Time waits for no man...

Ivan Campo - "The Gathering" / HED's 5th Birthday

So I officially turned older. It happens to us all. I guess it all depends how you deal with it. I dealt with it by booking three nights of music at a collosal financial cost. And then drank myself silly. It was a fab three days (which actually turned into six) of unhinged wonder. Thanks to all the people who turned up, bought me drinks, endured my drunken demeanour and anyone else who had a fun time. Special mentions to Liam, Max, Frase, Lomax, Spanners, Stevie, Mace, Dave and oh... there's too many. Thank you all. Big time.

I'd better mention all the bands too... Ivan Campo, Thomas Truax, Sparrow And The Workshop, King Charles, The Redwings, Ottersgear, Gideon Conn, Sky Larkin, Drum Eyes, Humanfly, The Laze and The Jackpot Golden Boys. And of course I need to mention my good compadre Nice Peter too, who actually flew over from LA to headline the final night. He even compiled a short video of some of the bands he saw. Here it is for posterity....

'Nice Peter - "England Vlog"

So yeah... not sure how I will top it next year. I kind of shot my load on this one. In more ways than one. But, in the mean time there is a whole cascade of delights coming up soon, including Drum Eyes, Karima Francis, Flashguns, The Chapman Family, Spokes, Denis Jones and You Say Party. You can keep tabs on things over here.

A long smoke...

Well, its been a while. Haha. I guess I got embroiled in life and forgot the humble blog I had such hope for. Well what has happened in the mean-time... hmm.

2009 was a fun year but ultimately one that wore me down to the bone. I put on 50+ gigs in Preston, organised a month long UK tour for Nice Peter and put a lot of time into pushing Ivan Campo. Three different avenues. All rather time consuming but worthwhile nonetheless.

Here is a quick list of the best bands that played... The Joy Formidable, Jeffrey Lewis, Sparrow And The Workshop, The Chapman Family, Crocodiles, And So I Watch You From Afar, The Agitator, The Veils, Grammatics, Dananananaykroyd, The Brute Chorus, The Northwestern, Jeniferever, Race Horses, Bilge Pump, Manatees, The Birdman Rallies, Thomas Truax, Gideon Conn, The Laze and Castrovalva. I'd advise you check all or any of those out!

Special mention to the likes of Spokes, Elohymn and my compadres Ivan Campo for keeping the local side of things ticking over. We lost so many Preston based bands last year it was unreal. It was like they all realised en masse that the unsigned gig circuit is just a slog through dog turd, the media are total vacuous shit heels and sitting back listening to the likes of Ellie Goulding being championed probably nailed the coffin shut.

Preston could be a great live music city but I think it is too much like hard work for some people. With the rise in clubnights, cover bands and comebacks it doesn't bode too well. Those three C's shouldn't be taught to anyone. They just share the same common theme - easy, economical and totally devoid of imagination.

Talking of which... Preston hosted 'Rock In The Park' last summer! I'm not sure what the 'rock' was about... cos nearly all the acts mimed to cd decks. We had Peter Andre, Preston (outta the Ordinary Boys), Pixie Lott, and much more. The event was mindnumbingly awful and should be happening in Scarborough or Rhyl - not in this 'city' of ours. God damn it... if only the general public had an ounce of taste this kinda shit wouldn't happen.

Anyhow, enough talk of the mainstream drivel. Coming up soon I have the likes of Marble Valley (from Virginia) and Curtis Eller (from New York). And I can't wait. Real music. I'll leave you with a video and hopefully I'll post some more words soon. I'll try to make them interesting one of these days. Anyhow... heres some Magnetic Fields...

Creating A Vision

Busy week. Big bands. Big demands. And hopefully big crowds. We shall wait and see. I am very excited regardless of the guaranteed stress the next few days will entail. Its a pleasure to bring down bands of the calibre of Jeniferever, Grammatics and The Veils. In a perfect world people wouldn't just shrug their shoulders - they would be inquisitive and check out the bands in question. Instead I find myself having to ram their music down peoples throats. And just hope they don't choke. Too much. I guess thats promotion. Although I wish it wasn't such a tough 'crowd'. Anyway - I am rambling. In 72 hours I will be propping up a bar wishing I could do it all over again.

Three Is The Magic Number...

