The Strangleberries (2012)

This Sunday, The Sorry Head shall be hosting the wondrous Strangleberries, with their fabulous danceable originals and insane showboating.

Not to be missed! Also check out Lucy Glasscoe (middle right) and her desultory singer-songwriter soulfulness, and Semi-Toned, an awesome troupe of a cappella singers who’ll be dazzling us with their gorgeous harmonies.

Get down early for 8:30 to see all the action! And as always, the Sunday Night Jam follows on afterwards at 11.

Last night was my second time being at The Stand and I am happy to say it was 100% better than the first time I went. There was a full house unlike last time, and the audience was lovely. I was very nervous to be opening the show, because that is a real test spot to see if you sink or swim. I did alright and even heard someone say I was funny. Part way through I was distracted and told my punch line before my set up, but marched through like nothing happened. Of course my friend who also happens to be a comedian and knows all my jokes pointed out my mistake as soon as I saw him. Thanks Scot! Overall I would love to go back someday. Once you have had a taste of The Stand, going back to dodgy backstreet pubs feels like a let down. (Not that I’m really knocking backstreet pubs because I do need the stage time.)

At the beginning of the month I did a Charity gig in Glasgow. It was a tough gig seeing as there were only 6 people in the audience. All of the acts had a hard time winning them over, and some gave up part way through their set. I went up and gave it my all and could see a couple of ladies smiling. When the gig was over one of the ladies pulled me aside, told me that I was really funny and her favourite act of the night. I then asked her why she didn’t laugh if she enjoyed it so much, and her reply was “I would have laughed but I didn’t want to stick out, because the room made me feel uncomfortable.”  I had mixed feelings at that point.

Perth is defiantly one of those gigs to put down in the books as one of the most unusual gigs I have ever done in my entire life. Not even sure where to begin, it’s more of a you have to be there sort of moments, but I will try to explain. I had the privilege to be part of the TPOT Freedom Session which was set in a cottage in the middle of nowhere surrounded by sheep. This cottage had been converted to a recording studio, where live bands would play and be recorded. It really looked like a night club with a lady hanging from trapeze doing tricks to the music. Then us comedians were taken to another room, which was basically a living room with chairs in it. It was a bit mental doing comedy in a living room, but highly enjoyable and I would do it again. This gig was also being filmed. I was heckled by three different people. There was the lady who kept trying to predict my punchlines, a man who was stoned out of his head, and another man who kept explaining the jokes two seconds after I had completed the punchline. Basically it was a bear pit of comedy, and even though it was tough I won the audience back. All of the comedians were heckled, but I got it the most. (The comedians that night where Dave Nelder, Les Sinclair, Ray Fordyce, James McIntosh, Scott Jeffery and myself)

At the Perth gig there was a lot of drink and the occasional substance being passed around, which seems very rock and roll, but being the comedians that we are the only stimulant on the list was a cup of tea. I couldn’t even be bothered with the tea.

I would like to thank Scott Jeffery for inviting us and putting us up for the night. Thanks to Ruth for making us feel welcome. Maybe next time we will take you up on your offer and spend the entire weekend at yours.

I think the best bit about comedy is travelling with other comedians. The things you learn about your fellow comrades and some of their deepest darkest secrets, never to be uttered again. Also loads of laughs. Favourite memory this month is waiting for the train in Perth, and Dave was showing Ray and I his pictures from the night before. Dave said “I was trying to get a good picture of the lady on the trapeze but I was afraid that if I flashed her she would fall off.” That sent me into a fit of giggles.

Such a good month. The Fudge Kitchen was unique also. Yes the payment was in fudge. When starting out you take whatever payment you can get.

Next month I will start figuring out what Fringe shows to see, and start plugging our show Life, The Universe, Whatever… The Fringe is not that far away and yet I still have so much to do, as in posters and promotions. Bring it on!

Ronnie’s trio rehearses in the back room of a pub in Ipplepen and at this time of year the doors to the outside and to the bar were wide open: this mean’t not only that the punters could hear us playing, but also we could plainly hear the piped music from the bar. Anyway, this arrangement evidently works because by the end of the rehearsal, Ronnie had picked up a wedding gig from a young couple who had been listening.

We worked through a list of standards and I tried, as best I could, to pick up on the finer points of the arrangements which the trio had already worked out. Feeling that the set might need expanding, the guys were happy to include two or three suggestions from me and we ran through these quickly. I was back in the car by 9.15pm after a very efficient and enjoyable rehearsal and I am looking forward to the gig on 16th June which apparently, is in the other pub in Ipplepen. Well I suppose if you want to play jazz, then you do have to be willing to travel!

A little provocative discussion with the one Venus X, Simone of the Palm Wine blog, and myself this past month in Milano, Italy. I was going to do a long drawn out post about my thoughts after watching this, but since the video has already been making the rounds, I’ll just say that I thoroughly enjoyed backing up the fiery New York DJ goddess. Now you understand why I wrote that post?

