Hungover...it's been years since I drank with Paul H and I remember now how messy things used to get. Paul and his wife were still perfect hosts though throughout - their spare room I crashed out in resembled a hotel room.
Slow drive to Peterborough to play an afternoon gig with James and Charlie, fairly short notice but I like what they do (and them as people) and it was a really lovely afternoon. Attentive audience and even though I haven't played any of those songs before they play them with so much feeling it was easy to latch on to the groove and we went down a storm. I'm busy, but I'd be keen to do more with them.
Then, after sitting on the A14 for a while (there was an accident somewhere), over to Cambridge for preview number 3, this time around Phill's house. I've done a lot of shows around Phill's, and a lot of bad shows over the years - somehow I just seem to come unstuck there sometimes and I'm never sure why (it's NEVER the fault of the audience - as soon as I start to believe that I have no chance). But this show was really nice, it worked so well tonight, there was a nice performer/audience connection and even the bits which aren't quite working (it's getting lesser each night, I'm happy to report) were met with politeness.
The tour will be okay, I think.
Monday, 30 January 2017
Saturday 28th January 2017
Nice lie in, and then into town to get a haircut. Queue was far too big and I'm far too impatient so left after 10 minutes and instead surprised Mum with a visit and took the dog to her favourite walking place. That was nice.
Then drove up to Essex for the show. Amazing to catch up with Paul - the host, for the first time in 6 years, and the rest of my former Lunar Pilots bandmates for the first time in 7. We were never a bad that quite got going, despite what felt like endless rehearsals at the time, but those guys are great people to hang out with, it was a fun evening.
Paul packed out his lounge for me and got me a nice audience. The show, tweaked from last night, was a little hit and miss tonight - too many jokes just didn't land properly, but that's fine, that's what these evenings are far. They were so generous though, Paul had a whip round afterwards to make sure my expenses were covered and I made more than triple that.
The party afterwards was just lovely; we played old songs badly and drank till the early hours, just like we used to...
Then drove up to Essex for the show. Amazing to catch up with Paul - the host, for the first time in 6 years, and the rest of my former Lunar Pilots bandmates for the first time in 7. We were never a bad that quite got going, despite what felt like endless rehearsals at the time, but those guys are great people to hang out with, it was a fun evening.
Paul packed out his lounge for me and got me a nice audience. The show, tweaked from last night, was a little hit and miss tonight - too many jokes just didn't land properly, but that's fine, that's what these evenings are far. They were so generous though, Paul had a whip round afterwards to make sure my expenses were covered and I made more than triple that.
The party afterwards was just lovely; we played old songs badly and drank till the early hours, just like we used to...
Friday 27th January 2017
Proper blizting my February to-do list at the moment, which is awesome because it's still January. It's all good stuff, too - lots of shows coming in.
Then rehearsed the new show for a bit, panicked as it dawned on me a lot of it doesn't work, so rewrote that.
Over to Alex's boat for the first preview show....brilliant night, incredibly lovely audience (many of whom were new to my work but took to it instantly). Great atmosphere in the room, ending up staying till 1am as everyone was just so lovely. And doing a show on a boat is pretty cool, yeah?
Then rehearsed the new show for a bit, panicked as it dawned on me a lot of it doesn't work, so rewrote that.
Over to Alex's boat for the first preview show....brilliant night, incredibly lovely audience (many of whom were new to my work but took to it instantly). Great atmosphere in the room, ending up staying till 1am as everyone was just so lovely. And doing a show on a boat is pretty cool, yeah?
Thursday, 26 January 2017
Thursday 26th January 2017
Slept well last night, writing till late helped me. Got up, wrote the press releases for the show and send them around - lots of coverage already, this show is an easy sell. The BBC in particular are particularly keen.
Had a look at the freelance stuff for a couple hours, and then tried to find a replacement venue for Bristol. A bit of interest, but could do with something being confirmed soon.
Designed a generic poster for the show complete with white box to fill in details as and when, just to send to venues outside of tour time. I'm quite good at my PR for this one. Had a look at the script, remembered the show opens tomorrow.
Agreed to another stand-up gig, chatted to a couple more, found Laura's replacement as she has pulled out of the shows we're doing together because she has a better paid offer. Kelly will be fine, though.
Had a look at the script I started writing last night, and then spent 4 hours writing a soap opera quiz book. All in all, a productive day.
Had a look at the freelance stuff for a couple hours, and then tried to find a replacement venue for Bristol. A bit of interest, but could do with something being confirmed soon.
Designed a generic poster for the show complete with white box to fill in details as and when, just to send to venues outside of tour time. I'm quite good at my PR for this one. Had a look at the script, remembered the show opens tomorrow.
Agreed to another stand-up gig, chatted to a couple more, found Laura's replacement as she has pulled out of the shows we're doing together because she has a better paid offer. Kelly will be fine, though.
Had a look at the script I started writing last night, and then spent 4 hours writing a soap opera quiz book. All in all, a productive day.
Wednesday 25th January 2017
So many ideas, not enough time. Need to get the freelance thing sorted, just need a little extra security at the moment considering how much life is going to cost me over the next few months - house move, probable change of car (it'll never pass it's MOT in March, it's making some pretty horrible noises at the moment...), and this tour - which is quite close now and I've just lost the Bristol date as the woman who booked me has been sacked. I'll work on that tomorrow.
Today I went into the freelance office and put 6 hours in of 'preparation' ahead of doing a presentation next week. What can possibly go wrong?
Nobody talks there but I felt really chatty so generally spent a lot of time feeling frustrated.
Then over to the studio to rehearse some thrash jazz with Pillars; I enjoyed it more this time around now that we're tighter.
