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

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

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

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

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

Home

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

Now for some sleep.

Dxxx

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

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)

Staying Alive

I'm in Paris today, on the last of three back-to-back shows. It's taking its toll a bit, I feel tired and run down, but tomorrow is a day off (hoorah!), although there is another drive tonight on the bus. I'm looking forward to a bath and a bed that doesn't bump up and down all night.

Yesterday I was in Groningen in Holland and I learnt an important first aid tip whilst going with the runner to get change. He'd been told that the correct speed for doing heart massage in CPR is 100bpm (beats per minute) and as luck would have it the Bee Gee's song Staying Alive is 100bpm and will do very nicely thank you as a tempo guide for, well, keeping someone alive. How good is that? You'll never forget it now either. Of course I'm already hatching a plot to write a song that is exactly 100bpm, annoyingly catchy and entitled in such a way that it becomes the de facto life saving song.

The picture on today's post is from a sports hall in Riga, Latvia. I think the idea is that drunk people can lean their heads against the basketballs to avoid falling over whilst peeing. Clever huh?

More soon,

Dxxx

On The Road In Latvia

I'm back in Latvia, and I'm thinking that it must have been a flying visit last time as I remember nothing at all about it. It's a beautiful city though, currently wrapped in autumnal colours. As I took a walk yesterday through a mixture of ex-soviet and medieval streets the leaves were falling like Ochre snow.

The walk ignited my creative fire and there are some song lyrics bubbling up again. At the moment they are in that stream of consciousness stage (kind of like Jason Mraz if he was depressed) but they'll shape up pretty good. It's nice to have another set of ideas on the go. Unsurprisingly this tune has the working title of The End Of Empire (can't have more songs with End in the title, so that will have to change).

It's 10:22am here and I have 10 minutes or so before vacating my room, so just enough time for this quick post to say "hi" and read a couple of other Blogs. Will try and post more from the gig later.

Daren
xx

Randers

Yes, that's where I am today. Randers, which is in Denmark. It's actually a quite picturesque town on the edge of a river. I took a very pleasant stroll to it's shores and watch a wonderful sunset over the wetlands. I'm slowly getting back into the swing of being on the road with a band. There are lots of similarities with my last tour, and many differences too. For one thing there are two real bands on this tour, and I'm hoping to make friends with most of them and find out what I need to be doing to get to their level. I only really miss two things from home, my friends (two in particular who are going through big changes in their lives) and my guitars. I miss practicing and writing songs, it's so much a part of my life these days that I feel quite bereft. Perhaps if I can befriend one of the guitarists I might be able to snatch some practice time.

Tonight will be an early night and, thankfully, I have a late call in the morning. I'm looking forward to the sleep and rest (I struggle to get good sleep on a tour bus) as tomorrow will be a busy day again.

Right off to read some Blogs and catch up.

Daren
xxx

Hit The Road...

So here is the news...

This Blog is going back to it's roots. By which I mean that I'm going back out on the road again to be a roadie and sell some t-shirts. Those that know me well will remember that I started this Blog as a way to stay in touch with friends and chronicle my exploits whilst touring with the Pet Shop Boys. Well here we go again, only this time it's with Katie Melua!

It looks like there are some new places and some old place on the route. A whole bunch of new crew members and merchandisers to meet along the way, and hopefully some songs to discover too. The downside is that all my gigs in October and November need to be rescheduled, but I'm sure the experience will make me even keener to play and record into the new year. Wish me luck!

As if that weren't enough, stay tuned too for details of my birthday exploits in December... it's one of those ones that ends in a zero... so you know what that means... PARTEY!

Daren
xxx

Moving On

Hi all. It's typical isn't it, just when I get awarded my first Blogging award (thanks Trixie!!) - I turn into the world's worst Blogger. Time for a quick round-up I think:

Lesstival - Where less is quite firmly and certainly, less. This whole festival was just slightly more disappointing than I expected. The Red Arrows display was certainly the low point, for one thing the cut-out arrows were definitely a shade of pink. Although as co-organiser Stuart Whitehead pointed out: "They're less red - right?" I had fun though, although not as much as I'd expected.