Here’s what the music portion sounded like (I apparently do funny things with my face when I DJ):

And honestly, this was one of the best DJ sets I’ve heard in my life:

Venus and I also did a little spot for Vodafone. Brian aka Awesome Tapes for Africa threw down my first night in town, so I had to do a little old school set. And, although the talk from Eva and Franco Mattes was in Italian, the part where they were playing Counter Strike or whatever as an “art piece” had me rolling in the back.

Big up all the Milano fam! I ran into boku African brothers and sisters while I was there, and even ended up playing an African club night before hopping back on a plane to NY. That’s the kind of thing I’m getting used to in Europe, I look forward to returning.

grand hotel paradox

idb bar

Awolnation @ The Peel: 9/10

The atmosphere is dismal, the stress is practically palpable, and the room uncharacteristically bare come showtime. What’s to come, however, is like the fresh coat of bright paint that now covers the walls of the Kingston Peel, wiping away the dark blues. Saturday’s (May 26th) Banquet Records gig had locals Think Like Valencia, Aussie quartet Invaders and American Billboard Rock chart-toppers Awolnation on the roster, set to play a more intimate crowd in Kingston town.

Newcomers to the Banquet show family and student six-piece Think Like Valencia brought their self-proclaimed “telescopic pop” to the potluck, revamped to become “telescopic rock”. Playing a short and naturally sweet seven songs, the foot tapping was under way with their first track ‘Just Like A Lion’ through to the last song ‘Scarlet Sky’. As a fifth-time addition to their audience, it can be written with certainty that the clarity of keyboardist Carmen Ho’s delicate young voice has never sounded stronger, nor have the riffs to compliment it sounded so crisp. Maybe it was the confidence in the air at the Peel, still leftover from the night before’s tumultuous Set Your Goals, Make Do And Mend, SpyCatcher and Hildamay show, or maybe it’s because those theoretical studies at university have finally paid off. Having stuck with these genuine, hardworking music-lovers since their humble beginning not too long ago, hearing the subtle improvements and their colourful sound mature since past shows deemed them pretty worthy of their slot, even if there was one slip-up during it. Oh well, spilled milk.

Next up were some invaders from Australia. Literally, Invaders. The difference with these, however, is that we wholeheartedly welcome the invasion. Their take on a 30 Seconds To Mars-style rock singed with electronica made a much-appreciated visit to the Peel after playing at Liverpool Sound City last weekend. Adopting a stoic, audacious stance on stage, frontman Tyrone Bain introduced the audience to ‘English Sky’ off Invaders’ first EP, successfully “rattling bones” with a voice to put Jared Leto to shame. The group are by no means 30STM: Oz Edition however, proving they were a feat of their own with the ‘Supermassive Black Hole’-esque ‘Three’s A Crowd’, a raw electronic punk song that in the studio version incorporates a wild dubstep finish – “some drum n bass,” Tyrone told the crowd later, having saved it for their fifth track ‘Stand Still And Listen’. ‘No Fire In Your Eyes’ and ‘Vapour’ sung out like desperate cries, full of emotion but less on the depression side and more so injected with well-crafted musical allure. They may not have been the heaviest band to ever play the Peel, but Alex Raffaelli’s skilful synth and Archie Mann’s resounding guitar technique paired effortlessly with Gene Clark on drums and Tyrone’s powerful pipes, especially in the band’s newest single ‘Hummingbird’, set them apart as a fresh genre reminiscent of Shiny Toy Guns but massively updated, and wonderfully unpredictable.

“This is one big family… we like to call AWOLNATION.” And that it was, when Californians Awolnation took to the stage, led by powerhouse Aaron Bruno, launching into a tune of Weezer appeal and going on to deliver ten other tracks with no shortage of energetic drum beats and chant-able choruses. A prime example of such crowd pleasing could not be missed with ‘Not Your Fault’, considerably less sugar-coated than otherwise expected, meriting many a fist pump and shouted sing-along. The smiles were contagious, the passion practically an aura around lead guitarist Drew Stewart, keyboardist (and multitasker extraordinaire on rhythm guitar and backing vocals) Kenny Carkeet, plus Hayden Scott on drums in an unbelievably tight, black fitted shirt – challenging attire in the air’s suffocating summer heat. Aaron proceeded to thrust the mic into the air with every song, hailing its power and ability to hypnotise us when brought to his lips for tireless, happy melodies like in ‘Guilty Filthy Soul’ and ‘Jump on My Shoulders’ off their debut album ‘Megalithic Symphony’. Throwing in a “slow dance” with ‘All I Need’, the audience acted as interim chorus and took the opportunity to waltz around the room, making it truly what Aaron described, a family affair. Just as quickly, the room transforms into a head banging extravaganza with elements of a jumping New Medicine tune, a setlist well executed in keeping us on our feet. “Blame it on my A.D.D.,” sings Aaron. This would be the one case where those in attendance would undoubtedly praise a mental disorder, if that’s really what was to blame for a powerful execution of their popular anthem ‘Sail’.