Got back and started work on a sitcom script, mostly inspired by something that was niggling me. I should be writing the murder mystery, but this one just felt like something I wanted to write this evening. Only written about 3 pages of dialogue and will come back to it, but felt weirdly therapeutic.
Today I went into the freelance office and put 6 hours in of 'preparation' ahead of doing a presentation next week. What can possibly go wrong?
Nobody talks there but I felt really chatty so generally spent a lot of time feeling frustrated.
Then over to the studio to rehearse some thrash jazz with Pillars; I enjoyed it more this time around now that we're tighter.
Got back and started work on a sitcom script, mostly inspired by something that was niggling me. I should be writing the murder mystery, but this one just felt like something I wanted to write this evening. Only written about 3 pages of dialogue and will come back to it, but felt weirdly therapeutic.
Tuesday, 24 January 2017
Tuesday 24th January 2017
Finally paid my tax, now that they've accepted my second draft of my return. That shouldn't have taken that long. But still, did it with 7 days to spare. Just sayin'...
I feel good today, some lovely emails with lovely opportunities have popped into my inbox, more on them soon if they develop but a coffee I've been invited to on Monday morning should be interesting. I need to learn how to enjoy coffee like other adults do.
Tour show selling well, but even if it totally sells out I could still make a loss. Maybe a kickstarter type campaign is in order, not sure, I haven't done one since the 50 Ways... film so well over a year ago but still, not sure. The idea of corporate sponsorship hasn't really worked. Either way, this tour will be quite an adventure - the more I think about it, the more I shudder.
Paced around the house a lot this morning, running through various routines. At the show on Saturday night I really messed up the Colchester rant, which is bizarre because I've had that for years. I just need to be a little sharper, but I've got plenty of chances to do so. The show has 2 props; went to Poundland to buy them and they had them both which is a relief - and nice that my total expenditure for this production is £2.
I'm probably feeling happy because I've finished one book and enjoying reading another and we're still in January. It's like I've just discovered reading...it's pretty cool, I'd highly recommend it.
Took Mum shopping and let her talk about the past for about 3 hours, and then back to finish the structure of the football novel, which really excites me. I need to write it all up, at the moment it's written in notepads (my new favourite thing to do, alongside reading) but it'll be a masterpiece and the making of me and all that when I finally get around to it...
I feel good today, some lovely emails with lovely opportunities have popped into my inbox, more on them soon if they develop but a coffee I've been invited to on Monday morning should be interesting. I need to learn how to enjoy coffee like other adults do.
Tour show selling well, but even if it totally sells out I could still make a loss. Maybe a kickstarter type campaign is in order, not sure, I haven't done one since the 50 Ways... film so well over a year ago but still, not sure. The idea of corporate sponsorship hasn't really worked. Either way, this tour will be quite an adventure - the more I think about it, the more I shudder.
Paced around the house a lot this morning, running through various routines. At the show on Saturday night I really messed up the Colchester rant, which is bizarre because I've had that for years. I just need to be a little sharper, but I've got plenty of chances to do so. The show has 2 props; went to Poundland to buy them and they had them both which is a relief - and nice that my total expenditure for this production is £2.
I'm probably feeling happy because I've finished one book and enjoying reading another and we're still in January. It's like I've just discovered reading...it's pretty cool, I'd highly recommend it.
Took Mum shopping and let her talk about the past for about 3 hours, and then back to finish the structure of the football novel, which really excites me. I need to write it all up, at the moment it's written in notepads (my new favourite thing to do, alongside reading) but it'll be a masterpiece and the making of me and all that when I finally get around to it...
Monday, 23 January 2017
Monday 23rd January 2017
Got this new rule if I'm working from home; whatever time I wake up, I'll work 12 hours from then. That means I won't feel guilty having a bit of a lie-in (it's always tough having housemates who have proper jobs and leave at 7.30am).
Did half an hour more than that today, finishing work eventually at 10.30pm. It's been a day of mixed projects, a little emailing for the freelance job (communication there is a bit...worrying, shall we say, it's all very uncertain), and then - having realised that a quiz book I wrote at the end of last year got into the quiz book charts, I wrote another 2. There's a real market here for that, small-ish money but once they're written and released then the small change can trickle in every now and then...it's basically a bit of an investment for the future. They take bloody ages to write, though, over 3 hours each and not the most interesting way to spend a day.
Solo show opens on Friday on the boat so that needs a bit of attention this week; the old bits I know well enough, the new bits (I think there's about half an hours worth of new stuff so far) seem fun and are in my head, as much as I may need notes on stage initially.
Waiting to hear back from Marcel about the music for the murder mystery but that's all out of my hands now. 'The Rush Hour Shuffle' is the best set of lyrics I've written this year, I think. Things roughly in shape, for a day or so.
Did half an hour more than that today, finishing work eventually at 10.30pm. It's been a day of mixed projects, a little emailing for the freelance job (communication there is a bit...worrying, shall we say, it's all very uncertain), and then - having realised that a quiz book I wrote at the end of last year got into the quiz book charts, I wrote another 2. There's a real market here for that, small-ish money but once they're written and released then the small change can trickle in every now and then...it's basically a bit of an investment for the future. They take bloody ages to write, though, over 3 hours each and not the most interesting way to spend a day.
Solo show opens on Friday on the boat so that needs a bit of attention this week; the old bits I know well enough, the new bits (I think there's about half an hours worth of new stuff so far) seem fun and are in my head, as much as I may need notes on stage initially.
Waiting to hear back from Marcel about the music for the murder mystery but that's all out of my hands now. 'The Rush Hour Shuffle' is the best set of lyrics I've written this year, I think. Things roughly in shape, for a day or so.