The Chequers, Fordham - Slightly daunting to play a 45 minute set of original music to a group of locals that are used to covers from the dexterous Jacen Bruce. But fair play to them, they stayed and clapped and even bought me a drink or two, so it must have gone well. It was nearly all over, however, when the double bass decided it wanted to join in and very nearly fell on my head. Quick thinking from an audience member saved the day.

Filming at The Duchess part 2 - This time it was for a Stella Artois advert or some beer or other. As usual though, they'd finished filming by the time I arrived! It was still an entertaining evening as I ended up jamming on a cover of The Doors' Light My Fire.

Other News - well there is some, but I can't tell you yet. I will know more later today, so stay tuned.

Daren
xxx

Until We Pass This Way Again (Video)

The End Of The Video Quest

It's taken me nearly a month and a lot of false starts, but yesterday I finally got my first proper clip up on YouTube! You'd think it would be quite easy these days, but no! Either the video was too dark, or the music unintelligible, or the picture was the wrong format, it just seemed to be one problem after another. Yesterday I finally cracked it though, and the first of four videos from my Monkey Chews gig went on-line. Enough talking, here it is:



There will be three more videos to come, so look out for them!



Okay, I promised not to mention it again, but there are only two more days of voting left for Orange Unsigned - so please pop over and give me two more votes (one each day) - if you haven't signed up yet, it's never too late!!

http://orangeunsignedact.co.uk/acts/daren-callow



Lot's of great gigs coming up, including some out of town (Ely, St. Albans - and I'm hoping to get down to Brighton to play soon too) - for the full list go here. One in particular I'd like to draw your attention to is Thursday 25th September at the White Hart in Whitechapel (1 Mile End Road) - I played there a couple of months back and despite being hard to find (the stairs are behind two closed doors, one of which is marked Private!!!) boasts a great PA and a musician friendly atmosphere. I'm taking all my kit (weird voice box and looper included) to this one to create a big sound... hoping to video it too, so look out for that.


That's it for now,

Daren
xxx

I Need Your Love (And Your Vote)

This is the last time I'll mention this, as I'm not hugely into doing on-line talent competitions. But please do sign up as a fan on the Orange Unsigned site and vote for me as often as you can spare the time... here are the official instructions:


Hello everyone.

It is with great pleasure we can announce that Orange unsignedAct
is now open for voting!

You can vote up to three times per day (one vote per act) – so
logon to www.orangeunsignedact.co.uk now and give your favourite
acts the chance to win one of the 25 spots at the auditions and
the much sought after prize, thanks to Channel 4, Orange and
Sony Ericsson.

Remember, you can only vote if you're logged in as a fan, so if
you aren't one already – go to the site and sign up now.

You can vote each and every day until September 14th – so keep
coming back to the site and support the music you love.

Thousands of talented artists are relying on you – be the best fan
ever and make a massive impact – get voting now and be a part of
music's future!



http://orangeunsignedact.co.uk/acts/daren-callow

Hopefully you'll help bring my tunes to the attention of the judges, but I realise that it's all a bit arbitrary (ie those acts with hordes of internet-savvy fans will do best) - but hey, I'm in it, and I want to win it!!! So I really do need your love!!

Thank You so much to those that have voted and will vote!

Off to play at Lesstival today, the festival where less is definitely less.

Lots more gigs coming up, check them out here.

Daren
xx

Famous

You know you've really arrived in the Blog world (and the world in general) - when you are featured in a RAT GiRL comic strip!! It was a total surprise and it's really made my day. Do check it out here:

The Adventures of RAT GiRL

Thank you sooo much Giggle!

Btw, the free sampler CD offer is on-going... and I'm just about to upgrade it to version II (mostly the same stuff, but with a new version of Lightkeeper, the live part of Denver, and a new "secret" track)... so if you'd like a copy winging its way to your mailbox (anywhere in the world) just email me a postal address to music @ darencallow . co . uk (remove the spaces) - and it shall be yours!! I can't guarantee choccies though, but if you write something nice about me, who knows...)