At the end of the night, we were all happy to go AWOL, both in the sense of newfound appreciation for the Los Angeles-based band, and in going outside to escape the heat emanating from every surface. Though big names Hit The Lights, Transit, The Story So Far and Decade are set to hit the stage on the 2nd of June for Banquet’s next Kingston Peel showcase, it is yet to be seen whether they’ll pack a punch as enduring as the three who played to our heartstrings one hot Saturday night in May.

Look out for: My interview with Invaders COMING SOON, and their EP release next month!

CLICK FOR GIG PICTURES

Links:
AWOLNATION
Invaders
Think Like Valencia

Banquet  Records

The June gig will also deliver the regular delights of free zines, raffles, the guitar roar of Sheish Money and Brisbane’s hottest Open Mic Section. And remember… don’t just bring one poem, you never know, you may be named Call Back Poet for the month!

The Call Back Poet is selected by the monthly features and given the opportunity to perform a mini-feature to close the event (2-3 poems) as well as win the right to perform at the last gig of 2012 and be in the running for cash prizes and the title SpeedPoets Open Mic Champion for 2012.

Call Back Poets for the year to date are Jo Brooks, Carmen Leigh Keates and Marisa Allen.

So come along and enjoy the SpeedPoets experience… we’ve been keeping poetry fast in Brisbane for more than a decade!

Date: Saturday June 2
Location: Brew (Lower Burnett Lane, Brisbane City)
Time: 2pm – 5:30pm
Entry: Gold Coin Donation

Nothing raises my temperature higher than a gent called Tensnake. And he’s coming Brighton’s way this Friday. Audio is the venue, Brighton heroes Schtumm! the hosts, and a decent dance your destination. Tensnake’s last gig at Audio was one of my fav of 2011 and I can’t wait to get the most cool of Coma Cat’s in my sight. It is, my dear ones, is looking like being one of the finest weekend of gigs and clubnights Brighton’s seen this year. Make sure you start on solid ground with Tensnake.

Friday, June 1st
Schtumm! present:

TENSNAKE
THRILOGY
NEAL SCHTUMM

AUDIO, Brighton
Tickets £8/10 in advance
More on the door
11pm-Late

LAST FEW TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

1) A list of albums that I will be listening to that week. This list will include the album, artist and my favourite song from the album

2) A list of gigs to watch out for in the coming week

Albums:

Monday - Artist: Duffy, Album: Rockferry, My pick: Warwick Avenue

Tuesday – Artist: Florence and the Machine, Album: Ceremonials, My pick:  Shake It Out

Wednesday - Artist: David Crowder Band, Album: Illuminate, My pick: O Praise Him

Thursday – Artist: The Beatles, Album: Abbey Road, My pick: Here Comes the Sun

Friday – Artist: Goldspot, Album: Tally Of The Yes Men, My pick: Friday

Saturday – Artist: Jack Johnson, Album: Sleep Through the Static, My pick: Angel

Sunday – Artist: Christina Perri, Album: Lovestrong, My pick: Jar of hearts

Gigs around town:

Tuesday: Launch of Rock and Pop Music exams (Trinity College London)

This is a brilliant event for both established musicians and amateurs alike. Trinity College London is launching it Rock and Pop Music exams in India. The event will have a presentation hosted by Francesca Matthews from the Trinity College. The presentation will give interested candidates a download on the Rock and Pop certification grades that Trinity has to offer. That is not all; the gig will see a host of artists performing songs from the syllabus of the Rock and Pop Music exams. The artist performing will include Ravi Iyer, Something Relevant, Gino Banks, Reinhardt Dias and Chrisanne Pereira.

Date: May 29, 6:00 pm onwards

Entry: Free

Venue:  Blue Frog, Mathuradas mills, Lower Parel

Thursday: Lou Majaw & Friends (Shillong): Rock, Folk, Blues

Lou Majaw is best known for his annual Bob Dylan Festival. Lou Majaw has been around 35 years and he is celebrating it in style at The Blue Frog. Also at the Frog on Thursday are Aidan and Sanju from The Hoodwinks Circle.  If you’re headed for Lou Majaw, get there by 7:30 pm and pay only Rs 100, post 9:00 pm the entry will be Rs 300. In my opinion Aidan and Sanju are worth the Rs 100 you are paying on an otherwise free early set gig.

Date: May 31, 9:00 pm onwards

Entry: Rs 300 post 9:00 pm and Rs 100 post 7:30 pm

Venue:  Blue Frog, Mathuradas mills, Lower Parel

Sunday: Blakc launches it second studio album ‘Motheredland’

This is the highlight gig of the week for me, yes I am a little bias to Blakc for obvious reasons. ‘Motheredland’ has a whole new sound to it, different from their first studio album ‘Chocking on a dream’. I am not allowed to divulge any more information on the album but from their Facebook fan page you can tell that the album is about raging social issues. The album was recorded at Yashraj studios, mixed by Shantanu Hudlikar (Yashraj) and Keshav Dhar (Skyharbor) and mastered by Chris Athens (AC/DC, Coldplay, Jason Mraz) at Sterling Studios, New York. This is one gig you don’t want to miss. The event page on facebook already has 401 people attending.

