Friday, November 28, 2008

From The Heep To The Duchess


Another fun and busy music week. On Sunday I was privileged to be a guest of the legendary band that is Uriah Heep at The Astoria. As much as I enjoyed their set, I did find myself reflecting back on the other bands that I've seen and heard at this iconic venue. Is this the last band I will see there? I hope not, but things do close and the world moves on.

The Astoria is a real "old school" rock venue, that actually used to be a dance hall way back in the day. My good friend and boss - Mike - told me that his parents actually met there many years back at a dance! How many people have met at one gig or another, I wonder. Highlights of my days at the Astoria include: seeing Gene's last ever gig (where Martin Rossiter scratched away the Gene logo on the kick drum so it read "Gone" - poignant); meeting one of my heroes - Steve Lukather of Toto - in the upstairs bar (thanks Andie!!) and the climactic ending to the Longview song Further - with all the band (and most of the audience joining in) - good times.

The Heep themselves were obviously used to playing on much bigger stages, the actions were all big and the songs dramatic. Great harmonies and no compromises on being a big rock band. I couldn't help feeling though that if this wasn't the main influence for Spinal Tap, I don't know who was!

Yesterday (Thursday) saw the return of the open mic night at The Duchess. It was great to see Will again after the birth of his bubbling baby boy - Sonny. He'd moved the stage to a great new position near the door and it was great to be able to play five songs in total. A rare outing for Lullabies From The Wheels Of The Bus was dedicated to Sonny and also my friend Sarah and her baby - Harry. Much love to you all. It was fun (if a little nerve-wracking) to play in front of an audience again, but I really enjoyed it and it all seemed to go down well. The other acts were all enjoyable too, and I must give a big mention to EdMan - who has really moved his playing on since I last saw him: his album will be out very soon.

Thanks for the Bourbon Edman!!

As you might expect, if you know me at all, the birthday celebrations began in earnest last night and will continue tomorrow (Saturday) - at the Royal Oak in Borough. Come along if you can!

Right, this week's task is to write a new song - stay tuned!! Oh and if you haven't checked out all my live videos, please do - and leave me a comment!

Have a great weekend,

Daren
xx

Sunday, November 23, 2008

The Prophet / Lightkeeper



This is the last video from the Monkey Chews gig and features a medley of The Prophet and Lightkeeper. The former features the harmony vocals of my TC Helicon VoiceLive box, and again it was all created live with a Boss LoopStation pedal.

Although I didn't know it at the time the line "Where did all the money go?" now does seem rather chillingly prophetic!

Daren
xxx

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Music Magic


Last night I was in Alexandra Palace to see a band: majestic soundscape, incomprehensible high-pitched lyrics, a Les Paul played with a violin bow... could it be? No, not an impromptu Led Zeppelin reunion, but those doyens of ambient music and the current coolest Scandinavian band on the planet - Sigur Rós. Of course the lyrics were only incomprehensible as I don't actually speak Icelandic, and I must confess to being pretty much a Sigur Rós virgin.

As mentioned the setting was Alexandra Palace, and it has been a while since I was there last. Considering how cold it was, it was great that they had a continuous loop of courtesy buses to ship the (mostly young and European, if I'm not mistaken) audience to the venue. A couple of queues aside it was a mostly painless process and even the buy-your-tokens-here-swap-them-for-booze-over-there system at the bar was tolerable.

The band themselves arrived unheralded (apart from bi-lingual roadies testing mics in Icelandic - "einn, tveir, einn, tveir anyone?") and the previously described music commenced. The backdrop for the band appeared to be a series of over-sized Chinese lanterns (presumably from Ikea), which glowed ominously in time with the sounds. There was no video screens in the traditional sense but the band and various other images were converted into a kind of pseudo-art and projected from time to time. I have to say the effect was about right, and I imagine if I had been on something stronger than white wine I would have been utterly swept away by it all. The music itself was weird without ever being unbearable, and there were some particularly cinematic moments that had me tapping my feet and nodding in approval. Since I'm not familiar with songs themselves I can't say a lot more, and have no idea what they actually played, but I enjoyed the experience. They also did some unusual things with smoke and lights, and the waterfall and snow effects were quite wonderful and, since I do love a good visual/sound combination, my highlights of the night.

Musical mention this week must also go to Wayne Myers who played at the Blag Club on Wednesday. This Sunday I'm off to see Uriah Heap, now there's a band for ya!

I must also take this opportunity to congratulate Peachy on the birth of her baby boy - Harry Peach (7lbs 12oz) on Tuesday this week. Lots of love and best wishes to you both.

Oh, and while I think of it... stick the date Sunday 1st February in your diary, more details to follow.

