The Regal Rooms is the other half of the two most important figurehead venues for songwriters in London. The Bedford was a place I was recommended to play very early on when I started performing on my own and I fell in love with it on my first visit. It's Shakespearean theatre decor makes for as grand backdrop for the singer/songwriter guise. The Regal Rooms in Hammersmith was it's sister venue often regarded with a certain respect for its history of having industry present at shows. Showcases tend to be arranged there for wide eyed hopefuls on the brink of discovery. It's with sadness I say that the Regal Rooms's future is in jeopardy now it's been bought out, which now makes this gig even more poignant as it was to be my last as it stands in the venue. It was your typical Regal Rooms gig, great sound, civilised crowd, cheeky camp compare, and some fine talent on the bill with a touch of show tune and theatrics thrown in for good measure. I often feel the odd one out in London but have never felt out of place in either of these venues. My voice had taken a battering by the end of these dates more of which later but for now the Regal Rooms I salute your hospitality and memories.
The Fiveways folk club was a real shot in the dark for me. I'd never heard of it before trying it out and didn't know what to expect. After getting to the pub which seemed the same as any other Weatherspoons in a suburb in anywheresville, I was told it was upstairs in a tiny room. So upstairs I went a little confused trusty guitar on back and Jack Daniels In hand. The room is just that.. very tiny and it's modest decor and school room chairs had me thinking maybe I was in the wrong place. I must admit I'd had my reservations but this was turned by the warmth of the people who frequent this aptly named club into the perfect example of what I imagined true folk clubs to be. It was an older crowd who where respectful, graceful, attentive and open to my material even though some of my songs don't necessarily fit the bill of purist folk music. I performed more pure acoustic songs leaving behind my box of effect tricks that night. Another thing that is a huge factor as well as the people in the atmosphere of the place is there's no PA! Completely acoustic....nothing! Which I actually enjoy the pressure and tend to rise to it as it's comfortable for me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at fiveways and I'm back next year. It's different but it's untouched by media and expectations...it's a small room where people play songs that shape peoples experiences and traditions...there's a purity in that.
Tonight I'm playing at the legendary Dublin Castle in Camden :-)
So before I headed off to Earls Court to play at the Troubadour I stopped off at London Borough Market. Gorgeous smells waft around the archways and indoor market showing off foods from around the world. Parma Hams, fine wines, cheeses, breads, veg and meats surround you with a bustling London crowd sheltering from the rain outside. I bet it's even better round Christmas time, definitely gonna go there in December. Truffles are £79 ...... Just saying.....quite expensive.
The Troubadour is a 1950s old tavern complete with huge wooden door and shield street sign. Adorned inside with a beautiful decor, bohemian vibes, and very flamboyant bar staff who are all passion, nonchalance and precision. The artists were given red wine and lasagne after soundcheck and believe me that never happens in any venue! The troubadour is steeped in rock and roll history with Dylan and Hendrx amongst others passing through its doors. I fell in love with it instantly and if I lived in the area I would spend all my time in there. The gig was packed out and the crowd were definitely enjoying their alcohol...
Of course I could pass through Earls Court without seeing one of the only remaining police box's. Being a massive Dr Who fan....this is the most exciting box since the rubix cube......
Taking the tardis to gigs is something I should do more, negotiating London with equipment this last week has caused some aches....I should have done this ages ago....
On Thursday before my gig I went to the Imperial War Museum. If anyone has been they will understand that the museum is an exceptional showcase of the Second World War, including the MI5, MI6, espionage, and by far the most intense museum installation I've ever had, The Holocaust. I urge anyone to go and experience it even if it is a little difficult, it really makes you feel small and humble. The first floor about the blitz also makes you proud to be British.
Halloween is coming....my favourite yearly celebration.
Tamesis Dock is a psychedelic boat mored on the Thames next to the Houses of Parliament. It's an amalgamation of bric a brac, cultures, styles, and influences with a fantastic musical taste. Overlooking the river with its pillars of English culture all around its a fantastic place to go and chill out.
Everything about it is odd and kooky even the staff have an air of the psychedelic about them. If you ever go there definitely try the food as it's gorgeous! Watching the sun go down on a boat on the Thames reminded me of my boat trip down the Seine in Paris.
Next stop The Regal Rooms in Hammersmith, the last stop this week....
