It's bloody good, you know. I'll plug it properly next year outside of Cambridge.
In the meantime over in the studio the string parts for the charity album were being nailed, so at least that's one project that works.
Did a spot of freelancing in the office, and then over to a local radio station plug the launch...naturally in my brief interview on air with them I ending up plugging other stuff too...so many projects, probably not enough airtime. In my 3 minutes of chatting, though, I plugged 6 different things - which probably confused the listeners somewhat.
Quick catch up with my mate Vicky, and then over to the book launch which was, on all levels, a total disaster. 3 people turned up - the guy from the radio station, my mate Andy and Izzy's dad. Claudia, bless her, still played a storming set and I read a bit from the novel but the whole thing felt thoroughly depressing.
Got home and started reading the novel again just to make sure I'm doing the right thing in promoting it. It's bloody good, you know. I'll plug it properly next year outside of Cambridge.
In the meantime over in the studio the string parts for the charity album were being nailed, so at least that's one project that works.
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
Wednesday 9th November 2016
My book looks fucking brilliant, you know. Rich has done an amazing job. Ignore the words in it, the cover and quality of paper alone is worth a fiver of anyone's money.
Up early, back over to the studio. Myke was in today, nailed the sax for two tracks, and the vocals for Ticket to Ride, but struggled on Listen to the Music. Decided to bring in someone else to sing that, but who? And at such short notice? It all feels a bit tense now, this project. Mostly because of the ridiculous deadline I set ages ago for it.
Got back, did 3 hours freelance work, confirmed filming dates for the Snowbird promo single (directing it myself, quite excited about being the director of a music video) and rehearsals for the Christmas musical are all sorted - Claire is doing a great job.
Over to Peterborough for amazing dinner with the amazing Emma.
Life is good.
Up early, back over to the studio. Myke was in today, nailed the sax for two tracks, and the vocals for Ticket to Ride, but struggled on Listen to the Music. Decided to bring in someone else to sing that, but who? And at such short notice? It all feels a bit tense now, this project. Mostly because of the ridiculous deadline I set ages ago for it.
Got back, did 3 hours freelance work, confirmed filming dates for the Snowbird promo single (directing it myself, quite excited about being the director of a music video) and rehearsals for the Christmas musical are all sorted - Claire is doing a great job.
Over to Peterborough for amazing dinner with the amazing Emma.
Life is good.
Tuesday 8th November 2016
Vix is still ill so the planned studio reschedule has been delayed again. Suddenly this album is feeling a bit stressful, especially after losing the string players the other day (now replaced) and various filmmakers for the promo single (I'm doing it myself now because people are rubbish).
Took Mum for her weekly food shop and that was stressful, I got in trouble for being in too much of a rush to leave and as a result I didn't play with the dog enough. There isn't enough of me to go around at the moment.
Dashed over to the studio; Trevor and Jo totally, 100% nailed Proud Mary. Sounds amazing. Such talent.
Then over to pick up my novel, freshly printed by Richard with 2 days to spare. Great to catch up. Then over to drop off a copy of it to unquestionably my biggest fan: Marcus, who had pre-ordered and paid for it before it was even finished. He seemed happy to be the first to get it. Stayed and had a beer with him, was a lovely evening.
Took Mum for her weekly food shop and that was stressful, I got in trouble for being in too much of a rush to leave and as a result I didn't play with the dog enough. There isn't enough of me to go around at the moment.
Dashed over to the studio; Trevor and Jo totally, 100% nailed Proud Mary. Sounds amazing. Such talent.
Then over to pick up my novel, freshly printed by Richard with 2 days to spare. Great to catch up. Then over to drop off a copy of it to unquestionably my biggest fan: Marcus, who had pre-ordered and paid for it before it was even finished. He seemed happy to be the first to get it. Stayed and had a beer with him, was a lovely evening.
Monday 7th November 2016
Full day in the office, haven't seen the boss for ages so nice to catch up. Worked pretty hard, I thought, and nice to have deadlines set as I do have a knack of drifting sometimes...
Long day, but still - got paid and all that, keeps me ticking over.
Vix was ill so no charity album stuff tonight, gave me the opportunity to work on the Christmas script. It's slowly getting there, and it's a total beast.
Long day, but still - got paid and all that, keeps me ticking over.
Vix was ill so no charity album stuff tonight, gave me the opportunity to work on the Christmas script. It's slowly getting there, and it's a total beast.
Sunday 6th November 2016
Did a spot of work on the structure of the Christmas show, and then took out a couple hours to watch Spurs draw with Arsenal on the telly. Their goal was totally offside, by the way.
Caught up on show emails, watched through the Christmas film again and then suddenly it was the evening.
