Up early to meet the band in Cambridge, and then over to Raunds for an early soundcheck - we were headlining the afternoon section of their lovely indoor festival.
Quite a lot of waiting around, and we only realised we had a dressing room about 15 minutes before we went on, but the gig itself was decent - great sound, nice big stage, fairly hassle free. Not happy with the sound of my snare at the moment (new head needs beating in a bit...a few gigs will sort it) but the new material is really starting to come together. We played well today, like a slick, well-oiled machine.
Back in Cambridge by 7pm, met up with Vicky for a few drinks - first time this year, great to catch up. Back by 11, back to working on the Boat Opera script till late/early.
Sunday, 30 April 2017
Friday 28th April 2017
Did a spot of freelancing in the morning, and then wrote an awesome treatment for a new sitcom pilot idea. This is the problem, though, isn't it? My many notepads are bursting with ideas but I don't seem to have the time to write them all up. Maybe I just need to go away somewhere for a week and write or something? The end of September is looking empty enough for that at the moment.
Agreed to record a radio pilot for my own show for a local radio station which is likely to a full series (will do this with Charlotte as a co-host) and had an amazing email about a really interesting writing project which I have to be really cryptic about until a meeting next week. Could be the making of me, though? I've said that about a few things recently. They all could be, though.
Also joined a Britpop covers band, rehearsals start in 2 weeks.
London gig in the evening - solo comedy stuff in Elephant & Castle. Great to catch up with Matt, really fun show - a wide variety of acts. The whole thing was running late so my 10 minutes was cut down to 7, with the Tracy song being the fastest it's ever been...sweaty, manic stuff.
Home by midnight, lovely stuff.
Agreed to record a radio pilot for my own show for a local radio station which is likely to a full series (will do this with Charlotte as a co-host) and had an amazing email about a really interesting writing project which I have to be really cryptic about until a meeting next week. Could be the making of me, though? I've said that about a few things recently. They all could be, though.
Also joined a Britpop covers band, rehearsals start in 2 weeks.
London gig in the evening - solo comedy stuff in Elephant & Castle. Great to catch up with Matt, really fun show - a wide variety of acts. The whole thing was running late so my 10 minutes was cut down to 7, with the Tracy song being the fastest it's ever been...sweaty, manic stuff.
Home by midnight, lovely stuff.
Thursday 27th April 2017
In the office for a bit, haven't had the chance to do too much this week so it was nice to put in a proper shift today and get some stuff done.
Then did a bit of shopping, before panicking massively about the murder mystery show next week. The music is great, I just need to learn my lines...there's so many of them.
Got back, worked on the second draft of the 'Will...' scripts - I'm really quite pleased with this now, and spent far too long working out who my cast should be for this. Mostly people I haven't worked with for a while, but will do my best to convince them.
Then did a bit of shopping, before panicking massively about the murder mystery show next week. The music is great, I just need to learn my lines...there's so many of them.
Got back, worked on the second draft of the 'Will...' scripts - I'm really quite pleased with this now, and spent far too long working out who my cast should be for this. Mostly people I haven't worked with for a while, but will do my best to convince them.
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Wednesday 26th April 2017
Spent the morning freelancing and then over to Mum's for her weekly food shop/dog biting me session. Dog was on 'form' today.
As always, made notes for a new project - lots of ideas at the moment, but want to be more than just an 'ideas man' - I really need to make these come to life. The murder mystery show opens next week, it doesn't feel like it's ready but we've got time and we'll get this right. The last I heard, 65 tickets had been sold.
Got back, freelanced for a few more hours, and then back to structuring the Team Building with Drums project.
As always, made notes for a new project - lots of ideas at the moment, but want to be more than just an 'ideas man' - I really need to make these come to life. The murder mystery show opens next week, it doesn't feel like it's ready but we've got time and we'll get this right. The last I heard, 65 tickets had been sold.
Got back, freelanced for a few more hours, and then back to structuring the Team Building with Drums project.
Tuesday 25th October 2017
Up early for cracking meeting with Elisabeth about the Team Building with Drums project - there's the official launch in a few weeks' time and it now feels like it's a really well structured project. If I can get this and the murder mystery show running smoothly, I should be in a pretty good place - and of course it allows me to be in total control of my schedule meaning I can still take on the world with comedy, drums, comedy drums...
