Raving and misbehaving.

 Well, that's what it used to be like. But now, it's just raving. Probably just as well. 

This was today's Big Fish Little Fish - me and Dylan, at the Dorking Halls. such an amazing gig - literally one of the best we've ever done, and we've been playing together for a decade! there was just something about the vibe today - I'm not entirely sure what it was. The first half hour contained a portion where I performed some of the best mixes it's ever been my pleasure to put together. like I said - just amazing.

Apart from that, it's been a cold, dank sort of a day. A January day that makes me long for April. Right now, that month feels like a long, long way in the distance.

Where did my week go?

 I've no idea, but somehow it vanished. Some cycling (but not enough) some jobs around the house (the leaking shower was finally repaired) and a lot of.......hustle and bustle.

But this weekend brought with it some DJ'ing, which was an absolute joy. Looking at the news, with the latest Covid developments, it really doesn't look good - to the point where today's time on the decks could conceivably be the last for a little while longer than planned. Let's see. That's my DJ partner Dylan in the photos, as we're rocking the crowd yet again. It was spectacularly successful et, I think: lots of new tunes, lots of exploration, and evolution, when it comes to sound. To be somewhat nerdy, we managed to do so much more, with fewer "ramps". These are the points in the set where you would otherwise give the tempo a nudge, kick it up by a BPM or two, and change the intensity of the tunes. Today, we operated between around 124 and 129 for a good sixty or seventy minutes; and we still managed to pack a lot in. I'm proud of what we can do, when we put our minds to it.

Another Saturday night,

I'm sitting in bed, wondering what to write.
One of the good things about this blog is now letting everything just tumble out, across the page. I'm quicker at typing, so I'm quicker to just dash off some thoughts. Those thoughts then, correspondingly, come  out more accurately than they did in the past. It's great not knowing what a post will be, what I'll talk about - if indeed, I'll talk about anything in particular.
Today has been a day of DJ-ing-  another BFLF, at Fire, in Vauxhall. So much fun, and proof that it all still moves me, even after al these years. I sometimes feel I'm going to seem like a fraud, and not really mean it. But then, the volume cranks up, out come those kick drums, and I'm away. I love it.
And - me and Dylan make a great team. I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved, and thankful for the opportunity to work together.
It's late now, and the clocks change tomorrow. Less time in bed - ugh. Better get under those sheets.
G'night, all.

Stormy Weather.

I'm not sure if it's a hurricane, or a tropical storm. Or a winter storm. Actually, I think it's "Storm Katie". Whatever, it's battering at the windows, as I sit typing this. I've always loved sitting watching the rain, through the garden windows. I did it a lot as a kid, and I still do it now. It's the juxtaposition, isn't it? Between chaos and calm, warmth, and cold. Wet and dry. To experience both states, at once, sort of.
The long Easter weekend continues, but with slightly less tantrums today. That's a blessed relief, let me tell you. And we get to cap it all off with a night out. We're off to the Caballo Lounge in Epsom, with Clare & Damien. Not sure whether I'll have Tapas (which I did before) or head off into the outer reaches of the menu. As long as I have my weekly drink with it, I guess I'll be OK.
Starting to think about my next DJ stint, which is at the BFLF gig in Hackney. My head's full of breakbeat hardcore, as I think what to play. No bad thing, I guess.

Where to start? (again)

A busy year for me, with as much going on as the last couple....
Marnie is my big news, obviously, but also, NME Radio is no more. A real shame, as we were producing something of real quality, with great content, committed, passionate and knowledgeable presenters, and great music, to boot. The state of alternative music radio in the UK is really starting to worry me: Six Music may have been saved (well, for now, at least) but Xfm is a shadow of it's former self, and there isn't much else, to be quite honest.
So, if anyone has any need of a Radio Presenter, do let me know, won't you?
Right, I'm off to look after my garden.
And BTW, how's the new template?

Quick round-up of the weekend...