Really fun gig with Claudia and band, perhaps not the tightest but a lot of good vibes both on stage and in the audience. This is why I do this band.
Caught up on show emails, watched through the Christmas film again and then suddenly it was the evening.
Really fun gig with Claudia and band, perhaps not the tightest but a lot of good vibes both on stage and in the audience. This is why I do this band.
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Saturday 5th November 2016
Long day filming with Claudia and band - promo video for 'Happy', filmed by our good chum Matt. A nice day, everyone in good spirits and Marcel's sausages are incredible.
Home for a couple hours to chill out, and then off to watch 2 comedians I really enjoy with Fiona. They struggled with a small and quiet audience but it's interesting to see how 'big' comedians deal with these situations. Not well, to be honest. A nice evening all the same.
Home for a couple hours to chill out, and then off to watch 2 comedians I really enjoy with Fiona. They struggled with a small and quiet audience but it's interesting to see how 'big' comedians deal with these situations. Not well, to be honest. A nice evening all the same.
Friday 4th November 2016
Did some freelancing from home, achieved quite a bit for them in my 3 hours this morning.
Watched back the Christmas film. Didn't like it. Edited it again. I think it's okay now.
Need to write the Christmas show.
Quite a few other things I need to do.
Evening gig with FH in Coventry. Tiny venue but sold out. Awesome chicken beforehand. Great show. we were really on it tonight. A14 closed on the way back and it took us HOURS to get back.
Watched back the Christmas film. Didn't like it. Edited it again. I think it's okay now.
Need to write the Christmas show.
Quite a few other things I need to do.
Evening gig with FH in Coventry. Tiny venue but sold out. Awesome chicken beforehand. Great show. we were really on it tonight. A14 closed on the way back and it took us HOURS to get back.
Thursday 3rd November 2016
In the office for a day of freelancing. Nobody else in, just me all day, which means when I do get to speak to a real person (ie; lady in the bacon roll shop) it's like I've forgotten how to talk.
Still need to confirm a slot in Dundee for next year's tour; that would be awesome and complete the run of 13 shows from Weymouth to Shetland Islands.
Evening somehow spent many, many hours editing the Christmas film. Eventually done by 2am.
Still need to confirm a slot in Dundee for next year's tour; that would be awesome and complete the run of 13 shows from Weymouth to Shetland Islands.
Evening somehow spent many, many hours editing the Christmas film. Eventually done by 2am.
Wednesday 2nd November 2016
Spent the morning replying loads of emails and then, as my one day off proper this week, took Mum shopping and generally seemed concerned for her.
Rich has done me an amazing printing deal for the novel, just in time for the launch, too. There's a lot of projects bubbling under the surface at the moment but they all seem to be roughly running to schedule, apart from the musical which is still a bit of a worry.
Evening rehearsal with the choir band was great, loving the set and there's a real sense that after a tricky year for this project (including a rename) we're firing on all cylinders again.
Rich has done me an amazing printing deal for the novel, just in time for the launch, too. There's a lot of projects bubbling under the surface at the moment but they all seem to be roughly running to schedule, apart from the musical which is still a bit of a worry.
Evening rehearsal with the choir band was great, loving the set and there's a real sense that after a tricky year for this project (including a rename) we're firing on all cylinders again.
Tuesday 1st November 2016
Worked from home most of the day for the freelance stuff, whilst working simultaneously on the Christmas script.
Confirmed a show in Aberdeen for the February tour.
All press releases for the charity album have now gone out.
Started editing the Christmas film. This may take a bit longer than I'd hoped. It needs quite a lot of work...
Evening rehearsal with Claudia felt weirdly stressful, what with the recording sessions coming up this week that we'd not really prepared for.
Monday 31st October 2016
A day of freelancing, typically starting off with a bit of road rage with a taxi driver who was blocking me in. As I soon realised, though, it's really tough to have road rage with someone when you're wearing a Christmas jumper; they just don't take you seriously.
Still, got some stuff done which was cool and also managed to write the blurb for the Christmas show. Basically it's the plot of the show, then, which gives me something to work with.
Confirmed some January house show previews, and tried/failed to fill in the two remaining gaps in my February tour schedule.
In the evening met up with friends to watch a brilliant comedy show, we ate very well beforehand (fancy place, where the comedy was being held) and generally had a lovely time.
Still, got some stuff done which was cool and also managed to write the blurb for the Christmas show. Basically it's the plot of the show, then, which gives me something to work with.
Confirmed some January house show previews, and tried/failed to fill in the two remaining gaps in my February tour schedule.
In the evening met up with friends to watch a brilliant comedy show, we ate very well beforehand (fancy place, where the comedy was being held) and generally had a lovely time.
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