All big ideas, offers trickling in. Afternoon did a spot of freelancing and then off to FH rehearsal. More new material, G is on total fire at the moment! We felt tired as a band tonight, not as connected as we normally are, but then again - we do set ourselves pretty high standards!
All big ideas, offers trickling in. Afternoon did a spot of freelancing and then off to FH rehearsal. More new material, G is on total fire at the moment! We felt tired as a band tonight, not as connected as we normally are, but then again - we do set ourselves pretty high standards!
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Monday 24th April 2017
Was probably a bit negative yesterday about career and life and stuff...let's all calm down, it's just a windscreen. And besides, the lovely garage I bought the car from had a look at it, told me it's not actually illegal (it's the plastic inside that has split, not the glass) so no great rush and are sorting me a nice cheap quote from someone they deal with anyway.
It's not been a bad day - 2 offers for the murder mystery have come in which is nice, both in good venues from promoters who know what they're taking on. My comedy agent is also working so, so hard for me at the moment, I saw a list of everything she's been doing and she's certainly earning her 10%.
Couldn't do any freelancing at the system was down (it's just back up now as I write this), so did a little more work on the Team Building with Drums project and emailed a few more venues about the murder mystery. Also wrote the press release for the FH shows in China, shortly before we announce it.
Evening had a stand-up gig in March. Bit of a trek to get over there but good fun, nice audience - very quiet, almost like they were watching theatre, but very respectful. Tried out some new bits, put in some old bits, it was a nice 15 minutes, if structurally a bit messy.
It's not been a bad day - 2 offers for the murder mystery have come in which is nice, both in good venues from promoters who know what they're taking on. My comedy agent is also working so, so hard for me at the moment, I saw a list of everything she's been doing and she's certainly earning her 10%.
Couldn't do any freelancing at the system was down (it's just back up now as I write this), so did a little more work on the Team Building with Drums project and emailed a few more venues about the murder mystery. Also wrote the press release for the FH shows in China, shortly before we announce it.
Evening had a stand-up gig in March. Bit of a trek to get over there but good fun, nice audience - very quiet, almost like they were watching theatre, but very respectful. Tried out some new bits, put in some old bits, it was a nice 15 minutes, if structurally a bit messy.
Sunday, 23 April 2017
Sunday 23rd April 2017
Responded to a bunch of emails and then off to Peterborough for a quick catch up with Emma.
The hot sunshine caused the crack in my windscreen to spread...turns out my fixing of it hasn't really, well, fixed it I guess. Bollocks to it. Looking at £400 for a new windscreen, which is £50 more than the car actually cost me in the first place. How can one little stone cause so much damage?
Got home and generally spend the rest of the day feeling grumpy about this...life is just expense after expense, isn't it? Some of it is my fault (losing my passport, not looking after the old car properly), some of it is just unlucky (the stone), some of it misjudgement (spending a LOT of money to set up the Team Building with Drums business but not had a single customer yet). Either way, if things carry on like this I might actually have to get a proper job soon. But how would this work? I've got 2 solo tours, a tour with the band, a potential West End run, 3 weeks in Edinburgh and a month in China coming up. Uh oh, some worrying times may be ahead.
The hot sunshine caused the crack in my windscreen to spread...turns out my fixing of it hasn't really, well, fixed it I guess. Bollocks to it. Looking at £400 for a new windscreen, which is £50 more than the car actually cost me in the first place. How can one little stone cause so much damage?
Got home and generally spend the rest of the day feeling grumpy about this...life is just expense after expense, isn't it? Some of it is my fault (losing my passport, not looking after the old car properly), some of it is just unlucky (the stone), some of it misjudgement (spending a LOT of money to set up the Team Building with Drums business but not had a single customer yet). Either way, if things carry on like this I might actually have to get a proper job soon. But how would this work? I've got 2 solo tours, a tour with the band, a potential West End run, 3 weeks in Edinburgh and a month in China coming up. Uh oh, some worrying times may be ahead.