Blakc also has an offer running parallel to their album launch

Buy CD + tshirt + poster + entry @ Rs 425 (Only if you pre-order the CD). Offer valid only in Mumbai and for the first 20 orders.

Date: June 3, 9:30 pm onwards

Entry: Rs 150 post 9:00 pm

Venue:  Blue Frog, Mathuradas mills, Lower Parel

There are train-spotters and then there are whale-spotters…

Howdy Tweed Peeps,

There’s not much point in having a comprehensive entertainment and gig guide if you don’t know a band or musician’s name you see listed or it doesn’t indicate what sort of music they play… Whenever possible I try and provide an insight to their genre in brackets. But this information isn’t always available.

To help address this, I’ve set up a new page on the website called Who’s on in Tweed, especially for all those musicians who play regularly in the Shire. It’s a space where they can provide a biography or brief description of the type of music they play. When they’re listed in the gig guide, there’ll be a link to their info so you can find out more about them.

Of course, I need to get the information from the artists first, so give me some time to get this together… and tell any local musicians you know to get in touch and get their details up.

I hope you’ll enjoy another wonderful week getting out and about in Tweed.

Cheers,

Tweed Scene.

FEATURED ACTIVITY

See some art

Don’t let wet weather get the better of you: get out and see some art! The work of Susan Buret & Nicola Moss is featured in the appropriately titled exhibition Weathered, which explores the transient and ephemeral nature of weather conditions, its impact on each of us, and our memories of emotions and sensations in response. It’s on now at the beautiful Tweed River Art Gallery until June 24. While you’re there you can catch Bessie Gibson, An Artistic Life before it winds up on July 8.  Curious Art Gallery at Chinderah has The Moon Waits for No-one – paintings, photography and drawings inspired by the poetry of Clare Bryant until June 24. And last week saw the opening of Fundamental – adventures of a colourist, an exhibition of works by Cath Grant at D’bah Gallery, on until 28^th June.

EVENTS

Heavy rain saw the Tuscan Afternoon at Tyalgum in April being postponed. Hopefully the weather will hold out for the event to proceed this Saturday 2nd June. So head to Tyalgum to enjoy great live music and stalls, local wines and cheeses and some true country style hospitality. Enquiries: 02 66793067 or check the website for updates.

LIVE MUSIC GIG GUIDE

Tues 29 May 

• David Lee – Tweed Heads Bowls Club
• Dave Murray open mic night –  Marty’s at Caba
• Walter Willans – 6.30pm Breezes, Twin Towns
• Happy Birthday to me

Wednesday 30 May

• Paul Anthony – Tweed Heads Bowls Club
• Wally & the Gators – 7.30pm Breezes, Twin Towns
• Acoustic jam night – 7pm, Cooly Hotel Public Bar
• Jam night – Ozzie Tavern M’bah

Thursday 31 May

• Swizzle – Tweed Heads Bowls Club
• Urban Stone – 9.30pm Breezes, Twin Towns

Friday 1 June

• The Cheverlets (Cooly Rocks On Fest) –  7pm, Tweed Heads Bowls Club
• Urban Stone – 8.30pm Breezes, Twin Towns
• Brett Gannon – 9pm, front bar, Coolangatta Sands Hotel
• West World Duo – 7.30pm, Lounge bar, Coolangatta Sands Hotel
• Alderman Brothers – 7.30pm, Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club
• Lo Fi – 9pm Kingscliff Beach Hotel
• There might be someone playing but I don’t know who coz they didn’t tell me – 6.30pm, Cudgen Headland Surf Club
• Jason Kafo – Saltbar
• Tess –  7pm, Marty’s at Caba
• There might be someone playing but I don’t know who coz they didn’t tell me – 8pm, Cabarita Beach Sports Club
• Dirty Channel – 7.30pm, Pottsville Beach Sports Club
• Trevor Rix (singing the classics) – 6.30pm, Murwillumbah Services Club
• Daniel Champagne – Currumbin Soundlounge, tix from $17

Saturday 2 June

• Krystal Donnelly (solo acoustic covers) – 3-6pm tapas & cocktails at D’bah Cafe
• The Cheverlets (Cooly Rocks On Fest) –  7pm, Tweed Heads Bowls Club
• Urban Stone – 9.30pm Breezes, Twin Towns
• West Texas Crude (rockabilly trio) – Seagulls
• Brett Gannon – 9pm, front bar, Coolangatta Sands Hotel
• Steven Michael (piano) – 7.30pm, Lounge bar, Coolangatta Sands Hotel
• Jazz jam – 3pm, South Tweed Sports Club
• The Rockin’ Bodgies (Coolie Rocks On) – South Tweed Sports Club
• David Thompson Duo – Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club
• Maggies Farm (blues, gospel, country) – 7pm Sheoak Shack
• Mr Troy (classic covers done raw) – 2pm, Chindy Tavern
• Heartbeat Duo – 7.30pm, Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club
• Andy Penny – 9pm Kingscliff Beach Hotel
• Dave Murray – Saltbar
• There might be someone playing but I don’t know who coz they didn’t tell me – 8pm, Cabarita Beach Sports Club
• Paul Mostyn – 6pm, Pottsville Beach Sports Club
• Vanya (award-winning entertainer) – 6.30pm, Murwillumbah Services Club