What makes me want to sign in at 3.30am? To write my first blog post since Christmas Day. I am not sure. But, something changed today and I can't figure what. (rolls cigarette) Regardless, I assume its a positive thing. Anything that sparks you into life can't be a bad thing right! I guess the rest of the time, situations can just batter the life out of you.

It is strange I have these feelings today, because I have just realised it is three years exactly to the day (March 11th 2006) that I booked my first full gig line-up - my first gig at Kolor Bar. Nice Peter, The Redwings, Tin Gods and Whiskycats. Happy memories indeed. (I'd worked 'on' lineups before but never my 'own' work and never to my full satisfaction)

That one night changed everything for me. It threw me head long down an unlit gravel path and I haven't stopped moving (running, crawling, writhing) ever since. It has been a heap of fun and thats an understatement, yet I now feel even more wound up by the whole 'procession' of it all. I know what I have 'acheived' won't last in anyones memory apart from my own. But, the people I help and their future development is what really matters. And that is why I muddle on.

I assume some people view me as being awkward, argumentative with a chip on my shoulder. I see it too. But, then again it is largely because people disappoint me. My expectations of people are so high they will rarely stack up against them. And I guess people see that and acknowledge it and in turn... that leads to resentment. We need friction to make wheels turn though.

Watching musicians struggle away working on projects and ideas which are most likely doomed to stagnate and fail - due to a whole catalogue of reasons - is a heartbreaking thing. Being honest with them is even harder. Time moves so fast, chances are so few and hope only hides that fiend - desperation.

But, the year is going swell regardless. Nice Peter is being paid big bucks to write songs for Miller Beer and Ivan Campo have been confirmed for the Secret Garden Party Festival. Small appertisers for what is to come hopefully - but still rather tasty.

Anyway, tonight, I have a gig. It isn't labelled as an anniversary. But, as I stand on the door, I will still feel the same buzz I felt three years ago.

I am sure of it. (rolls cigarette)

"Only a life lived for others, is a life worth living". Einstein

'The Cuckoo & The Stolen Heart'
- The Brute Chorus -

Day Of Miracles

Jesus wasn't born on Dec 25th. He wasn't the son of God. There were no angels or miracles. It is whole sack of horseshit that has been unravelled and embellished over time. But Happy Christmas everybody! Let the good times roll.

Television has sadly ruled this special day for me. With the nightmarish Top Of The Pops Special just beating the return of Nick Cotton to Albert Sq; as a clear indicator that the mainstream public will accept any old tripe as 'entertainment'. Seems horseshit is as popular now, as it ever was. Oh, and who out there actually believes Lee Evans is funny? Jesus wept.

I was dismayed there was no Orange Unsigned Act. I missed Bo Bruce so much, that I checked out her myspace. Some retrobate called Ryan has commented '...dont stop doing what you do. Your music has the ability to do what a lot of songs can't and that is to truly move people on the inside.' I kinda agree as long as he's talking about puking all over the tv screen at her diabolically mundane music.

Although, it was good to see Wave Pictures video for 'Love You Like A Madman' on MTV2. Similarly, it was great to learn that Bob Harris (Radio 2) had played Ivan Campo's 'Lotus Eater' on his show earlier this month. Hopefully, the start of a beautiful friendship.

Unlike my own situation with Sky Movies - every time I try to watch a late night movie I have to endure a sign language guy overlayed over the top. What the fucks that about. Surely there could be some 'sign language only' channels, or do deaf folk only watch films at the exact same time I want to. No disrepect but it's fucking annoying. The suspense in horror films is just dampened a wee bit wheh you have a pale, limp dweeb in a pale blue M+S shirt waving his hands around.

Underground Hits

I have been listening to the departed Jeff Buckley a lot recently who has re-entered the pop charts, due in a large part to an 'online lynch mob' campaigning for people to buy his record instead of the X Factor winners version. Power to the facebook retards!

What suprises me more than anything about X-Factor is it's quite blatent lack of adventure. 'Hallelujah' was performed by some ass-wipe 4th placed loser on American Idol this year. It went to No.1 that same week on the I-tunes chart, selling 178,000 downloads. The highest boost in digital sales a song had ever received. So, it wasn't exactly an inspired choice by Cowell as some tabloids have suggested. A drab accountant would have chosen the same fucking song.