Sunday 22nd January 2017
Last night was fun, it proved that I can still be 'funny' even if I'm not totally on it. The standard of these pro bills was, as you'd expect, so much higher than the regular open mic sessions and it was nice to not feel totally out of place.
Woke up with a real desire to make things happen, so re-did my tax return. Never just as simple as just filling in a few boxes, is it? Anyway all done now, several hours later. Will see if they get back to me about it but you know, I just wanna bloody pay it and move on.
Then over to Claudia's for recording percussion parts for her album. It's sounding great; the drums were laid down last year so it's nice to jam with myself on these and the congas in stereo are working a treat.
After that I finished all the words to the murder mystery music stuff, which was nice to tick off my to-do list. All in all, a productive Sunday.
Woke up with a real desire to make things happen, so re-did my tax return. Never just as simple as just filling in a few boxes, is it? Anyway all done now, several hours later. Will see if they get back to me about it but you know, I just wanna bloody pay it and move on.
Then over to Claudia's for recording percussion parts for her album. It's sounding great; the drums were laid down last year so it's nice to jam with myself on these and the congas in stereo are working a treat.
After that I finished all the words to the murder mystery music stuff, which was nice to tick off my to-do list. All in all, a productive Sunday.
Sunday, 22 January 2017
Saturday 21st January 2017
Long day, mostly waiting around backstage.
Chinese New Year gig with the band. As like 3 years ago when we played this event then, we were the only English act on the bill so I generally found the whole thing quite confusing. 6 and a bit hours later, we finally made it to the stage for a short 2 song set. It's a big show, it's worth doing as we had a big audience but still...that's a lot of time to kill.
During that time I had a text offering me a last minute comedy gig for the evening, which I accepted. It was a tryout with a big promoter for future paid work - she just wanted to see me before committing to paying me which is fair enough. Local gig but fully professional billing, I had 7 minutes in the middle of the show to prove myself, total sellout.
I didn't have my trusty cajon as that bloody Chinese New Year gig overran by 2 HOURS, so had to make do with a snare. My set was...different. It's a lot different with a snare, it's a lot heavier and harder to hold a groove without dropping it so I was more ganglier than ever. Add to this my heavy cold, voice cracking and my cut lip from shaving and yeah, not my most composed performance. But it was funny, at least, even for the wrong reasons at times. Audience loved it and promoter was impressed enough to offer me paid gigs for the future, so a good result after a tricky 7 minutes.
Chinese New Year gig with the band. As like 3 years ago when we played this event then, we were the only English act on the bill so I generally found the whole thing quite confusing. 6 and a bit hours later, we finally made it to the stage for a short 2 song set. It's a big show, it's worth doing as we had a big audience but still...that's a lot of time to kill.
During that time I had a text offering me a last minute comedy gig for the evening, which I accepted. It was a tryout with a big promoter for future paid work - she just wanted to see me before committing to paying me which is fair enough. Local gig but fully professional billing, I had 7 minutes in the middle of the show to prove myself, total sellout.
I didn't have my trusty cajon as that bloody Chinese New Year gig overran by 2 HOURS, so had to make do with a snare. My set was...different. It's a lot different with a snare, it's a lot heavier and harder to hold a groove without dropping it so I was more ganglier than ever. Add to this my heavy cold, voice cracking and my cut lip from shaving and yeah, not my most composed performance. But it was funny, at least, even for the wrong reasons at times. Audience loved it and promoter was impressed enough to offer me paid gigs for the future, so a good result after a tricky 7 minutes.
Friday 20th January 2017
Felt a bit rough in the morning so treated myself to an extra hour in bed (joys of being self-employed) (but I don't get paid for it) before catching up on a few emails - both freelance and tour stuff.
Did a little more work on the show and then spent a bit of time on the murder mystery, which is taking shape nicely enough. It's all good, about from the uncertainty of the freelance stuff.
Took Mum's dog to the vets (the only dog ever who doesn't seem to have an issue with injections) and then caught up with Rob for a spot of dinner and a rant, like the old men we are.
Did a little more work on the show and then spent a bit of time on the murder mystery, which is taking shape nicely enough. It's all good, about from the uncertainty of the freelance stuff.
Took Mum's dog to the vets (the only dog ever who doesn't seem to have an issue with injections) and then caught up with Rob for a spot of dinner and a rant, like the old men we are.
Thursday, 19 January 2017
Thursday 19th January 2017
The posters have arrived for the tour and they look bloody brilliant; there's nothing better for the ego than seeing yourself in a big glossy A3 poster.
That prompted me that I still need to make more money (in life, generally) to fund the tour so send out another couple (215) emails to local businesses. 3 rejections.
All of that emailing took up a fair chunk of my morning. I then caught up with tour booking, had a ridiculous amount of microwave sausages (5) and wrote the final bits of the new show which glue it all together. Look, I get some of the 'normal' bits of my life aren't quite working out at the moment (car playing up, still confused by tax return stuff, freelance job on the edge etc etc) but this new material is the best stuff I've written, convinced of that. The 'On the Scrapheap at 35 Waltz' in particular works well and the new intro song, 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?' should let the audience know if it's their sort of thing or not. I'm quietly confident I'm doing the right thing with my life.
Then Griff came over, I'm guesting on his new project, good tunes, nice time was had.
That prompted me that I still need to make more money (in life, generally) to fund the tour so send out another couple (215) emails to local businesses. 3 rejections.