Sunday 3 June

• Dan McCoy (solo acoustic covers) – 3-6pm tapas & cocktails at D’bah Cafe
• Dance On (Cooly Rocks On Fest) –  5pm, Tweed Heads Bowls Club
• Urban Stone – 7.30pm Breezes, Twin Towns
• Blind Lemons Trio Unplugged (Marcus & Benny) – Ivory Tavern
• Andrew Morris (alt-country/blues) – 4pm Sheoak Shack
• Darren Marlow – 1pm, Chindy Tavern
• Dan Hannaford – 2pm Kingscliff Beach Hotel
• There might be someone playing but I don’t know who coz they didn’t tell me – 3pm, Cudgen Headland Surf Club
• Clay Blyth – 5pm, Pottsville Beach Sports Club
• The Romanics (blues band) – 2-6pm Mount Warning Hotel, Uki
• Dan Newton – 2pm Riverview Hotel
• Monkey & the Fish (beautiful guitar, magical song craft) – 1pm, Sphinx Rock Café
• Daryl Braithwaite (if you don’t know who he is then you’re too young for this gig) 3pm / Lisa Hunt (awesome soul diva) 5pm / Tuffy 7pm – Coolangatta Hotel public bar (free), Sunday 3^rd June

Monday 4 June

• Peter Johnson –  7pm, Tweed Heads Bowls Club

COMING UP

• Cashville play the songs of Johnny Cash and June Carter at the Coolangatta Sands, Thursday 7th June
• Boy and Bear play the Cooly Hotel on Wednesday 6^th June, $35 + BF.
• Cooly Rocks On live shows at Coolangatta Tweed Golf Club early June – Opening night, Johnny O’Keefe Tribute, Wilbur Wilde & Frankie J Holden. Ticket info here.
• Rockabilly Rumble Weekend – June 8-10, Seagulls
• The Audreys – 21^st June, Currumbin Soundlounge, tickets from $25
• Classic rock band America (Horse With No Name, Ventura Highway, Sister Goldenhair) are coming to Twin Towns in September. Tickets now on sale. Details here.
• Emma Louise – 5^th July, Currumbin Soundlounge, tickets from $15
• Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music – 7-9 September. Tickets now on sale

DINING NEWS

• Sandbar & Grill This Thursday’s Theme dinner is Spanish – 4 courses & 2 glasses of wine $39.90, starts 7pm sharp. Reservation is recommended.
• Marty’s @ Caba has the open fire and gas heaters going every night and a new winter menu. Locals special Tues-Thurs: Sirloin steak on sweet potato bake with smashed peas and rich brown sauce plus a glass of wine, Coopers schooner or soft drink $19.90
• Bamboo restaurant and bar at Grand Mercure Casuarina (previously Santai) locals’ specials Wednesday: beef steak and blonde (non-beer drinkers can have a house wine), $20. Thursday: barramundi & a sauv blanc or lamb shank & shiraz, $20.
•  Opera & Paella at Fins, Sunday 3^rd June. Internationally acclaimed Spanish opera singer starts a 4pm; dinner served at 6pm.  Sangria, Spanish Wine, Paella $89pp includes opera, canapés and dinner. Bookings essential ph 02 6674 4833.

THIS WEEK’S MARKETS

• Wednesday: Caldera Farmers Market 7-11am at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds on Queensland Road, Murwillumbah. See for more info.

• Saturday:  Uki Farmers Market 8am – 1pm, Uki Town Hall.

• Sunday: Pottsville Markets  at Phillip Street Reserve, Pottsville. Tweed Heads Market at the Police Citizen’s Youth Club, Florence Steet on the corner of Recreation Street, Tweed Heads.

THEATRE/PERFORMANCES

• The Vicar Of Dibley – Murwillumbah Theatre Company (25/5-10/6). Tickets available through Destination Tweed.
• Cabaret 360 – circus, comedy, drama, dance, music, film. Friday June 8, Saturday June 9, 7-11.30pm, Uki Town Hall, $30. Bookings at UkitopiaArtsCollective.
• Fame The Musical –Tweed Theatre Company (29/6-8/7). Tickets available through Destination Tweed.

EXHIBITIONS

• Bessie Gibson, an artistic life – Tweed River Art Gallery until July 8.

