The Rode to Recording

A couple of days ago I started a recording project with, refreshingly, no plan, no EP in mind & no particular direction.

Yesterday I also at long last finally invested in a decent quality condenser mic which straight away made me realise how much work it used to take to make my precious model sound good... So maybe this project just stated getting more serious?

His Master's Choice

It was Stoke On Trent's Pride Festival with many around the city adorned with rainbow flags and make up including the very friendly Stewie (pictured).

We were here as part of HMV's "Live & Local" campaign, with certain bands from a region performing in a local store.

It was notable for us as the first time out for a brand new song "Funk 23" which, although only written very few rehearsals ago... was simple enough for us to bash a out a slightly rough & ready version.

Stewie 

Aye Aye it's The Captain's Bar

 Having played our debut at this venue for Bogfest just a few weeks ago, we already knew what a quirky venue this is with such a friendly team and a really cool vibe. The place has rapidly become an essential part of the Stoke scene with a real community feel and as well as live music with a strong focus on original acts, they sell a range of cocktails, real ales and more. And of course there's Rosie the axolotl, but before this starts to sound like a bit of an advert for the place, yes - I like it! 

We had the pleasure of the mesmerising and etherial Crowspeak open for us followed by half of the (usually duo) Johnny Nice Painter weaving some melancholy magic before we began. Thanks for Scott for giving us a great sound on stage too. Other than a slightly higgledy-piggledy version of new(ish) song The Stronger You Love - though I'm pretty sure only we in the band noticed the song structure was in an unusual order, we played with a fluidity and freedom which is always a great feeling. Can't wait for the next one at The Capt'ns already.

Cheat sheet for Closing Time

Johnny Nice Painter (or half of them) 

Crowspeak 

Chilling (literally) with an iced coffee & falafel & humus sandwich in the bus station cafe opposite the venue on this scorching hot day, before going over for set-up & soundcheck. 

That time it got messy

From a videoographer's perspective making a music video typically involves days of planning, storyboarding, liaising with different interested parties not to mention countless hours of editing. That's without the shoot itself. However from a musician's perspective, in my experience it's nearly always a fun day out. 

For this video shot a couple of weeks ago, we were simply helping out a good friend and talented songsmith Tim Lee make this video for his new single out today "Mess Out of Me" and what incredible fun it was! It is also, by a long way, the shortest shoot I've ever been on courtesy of a great but simple idea.

Top song too - enjoy!

And here's a behind the scenes vid I took (some of which made the official cut)... 

Rock the Cap's Bar!

 Today we headed to our 1st festival of the year and our debut show at the Captain's Bar in Hanley. This was for BOGFEST - a festival with a very direct fundraising campaign to support this venue and increase its toilet capacity.

Along with the festival comes a compilation album my gang The Blue Yellows are a part of, which you can download at Rock the Cap's Bar

Unfortunately for Dave, it was his turn to epitomise the doctrine of "the show must go on" as he was playing with a migraine.

It was great to see so much musical variety in a one day festival with acts from the world's of electronica, folk, world music and more - fabulous!