All of that emailing took up a fair chunk of my morning. I then caught up with tour booking, had a ridiculous amount of microwave sausages (5) and wrote the final bits of the new show which glue it all together. Look, I get some of the 'normal' bits of my life aren't quite working out at the moment (car playing up, still confused by tax return stuff, freelance job on the edge etc etc) but this new material is the best stuff I've written, convinced of that. The 'On the Scrapheap at 35 Waltz' in particular works well and the new intro song, 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?' should let the audience know if it's their sort of thing or not. I'm quietly confident I'm doing the right thing with my life.
Then Griff came over, I'm guesting on his new project, good tunes, nice time was had.
Wednesday 18th January 2017
Popped into the office for a bit and it was the first time this year I've seen the boss and...well, not sure what I can say on a public blog but he's clearly very ill and I'm worried for him.
My role there, should I chose to accept it (it's either that or my contract mutually comes to an end...ah, the lack of security being a freelancer) is far more advanced now to cover for him, and not what maybe I have head space for what with these five million other commitments. I've got a few days to think about it.
Still, it's a few quid in the bank I guess. Got back and confirmed another couple of shows, wrote a slightly over ambitious new to-do list.
My role there, should I chose to accept it (it's either that or my contract mutually comes to an end...ah, the lack of security being a freelancer) is far more advanced now to cover for him, and not what maybe I have head space for what with these five million other commitments. I've got a few days to think about it.
Still, it's a few quid in the bank I guess. Got back and confirmed another couple of shows, wrote a slightly over ambitious new to-do list.
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Tuesday 17th January 2017
It's always lovely to see a completed to-do list, but my to-do list for the last 2 days is well and truly nailed, and that includes finally working out the structure of the new show.
It feels messy still; as before the show is made up of bullet points. Last year's fringe show, which was only around 50 minutes in length, was made up of 16 points I needed to hit to make the story work. This one, for touring at least, is much longer - 90 minutes, in 2 x 45 minute halves, but currently has 27 points in each half. Basically, I'm aware that on tour I'll look at the audience and realise certain bits aren't gonna float their boat (or more to the point, I'll look at them and realise I just don't like them) so I can drop certain bits but still have enough of a show left. The previews - the 5 house shows starting next week on Alex's boat, will go on for bloody hours. Sorry if you're at one of those, but I need to test this stuff out.
Anyway, that was a good day - morning spent catching up on emails, emails from people who have only just picked my initial 'give me a show' message from December and are now getting back to me. Shows starting to come in for September/October now, so it's good to know I have life after the fringe.
Then off to a meeting at the venue in Bury for the murder mystery. Venue is massive, beautiful and run really well. The meeting was great, I can't wait to bring the show there but wow...a lot of pressure with this. As I walked away I was thinking though...I'm 35, I've been around long enough, these are the sort of venues I should be performing in these days. It's still a rarity, but there's five or six of these shows now confirmed. I've worked out if I had 80 of them a year I could live comfortably off those without doing anything else...
Then got back, did some more work on the new show (which is now more new bits than intended), sent out another 50 or so emails to venues, designed 'Box' posters for 3 different venues outside of the tour and sent those over and then re-did the tour poster to fit in the recently added Harrogate date.
If I can get the core of this show written this week, and the rest of the lyrics for the murder mystery (Marcel is chasing these up), then I'll be back on track, I reckon.
It feels messy still; as before the show is made up of bullet points. Last year's fringe show, which was only around 50 minutes in length, was made up of 16 points I needed to hit to make the story work. This one, for touring at least, is much longer - 90 minutes, in 2 x 45 minute halves, but currently has 27 points in each half. Basically, I'm aware that on tour I'll look at the audience and realise certain bits aren't gonna float their boat (or more to the point, I'll look at them and realise I just don't like them) so I can drop certain bits but still have enough of a show left. The previews - the 5 house shows starting next week on Alex's boat, will go on for bloody hours. Sorry if you're at one of those, but I need to test this stuff out.
Anyway, that was a good day - morning spent catching up on emails, emails from people who have only just picked my initial 'give me a show' message from December and are now getting back to me. Shows starting to come in for September/October now, so it's good to know I have life after the fringe.
Then off to a meeting at the venue in Bury for the murder mystery. Venue is massive, beautiful and run really well. The meeting was great, I can't wait to bring the show there but wow...a lot of pressure with this. As I walked away I was thinking though...I'm 35, I've been around long enough, these are the sort of venues I should be performing in these days. It's still a rarity, but there's five or six of these shows now confirmed. I've worked out if I had 80 of them a year I could live comfortably off those without doing anything else...
Then got back, did some more work on the new show (which is now more new bits than intended), sent out another 50 or so emails to venues, designed 'Box' posters for 3 different venues outside of the tour and sent those over and then re-did the tour poster to fit in the recently added Harrogate date.
If I can get the core of this show written this week, and the rest of the lyrics for the murder mystery (Marcel is chasing these up), then I'll be back on track, I reckon.
Monday 16th January 2017
Did a couple hours freelance work (watching seemingly endless training videos) and then took Mum shopping. Felt guilty only being able to spare a couple hours' this week but these are busy times...calm before the storm stuff, but these shows need writing.
Got back and did just that, working on the show, scrapping lots of it, starting again, the usual routine that stresses me out a bit. Did some work on the football novel just to calm myself down and staggered to bed with a head full of ideas that aren't quite working at the moment. Get a grip, Richards.
Got back and did just that, working on the show, scrapping lots of it, starting again, the usual routine that stresses me out a bit. Did some work on the football novel just to calm myself down and staggered to bed with a head full of ideas that aren't quite working at the moment. Get a grip, Richards.
