Had a good chat with Brian Harris on his show this lunchtime at Hope FM. Ostensibly to talk about my software business, but brought the CD in anyway. Brian played the track, and was very encouraging … nice to see the track finally leaking out into the atmosphere!
Jumped in the car this morning, without really paying attention to the radio. It was turned on, so as I started up the engine, Lou Reed’s original ‘Perfect Day’ came over the speakers. What a fantastically menacing, dark song to start the day with. It was played all the way to the end, including ‘you’re going to reap what you sow.’ I’m now in a fine mood.
Then, on comes Aled Jones. It’s Radio 2! The former choir boy comes on and chunters about something or other, and then follows the track with – ‘The Going Gets Tough’ by Billy Ocean. I was killing myself laughing – how could you possibly manage to play those two tracks together? Oh well 
Enjoyed blasting up many motorways yesterday from Isle of Wight to make it to my hotel in good time for shower and chill out. Some golden oldies on Radio 2, ‘Roxanne’ and ‘Sound+Vision.’ Can only take so much Jeremy Vine though. On a pure production note, noticed the new Katie Melua single disappears against the background of a diesel engine.
The Roots bar @ the Verve is a nice little venue, and Hayley did a good job running the night and manning the desk. As is often the case these days, impressed by the high standard of musicianship on display with the other acts.
Travelodgia, Goddess of Budget Travellers, was actually smiling a lot on me yesterday. The Merrion Hotel was very nice for the price (booked via Destinia) and there was a really nice Lebanese/Italian just a few doors down from the Verve which was really pretty damn good. Cosmopolite, I think it was called, probably not tipping the hat to Terry Pratchett.
Stand out act for me was a band called Lymon Willis (http://www.lymonwillis.com/). It was their first gig, and I was really knocked out by the detail and control they had over their sound. So nice to see a band who aren’t just hammering away at full volume. The drummer was playing with brushes, and some of the crescendos he played on the cymbals were just beautiful. The other great thing was that three of the band were singing for much of the set – and a very manly harmony effect was created. Some bands they remind me of (in no particular order) – REM, Pearl Jam, The Wrens, Magic Numbers. Be interesting to see how these guys sound after they’ve done a few more gigs – I think they’re onto something.
Had some time this morning to head to Leeds’ central art gallery. Pictures I enjoyed: Paul Nash ‘s ‘The Shore (at Dymchurch), an unnamed painting which I can only assume was the Charge of the Light Brigade, and a massive photo of five soldiers walking over duck boards at the Third Battle of Ypres. Absolutely spine-chilling.
Then getting lost on the Leeds ringroad many more times, before finally escaping onto the M60 and down to Stockport. Sitting in a cafe now, with a bit of time on my hands before the venue opens at 7pm. Am enjoying the ‘E-Myth’ at the moment, so may do a bit more homework there for the day job.
BD
Enjoyed playing at the Harrison last night, through a slight haze of Guiness and cough medicine. James Uphill runs a good night – the acts all fitted together, was a crowd that was there to listen to the music, and he’s not a bad performer in his own right.
Hope to return – it’s very handy just 5 minutes from King’s Cross.
Had a great night at the Betsey last night, with a surprising amount of Veuve Clicquot being consumed by such a select audience. Thanks again to Blackheart and Karl Culley for some great music, and for the Lodge for being the most wonderfully supportive bunch of nutters as usual.
The single is on Amazon now – here’s a short link: dalby.net/doctor
Finally a quick link to Karl on YouTube – live, this song went on for about 5 minutes, and was just jaw-dropping:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw3RWKCMkxo
So I get sent an email saying ‘We’re considering using your music for our up and coming acts CD – please check over the license agreement, and then let us know if you can speak to our President/CEO/Whatever at 16.00 tomorrow’
First thought is: Great – someone likes a track and wants to use it.
Then I read the licensing agreement. I have to pay them 300 USD. And so too, presumably, do the other 19 acts who are going to feature on the 20-track CD. So that’s a cool 6,000 USD for these guys, and as far as I can tell, they only need to make a couple of hundred CDs to satisfy each act that the project is real.
Once you figure it out, the vagueness of the opening mail becomes clearer. It’s obviously being sent to every act under the sun, so whilst the mail merge is sophisticated enough to mention your act by name, it doesn’t go into details like which track they like, or why they like it.
Nice work if you can get it, eh?
I know a lot of people will be wise to this kind of thing, but I could certainly have used other artists being open about this a few years back – so here’s my 2p now.
Had a load of fun on Dave Charles’ show last night. Played ‘Catastrophic Sheep’ and ‘Are You Real’ live, with the Mark Wallis mixes of ‘Doctor Can,’ ‘Go Figure It Out,’ and ‘Go Find Somebody Else’ all going out off the EP (that’s the EP I have to plan a release for, I know…)
Dave’s an inspiring guy to meet, who’s really trying to help new acts – his show is on Sunday night from 19.00 to 22.00 – check it out if you’re in the area:
Steve Lamacq played ‘Symphony of Silence’ on his Wednesday evening show, and was also nice about ‘Doctor Can.’ Also explained the lengths he had gone to try and download the track without success … listen again here – about 20 minutes in:
Verse 1
Doctor can you help me
I’m worried about my friend
She helps so many people
But she never helps herself
Have you seen it before?
Should I say any more?
Doctor she’s fantastic
She works so hard
She acts just like a grown up
But she wants to hide her heart
Would/will it hurt to be free?
Will she share it with me?
Chorus
No she won’t.
No, no, no She won’t.
No, no, no She won’t.
She don’t want sympathy
Verse 2
Doctor can you help me
I’m feeling low
I tried to help a good friend
But she didn’t want to know
She just smiled at me
And she don’t want to see
Chorus
No she don’t.
No, no, no She don’t.
No, no, no She don’t.
She don’t need help from me
Verse 4
Doctor can you see her
She’s sitting in this room
She’s checking on a patient
It’s funny but it’s true
Now she’s laughing at me
Can you get her to see?
Chorus
But/Oh she won’t?
No, no, no She won’t.
No, no, no She won’t.
She won’t take help from me
No she won’t.
No, no, no She won’t.
No, no, no She won’t.
She won’t take sympathy
From me
Lots going on at the moment. ‘Doctor Can’ is just going out into the world – got a few playlistings already, and an acoustic session at HFM radio. Also a nice review on http://www.unpeeled.net/singles.html
Got a good gig coming up on Saturday night at the Verwood Hub, and then a pretty busy week afterwards with slots at the Sunnyfields Biker’s Night, and then onto the Ringwood Waldorf School Bazaar.
Have a couple more tracks in the can from working with Mark Wallis – both sound amazing. Have also got budget to do another session, as soon as I can find space in the day job …
Manilla PR
www.manillapr.com