Saturday 22nd April 2017
Asked Mum where she'd like to go for a day out...she said Asda. I don't really understand this but it was easy enough. Dog behaved herself today, almost like she knew she'd disgraced herself last week.
Watched the Spurs game, haven't been this nervous about a football match for ages; I was pacing around the house and everything. The result was, typically, very 'Spursy'. Nevermind.
Looked at my script a few more times, and then made a priority list of the projects I'm working on as I may have taken on a bit too much.
Met up with Rob for a bit of grub later on, always good to rant. Many ideas discussed, almost too many...not enough hours in the day sometimes, is there?
Watched the Spurs game, haven't been this nervous about a football match for ages; I was pacing around the house and everything. The result was, typically, very 'Spursy'. Nevermind.
Looked at my script a few more times, and then made a priority list of the projects I'm working on as I may have taken on a bit too much.
Met up with Rob for a bit of grub later on, always good to rant. Many ideas discussed, almost too many...not enough hours in the day sometimes, is there?
Friday 21st April 2017
Slight confusion over a fringe offer I've had (well, not had yet but apparently I should have been sent it) but looking like the 'Will...' show is heading there now for a full 3 week run. Awesome, still need to get the Box show confirmed too but it looks like I'll be busy enough at the fringe this year...
Really quite proud of the sitcom scripts for that one; the episodes are very short and very, you could say, weird, but I think there's some lovely moments in this. They'll need another draft, though.
Popped into the office for a little freelancing, and then it was time for the murder mystery rehearsal. Music sounding great, really great. Script nowhere near nailed, but at least some of the show is working. Opens in 2 weeks.
Really quite proud of the sitcom scripts for that one; the episodes are very short and very, you could say, weird, but I think there's some lovely moments in this. They'll need another draft, though.
Popped into the office for a little freelancing, and then it was time for the murder mystery rehearsal. Music sounding great, really great. Script nowhere near nailed, but at least some of the show is working. Opens in 2 weeks.
Friday, 21 April 2017
Thursday 20th April 2017
Feeling less niggled today. I just get annoyed when shows get cancelled; I thought by having management this would change but alas, it's still a struggle to get people to go to stuff, isn't it?
Freelanced from home in the morning up till the early afternoon and then worked intensively on the 'Will...' scripts - these are really good fun to write. Probably not enough actual jazz in it, but as a mini-sitcom it's sharp and snappy and considering each episode only lasts around 6 minutes they should be good for YouTube.
Very loose first drafts nailed, now just need to think about casting; the filming dates are blocked out in my diary so just need to find people who 'get it' and don't mind my slapdash, erratic ways of working...
Freelanced from home in the morning up till the early afternoon and then worked intensively on the 'Will...' scripts - these are really good fun to write. Probably not enough actual jazz in it, but as a mini-sitcom it's sharp and snappy and considering each episode only lasts around 6 minutes they should be good for YouTube.
Very loose first drafts nailed, now just need to think about casting; the filming dates are blocked out in my diary so just need to find people who 'get it' and don't mind my slapdash, erratic ways of working...
Thursday, 20 April 2017
Wednesday 19th April 2017
There was a point today where I felt everything was working out; the freelance stuff is ticking over (good communication with the boss and a bit of direction), lots of show enquiries coming in, took Mum shopping and she seemed happy and I used the time sat in Waitrose car park wisely, making notes for new projects.
Then I just got annoyed by the day I guess. The crack on my windscreen is slowly spreading so I bought a 'fix it yourself' kit which may have done the trick, it's too early to tell but what I do know is that I got in quite a mess with it and the resin seems to have made my left hand larger and redder than it should be which isn't a great sign. Hopefully that'll die down.
And then Sunday's show in Northampton got cancelled due to poor ticket sales, and then next Thursday's show got cancelled as the promoter didn't know what she was doing. What's the point? At least Nantwich is close to selling out and they seem very excited about it. Good old Nantwich.
Generally feeling quite niggly, but I guess that's because I have time on my hands and I'm rubbish with free time. Ended up writing the 'Will' sitcom till the early hours. I think it's a goodun, but I have written it far too quickly to tell.