• Weathered (Susan Buret & Nicola Moss): an exhibition exploring the transient and ephemeral nature of weather conditions, its impact on each of us, and our memories of emotions and sensations in response – Tweed River Art Gallery until June 24.
• The Moon Waits for No-one – paintings, photography and drawings inspired by the poetry of Clare Bryant. Curious Art Gallery, Chinderah, 16 May – 24 June.
• Fundamental – adventures of a colourist, exhibition of works by Cath Grant at D’bah Gallery from 26^th May until 28^th June.

The number of travel bloggers increases substantially every year. Writing reviews for hotels, motels, campsites, restaurants, attractions, products, travel websites, vehicle rentals, activities and stores.

Freelance artists gigs include painting, sculpting, illistration, mural paintings, interior design, house painting, image management, fashion design, drawing and more.Freelance photographers seek jobs covering the imaging of events such as weddings, concerts, sports, fashion shows, fund-raisers etc. They also become photojournalists photographing portraits, nature and landscapes. Creativity, persistence and resilience are necessary in order for one to be successful. Building an effective portfolio and a strong reputation will be essential when seeking freelance work.

Limerick’s windings pay a welcome return visit to the Pine Lodge on 4th August 2012. Interrupting their tour of the ever growing Irish summer festival circuit a splendid evening of rock debauchery is assured. The lads recently recorded their third album in Toronto with none other than Efrim Menuck (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) at the helm. The album is scheduled for release June 4th on Out On A Limb Records.

Been busy in the studio making my own music.. thought i would share with the world.. so please.. enjoy!

Number Two: Plan ahead and don’t spend most of the day in the car clocking up a few hundred miles whilst having a house party for 13 kids and an equal number of adults

Number Three: Don’t trust the weather to fit in with your plans

So after a long hot day I wasn’t desperately keen to go out but it all turned out well.

Peter Hook & the Light are currently touring Unknown Pleasures the first Joy Division album. After his divorce from Barny Albrect-Sumner he has taken Revenge on the road but having seen the Light I can understand his desire to tour the JD back catalogue.

It has undoubtedly moved on but they are such a great bunch of songs and the band have really cracked the sound with sharp metallic electric guitars, the drum beat of Stephen Morris and even the studio effects that Martin Hannett added to the albums.

Hooky obviously enjoys himself and whilst he is known for his low slung bass playing he now commendably fronts the vocals as well. He has almost the same baritone as the late Ian Curtis but with a little more guttural growl. He also employs a stunt bassist who I think he said was his son, presumably Jack Hook. He did a great job of filling the old boots and when they both played they worked really well together.

They played not only the whole of Unknown Pleasures but earlier Warsaw songs, Ceremony, Isolation (which was excellent) and the big finishers Transmission & Love Will Tear Us Apart.

It was heartening to see younger twenty somethings getting mashed by 50somethings at the front of the stage, rucking & slamming, fists punching the air, elbows cracking ribs, just like the old days.

I stayed on the balcony, no fool me. I’ve been punched in the mosh pit before thanks.

Having more t-shirts than I can wear when I hit the merch desk I managed to get the last signed copy (narrowly body swerving a couple trying to decide whether to buy it now or later, ha!) of Hooky’s book ‘Hacienda: How not to run a Club’ (printed on something similar to paper??!)and an EP ‘1102 2011’ with ‘Atmosphere’ ‘New Dawn Fades’ & ‘Insight’ featuring Rowetta from the Happy Mondays & ‘X-factor’.

In some ways the gig could come over as a very good covers band set and perhaps there isn’t quite the depth or emotional range that as an old JD fan I attach to the music. But they played it with such commitment and the audience responded so positively that it was a really enjoyable event. Hook has contributed a unique sound to some really great records over a 30+ year career and if these shows keep the music of Joy Division out there then it’s a good thing.

I picked up a leaflet for a further show in Manchester where they are playing all of ‘Still’ which should be a good show.

He’s got the spirit and he certainly hasn’t lost the feeling.

I am now going to watch 24 Hour Party People

This is from the EP – Atmosphere featuring Rowena – It’s really quite good.

When I got into London early on Friday afternoon and managed to meet up with Hayley and her friend Ben, we went to book in at the Travelodge and headed to Alexandra Palace. Unfortunately, trouble with the trains meant we missed A Storm of Light. However, we caught most of YOB, who definitely felt a lot more intense and just aggressive live compared to on record, I seriously suggest seeing them if you love or are only mildly interested in the band – just a step up live. We didn’t get to see much of Wolves In The Throne Room, but from the 20 minutes I saw, it was pretty good, pretty dark and atmospheric.

Then we went to get to the front for Melvins. They were late by about 15-18 minutes, but they definitely made up for it by performance – A Civilised Worm, The War on Wisdom and The Water Glass were particular highlights of the set. The crowd was getting more and more pumped as it went on, and the band didn’t even seem to be trying, which commands respect.