Talking about dead singers who like swimming and have huge 'underground hits' - eight years ago today Kirsty MacColl died when she was hit by a boat whilst swimming in Mexico. At the age of 41 she was gone. She didn't leave a substantial legacy in regard to her recordings (based largely around covers) but she was involved in one of the most popular Christmas songs ever. Yes, that one. Nothing better than falling out with loved ones at a time when people should come together. As it's Christmas here it is...

'The Fairytale Of New York'
- The Pogues -

Oh, and the best news possible in the land of TV-music shows is that Sleepercell got voted off Orangle Unsigned Act tonight. They're now 'dead' too. The mamby-pamby fuck faces. Yes! I may well keep an eye on their 'development' in 2009. How many months to the break-up - I give it till May.

Making It Big...

It's the question every band asks themselves. And there is no simple answer. Is it to ensure the music is both fresh and challenging? Is it simply all about contacts and networking? Maybe it's just about writing one solid-gold single? In that sense surely radio-play is a crucial factor too. And don't forget the all important 'look' and 'style' you want to portray - that's all important, right? Or at least ensuring the right set of musicians are all working towards the same goal. Some would say bringing in a band member who is rich would help. Or maybe just a gal in a short skirt mincing around on stage.

What ever your chosen ideals are... you are probably wrong. There is no right answer. But you can at least ensure you don't make glaring errors. The internet is full of useful advice for artists who haven't got a clue what to do. Here are a couple of useful links.

Sentric offer a guide to what unsigned bands do wrong - an eight step guide of what not to do! It is generally sound basic advice. The site also has other posts about gig-ettiquette, management and band promotion. Its worth a root around.

Tom Robinson (BBC6 Music DJ) has his own web-site which has a number of useful resources - one of which is a very cool guide to sending out CD's to radio and the media. It is a comprehensive page aimed at ensuring any cd you send out, has the best possible chance to be listened to.

I'd personally advise bands to pester promoters/venues more than just 'once'. Too many bands seem to think one off unsolicited communication is somehow going to have an impact. Contacting people who get 100's of messages every month needs to be done effectively, from the first point of contact to subsequent follow up messages. Mass mail out messaging does NOT work in the long run - they need to be tailored and specific.

I'd also suggest gigging in your own town is very important to cement your live performance, fan-base and perception within the local community. Many bands locally seem to think the exact opposite. Yet, every successful breaking band I come across has a strong basis in their home town, developed through a good approach to gigging.

There is so much information out there - it's just a case of spending hours (many of them) searching around the net.

Hallelujah

I don't like giving up on things. I don't like that feeling of failure. I prefer changing things for the better, but sometimes you don't get a chance. In one moment every thing you thought was strong, can be carpet bombed out of sight. The past can stand for nothing. The good memories start to rot. And you are left feeling empty to your core. Thats how I felt when I listened to Bono's version of 'Hallelujah'.

Anyway, that's enough talk of God. Here's a video by a band called Fanfarlo who are from London. They are a six-piece who create wonderfully up-beat, fresh, multi-layered pop songs with a real sense of purpose. They played at loads of festivals over the summer and they have just returned from a month in Connecticut, USA where they recorded their upcoming (as yet untitled) album. I am quite taken with them - hope you are too. They may well be playing in Preston early in 2009 (fingers crossed) and you should check them out.

'You're One Of The Few Outsiders Who Really Knows Us'
- Fanfarlo -

If you want more goto... www.myspace.com/fanfarlo

HED Xmas Special...

So, Christmas is coming, we'll all be getting fat and I've lined up a special gig containing the best acoustic acts that have played for HED throughtout this year. It's on Monday 22nd December at Mad Ferret, Preston. And it's a stella line-up!

We have Gideon Conn headlining the event who has had a fantastic year playing festivals at Bestival, Swn, Solfest etc and garnering the favour of Radio One with his unique take on hip-hop. His debut single 'I Want You Around' was released this month on Mannequin Republic Records. He "blends folk-tinged hip-hop with jazzy skiffle, while all the time using his deadpan delivery to augment his often-hilarious couplets. He provides a unique style that can be best described as hip-hop to those who don’t like hip-hop." This guy is special and you'd be foolish to miss out on seeing him.