Speaking of famous, last night was 15 Minute Club @ The Living Room in Islington. I have to say it was another excellent night, those 15 Minute people put on a quite excellent show. All the acts were very good indeed, which made me quite nervous to be there, if you want to check them out here are some links:

Lisa Theunissen - the beautiful host of the evening, very powerful voice and songs.
Luke Jackson - yes he really is 14!! I was very impressed, he has a great voice and plays with total confidence. A real star in the making, and his dad (Paul) was lovely too.
Belinda Oakley - arrived late so had to go on without much preparation - didn't show though. She both looks and sounds beautiful - captivating!
Daren Callow - I hear he's really good (and well dressed) - but I missed his set as I was otherwise engaged. (ha ha)
Kirsten Thien & Galia Arad - two sassy chicks from NYC, they nearly didn't make it as one of them forgot that you might need your passport to get into the UK... they are heading to Ireland now.

There was also Lawrence and another chap on piano, but I didn't write his name down... sorry!

The evening ended with us all jamming on Oooo Take Another Little Bit Of My Heart Now Baby... (really) and then I ended up chatting to a chap called Karl who used to roadie for Culture Club and Depeche Mode (amongst others)... he has a tape somewhere on top of his wardrobe of the very first time that Sade played as Sade.

Phew. No wonder my head hurts this morning.

P.S. Please vote for me: http://orangeunsignedact.co.uk/acts/daren-callow

I Had A Dream

I knew it was ready.

I plugged in my headphones and listened to check the levels. As I listened I forgot what I was supposed to be checking and found I was just hearing the song. Emotions welled up inside me as I was catapulted back into my days working around Europe and the fractured emails and texts that make up some of the lyrics. It was all about the distance: the distance between people who are doing what they love but cannot be together. It made me think about the future too - and how it would happen all over again.

It's ready, please listen and enjoy:

Lightkeeper MP3 (3'40)

NB To get more of an album vibe, then you should also download The Prophet and The End Of The World Part II which come before and after it respectively.

Next job is to record Until We Pass This Way Again - as a DJ would say... Stay tuned!

Lightkeeper
===========

I hope that you got home okay,
I had a coffee in Stockholm,
There are riots in Estonia,
And somewhere we are still at war.

I had a dream,
That I was the lightkeeper,
A beacon in the night,
I was the lightkeeper.

I've a fantasy to share with you,
But it's cold and it's wet,
They're burning cars at the airport,
But I can still get your text.

And I had a dream,
That I was the lightkeeper,
A beacon in the night,
I was the lightkeeper.

And the beautiful people were everywhere,
But they had no faces,
And you were blinded by the light,
And could only feel.

But you found me by my energy,
The days are long without you.
It's funny how when you find it,
You just can't live without it.

And I had a dream,
That I was the lightkeeper,
A beacon in the night,
I was the lightkeeper.

I hope that you got home okay,
I had a coffee in Stockholm,
There are riots in Estonia,
And somewhere, we are still at war...

(D. Callow / G.A. Staiger)



Next gigs (not all in London!!):

31st August, 7.30pm
15 Minute Club @ The Living Room, 18-26 Essex Road, Islington, London, N1 8LN

6th September, 7.30pm
Lesstival, somewhere in Kent
The most minimal festival of 2008, it's small, but beautifully formed.

17th September, 8.00pm
The Chequers, 58-62 Carter St, Fordham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5JT
Taking my urban songs to a rural setting.

25th September, 9.30pm
The White Hart, 1 Mile End Road, Whitechapel, E1 4TP
Open mic night at the White Hart

2nd November, 8.30pm
The Horn, Victoria Street, St. Albans, AL1 3TE
Featured artist slot at this excellent St. Albans music venue.

Live On Your iPod

Well here it is. The videos are still a little way off, but the MP3 files are here (courtesy of Joel Armsden of eARmusic.co.uk). I've also put together a cover with a live shot (from a previous gig) by Kris Gruber. I will probably do a second cover once I have a decent video still, so then you'll have a choice.

Enough preamble though, here are the 5 MP3 files (six tracks) for you to listen to. I've done a small commentary on each track below, but if you want to listen before being influenced by what I have to say then here you go:

Live In The Urban Jungle

1. The End Of The World Part I (Live) 4'35 (D. Callow)
2. The Prophet / Lightkeeper (Live) 7'11 (D. Callow)
3. Until We Pass This Way Again (Live) 4'20 (D. Callow)
4. When The Snow Fell In Denver (Live) 6'42 (D. Callow)
5. The Fool I Am (Live) 4'14 (D. Callow)

All songs recorded live at Monkey Chews, London, UK on 19th August 2008 performed by and copyright Daren Callow and mixed by Joel Armsden.