After a 30-minute break, Sleep came on, which we were pretty much at the barrier for too. I was worried beforehand just how long it would take before I’d get a bit bored of them, but it was pretty much a crime on my behalf. They just came on and mesmerised, the whole set was especially loud and Al even played this one note a few times during one song (don’t ask me which, it was such a blur of a night) and I thought I was going deaf – THAT LOUD. I’d never heard anything like it, not at any gig I’ve been to so far. You could also smell weed as soon as they hit the stage, which was kinda awesome.

Then Slayer came on and put me through one of the most brutal 75 minutes of my life. I thought I was ready and prepared for anything, but I still got beat and shoved, and I wasn’t even in a moshpit. I think they opened with World Painted Blood and played a few songs at random… then the stage just went dark, and when the lights came back on the Reign In Blood backdrop was revealed, and then they started going through the album in its entirety. I mean, what can you say to that, it’s pretty self-explanatory. The crowd were just nuts, one of the best I’d been in… if that includes getting kicked in the ear/face by a crowdsurfer.

To start the Saturday, I went to watch the ATP film, which was interesting… it was pretty much a collection of footage of all the ATP events. The Bristol ones were especially enticing… like seeing Lightning Bolt play outside shammy looking holiday resort flats, or Daniel Johnston playing his acoustic guitar on some grass while surrounded by people. There was live footage of Iggy Pop, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and so many more with injections of a comments from artists and even incidents with fans at the festivals/shows.

So, we went to see Floor play, who were just great and I honestly couldn’t fault it. I didn’t even realise that they didn’t have a bassist until then either. The setlist was perfect, mostly the self-titled album stuff and a few of their other ‘hits’. It was pretty funny that they were finished early and then told that they had another 15 minutes to go, which they managed to fill out. I saw Harvey Milk soon after, who were again another band that seems a lot better live than recorded, so I might give them another try soon (I’ve never really been interested by them before).

I then took part in a quick mixtape-swap, which was pretty good and would be better had there been more time before bands started playing again. Exchanged all of my disks and got a few from other music enthusiasts, who were into stuff way different than I normally am, so I can’t wait to check out their playlists. Some of the designs are great too – I got one with an origami dinosaur slipped in the sleeve along with explicit instructions to make sushi and a sudoku quiz with some… er… interesting comments on The Daily Mail!

So then I saw Codeine after the meet-up. I never heard of them before, and I don’t think I will again as I was just frankly bored and unimpressed by the band. The atmosphere felt like that of a friend’s awkward first gig. Even Holly, who likes them, didn’t want to watch them anymore. And so we headed to the Panorama Room and came across The Soft Moon. Another new band to me, but one I am definitely interested in checking out after their performance. I don’t exactly know how to describe their music, it was such a mixture, and the range of instruments and effects that were used were impressive. I guess a form of experimental-indie-pop? I have no idea, that’s just what I got from that set, but I enjoyed them!

Mudhoney was next, and in all honesty… I didn’t get it. The music (still) didn’t interest me, and the performance just wasn’t all that great, I got very bored very fast. I feel like I missed out on something because the crowd seemed to love it, but I guess it just wasn’t for me. The Balam Acab set was ridiculously soothing, and I think it was one of the few moments I’ve sat in front of a stage to watch someone live. Although there was very, very little to no interaction from the guy, it was a nice experience – so soothing it felt like beds should have been supplied in case you day-dreamed or went into a light sleep (not an insult in this case).

And so we went to see Mogwai finish the day. If you have seen the band already, then you will know, words can’t do it justice. The atmosphere, the ridiculous tightness and composure of the band, the lightshow… just amazing. It felt like a journey just watching the band; it was surreal just hearing Stuart Braithwaite’s really cheery voice inbetween songs too in comparison to how haunting the music is at times. They were simply incredible and I recommend anyone to check them out if the opportunity arises.

Sorry for the delayed absence. I had to temporarily shut down (as you read below) but it turned into a longer hiatus than originally planned. But never fear, I have returned and will continue to amuse (hopefully) with photos and tales of adventures.

Let’s catch up a bit, yes? Grab a chair, maybe a cold drink and settle around in a circle for story-time. Since we last spoke, the Pats lost the Superbowl (I don’t wanna talk about that), I have yet to move out of Sucktown (more on that later) and have been traveling lots. Also have spent a fair amount of time in the print lab, perfecting my travel prints and thinking about doing a photo gallery/fair type thing so I can get them out there to be seen and, more importantly, purchased. Of course, getting my new website up and running should probably take priority over all else. I had every intention of having it up by now, but you know what they say about intentions. A bird in the hand is worth..wait, that’s not right. Ah whatever.

In the travel arena, I hit up Hawaii…again. God I love it there. I should probably just pack up and move right now. I also went to Aruba and Curacao. Curacao was sort of interesting, although we didn’t get around to doing much and people there drive like maniacs so I wasn’t really keen on taking to the roads. Aruba was the pits, but I already knew that. I loathe that island. I hope never to return.

As for Sucktown, oh the stories I have. I confronted Mr. Coldplay one day this winter to ask him to knock it off with the loud, terrible music after keeping me up very, very late one night. His response? “I don’t even listen to Coldplay. I don’t really like them.”