Sunday, 15 January 2017
Sunday 15th January 2017
I can't cope with hangovers like I used to. It's also band when you're roommate is Lachy, who doesn't touch a drop of the booze so was up bright and early.
5 hours sleep, but hearty breakfast and back on the road.
Over 6 hours to get back, I slept through most of it.
Great fun weekend but shouldn't really take this long to recover from it. Home by 5.30-ish to reply to tour emails, and then work on the show but...well, yeah, my head and body are still suffering...
5 hours sleep, but hearty breakfast and back on the road.
Over 6 hours to get back, I slept through most of it.
Great fun weekend but shouldn't really take this long to recover from it. Home by 5.30-ish to reply to tour emails, and then work on the show but...well, yeah, my head and body are still suffering...
Saturday 14th January 2017
Up early and then off to Torquay with the band. It's great being on the road with these guys, I've missed it and we need to get back out there and do this more like we used to. Yeah, it's changed a little bit for obvious reasons but we're all so close to each other; we put up with each others' quirks and enjoy a good quiz.
Long trip down, but then a nice soundcheck, check into the hotel, big fancy dinner (laid on by the hotel as part of the deal), a beer and then onstage at 10-ish for an hour and fifteen minutes. We rocked tonight, totally. Only minor issue was my incredibly loud snare, which caused the soundguys a few issues but they were so responsive to it and were grateful that I was too in my playing. Top gig, huge crowd - completely our demographic, we just clean up in gigs like this.
Back to the our rooms to scrub up and then back to the venue (also in the hotel) to watch the headliners, an awesome swing/jazz band and have a bit of a party. Ended up drinking with the other acts and tech team, and then just Vix till gone 3am, long after the others had chickened out. We're the most rock and roll members of this band...
Long trip down, but then a nice soundcheck, check into the hotel, big fancy dinner (laid on by the hotel as part of the deal), a beer and then onstage at 10-ish for an hour and fifteen minutes. We rocked tonight, totally. Only minor issue was my incredibly loud snare, which caused the soundguys a few issues but they were so responsive to it and were grateful that I was too in my playing. Top gig, huge crowd - completely our demographic, we just clean up in gigs like this.
Back to the our rooms to scrub up and then back to the venue (also in the hotel) to watch the headliners, an awesome swing/jazz band and have a bit of a party. Ended up drinking with the other acts and tech team, and then just Vix till gone 3am, long after the others had chickened out. We're the most rock and roll members of this band...
Friday 13th January 2017
Did a little freelancing from home and had a good chat with the boss on the phone about where this is all going. Uncertainty afoot, but that's the perils of being a 'contractor' I guess. Got freaked out by a letter from HMRC which is a blunt reminder that I need to re-submit my tax return, this time not putting my 'earnings' in the 'personal debt' box as they seem really worried about me, which is lovely of them but not needed...I'm doing okay, I'm just a bit rubbish at forms. Will sort that next week.
Any anxiety over that has come from this though (as much as it was also possibly just the Red Bull) has all gone into a nice little song which may find its way into the new show. Got lots of stuff now for the new show, still no idea if any of it is any good at this stage but enough older material to get me through the tour. That's opening perhaps a little sooner than I'd like.
Spent quite a bit of time working on the show today and found a structure for the whole thing, which kind of goes against my initial plan for it to be reasonably narrative-free but I just can't help myself.
Evening caught up with a comedian chum for a coffee and chat about lots of stuff, and then over to Vix's birthday drinks which were lovely.
Any anxiety over that has come from this though (as much as it was also possibly just the Red Bull) has all gone into a nice little song which may find its way into the new show. Got lots of stuff now for the new show, still no idea if any of it is any good at this stage but enough older material to get me through the tour. That's opening perhaps a little sooner than I'd like.
Spent quite a bit of time working on the show today and found a structure for the whole thing, which kind of goes against my initial plan for it to be reasonably narrative-free but I just can't help myself.
Evening caught up with a comedian chum for a coffee and chat about lots of stuff, and then over to Vix's birthday drinks which were lovely.
Thursday, 12 January 2017
Thursday 12th January 2017
Seemed to foolishly lose my tour gig in Lancaster, but have managed to get another slot - this one in Harrogate, which isn't quite moving up the country but sideways at least and keeps the tour going. Bizarrely, the only thing of mine they've seen is an old clip of Getting Lost in My Hometown from 2014, including the 'peeing against the cricket scoreboard' routine. They are a cricket club, with a scoreboard, and actually emailed me a separate note to make sure I wouldn't piss on theirs. Christ.
Anyway, popped into the office to freelance for a few hours, got some stuff done, and also accepted three more 'circuit' stand-up gigs. Left at 3pm to go and play jazz with Rohan and Chris; this project is the only thing these guys do so they were far more prepared than me but it was still nice. It's just nice to be drumming and playing lots and lots of solos.
And then back to work on the show...it's a mess, in a good way.
Anyway, popped into the office to freelance for a few hours, got some stuff done, and also accepted three more 'circuit' stand-up gigs. Left at 3pm to go and play jazz with Rohan and Chris; this project is the only thing these guys do so they were far more prepared than me but it was still nice. It's just nice to be drumming and playing lots and lots of solos.
And then back to work on the show...it's a mess, in a good way.
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Wednesday 11th January 2017
Up really early, not by choice, but because Edd is getting the windows replaced and a man had to turn up to measure them.
Still, and early start gave me more time in the day, even if - as I write this at 10.15pm, I'm flagging big style. Apart from when I popped out to buy some sausages, I have been staring at this screen since 8am.