Ah Camden...I'll always have an emotional link to Camden as I spent a lot of time up there when I lived in London. I've played the Jazz Cafe a few times, met Noël Gallagher there, watched the Bluetones and other indie favourites in a place that was once the home of Britpop. I've walked the lock on summer nights, gone round the bustling markets under the low lights and cobblestone streets. I've bought clothes, food, art, taken in the vast range of culture madness and general oddness that is that square mile...but one thing still and always has intrigues me. How have the police not caught the drug dealers!? I mean it's so easy and there so stupid with it as well, Camden lock bridge is still the hotspot and they couldn't be more pathetic in there attempts to be inconspicuous if they tried! If someone would like to enlighten me as to why it seems so blatant there please let me know....because I guarantee if I went undercover i'd suss them out in 30 mins....without question!
The place still excites me even though I can understand why it would irritate a lot of people. There's more tourists now taking pictures of the big Converse attached to the shop wall than there is actual alternative purists, although you can still find them. It's the bizarreness that I adore, the fact you get people walking down the road in full cyberpunk getup or one sleeve missing and a monocle, or a guy dressed as Albert Einstein....and no one cares....it's great...I love that! The extravagance, the weird and wonderful, and the fantastic stalls will always be inviting to me.
So the gig was in Bar Vinyl which is a small bar down the street with Britpop legend 'The Good Mixer' at the end of it. It has a nice interior and was a lovely place to go and have a few drinks and some nice food to get out of the Mighty Boosh outside. I think it needs a little more work to really make it a serious live venue though, it's essentially set up for small cocktail bar type background music or a small club environment, not really live music I would say. The gig wasn't greatly attended and so the vibe was small and not noteworthy which gives me very little to engage with. So unfortunately not great....the few people that witnessed it liked it, and I played quite well, so no harm done! So with some time to kill I went and sat on London Bridge and watched things.....I like watching things you see...
During the next day on Monday I took the opportunity to see the London Observatory. Being a space nut it was something I absolutely adored and I think anyone with even the slightest interest in space exploration, the structure and need of 'time' socially and it's importance in nature, or just want to have a nice walk in a park....should go to Greenwich and experience the mueseums. I was lucky enough to see the space photography exhibition there as well, and the planetarium is something else! I'm not going to bore you with it because I could talk all day about it...just go!
Yuri Gagarin ....an that...
The Alleycat club in Denmark Street had all the credentials of a fantastic evening. The venue was in London's guitar haven for a start! It's 50s rock and roll decor and basement entrance make you feel like you are entering into history and the haphazard wallpaper of old rock and roll magazines and NME's only add to that. It was complete with smooching couple in the back of the venue, I had to look twice as I thought it could have been Danny Zuko and Sandy. After soundcheck I realised that this night may suffer from a poor attendance as there wasn't much foot traffic coming in and the bar had been open a while. When I played there was a few more in and people enjoyed what I did but I found it hard to engage and really only getting in my stride at the end.
I approached it more jokey and less professional maybe than usual as it just seemed a little patronising to be waffling on a sales pitch in a vibe-less room! Fantastic venue though and it was just an unlucky night of poor attendance. Thanks to the people who were there though, and your comments are appreciated hope you enjoy the CD.
Next stop The Troubadour...I've heard a lot about this venue, let's try it out!
Stay Safe
Andy xx
FREE DOWNLOAD 'DREAMSCAPE'
My new song his now available to download here from Dropify
Nambucca - So the first gig of my Autumn London dates was North London's Indie cool Mecca Nambucca. I was looking forward to playing here as along with some other dates on this run as I haven't played here before. Nambucca has a lot of "cool" attached to it through its involvement with Pete Doherty, Amy Winehouse etc so it came as no surprise that they were playing over the pub PA as I entered the venue. The place reminds me of The Joiners in Southampton, a pub at the front with a venue out the back of the building. After a rather Spinal Tap moment of not being able to find the place because google maps was pointing me to a bin outside an Indian Resturant I decided to ask a shop owner who directed me about 100 foot down the road. I'm usually quite good at directions too!
I was billed with a young band called Memory Clinic from Wales. A psychedelic pop band who I really think could be one to watch soon. I'd say a more accessible Tame Impala was along the right lines and they were really nice guys too. They told me they had some industry coming down to see them that night and I was hoping for a good crowd. Unfortunately I was wrong and I played to a very empty room, snapping a string whilst tuning and never getting in my stride. That's the game though right!? Some you win some you lose and tonight was a bit of a false start. You could be playing in the Albert Hall but if there's no one to experience it what's the point.....If a tree falls down in a wood and no-ones there to hear.......you get the idea ;-) The train home that night was rather eventful though, meeting people on my travels is always one of my favourite things and there were some characters on that late night train that could fill a prog rock double album!