Then I just got annoyed by the day I guess. The crack on my windscreen is slowly spreading so I bought a 'fix it yourself' kit which may have done the trick, it's too early to tell but what I do know is that I got in quite a mess with it and the resin seems to have made my left hand larger and redder than it should be which isn't a great sign. Hopefully that'll die down.
And then Sunday's show in Northampton got cancelled due to poor ticket sales, and then next Thursday's show got cancelled as the promoter didn't know what she was doing. What's the point? At least Nantwich is close to selling out and they seem very excited about it. Good old Nantwich.
Generally feeling quite niggly, but I guess that's because I have time on my hands and I'm rubbish with free time. Ended up writing the 'Will' sitcom till the early hours. I think it's a goodun, but I have written it far too quickly to tell.
Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Tuesday 18th April 2017
Popped into the office for a bit and was generally too chatty for the other boss guy, you can just see him getting slightly niggled by my bouncy rambling.
Still got the one diary clash to work out - left with a decision on whether to chose the band or comedy for one of the nights in June. Still not sure which way to go.
Confirmed Robine to play the lead in Boat Opera; she's brilliant and her attitude is just perfect - she's so incredibly successful yet equally "honoured" to be part of this "lovely idea that made me smile so much." Filming starts for that on 28th May.
Crack on my windscreen, caused when a stone chipped up on the A14 is causing a little concern. As is my car key situation, still. My 'main' key is starting to snap, my spare key is still currently glued to the dining room table. What a situation. Car drives beautifully, though.
Evening stand-up gig. Awkward because there wasn't really an audience and, even though I was just one of the acts so it wasn't 'my' show as such, I still felt very bad for the acts who had travelled great distances to do this one. It was fine, my set was well received and I got free beer, but it does remind you that without a willing audience, we really are screwed.
Still got the one diary clash to work out - left with a decision on whether to chose the band or comedy for one of the nights in June. Still not sure which way to go.
Confirmed Robine to play the lead in Boat Opera; she's brilliant and her attitude is just perfect - she's so incredibly successful yet equally "honoured" to be part of this "lovely idea that made me smile so much." Filming starts for that on 28th May.
Crack on my windscreen, caused when a stone chipped up on the A14 is causing a little concern. As is my car key situation, still. My 'main' key is starting to snap, my spare key is still currently glued to the dining room table. What a situation. Car drives beautifully, though.
Evening stand-up gig. Awkward because there wasn't really an audience and, even though I was just one of the acts so it wasn't 'my' show as such, I still felt very bad for the acts who had travelled great distances to do this one. It was fine, my set was well received and I got free beer, but it does remind you that without a willing audience, we really are screwed.
Monday, 17 April 2017
Monday 17th April 2017
Slept well, my to-do list for the last week or so has well and truly been demolished (in a good way).
Scheduled those final emails and then off to meet up with Rob for lunch and our regular ranting, which I always enjoy.
Back home and finished the treatments for the 36 short stories and started investigating West End venues...
Scheduled those final emails and then off to meet up with Rob for lunch and our regular ranting, which I always enjoy.
Back home and finished the treatments for the 36 short stories and started investigating West End venues...
Sunday 16th April 2017
Easter. I think it was important that family stuff was better today, and it really was - the dog has so much, too much, power, though.
Lovely day back at the family home, good food and a chance to make a few more notes for my various projects.
Then over to Cambridge to meet up with the totally amazing Charlotte. She helped fill in any gaps in my musical knowledge of the 'History of Pop...' show as she specialises in pop music from 2001 onwards - which is where I'd been really struggling. We then chatted about the very 'special' project that I was plotting with Elizabeth the other day and she's now involved too. It's all good, it's all exciting.
Got back, wrote more emails. No more emails to be written this month, they're all done and scheduled now.
Lovely day back at the family home, good food and a chance to make a few more notes for my various projects.
Then over to Cambridge to meet up with the totally amazing Charlotte. She helped fill in any gaps in my musical knowledge of the 'History of Pop...' show as she specialises in pop music from 2001 onwards - which is where I'd been really struggling. We then chatted about the very 'special' project that I was plotting with Elizabeth the other day and she's now involved too. It's all good, it's all exciting.