We also have Ivan Campo on the bill who have been one of the North West's finest bands over the last couple of years. The band have recently recorded their upcoming EP enitled 'Super 7'. It was mixed by Yorkie (of the band ‘Space’) and "delves into an enchanting dream world, offering a unique and mildly unsettling sound, like David Lynch circa Blue Velvet, but with the warmth of a Simon & Garfunkel record". Something like that.

Serious Sam Barrett is a fine example of traditional folk, country music and delta blues wrapped up in a modern contemporary sound. Quite deeply mesmerising to watch with first class guitar picking, a nasal singing style and his huge shiny 12 string guitar. He's that good he can play Dylan songs, better than Dylan could.

Opening the night we have local Preston favourites Mr+Mrs. Ric Birtill and Chez Cullen create rich, layered sounds about angst and love, with a whole range of instruments; combined into a unique, quite delicious live performance. They released their debut album 'Odds & Ends' this autumn. (You should grab yourself a copy... now)

So, there are the runners and riders. Remember, the first band is on stage at 8.30pm. (which we will be sticking to religiously seeing as it is Christmas and thats no lie!) And entry is just £3. Peanuts folks.

Monday 22nd December at Mad Ferret... it shall be a glorious Xmas if you can attend.

Best Of 2008...

So, every magazine has been cultivating their 'Best Of 2008' album lists. But if you don't know your Fleet Foxes from your Bon Iver's the whole hypefest may pass you by. And maybe that isn't a bad thing cos its more a survey on 'lifestyle choice' than anything else. If you're an avid fan of The NME you'll have been force fed MGMT, ever since some coked up runt of a writer realised The Twang were actually an utter bag of shite. For a full run down of the movers and shakers you can go to this excellent little site called Acclaimed Music.

But, not to feel out of place I've concocted my own 'Best Of' and because I'm special it is a 'Top 15 out of town acts to play live for HED in 2008'. A bit of a mouthful but I don't have a ponce of a sub-editor whining at me. So, here goes...

01 Dananananaykroyd
02 The Mae Shi
03 The Brute Chorus
04 Wave Machines
05 Spokes
06 Jeffrey Lewis
07 The Laze
08 Gideon Conn
09 Wave Pictures
10 Vessels
11 The Chapman Family
12 Cats In Paris
13 Pulled Apart By Horses
14 Mugstar
15 Thomas Truax

So, lets have a look at the top five that made the list...

Yep, Dananananaykroyd topped the list this year after their mind-blowing performance at the Kolor Bar in August. Fantastic live band who are fresh, frenetic and involving. I felt lifted out of my body watching them. They fully deserve all the media attention they get and its no surprise that the Kaiser Chiefs are taking them on 20+ gig long tour across Europe in January. An odd match perhaps but a glorious opportunity for the band. It certainly beats being bitten by fleas the day before an important promotional photoshoot. (Thanks Nash)

A notable mention must go to The Mae Shi who were jaw-droppingly good on a cold Monday night back in May. I'd had three hours sleep and was in no mood for a gig but they absolutly blew everyone in the audience away with their manic off-the-hook display. One of the few bands able to incite pure glee in both my mind and body. A stupendous live band. And they even ended up doing performance poetry to each other at Lemmy's house for some unknown reason.

The likes of The Brute Chorus and Wave Machines are two bands I would definitly consider are set for big things. They combine great music, with a fabulous live show and a professional attitude. It is no 'hobby' for them. Those guys want it bad. And they deliver each and every performance.

I don't want to leave out Spokes in this post because they have been so, so good for a long time now and I really hope 2009 is the year that sees them get the media attention they so rightly deserve. They have all the facets to break big not only the 'post-rock' scene but they have that wider appeal which could elevate them even further. I love that band.

Eighteen months ago Glasvegas were a blip on the radar - I didn't persue my mild interest in booking them cos their myspace songs were so bland - now they are selling out massive venues. Foolish of me for sure. But hey - if I'd have booked them for a charge in event - would people have shown up not knowing much about them? I doubt it somehow. The music world moves faster than ever these days and I hope some of the acts you see in 2009 can go onto eclipse those whiney scottish over-hyped farts. I'm not bitter honest.