Okay, there are the tunes. Before I write a little bit about each song I just wanted to say that all these songs are pretty much as you would have heard them on the night (barring a few level adjustments) - there are NO overdubs and NO backing tracks. The extra noises and guitar lines were all played by me live on the night... I'll explain more as I cover each song.

1. The End Of The World Part I

I wrote this song whilst watching 28 Days Later, and originally it was going to be about environmental issues, but I decided that was just way too cliched, so instead it's about something else entirely. Please excuse my preamble on the MP3 file, I was a bit nervous to start with. The song features my tambourine (played with my foot, and cunningly taped to the floor this time!) and the Boss Loop Station (sampling footpedal) towards the end (the layered guitar parts, the first of which I play by hitting the strings with my hand). There are a couple of small mistakes, but I think I get away with it... just!

Interesting fact - the line "How can we stop you screaming" is influenced by Whitley Strieber's book - Communion.

2. The Prophet / Lightkeeper

There are two songs for the price of one here, but they can't be easily separated as they run into each other. The Prophet is a new song which heavily features my clever voice box and the Loop Station again. Lightkeeper is a song inspired by travelling with the Pet Shop Boys in 2006 / 2007. I really was in Estonia you know... I just about get the join between the two songs okay, but you can hear a slight click.

Interesting fact - the spoken words at the end of The Prophet are "Keine Krieg mehr bitte" - it's my pigeon German and was inspired by the man who decapitated the waxwork of Adolf Hitler in the German version of Madame Tussauds - it's supposed to mean "No more war thank you" but my German is not that good.

3. Until We Pass This Way Again

My second favourite song on this recording, this is the most recent song I've written. It's a kind of modern folk tune. Nothing much more to say other than it's about the passage of time, oh and I totally mess up the start!

Interesting fact: The noise at the end is Joel's dinner arriving. You'll see this on the video!

4. When Then Snow Fell In Denver

Please excuse the slightly cringe-worthy introduction! Also I mess up the start as I'm trying to play and tap a half-tempo rhythm with my foot at the same time! (I've changed the settings now so I can tap full tempo) Fortunately I didn't muck the ending up, which is my favourite piece of music (of mine) at the moment. The guitar layers are created with the Loop Station and the backing vocals and infinite echoes with my voice box. The backing vocals are mixed a little bit high for me, but they represent what you would have heard live, so I've not changed them. This song was the runt of the Lullabies From The Wheels Of The Bus litter, but I've grown to love it. I especially enjoy singing all the weird harmonies at the end. The kick drum is also supplied by the Loop Station, and it's always a good feeling when I turn it up to find that I've actually played in time!!

Interesting fact: It's entirely possible that I wrote this song in Detroit and not in Denver at all... oh, and it didn't actually snow.

5. The Fool I Am

Last song of the set, and a bit rushed as the adrenaline was definitely flowing after playing the end of Denver. This song is not about what you think it is.

Interesting fact: Someone in the audience was so amazed that I'd actually reached the end of the song that they broke a glass in celebration at the start.

Enjoy!

Dxxx

P.S. If you don't have an MP3 player and would like a CD of this concert then just let me know your address and PayPal me a minimum donation of £2 and it shall be yours! PayPal button is at the bottom of this page: Music - and my email is music @ darencallow . co . uk - just remove the spaces. Oh, you'll also find lots of other files and album artwork to download on that page.

One Man, One Guitar, Five Nights...

Well I made it intact, five gigs in six days - including one in a shed. For those that missed it, here is a quick catch-up.

Unwrong Quiz, Montague Arms

Recently declared the Best Pub In Britain by the Rough Guide to Pubs - this eclectic pub is home to some of the best alternative and cross-over entertainment in the UK. The evening was a new version of the Unwrong Quiz night hosted by the unfathomable Mark Quinn, and unstoppable Frog Morris. As usual I was the serious music filler in a comedy sandwich and the audience barely knew what to make of me. It was a fun night all the same and it was great to play two long sets as well as debut our new song in tribute to the magnificent Montague - (Woo Hoo At The Montague!).