Daren
xxx

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

When The Snow Fell In Denver - video



As promised here is the third of the four videos from the Monkey Chews gig. It's the full live version of When The Snow Fell In Denver, complete with false ending and the big electronic finish! It's worth pointing out that everything you hear on the track is created live (and has been mixed pretty much straight off the desk) - there are no overdubs or extra parts added. The looped guitars and kick drum are via a Boss LoopStation RC-20 and the infinite echo and "girl" harmony parts are via a TC Helicon VoiceLive box. You can just about see it at the end when the camera pans down to show me on the floor.

It's a pretty tricky song to play (and create, if you like) and it shows as I'm a little nervous at the start and very relieved at the end. Anyway, enough words - enjoy!

There is one more pair of songs to come and another creative use of electronics, so look out for that towards the end of the week.

More news to come soon about Surface Unsigned and other gigs, but for now I just thought I'd mention that I'm heading to the CD launch for Fit & The Conniptions tonight at the Blag Club in Notting Hill Gate, in case anyone else fancies coming along.

Daren
xx

Sunday, November 16, 2008

December Gigs


Hi all,

several great chances to see me play coming up in December - and help me celebrate my birthday too!

4th December, 8.00pm
The White Hart, 1 Mile End Road, Whitechapel, E1 4TP
- this is a combined open mic night and featured acts, there's always a high standard of music and this is my third appearance here. This is the best chance to see me play a full set with all the electronics, so do come along and enjoy the night. If you are an open mic performer, then get yourself on the bill too, but do mention that you've come to see me on the door.

7th December, 8.30pm
The Horn, Victoria Street, St. Albans, AL1 3TE
- a featured set at the renown St. Albans venue.

11th December, 8.30pm
Montague Arms, 289 Queens Rd, New Cross, London, SE15 2PA
- The Masquerade Ball - featuring Fit & The Conniptions, Jacen Bruce, Anne-Marie Sanderson, Frog Morris, Eddy Jay and others... I'll be playing a short set at the start of the night, the £5 door fee includes a buffet. Please wear a mask, prizes for the best ones.

14th December, 7.30pm
15 Minute Club @ Prohibition, St. Katherine's Docks, London, E1W 1AA

Surface Unsigned Music Festival

It's not until February (date to be confirmed very shortly) but you will very shortly be able to start texting to support me. Just text "LONDON 6004" to 64343 to vote.

(You must be 16+ to vote, texts cost £1.00 plus standard network charges. Please get permission from the bill payer. Customer services: info@surfaceunsigned.co.uk or contact us on 0800 434 6076).

Have fun!

Daren
xxx

www.darencallow.co.uk

Friday, November 14, 2008

Home

I'm back in my home... and am relieved to discover that I can still play the guitar.

Now for some sleep.

Dxxx

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Enjoy The View


Yesterday I was in Aberdeen. During a break in the day I took a walk out of the venue, over a mist shrouded links golf course. Warmed by the light of the setting sun, I climbed the last dune and was awe-struck by the sight of the North Sea bathed in the most extraordinary late afternoon light. In the distance were two oil tankers making their sedate way across the horizon (you can just make them out in the picture above, the guy on the shoreline is Michael one of the caterers), nearby the bobbing heads of seals and gulls. It was beautiful, incredible and chilling... and amazing sight.

Today, as I write this, I'm on the 15th floor of the Radisson in Birmingham. I have a view of the city lights and rumbling traffic... and all across the sky the fireworks of Guy Fawkes night are exploding in technicolor flashes. Beautiful too, in it's own way.

Daren
xx

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Channel Fiver

Do you remember that I was involved in filming an Open Mic Night for Channel Fiver? Well it's for a show called Best Friend's Rehab and it's being shown on Monday at 10pm. Do check it out if you can and see if you can spot me, or even hear my songs being played. It's unlikely that I'll be anywhere near a cable TV at that time, so I'll have to rely on you guys letting me know if you spotted me.

Btw, I'm coming up to a big birthday, and I'd like to take this chance to invite you to a couple of celebrations:

Firstly to celebrate the end of my 30s, please join me at the Royal Oak in Borough (near London Bridge) 44, Tabard St, London, SE1 4JU - on Saturday 29th November from 7.30pm onwards.

(Keen people should contact me, as might well start drinking earlier in the area. Also, anyone who would like to stay over at my house is welcome.)

Secondly, to celebrate the start my 40th year, please join me for a Masquerade Ball at the Montague Arms in New Cross on Thursday December 11th from 8pm onwards. Entertainment will include, Fit & the Conniptions, Steve Antoni, Jacen Bruce, Anne-Marie Sanderson, Frog Morris and myself. Please wear a mask!

Friends and relations are welcome to either celebration.

You can also celebrate with me at any of my gigs in December:

4th December, 8.00pm
The White Hart, 1 Mile End Road, Whitechapel, E1 4TP

7th December, 8.30pm
The Horn, Victoria Street, St. Albans, AL1 3TE

11th December, 8.30pm
Montague Arms, 289 Queens Rd, New Cross, London, SE15 2PA

Have fun!

Daren
(in Newcastle)