Started off with a trip down to Brighton to see Kirk DJ (for the first time!) which was very odd indeed. Since my divorce, I've only been down to Brighton a handful of times, and it feels very strange indeed going back to somewhere which once was home. But is home no longer.
Anyway, was great to see Kirk again, and hilarious to see him embracing the art of the DJ. He played loads of FANTASTIC rockabilly, which (nothing to do with the beer, honest) blew my mind, and had me thinking about buying a pair of brothel creepers for the first time in 20 years.

Saturday saw me DJ-ing again at the Indigo, after the Snow Patrol gig. It's always fun to play out, and it's always interesting to see how the crowds differ from gig to gig. Last night they wanted the obvious tunes: all killer no filler. Nothing wrong with that - but it keeps you on your toes. Caught a cab back to West London at 2am, marvelling at how beautiful the city is at night.

And today? Well, a trip to the supermarket, then off to the footy (Chelsea Vs. Man City, we won 1-0) and a quick pint afterwards with The Jez. Life is good today, and I raise a glass to you all :)

Last night....

Was quite hectic, actually. Straight from work to the O2, to watch Coldplay live, then DJ at the Indigo, for an after-show party. The venue is simply stunning (though not very rock'n'roll) and the gig was actually great (so many hits!) but, for me, it was all about getting back behind the decks again. It's been a while since I did one of those "first friday" sort of sets, and I had SO much fun! Can't wait to do it again - and that may happen next year, if all goes well. I'll keep you all posted.
Today is interesting too - actually had an Jesus Jones interview! It's for the NME, part of a piece they're doing about bands from our era who are still going (eep!) First time we've done an interview for the music press in many, many years. Was great to get all of us in one place again (minus Al, of course) and we actually seriously discussed the possibility of recording an album next year too. Again, i'll keep you posted.
Tonight sees me heading down to Brighton, as i'm getting jabs for the forthcoming holiday done tomorrow morning.
Have I told you all about the holiday? Ah, ok. I'm going to be here:

For two weeks, starting boxing day.
:)

Anyone who's in Camden tonight....

I'll be DJ-ing at I Love The 90's at Bar Monsta (facebook link) so if anyone has enquiries about guest list, email me! (or direct message me via Twitter)

Glamourous Friday...

Means i'm sitting here waiting for my washing to dry in the Lauderette. The weather has changed from "short coat" to "long coat", and even yesterday, "scarf". Despite the heat from all the machines and driers that surround me, my face feels cold.
Today is a day for experimenting with viral invites for Shadowglobe, it's also a day recuperating from yesterday's long lunch (or symposium, if you will) with Johnny Kevin and Richard.
Tonight sees me DJing south of the river *slight shudder*, which i'm looking forward to, it's been a while since I played out.

What a day.....

Thanks to all of you that left kind comments on yesterday's post, it's nice to know you've made a connection with people, sometimes it's easy to forget that when it's just you and a microphone in a studio somewhere.
Yesterday continued on its merry way after the show had finished, a little lunch, some cake (thanks Marsha)and 40 winks, then off to the first of two DJ gigs, Planet Hop at the Light Bar in Shoreditch. wicked gig, played some SERIOUS tunes: "Lisa Baby" by Father MC, the new M.I.A. single, lots of Diplo remixes (the Turbulence one is incredible) and found the time to play "Drum Pan Sound" by Reggie Steppa as well, which always makes my day.
Once that was over, it was into a cab and over to the Islington Academy to DJ at the 25Th anniversary Theatre Of Hate gig....more serious tunes, this time from a different direction: "H-Eyes" by the Ruts (with the crowd singing along!) "Future Daze" by Penetration, "Fatman" by Southern Death Cult and "Emergency" by 999...
TOH were on top form, they played a blistering version of "Nero" that stopped me in my tracks, the years just fell away as I remembered taping it off the Peel show in my bedroom in Wiltshire as a 14 year-old kid....
And today? Well, I'm in a secret London bunker location, working on "The Project" (see below) It's sounding great, looking great, and it's a beautiful day in London Town (from what limited view I have of the sky)
Change is in the air.