Got back, wrote more emails. No more emails to be written this month, they're all done and scheduled now.
Saturday 15th April 2017
Well, that was stressful. Took Mum and sis over to Sheringham for the day, the dog attempted to savage everyone going (I've never seen her like that before...was it the crowds? The heat?) and it all got very nasty. We lasted three minutes and then drove back. 5 hour round trip.
Grumpy, and then my evening plans changed so ended up staying in...got lots done, though. So many emails about so many projects about to go out on Wednesday.
Grumpy, and then my evening plans changed so ended up staying in...got lots done, though. So many emails about so many projects about to go out on Wednesday.
Friday 14th April 2017
Such a good night, last night. If this is what being a circuit comedian is all about, I want to do more of this. Much more.
Morning spent scheduling many emails for the team building project, the murder mystery project, the solo show and to comedy venues asking for more gigs. I'll send them out next week once this Bank Holiday malarkey is over.
Then met up with the very amazing Elizabeth for an afternoon drink in which we discussed...well, everything, in great detail and started plotting an exciting new project.
Then over over to the murder mystery rehearsal in which we ran the script (Andy is storming the show) and then worked on the music...so much work is going into this, it's so very behind schedule but it's slowly getting there.
Morning spent scheduling many emails for the team building project, the murder mystery project, the solo show and to comedy venues asking for more gigs. I'll send them out next week once this Bank Holiday malarkey is over.
Then met up with the very amazing Elizabeth for an afternoon drink in which we discussed...well, everything, in great detail and started plotting an exciting new project.
Then over over to the murder mystery rehearsal in which we ran the script (Andy is storming the show) and then worked on the music...so much work is going into this, it's so very behind schedule but it's slowly getting there.
Thursday 13th April 2017
Long day freelancing, as it's a Bank Holiday coming up and all that so I just needed to get some proper hours in. Turns out I was getting it all wrong, but I was shown what to do (it's all quite logical really/worryingly) and the rest of the day was surprisingly good fun. It's okay to do 'proper' work sometimes, you know.
Hung around for a good while, and then over to another bit of town where I had a stand-up gig. Professional gig, sold out show, I was main support to a London comedian. Outstanding evening, absolute top-notch - cracking audience up for everything, my performance was frantic, in your face and went down a storm.
Drove home happy and drank beer. I'm doing the right thing with my life.
Hung around for a good while, and then over to another bit of town where I had a stand-up gig. Professional gig, sold out show, I was main support to a London comedian. Outstanding evening, absolute top-notch - cracking audience up for everything, my performance was frantic, in your face and went down a storm.
Drove home happy and drank beer. I'm doing the right thing with my life.
Wednesday 12th April 2017
Up early, drove over to Peterborough (uggh) and then to the passport office. I just don't like the feeling of authority - felt quite uncomfortable there the whole time, mostly because I had lost my last passport and felt bad about it. The fast track nature of it was indeed very fast and I was in and out within half an hour.
Drove back, freelanced for a bit from home (felt like I covered a lot of ground but equally felt like I was getting it wrong...must go into the office tomorrow).
Put some serious hours into the 'History of Pop...' show tonight - it's turning into an absolute cracker. We have so many lovely projects in the pipeline, it's both exciting and really quite worrying in equal measures.
Drove back, freelanced for a bit from home (felt like I covered a lot of ground but equally felt like I was getting it wrong...must go into the office tomorrow).
Put some serious hours into the 'History of Pop...' show tonight - it's turning into an absolute cracker. We have so many lovely projects in the pipeline, it's both exciting and really quite worrying in equal measures.
Tuesday 11th April 2017
Mum shopping day, which means I had plenty of time sat in my car to work on the '36 stories' concept - treatments for about 15 stories written already, which felt like the right way to spend my time.
Confirmed a couple of solo shows, updated website accordingly - my gig list is coming together nicely, I just need some more fringe stuff on there...it's taking a bit longer than normal to confirm stuff this year.
Did some work on the 'History of Pop...' show and then off to murder mystery rehearsal - the first with Gaf joining the line-up. What a joy to work with, he's just stepped in gelled the whole thing together. Feels like I have a happy band now.