Still, I feel like I'm making progress. Sent over 800 emails about corporate sponsorship and there's one person who is very, very interested already in helping fund the tour in exchange for his logo on the posters. His first response was "yes, but are you any good?". When I told him I was, and sent over seven different press reviews, he seemed keen to support me.
Did 3 hours of freelancing work, too, and a little work on the script. I can't work out if I need sleep or beer at this stage.
Still, and early start gave me more time in the day, even if - as I write this at 10.15pm, I'm flagging big style. Apart from when I popped out to buy some sausages, I have been staring at this screen since 8am.
Still, I feel like I'm making progress. Sent over 800 emails about corporate sponsorship and there's one person who is very, very interested already in helping fund the tour in exchange for his logo on the posters. His first response was "yes, but are you any good?". When I told him I was, and sent over seven different press reviews, he seemed keen to support me.
Did 3 hours of freelancing work, too, and a little work on the script. I can't work out if I need sleep or beer at this stage.
Tuesday 10th January 2017
A Tuesday, so Mum's shopping day, or basically Paul gets bitten by a dog day whilst sat in Waitrose car park for hours trying to write a football novel in a notepad with cold hands.
That football novel is taking shape, though.
Before that I spent a few hours constructing a lovely email to companies about tour sponsorship. This is basically because I realised just how expensive this tour next month is gonna be. I should have thought about this when booking it last October. It'll happen, somehow.
My intended short catch up with Claudia and Marcel ended up being over three hours, but that's always the sign of a good friendship. After the initial banter, Marcel helped me with my mic technique (something I've struggled with recently), we then watched over the 'Some Films...' episode I made last year which I still haven't done anything with (those guys are in it) - it's really, really good, and then we went over the plan and logistics for the forthcoming murder mystery show and then we listened to mixes of Claudia's album (which I'm on) which sounded bloody amazing.
Home by 11pm, and then another 2 hours writing emails.
That football novel is taking shape, though.
Before that I spent a few hours constructing a lovely email to companies about tour sponsorship. This is basically because I realised just how expensive this tour next month is gonna be. I should have thought about this when booking it last October. It'll happen, somehow.
My intended short catch up with Claudia and Marcel ended up being over three hours, but that's always the sign of a good friendship. After the initial banter, Marcel helped me with my mic technique (something I've struggled with recently), we then watched over the 'Some Films...' episode I made last year which I still haven't done anything with (those guys are in it) - it's really, really good, and then we went over the plan and logistics for the forthcoming murder mystery show and then we listened to mixes of Claudia's album (which I'm on) which sounded bloody amazing.
Home by 11pm, and then another 2 hours writing emails.
Monday 9th January 2017
First day in the office this year for a spot of freelancing, I was the only person in (out of a possible 4). Good, though, I get stuff done when I'm in a nice office with speedy internet.
Did a comfortable 10-3, and then home to work on the new show. The plan was to always have this initially as a bit of a best of, as it's all audiences who have never seen me before, with half an hour or so of new bits in there too (it's a 90 minute show). I'll gig it well and by the May tour it should be an entirely new hour, giving me enough gigs to get it good by Edinburgh. At the moment, all the bits from the previous shows are gelling really, really well together, which is nice as it'll be a decent show to watch, but equally worrying because it probably means a lot of my material from the last three years have been in the same tone. The new stuff is...well, it's getting there. The intro is fucking amazing, if I get it right. It's ambitious and could go horribly wrong, but if I can pull that off it could become the staple part of my live act.
Then tour admin took over, again. Posters and stuff, all needs printing, just never enough time, is there?
Did a comfortable 10-3, and then home to work on the new show. The plan was to always have this initially as a bit of a best of, as it's all audiences who have never seen me before, with half an hour or so of new bits in there too (it's a 90 minute show). I'll gig it well and by the May tour it should be an entirely new hour, giving me enough gigs to get it good by Edinburgh. At the moment, all the bits from the previous shows are gelling really, really well together, which is nice as it'll be a decent show to watch, but equally worrying because it probably means a lot of my material from the last three years have been in the same tone. The new stuff is...well, it's getting there. The intro is fucking amazing, if I get it right. It's ambitious and could go horribly wrong, but if I can pull that off it could become the staple part of my live act.
Then tour admin took over, again. Posters and stuff, all needs printing, just never enough time, is there?
Sunday, 8 January 2017
Sunday 8th January 2017
Haha, so turns out I didn't do my self-assessment form properly after all. Odd message from HMRC this morning, quite friendly, but looking again at the form I'd put my 'earnings' in the 'personal debt' box, which is probably why they say I don't have to pay anything. I've got until the end of the month to re-submit.
Anyway, left Hyde Park nice and early (because Em is busier than I am and had to learn a classical score), back home, and then I met up with Rob for a spot of lunch. He really is a good person to chat about ideas to, a totally bonkers man in a good way.
Then there was a stabbing in St Ives and my route home was shut as they were trying to find the man responsible. I ended up popping around Mum's house instead until the roads were open again; she enjoyed my company at least.
Back to reply to a usual load of emails from the five active accounts. Stuff is happening, I just need more creative time and less admin time.
Anyway, left Hyde Park nice and early (because Em is busier than I am and had to learn a classical score), back home, and then I met up with Rob for a spot of lunch. He really is a good person to chat about ideas to, a totally bonkers man in a good way.
Then there was a stabbing in St Ives and my route home was shut as they were trying to find the man responsible. I ended up popping around Mum's house instead until the roads were open again; she enjoyed my company at least.
Back to reply to a usual load of emails from the five active accounts. Stuff is happening, I just need more creative time and less admin time.
Saturday 7th January 2017
Emma came down late last night, missed the gig as she was teaching till late but still made it in time for a few drinks and then we stayed in a hotel over in Hyde Park. Figured if I'm in London for a gig we may as well make a weekend of it.