Rise 46 - So right up until I was due to play the evidence was pretty conclusive that this was going to be the same and that I was going to be playing to my sister who had kindly drove me up to Clapham, but thankfully it wasn't.....Not that I would have cared though to be honest! I loved the place it's a fantastic venue to hang out, let alone play a gig. It's a 1920s themed bar with Jazz Posters, Art Deco/Nouveux stylings, and the stage is essentially where I imagined the old cellar of the building used to be. There is only space for about 50 people in there so its very intimate with low candle light, beer barrel tables, and a tiny stage.
This makes for a fantastic vibe for any acoustic act and I completely bought into its charm. I seemed to be billed with music student acts which at first made me raise an eyebrow but after hearing them made me feel a little rash in judgement. A common thing with London acts is I find many of them to be very 'showbiz'...almost like they have just stepped out of stage school which of course isn't a problem but I find it hard to believe them at times which can make me switch off...not tonight though. There was a small but engaged crowd in there and after a few Jack Daniels and generally being in love with the place I thoroughly enjoyed the intimate vibe and banter with the people that were there. Some expensively dressed city folk were at the back.. all Dolce & Gabanna and white teeth. I made some wise crack about the fact they all seemed to be drinking Martini's where as down in Portsmouth the preferred tipple was Lager. 5 minutes later I was graced onstage with a Martini and Champagne chaser, which of course I took obligingly! I chipped my guitar on a wall that night which any one who knows me will vouch for the fact this a catastrophe of the highest calibre. Much like a meteor strike or broken arm...but tonight it didn't matter as I had a fantastic time. After stopping off at the permanent motorway fixture for any musician 'The Wild Bean Cafe', we drove home along a misty motorway safe in the knowledge that the mission was accomplished. Rise 46 was the true start of my London run.
Just to let you all know that my song 'Dreamscape' can be downloaded for FREE from NEXT MONDAY, the 14th October. This coincides with my London dates next week:
Sunday 13th: Camden Acoustic Club, Bar Vinyl, CAMDEN
Monday 14th: Alley Cat Club, Denmark Street, LONDON (Dreamscape download day!!)
Wednesday 16th: The Troubadour, Earls Court, LONDON
Thursday 17th: Tamesis Dock, Vauxhall, LONDON
Friday 18th: The Regal Room, Hammersmith, LONDON
I'm really looking forward to doing my string of London dates, as in the past, most of my London gigs have been one-off stops in the City, so to stay for a consecutive run will be something to immerse myself in.
'Dreamscape' was conceived in an exact state of its subject matter; one night I had a nightmare about the safety of my partner which finished with her hand slipping away from mine. After waking from this rather commonly experienced (but very real!) dream it got me thinking about dream cliches. There are many that are well documented... sinking in sand, falling off a cliff, teeth falling out, being chased by an entity of some kind etc. So I wrote a claustrophobic sonic easel in which to hang these cliched dream experiences on.
My iPad has played a huge part in the birth of 'Dreamscape', especially the DM1 drum sequencer, which you can hear on the recording (the 808 kit samples running through the track). I wanted a disorientating feel that came together in the choruses using phasing, space, repetition, and minimalist ideals. 'Dreamscape' literally fell out of my head and songwriting doesn't happen like that very often. I hope you enjoy this first free offering from the new album currently nearing completion 'Science & Magic'.
This is a session I did at Red Bull Studios playing guitar for an acoustic re-working of Shadowchild's new track 'Friday' featuring Takura. It was an absolute pleasure working on something different and also so close to Takura who has an exceptional voice. Takura is the voice of many Chase & Status and Sub Focus records, also penning a track with Rihanna and providing vocals for countless acts including Plan B. Shadowchild is a top dance producer in his own right providing remixes this year for London Grammar amongst many, both need no introduction in there field but some people may not be aware of them.
Watch the interview and live session here
Hope you enjoy the FREE download 'Dreamscape'... please let me know what you think, all your feedback is appreciated, I look forward to seeing some of you Londeners at the gigs!
Stay Safe
Andy xx
Mostly listening to:
Richard Dawkins: Various lectures
Magoo: All Electric Amusement Arcade
David Bowie: The Next Day
Jagwar Mar: Howlin