Confirmed a couple of solo shows, updated website accordingly - my gig list is coming together nicely, I just need some more fringe stuff on there...it's taking a bit longer than normal to confirm stuff this year.
Did some work on the 'History of Pop...' show and then off to murder mystery rehearsal - the first with Gaf joining the line-up. What a joy to work with, he's just stepped in gelled the whole thing together. Feels like I have a happy band now.
Monday 10th April 2017
My to-do list for this week excites me greatly...so many ideas, so many notepads. Quite keen to release 36 short stories before my 36th birthday - seems like a nice idea, so have started putting some ideas together.
Went into the office, got confused by what I was supposed to be doing, did some stuff anyway, home by 4pm to work on some more ideas and try to learn my lines for the murder mystery which opens really quite worryingly soon.
Managed to sort one of my two diary clashes that I have coming up. The other one looks trickier so will just try and forget about it for now.
Evening we had a rehearsal of the murder mystery show, it was better tonight - the songs are just starting to gel. This can happen, I think.
Went into the office, got confused by what I was supposed to be doing, did some stuff anyway, home by 4pm to work on some more ideas and try to learn my lines for the murder mystery which opens really quite worryingly soon.
Managed to sort one of my two diary clashes that I have coming up. The other one looks trickier so will just try and forget about it for now.
Evening we had a rehearsal of the murder mystery show, it was better tonight - the songs are just starting to gel. This can happen, I think.
Monday, 10 April 2017
Sunday 9th April 2017
Up early and made the short trip over to Cardiff. Corporate gig today - 2 sets at a flower show; normally I'm not a fan of these corporate shows (but naturally I grateful for how much they pay) but this was a cracker today - great sound and great, attentive audiences for both performances (first one just before lunch, the other was near the end of the day).
Couple this with hot sunshine, ice cream, great food and a chance to stop and just lie in a beer tent listening to jazz for a bit and you realise...this isn't such a bad life, is it?
Long trip home due to traffic being rubbish, but back by 10.30pm-ish...just enough time to get a couple hours' writing in, then.
Couple this with hot sunshine, ice cream, great food and a chance to stop and just lie in a beer tent listening to jazz for a bit and you realise...this isn't such a bad life, is it?
Long trip home due to traffic being rubbish, but back by 10.30pm-ish...just enough time to get a couple hours' writing in, then.
Saturday 8th April 2017
Up in good time to do a little writing, working on a new theatre piece when to be honest, I really should be working on the stuff that is confirmed for Edinburgh.
Off to a record fair with Griff and Gaf, picked up some bargains - in particular a cracking Chas & Dave vinyl.
Then picked up the rest of the band and over to Wales, where we stayed at G+G's parents ahead of the show tomorrow. A nice evening full of pizza, beer and some lovely anecdotes.
Off to a record fair with Griff and Gaf, picked up some bargains - in particular a cracking Chas & Dave vinyl.
Then picked up the rest of the band and over to Wales, where we stayed at G+G's parents ahead of the show tomorrow. A nice evening full of pizza, beer and some lovely anecdotes.
Friday 7th April 2017
Turns out I'm getting the freelance stuff right after all, which is a relief - despite taking the best part of 3 days to log in to the system.
Popped into the office for a bit to submit over the stuff I've been doing for them, and also got flustered with my diary...there's a particular evening at the end of the month where I am treble booked. There's another one like that in June. I'm baffled by this as I thought I was fairly in control of things...but then again I am juggling a few projects at the moment.
Evening met up with Izzy to discuss, yep, more projects. But awesome projects that excite me a lot.
Popped into the office for a bit to submit over the stuff I've been doing for them, and also got flustered with my diary...there's a particular evening at the end of the month where I am treble booked. There's another one like that in June. I'm baffled by this as I thought I was fairly in control of things...but then again I am juggling a few projects at the moment.
Evening met up with Izzy to discuss, yep, more projects. But awesome projects that excite me a lot.
Friday, 7 April 2017
Thursday 6th April 2017
Purposely a day at home to catch up on tour bookings, murder mystery bookings, team building with drums stuff. All is back in shape, for a day or so at least. Also managed to squeeze in a couple hours freelance work. I still think I'm doing it wrong.