Met up with a few of her friends in the morning for a nice breakfast, and then we went to watch the Carole King musical which was just superb (if expensive). A proper big West End show. I sat there, I had big ideas of my own...
Met up with a few of her friends in the morning for a nice breakfast, and then we went to watch the Carole King musical which was just superb (if expensive). A proper big West End show. I sat there, I had big ideas of my own...
Friday 6th January 2016
Worked from home in the morning, and then worked on the solo show for a bit. Also found a place that sells microwave sausages so all is good with the world.
The murder mystery show is selling really, really well.
Things roughly in control, apart from the fact the tour is next month and I feel nowhere near prepared at this stage. And it's an adventerous tour, and...yeah, logistically it's going to be a stress. Can't wait, though.
Evening stand-up set in London. Lovely little venue, nice crowd - didn't take much to fill it. I was second on of 8 acts, all of whom are lovely and many of whom are now Facebook friends. Quality was really high tonight. I had a good one; new stuff worked well, the old stuff got safe laughs.
Then had a few beers with some of the other acts afterwards. All in all, thoroughly enjoyable.
Thursday, 5 January 2017
Thursday 5th January 2017
See, I think I've done my tax return. Pretty sure I have. Spent hours on it today, as you should do and it all looks accurate but the wording is a little confusing. Let's just assume that I have.
Anyway, so that was quite a bit of my day, the rest of it was spent editing, and re-editing the film. It's really good, you know. I'm very proud. An unexpected treat. There's new pressures now, of course there is, about what to do with it as I just don't want this to go *straight* to YouTube.
2017, it's all going roughly in the right direction. Plenty of time to bugger it all up yet, though.
Anyway, so that was quite a bit of my day, the rest of it was spent editing, and re-editing the film. It's really good, you know. I'm very proud. An unexpected treat. There's new pressures now, of course there is, about what to do with it as I just don't want this to go *straight* to YouTube.
2017, it's all going roughly in the right direction. Plenty of time to bugger it all up yet, though.
Wednesday 4th January 2017
SO MANY EMAILS, TAKING OVER MY LIFE!
(which means I have gigs coming in, so I am of course grateful).
Did about 2 hours 'proper' work, and then decided to address the soap opera problem. We can't get the full cast together, at all, ever to finish the pub scenes. I started editing the footage together anyway in the hope it looks like a show and then ideas started coming to me...ended up re-jigging the plot, big style, totally dropping one of the 'families' in the soap along the way and pretty much cutting out any mention of them. Got all excited as the plot suddenly felt it was uncluttered and working again.
Popped out and had a lovely dinner with Meg, and then came back. Suddenly it was nearly 4am and I was still editing it...but boy does it look good. It's no longer a soap, it's a movie, and it's the best movie I've ever made.
(which means I have gigs coming in, so I am of course grateful).
Did about 2 hours 'proper' work, and then decided to address the soap opera problem. We can't get the full cast together, at all, ever to finish the pub scenes. I started editing the footage together anyway in the hope it looks like a show and then ideas started coming to me...ended up re-jigging the plot, big style, totally dropping one of the 'families' in the soap along the way and pretty much cutting out any mention of them. Got all excited as the plot suddenly felt it was uncluttered and working again.
Popped out and had a lovely dinner with Meg, and then came back. Suddenly it was nearly 4am and I was still editing it...but boy does it look good. It's no longer a soap, it's a movie, and it's the best movie I've ever made.
Tuesday 3rd January 2017
Emails are really flying in now, more offers than my schedule can cope with. Yet, January is still amazingly empty. I *get* that I need to sort out this soap opera situation mess, do my tax return, write my tour show and structure the songs for the murder mystery musical show thingy. But it still feels like I have a little too much time on my hands this month, ahead of a manic few months.
Did a spot of freelancing this morning, and confirmed a bunch of new shows. Then it was my sister's 40th which was nice but...blimey, 40? That means I'm catching up. We're all getting older, and not in a good way.
Did a spot of freelancing this morning, and confirmed a bunch of new shows. Then it was my sister's 40th which was nice but...blimey, 40? That means I'm catching up. We're all getting older, and not in a good way.
Monday, 2 January 2017
So this is 2017
This feels like a big year. Let's have some slightly suspect football metaphors here, but basically at the end of 2014 I quit the job. 2015 I was finding my feet as a professional freelancer and was basically in the relegation zone for most of it, but scraped through (a bit like Sunderland). 2016 I consolidated my place - I've worked out how to make money, where I'm losing it. I'm not making huge amounts at all but I'm getting by; basically just below mid-table but safe and comfortable enough (West Brom). 2017... I need to move up that table, challenge at least for Europa spots because I'll be in danger of stagnating otherwise and will eventually get it all wrong (Aston Villa).
That's the football stuff out the way. Doesn't *really* work but that won't stop me. In short though, this will be a different year on a non-professional level; I mean, I have to move house (landlord/housemate got engaged, it's weird that I'm living with an engaged couple even if the house is massive and even if they're being so lovely about it and don't seem to want me out), finally change car (I've been reliably informed that this one will fail it's MOT in March - it's currently on 192,000 miles and the engine warning light has been on since April) and...well, you know. I can't be doing *this* at the age of 40. I'll be 36 this year and there's a point in life when you realise that you maybe want a little more then scraping by and renting a room off a mate; there has to be a bigger picture here. Yet there's no way I'm going to give up my soul for a 9-5 job: life is short, just the idea of spending so much of it, working for somebody else, terrifies me. No fucking way. I did that up until the age of 33 anyway and I regret it deeply.