Uh huh. He is a really good liar. Do I have to remind everyone about his constant Coldplay concerts? I think not.

For awhile after our “chat,” he was surprisingly quiet. Until, of course, he started in with the weird monk chanting/church music. I don’t even know what it is. I actually thought it was coming from the church across the street the first few times and thought, “meh, I live across the street from the church. I could get mad, but it’s a church.”

But noooo. It’s not from the church. It’s coming from Chris Martin (as he shall be henceforth known) upstairs.

Seriously? SERIOUSLY? You’re in your late 20s. Get a grip already, dude. Before I have to come shove that stereo someplace it would hurt a great deal.

So, Chris Martin continues to drive me mental with his weird music and penchant for singing along like he’s auditioning for The X Factor. How I wish Simon Cowell were here to tell him, “You are utterly atrocious.” I’m sure there will be more Neighbor Chronicles to come, unfortunately. I’m looking for a new place to live, but am running into problems: A) I don’t want to live with roommates which means B) the places I can afford are sadly in the area I already live in. I debated moving back north a bit, but I can’t seem to decide where it is I want to live. I’m traveling a lot, so I need to stay relatively close to the airport. As I crank the AC in my living room, I long to live by the beach so I could have cool, saltwater air breezing through my living spaces. ‘Tis the dream.

And back on the work front…I’ve decided I want to do a gallery of sorts. Maybe in a restaurant, maybe in a store. That part I still need to work out. I’m really good with the taking of photos…the business side is where I’m a tad weak. I want to start selling more prints, branching out into more types of photography (perhaps some editorial/commercial gigs), and just put my skills and talents to good use.

I’ll keep you in the loop on that one. In any case, I have returned, so fear not that I fell off a surfboard in Hawaii, banged my head on the board (oh, it’s happened), and fell into a deep sleep at the bottom of the ocean. Nope. I’m still alive and well in Sucktown.

Happy Memorial Day!! Today I am celebrating all the amazing men and women who have fought for our country over the years at my parents super rad annual memorial day party. It’s so nice to spend some time with the fam and my friends from home. As much fun as I am having today, I cannot wait to get back to my home of Philly tonight to see London’s Cold Specks with Great Lake Swimmers at Johnny Brenda’s. Cold Specks is 24-year-old Al Spx who just released her debut album I Predict A Graceful Expulsion through Mute Records which you can buy here. The album is moving, gentle music perfectly mixed with Al Spx’s rough, real voice that carries a beauty, toughness, and maturity that sounds well beyond her young age. Some of my favorite tracks from the album include “Winter Solstice”, “Hector”, “Blank Maps”, and the choral “Send Your Youth”. I am so excited to get the chance to see and hear them live tonight! Get your tickets for tonight’s show at Johnny Brenda’s here, and I hope to see you there!

xx

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Right. We need to calm the fuck down. Too much batshit craziness is going around, and this sweltering heat isn’t helping in terms of soothing our hyperactive nerves. We’ve just got too much shit to do. Far, far too much. Not enough time. Must go faster. What’s the best way for us to calm down, folks? Well, just as an option, we find stroking our, um, beard somewhat therapeutic. It takes discipline, patience, and a heckload of self-respect to cultivate a beard, or indeed a beard worth having. Many men have tried; some succeeded and went on to live blissfully happy lives no matter what their occupation; others have failed and become uncontrollably depressed in the attempt, mainly because they are puny and weak (and you KNOW it). Our Track Of The Day’ers have hence arrived once again atop the steed of appropriateness – in relation to both our current mental state and out-spoken affections for all things bearded – by virtue of their manliest of manly name, Burning Beard. These guys have opted for alternative doom folk as their chosen calling card, and this notion is reiterated on their Facebook page, as they declare “heavy music and melodic music needn’t be mutually exclusive. Also beards are awesome and so is fire”. This may well make Burning Beard our favourite new band of the year, given they speak the truth and nothing but. Putting our own musical analysis thinking-cap on for a second or two while we take a breather from metaphorically jacking off over beards every two seconds, true to their word these guys have opted to actually put a bit of bollocks and rock out instead of rocking in via their take on the more contemporary indie/folk/pop/whatever aspects usually associated with the Communion remit – indeed, they are confirmed to play the aforementioned’s Bushstock festival this weekend, following a quickie show at The Borderline this very evening, in respect of which we are gutted we cannot make due to us being stuck behind a laptop tapping away into emails for much of what remains of today – and we get something along the lines of Gaslight Anthem (particularly in reference to the twiddling guitar plucking at the start of the track) butting heads with My Morning Jacket. Also, if we’re choosing to indulge our own bullshit further, the build of anticipation in this track reminds us of the first time we listened to The Distillers The Hunger. There may be some Spinal Tap in there, but in a good Stone Henge kinda way. We love it. Get into it.

Burning Beard – The Woods (Demo)