My passion in life is music. I love listening to it (live or recorded - though of course, live is the best), dancing to it, talking about it and reading about it. It was only natural that one day I would do something like this.
I also write poetry and short stories.
I set up this blog as an offshoot of something I got involved with in December which was very inspiring, the campaign to get Jeff Buckley to Christmas Number One. I led a "protest" in Trafalgar Square. This really inspired me to spread awareness of the importance of listening to what I call *real* music. Find out a little more here:
Sunday Times Article
This also led me to becoming involved with Oxjam, a sort of "child" of Oxfam. I promote the music.
And it's not just a small part. Please forgive the self-promotion but I am so excited. I really enjoyed working on this. It's a music video directed by my best friend Michael Moustafi, who used to work in special make-up effects on a number of television programmes and films, including Hellraiser 2.
I acted in this, I play a crazed fan. I also oversaw the whole production. The band are two very good friends of mine, Roach and Luci. They are both very talented. Their music can mainly be categorised as punk and grunge.
Please check it out and let me know what you think!
Hi everyone! Sorry, I know it's been a hundred years since I last posted, but I now have a new website, and a new blog where I talk about music and lots more besides.
Check it out at http://www.balmaidencreations.co.uk
Delta Maid is an amazing singer-songwriter who I saw live at the Isle of Wight festival earlier this year. I conducted an interview with her via myspace a few months ago. Here it is!
What was performing at the Isle of Wight like?
Performing at the Isle of Wight was awesome, it was my first big festival to play at and although it was quite daunting, the atmosphere and the crowd's reception made me feel completely at home. I had a blast, would love to do it next year!
What have you been up to since?
Since then live wise I've been doing the festival circuit, some memorable ones included Hard Rock Calling and T in the Park and iTunes although they were all immense! I've had a ball this summer, there's nothing better than playing live so it's been incredible and there's still more to come. Aside from gigging I've been locked away at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool recording my debut album and this week we are in the final stages of mixing. I just can't wait for people to hear it now, I'm really proud of the end result!
What are your immediate plans?
Right now I'm working on rehearsing with a band and then after that gig, gig gig!! I feel really blessed to be doing what I love and it's great!
Hello all, this is a very unusual post indeed. I usually promote other bands and artists on this blog, but in this post I am promoting myself! I have formed a band called The Painted Cat with Luke Robinson. We are a folk/blues duo who write our own songs and play our own instruments.
We've just started recording in Luke's home studio so we have a very raw sound right now.
Our sound has been likened to Pentangle and Incredible String Band
I think that more people need to be aware of Lou Reed and Velvet Underground. I've only just started really getting into them.
Not the greatest example of Lou Reed's creativity but a great piece of music, from David Lynch's 'Lost Highway' OST. The original was by Ben E King and The Drifters. I think this is one of those rare occasions where a cover is better than the original.
By the way, happy 70th birthday John Lennon, and my respects go out to Yoko Ono, a true Real Music fan!
This is quite an unusual post, it's one I would never normally make but it's for charity. Basically on the 5th September 2010 I shall be running 5km in Hyde Park in London on behalf of Guide Dogs for The Blind. If any of my readers could spare a few pounds/dollars/yen or whatever your currency is to sponsor me I would be extremely grateful. So grateful in fact, you get to submit a song of your choice for a guaranteed post on this blog. When you've made your donation just make a comment with the song you'd like to be played.
I'm stuck on £22 at the moment which is a bit embarrassing!
Here's the link to my page with more information about me and the run and how to donate:
The MiTo International Music Festival is being hosted in Milan and Turin in the beautiful country of Italy from the 3rd to the 24th September this year. Alexandra from NeoENews.Com sent me a press release explaining that "Among the many big names at MITO, there will be Lang Lang, who is performing at Palasharp in front of 8,000 people; Billy Cobham, the king of jazz; Maurizio Pollini,Cecilia Bartoli and Salvatore Accardo...Alongside the official programme, there is also a circuit of alternative events similar to those at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Fête de la Musique or Fuori Salone in Milan: parks,train and Metro stations, universities and cloisters will all host improvised events at the “MiToFringe”."
It sounds like it's going to be a spectacular event. I wish I could go but I'm flathunting in London for my second year at Uni. Maybe next year! I love Lang Lang, he's a very unique Pianist with real enthusiasm for what he does and just by listening to him you can feel his passion for his music. I love watching clips of him playing.
Well well, I have just been introduced to the sublime guitar playing of one Terry Tufts, via this amazing video on www.icanhascheezburger.com
It's too cute!
But the music is brilliant and it's the work of Canadian singer-songwriter Terry Tufts, who I think is about to see a surge in his fame, and deservedly so!
Delta Maid is a singer, songwriter and amazing guitarist. I had the privilege of watching her live at the Isle of Wight Festival on the acoustic stage on Sunday 13th June 2010. This was the first time I had heard of her, let alone heard her music, and I was just blown away, as was my friend, whose perception and appreciation of music is very different to mine. My friend is an accomplished guitarist and he has studied music theory in depth, so not only is he able to play songs to a very high standard, he also writes great songs, so the fact that he was amazed by Delta says something about her.
Delta sings American blues and country music, and she hails from Liverpool, another reason why I like her. She has a very broad Scouse accent, and when she was describing what her songs were about in between playing them, that natural northern charm came straight through. Check her out at http://www.myspace.com/deltamaid and have a look at this video:
The same day she played at the festival, a fellow Liverpudlian by the name of Paul McCartney did a set. It was a glorious 1 hour and 45 minutes long, closed the festival and ended with fireworks. And I had the honour of watching this. Have a look for yourself, I think you'll agree I had a good time!
Oh yeah, while we're talking about Beatles, happy 70th birthday Ringo, you friggin' cool dude!