Long rehearsal with just Claudia and Marcel to really get to grips with the murder mystery music. It's working now. We need a lot more rehearsals, but this an work.
Long rehearsal with just Claudia and Marcel to really get to grips with the murder mystery music. It's working now. We need a lot more rehearsals, but this an work.
Wednesday 5th April 2017
Mum wanted to get her haircut so, like the good son I am, I drove to hers and took her to the hairdressers and waited outside with the dog for a couple hours. This was all after a few hours of freelancing in the morning, which was surprisingly enjoyable (I'm probably doing it wrong).
Whilst waiting for Mum I finished writing the episode plans for Boat Opera; there's some lovely twists in there. No idea when we'll get a chance to produce it, though.
Evening met up with Meg for a drink; great to catch up, too many ideas for future collaborations, never enough time.
Whilst waiting for Mum I finished writing the episode plans for Boat Opera; there's some lovely twists in there. No idea when we'll get a chance to produce it, though.
Evening met up with Meg for a drink; great to catch up, too many ideas for future collaborations, never enough time.
Tuesday 4th April 2017
Popped in to the office for a bit (after terrible traffic and then further delays with a fire alarm as soon as I got in), finally worked out how to log into the system I'm supposed to be working with.
Did five hours there, got back and then out to the first rehearsal for the murder mystery show. A slightly nervy session, to be honest. Just the scale of the project hit home; we had a read through of the script and it's totally a winner (relief!) but it's just so...well, long. It has to be, of course, as that's what people have paid for (a 90 minute show) and the plot really develops and works this way, but these are musicians - not actors. We'll get through it, somehow, I just need to somehow build the confidence of my lovely little team.
We then had a run through of all of the songs. They're all great, but again...so complex.
This show feels like it's a total beast, but if we can get it right we're onto a real winner here...
Did five hours there, got back and then out to the first rehearsal for the murder mystery show. A slightly nervy session, to be honest. Just the scale of the project hit home; we had a read through of the script and it's totally a winner (relief!) but it's just so...well, long. It has to be, of course, as that's what people have paid for (a 90 minute show) and the plot really develops and works this way, but these are musicians - not actors. We'll get through it, somehow, I just need to somehow build the confidence of my lovely little team.
We then had a run through of all of the songs. They're all great, but again...so complex.
This show feels like it's a total beast, but if we can get it right we're onto a real winner here...
Monday, 3 April 2017
Monday 3rd April 2017
I knew that both of the bosses at the freelance place are off today, so I made this mum's shopping day instead. I know I can work from home anyway with this as part of my 20-ish hours a week (although last week I only got around to doing 14) but I can't seem to login to the system so will head in tomorrow.
Quite a frustrating start to the week, then, as is my continued failure to find my passport. I had a bit of a room detox today and cleared out three binbags full of junk that has somehow accumulated in my 2 and a bit years here. Didn't help me find the passport, but it'll turn up, surely? I just can't think where it could be, though.
Drove Mum to the various shops she wanted to go to, the dog bit me a lot and ruined the interior of my lovely Volvo, the usual.
Have spent quite a lot of money on promotion for this Team Building with Drums programme, I hope it's not a waste.
Managed to bring in a new musician for the murder mystery show, with Gaf replacing Edd, and replacing him with a healthy amount of enthusiasm too. Gaf is great, and has good comic timing.
Got back and rewrote the script accordingly, rehearsals for that start tomorrow.
Quite a frustrating start to the week, then, as is my continued failure to find my passport. I had a bit of a room detox today and cleared out three binbags full of junk that has somehow accumulated in my 2 and a bit years here. Didn't help me find the passport, but it'll turn up, surely? I just can't think where it could be, though.
Drove Mum to the various shops she wanted to go to, the dog bit me a lot and ruined the interior of my lovely Volvo, the usual.
Have spent quite a lot of money on promotion for this Team Building with Drums programme, I hope it's not a waste.
Managed to bring in a new musician for the murder mystery show, with Gaf replacing Edd, and replacing him with a healthy amount of enthusiasm too. Gaf is great, and has good comic timing.
Got back and rewrote the script accordingly, rehearsals for that start tomorrow.