Highlights - Watching people sing along with All I Want Is You. Giggling my way through Woo Hoo. Finishing the complicated back-to-back songs The Prophet/Lightkeeper to stunned silence!

Frogstock, Blo Norton

In some ways I should have been prepared having done so many nights with Frog and his friends in pubs across London, but nothing really prepares you for Frogstock. Despite it's scaled down and re-branded appearance this year - as Acoustock - it's still a great event. It's almost too much to Blog in detail here, but suffice to say that the evening started with peacocks on the roof, an art tent and Quinn vs. Quinn Olympics (!) and ended with a live rave in a shed and blazing braziers and fire-jugglers lighting up the night.

My own contribution was very much in the middle of the evening, and with a wonderfully Heath Robinson boom mic stand rigged up I played though eight or so of my best songs as the sun began to set. It was great to be part of the evening and so good that everyone played drums and percussion and many acts formed loose bands as the night wore on.

Needless to say I was very tired the next day, but somehow made it to the train and back to rainy London.

Highlights - All I Want Is Stu - with THE Stuart himself on the duck maraca! Accidentally becoming one of the Blo Boys for life by joining in on their rendition of Angry Badger. The aforementioned shed-rave, with live rapping, beat box, and full band... IN A SHED!! When Frog poured a pint of real ale over my head... I knew it was a top night.



15 Minute Club, Prohibition

From the sublime and ridiculous to the sublime and sophisticated. Despite being somewhat tired (but fortunately not particularly hungover) - I was happy to be able to play at this very well organised night again. You get four songs and they went well if not particularly special. They invited me back, so it must have been okay.

Highlights - All the nice people I met, including Rae, Lawrence, Josh and all the performers.


Fiver Programme recording, The Duchess

Wow, this is turning into a long post... are you still with me?! So Monday night comes around and it's time to return to an old haunt - The Duchess pub in Battersea Park. Lurking in the shadow of Battersea Power Station this is the usual venue for the Thursday night open mic sessions, but this was Monday - so what was happening? Well as part of a TV show for Fiver an open mic night was required as a backdrop and my friend Will O'Durkan had been approached to put on an ad-hoc "open mic" night at this picturesque venue. So Will called, and we all responded - arriving in the early evening with our guitars and songs ready and a few nerves in the stomach. Now I've been filmed before and despite a slight fluttering in the stomach I'm usually not too badly effected, but this was for TV and we were all keen to impress, not just to do Will proud, but to give ourselves a chance of being on the goggle-box. The anticipation continued as we greeted fellow performers and signed release forms, it was odd to be involved in an open mic night where everyone was there by invitation. I cooled myself off by stepping out into the beer garden for a while and considered what two songs I might perform to impress, but not over do it. Nerves would make some songs difficult so I decided on a middle route... up tempo, but not over complicated.

As we all know, in life there are no re-takes, but on TV... well it's just re-take after re-take. Will started the evening off, only to be asked to do it all again, and again... until the producer was satisfied. Ashley - the first act - kicked off, and played well despite having had his wisdom teeth extracted only a day or two before. I was to be the third act...

...and my turn duly arrived (after the sublime Katie and Si) - and guess what?! Yep, the TV cameras all disappeared into the beer garden to film the "best friends" talking about their performance to come. Typical huh? So whatever editing takes place, you won't see me perform on TV (yet) - you might well hear me in the background and you will certainly see me standing at the bar and drinking Guinness (looking pretty good in my Jeffrey Bryant styled outfit, if I do say so myself) - so what can you do? Despite that it was a really good fun night, it was great to see Will and some of the other performers again - perhaps I should suggest to Will that he has invitational evenings more often!

Highlights - Katie and Si performing perfectly as always. Watching the poor girl who's TV show it was having to do re-take after re-take as they tried to capture her performance from every angle.


Live Recording, Monkey Chews

You'd think that that would be enough for one weekend... but no! I'd arranged to head up to Monkey Chews on the Tuesday to get a recording of my live set (and a video too). It all come together pretty well on the night (you will be able to hear the results later today), so I won't say much. I'll let you decide how I did.

Highlights - Seeing and old friend. Giving out a world record 14 CDs after the show. Getting slowly sozzled on white wine knowing that I'd had a really good 6 days.