But, what really grates with me is the fact you could have witnessed all fifteen acts on my 2008 list for a combined total of £15 (cos many of the shows were free entry.) which is quite astonishing and something Preston should be proud of. Yet, I still get people moaning about coffing up £3 now and then, to watch bands that anywhere else in the country would cost £6+. But, thats Preston I guess. Although, I doubt anyone in the sell-out crowd for Jeffrey Lewis felt short-changed. Or likewise... those lucky to get a We Are Scientists ticket.

If people wanted to make this city the best place for live music in the North West it could easily be done. But promoters and venues need to feel they have the support of the music community to take risks on 'breaking bands' that can cost a lot of money. Over and out.

Ivan Campo

So, the last three weeks have been fun. I've started working with Ivan Campo who are a stunningly brilliant acoustic based three-piece band. I met them all 2-3 years ago and have been an avid fan of them ever since. They really create fantastic, creative and simply beautiful music. No bullshit needed about these guys though - just check out this youtube video..

'Invisible Man'
- Ivan Campo -

Their music is devine. Perfect for radio, timeless in its essence and they create beautiful songs as if it was childs-play. The feedback thus far from the media has been positive but we'll have to wait for the reviews until we'll know if that was all music-numpty babble. But, yeah - I implore you all to buy their music for your own sake not theirs.

They have actually put together a new EP entitled 'Super 7' and it actually mixed by Yorkie - from the band 'Space'. It will be released on March 30th 2009. And its bloody ace.

If you want more goto... www.myspace.com/ivancampo

Orange Act Unsigned

I love the fact there is now air-time given to unsigned acts in Orange Act Unsigned. I watch intently. But most of the acts chosen (out of 7000+) are just woefully inadequate. Is this really the best the UK can offer?

Obviously, I realise only a certain 'type' of band enter competitions of any variety. But, when you have Tommy Reilly, a spotty, strange oddball with a slurred scottish accent as a firm favourite with the judges you have to wonder what the hell the show is about. He's a sweet harmless guy singing genuine if not very good songs - but is that enough? Is that what it takes to impress? I don't think so.

Then again, we still have the ambient, downbeat, humdrum pop of Bo Bruce to contend with, who is thoroughly dislikable. She pontificates about her music week in, week out trying to skirt over the fact that it's clearly just just dreary clap-trap. To pick up the tone this week, she did a cover of 'Sonnet' by The Verve. (facepalms) She is just awful. And quite possibly deranged.

We also have the upperclass public schoolboy type Toby Sebastian who is still at college and probably using the tv coverage to enhance his pursuit of sexual conquests. He is lucky he has his good looks cos his songs are devoid of all merit. In the same bracket I'd put those young, unhip boy band wanabees Sleepercell who are spunky and upbeat and fucking diabolically awful.

That leaves a no nonsense rock band in the form of Hip Parade who are kinda likeable if nothing special. And the best of a bad bunch are Scarlot Harlots who are more inspring in both their attitude and music. Yep, thats as good as it gets. I have the strange feeling that within six months, I'd be able to book them at my local pub for petrol money and a few beers. Oh hum.

Welcome to HED...

Having sat around a northern town (it is no city folks) for a long time and seen most of the little it has to offer, a blog on the web seemed like a good. I am quite dumbstruck at the sheer amount of blogs that I have discovered in a short time. I thought it was just something the Media Guardian dreamed up, but there really are thousands of folk updating their own blogs - and wowzer - some of them are very interesting indeed.

Anyway, I am currently sat at my ‘control centre’ as a local celebrity Liverpudlian calls it, with some god awful ‘Drum’ tobacco and a glass of ice cold vimto. It doesn’t get much better than that I guess.

If you don't know me at all... my name is Ed and I book gigs and manage bands. Thats what I spend the majority of my time doing nowadays. I love it. The money could be better but for sheer joy and happiness I couldn't ask for anymore. I'm very lucky in that sense.

This blog is centred around music. All kinds of music. Apart from metal. I am simply too stuck in my ways and far too removed from the genre to prattle on about it. Sorry. Oh and the same goes for that awful faux-DJ blip-bleep music. I dunno what the kids are calling it this week, but its crap what ever it is.

Welcome one and all. Or to be precise... no-one right now. But it's early days. I have added a shitload of links on the right hand of the screen - make use of them while I get to grips of making this blog a bit more interesting. Muchos love.