I've had many a long drunken chat with good friends over Christmas about this and the obvious answer is to refine what I do. I'm nicely branded now as a comedy act, it was naturally happening anyway: I am the drumming comedian guy. That's it - that's me sorted. Do I go down the obvious route of doing 'the circuit' - doing 10 minutes for nothing/next to nothing in the hope somebody from the industry who could benefit me will be there because, let's be honest, if they are and they do like me that would make life a lot easier because they can get me on the performance platforms that I can't at the moment without an agent? But that does mean travelling for hours, and hours, to do 10 minutes in front of people who aren't there for you. Or do I carry on doing my own thing? Being the troubadour comedian performing 90 minute shows in unconventional venues, very, very slowly building a cult following that will, eventually, hopefully lead to a wider following? Difficult choice, but the answer is of course: there is enough time to do both, if I drop a few of the little projects that don't work. I'll tour a lot in 2017, more than ever...I've got more shows than ever already confirmed, but dip into the circuit gigs when I can. I've got a good YouTube 10 minute video now, it's getting me a lot of work.
So that's the plan, anyway - I'm the drumming comedian dude, but instead of having 5 different shows at the fringe this year it'll be this one and people won't get confused about who I am or what I do. I mean, yeah, probably will take a couple other shows to Edinburgh as well, but they will also be under the same branding. Even the murder mystery with a band show that we're touring is very much in same tone; I'm still drumming, a lot in it, but I'm also hosting and then being the detective. Brand Richards looks sharp this year.
The 'proper' drumming itself will still continue. See, the thing about being a drummer is that I don't have to push for the work, it just trickles in. I get nice gigs, for money, but I have no control as to when they come in and it's near-impossible to get more of them outside of the 100-ish a year I get already. I'll be fine as a drummer this year, and hopefully being a comedy drummer will help get more serious drum work, we'll see - but my ambitions for that aren't, well, they're still there, but I'm realistic.
We're two days into the year and it's started well, nice NYE gig with FH, nice lunch with good friends on New Years' Day and a trip to see a mate's boat. I've got good friends.
I've also sent over 300 emails for yet more tour dates and other such tomfoolery. I've been writing the new show - it'll be different as I'm not allowing myself props (apart from the cajon), and I can't make it about being single as I've got a girlfriend for the first time in years when it comes to writing a new show so this could well be my first 'happy hour'.
I've had some time out and now I'm ready for this.
That's the football stuff out the way. Doesn't *really* work but that won't stop me. In short though, this will be a different year on a non-professional level; I mean, I have to move house (landlord/housemate got engaged, it's weird that I'm living with an engaged couple even if the house is massive and even if they're being so lovely about it and don't seem to want me out), finally change car (I've been reliably informed that this one will fail it's MOT in March - it's currently on 192,000 miles and the engine warning light has been on since April) and...well, you know. I can't be doing *this* at the age of 40. I'll be 36 this year and there's a point in life when you realise that you maybe want a little more then scraping by and renting a room off a mate; there has to be a bigger picture here. Yet there's no way I'm going to give up my soul for a 9-5 job: life is short, just the idea of spending so much of it, working for somebody else, terrifies me. No fucking way. I did that up until the age of 33 anyway and I regret it deeply.
I've had many a long drunken chat with good friends over Christmas about this and the obvious answer is to refine what I do. I'm nicely branded now as a comedy act, it was naturally happening anyway: I am the drumming comedian guy. That's it - that's me sorted. Do I go down the obvious route of doing 'the circuit' - doing 10 minutes for nothing/next to nothing in the hope somebody from the industry who could benefit me will be there because, let's be honest, if they are and they do like me that would make life a lot easier because they can get me on the performance platforms that I can't at the moment without an agent? But that does mean travelling for hours, and hours, to do 10 minutes in front of people who aren't there for you. Or do I carry on doing my own thing? Being the troubadour comedian performing 90 minute shows in unconventional venues, very, very slowly building a cult following that will, eventually, hopefully lead to a wider following? Difficult choice, but the answer is of course: there is enough time to do both, if I drop a few of the little projects that don't work. I'll tour a lot in 2017, more than ever...I've got more shows than ever already confirmed, but dip into the circuit gigs when I can. I've got a good YouTube 10 minute video now, it's getting me a lot of work.
So that's the plan, anyway - I'm the drumming comedian dude, but instead of having 5 different shows at the fringe this year it'll be this one and people won't get confused about who I am or what I do. I mean, yeah, probably will take a couple other shows to Edinburgh as well, but they will also be under the same branding. Even the murder mystery with a band show that we're touring is very much in same tone; I'm still drumming, a lot in it, but I'm also hosting and then being the detective. Brand Richards looks sharp this year.
The 'proper' drumming itself will still continue. See, the thing about being a drummer is that I don't have to push for the work, it just trickles in. I get nice gigs, for money, but I have no control as to when they come in and it's near-impossible to get more of them outside of the 100-ish a year I get already. I'll be fine as a drummer this year, and hopefully being a comedy drummer will help get more serious drum work, we'll see - but my ambitions for that aren't, well, they're still there, but I'm realistic.
We're two days into the year and it's started well, nice NYE gig with FH, nice lunch with good friends on New Years' Day and a trip to see a mate's boat. I've got good friends.
I've also sent over 300 emails for yet more tour dates and other such tomfoolery. I've been writing the new show - it'll be different as I'm not allowing myself props (apart from the cajon), and I can't make it about being single as I've got a girlfriend for the first time in years when it comes to writing a new show so this could well be my first 'happy hour'.
I've had some time out and now I'm ready for this.
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