Sunday, 2 April 2017
Sunday 2nd April 2017
We got back late last night but was up early again today to head down to the studio to continue work on album 3. It's so nice when you know what you're doing, and we certainly did today as we've had a couple gigs this week.
Easy enough session, drum/bass parts down for another 4 tracks (I think we're on 8 now) plus a quick listen back to 'Better by Miles' which will be out as a single in June.
Another long day but we're pretty slick at the moment and spirits are high.
Quick catch up and grub with Rob and then back home to see that Edd has pulled out of the murder mystery, which opens in 2 weeks' time. Shit on it. Now seeking a replacement, quite urgently.
Easy enough session, drum/bass parts down for another 4 tracks (I think we're on 8 now) plus a quick listen back to 'Better by Miles' which will be out as a single in June.
Another long day but we're pretty slick at the moment and spirits are high.
Quick catch up and grub with Rob and then back home to see that Edd has pulled out of the murder mystery, which opens in 2 weeks' time. Shit on it. Now seeking a replacement, quite urgently.
Saturday 1st April 2017
Spent so much of the day looking for my passport. Can't find it. It's in this house somewhere, though. I just have so much clutter, though, and clutter that has moved with me for years. On Monday I'm going to have a damn good clear out.
Off to Salford with the band. V has lost her voice, I'm feeling a bit snotty but the others have managed to avoid the cold that's going around. Bizarre gig - I mean, these shows are always great because they sell out really quickly (cramming a lot of people into a small hall) and it's full of people who have our albums so they know exactly what to expect. But they probably didn't expect G to be singing in such a high voice to cover for croaky V. I thought the first half was a bit of a mess because of that (not that the audience seemed to mind; they're a lovely bunch in Salford). A hastily rewritten set for the second half, then, but it means we could play a bunch of songs we haven't played live in a long time (such as Bonnie & Clyde and Nervermind) and they sounded fresh.
Under the circumstances it was a victory to get through that but we totally did - the second half was an absolute beast of a show. I don't know many bands who could cope without their lead vocalist but we've been around a long time now, we're so versatile and it's an amazing thing. Brilliant night.
Off to Salford with the band. V has lost her voice, I'm feeling a bit snotty but the others have managed to avoid the cold that's going around. Bizarre gig - I mean, these shows are always great because they sell out really quickly (cramming a lot of people into a small hall) and it's full of people who have our albums so they know exactly what to expect. But they probably didn't expect G to be singing in such a high voice to cover for croaky V. I thought the first half was a bit of a mess because of that (not that the audience seemed to mind; they're a lovely bunch in Salford). A hastily rewritten set for the second half, then, but it means we could play a bunch of songs we haven't played live in a long time (such as Bonnie & Clyde and Nervermind) and they sounded fresh.
Under the circumstances it was a victory to get through that but we totally did - the second half was an absolute beast of a show. I don't know many bands who could cope without their lead vocalist but we've been around a long time now, we're so versatile and it's an amazing thing. Brilliant night.
Saturday, 1 April 2017
Friday 31st March 2017
I really can't find my passport. I thought it would be in my 'personal' drawer, alongside bank statements, birth certificate and that sort of thing. It's not. Bugger. And it's not in my props bag, as I'm sure I once used it as a prop in a show. I've searched high and low for it...it must be in the house somewhere?! I need to scan it in to confirm the China shows, I'm in danger of letting the whole band down here.
Went into the office for a bit and did some more freelance work, pays for a new passport I guess.
'Boat Opera' as a script is also coming along nicely, now just need to ask my preferred cast if they are up for it (Robine can actually sing opera, which helps) and schedule the filming.
Set up the tour book for pre-release, looks funky.
Evening had dinner with Charlotte and a few other comedy chums, it was a lovely evening.
Went into the office for a bit and did some more freelance work, pays for a new passport I guess.
'Boat Opera' as a script is also coming along nicely, now just need to ask my preferred cast if they are up for it (Robine can actually sing opera, which helps) and schedule the filming.
Set up the tour book for pre-release, looks funky.
Evening had dinner with Charlotte and a few other comedy chums, it was a lovely evening.
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