April Skies

Welcome glorious, lovely British Summer Time - everyone starts smiling a bit more and quickly discards the drag of dark days and winter blues. I love this time of year and the months to follow - waking up to and going home in daylight/sunshine; nature coming into bloom; getting more out of the day and enjoying being inside and outside in shorts and sandals! Things are far from smooth at the moment, but getting easier for sure, and the changing of the seasons surely helps. Here's hoping we get a long hot summer this year - we all certainly deserve it!

I've been up to oodles aside from the usual work stuff - the later of which just keeps getting busier and a bit nuts sometimes - things to look forward to stuff though and a few looooong projects finally coming to fruition. A few weeks ago Maria, Rus and I returned to Bad Film Club at The Barbican - This month's offering was the utterly gash Leprechaun in the Hood - shocking it was. Everyone had to wear various tacky fancy dress items and loads of people baked (Green) cakes which were shared around. Great night - shite film, but that's the whole point.

A film experience I had from a completely different end of the spectrum was the excellent Anvil. A touching, sometimes depressing, but ultimately inspiring film - It is the story of a very influential and oft referenced Canadian metal band, who set the standard in the genre's infancy of the early 80s...but couldn't make the leap into the big time. They had to watch as their contemporaries sail off onto global success and all the trappings that came with it, whilst they struggled to make a living doing what they loved. A triumph for the human spirit and belief in one's self. Ironically, the film will probably be the making of them. Without giving too much away, the closing concert could warm the coldest of hearts. Mark and I went to Pizza Express to discuss it afterwards - I think it touched a few 'chords' with the lad, bless him.

Gigwise I went to Koko this Saturday and saw the superb Silversun Pickups. I bought their album Carnavas recently, and whilst good it is a tad overproduced and the vocals are too muted and guitars over-layered. Live they are so much better - think Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine in a melting pot with a dash of Joy Division stirred in - awesome stuff. Other recommended tunage over the past few weeks: For all I care by The Bad Plus and Living Things by Peter, Bjorn and John.

Had a lovely night with my old muckeress Heather last week, who has some exciting news! Also, trotted down to Brixton to watch Liverpool plough Fulham at the last minute with Chris, Lou and Christine. A spot of branding freelance work on the go for a chum from home; making a weekly din with some lads down in Battersea and loving my new guitar very much! Super excited about my forthcoming Filmmakers Foundation at Raindance in June - can't wait for that one. Also, a long weekend back home in the mother county will be a welcome short break from London life. Could do with a proper holiday, but that will have to wait for a wee while.

Next time I hope to be blogging with a bit of a tan, a Magners in my hand and a spring in my step. Until then...

The accelerating year

I have neglected my little blog of late, or rather haven't felt the desire to write, which is the whole point anyway. The year is flying by already and so much has happened it feels like a year has already passed. The waves are getting smaller in general, though there are more potential storms ahead - I feel much more prepared and stronger than I did say 6 weeks ago, though the calm waters are still a good way in front. Between us we will see it though and come out better people I am sure.

Been keeping myself as busy as possible without burning out (my adverse sleeping patterns since December are challenging this though - internal body clocks are a peculiar thing). Going to start with a couple of short reviews, then will log an abridged round-up over the past few weeks:

Watchmen - My weekly jaunt to the cinema this week was treated with this incredible film. I seem to be in the minority that I never read the graphic novel, but it didn't stop be being utterly absorbed and blown away. Very complex, dark, 'graphic' and haunting journey through a parallel age. Won't give too much away, but even if you aren't a comic or sci-fi fan, you will not be disappointed by this brilliant (and very long) film. 9/10.

Torture the Artist - An great book that it took me far too long to read (kept getting distracted). In a nutshell that won't give the game away, it is the story of an academy set up to nurture young gifted artistic talent, with the ethos that only good art comes from heartbreak, loss and misery. The students have their lives subjected to persistent disappointment and pain in the hope that their work will be ground-breaking. Of course, they eventually realise what is going on...you can guess the rest. Great book. 8/10.

Tunes - Some new stuff I'm listening to which is making the hairs on the back of my neck stand-up (some more than others): Howling Bells - Radio Wars; The Bad Plus - These are the Vistas; Keith - Vice and Virtue; Prodigy - Invaders must Die; The Pains of being Pure at Heart; Bombay Bicycle Club - The Boy I used to be; Daran Hayman and the Secondary Modern - Pram Town; Airborne Toxic Event; Factory Records Communication Box-Set; Rodrigo y Gabriela - Live in Japan; The View - Which Bitch?.

Events that have passed on my mortal coil: The very sad death of my Great Uncle Charles on my birthday - rest in peace; Great weekends in Surrey, Staffordshire and Oxfordshire with good muckers; Trip home to Yorkshire for a collection of birthdays, long muddy walks and parties; Dragging my birthday celebrations out over 3 weeks (greedy I know); Making music with others again and remembering that I am actually a pretty good guitarist, just rusty and had fallen out of love with my axe!; Loving taking photos and making little films more than ever - a Spring college course is coming up to get the later on to the next level; Working very very hard, involved in some very exciting projects and doing the best work I have ever done - the recognition from both sides of the pond has been nice too; Seeing the beautiful things in life and starting to like myself again, after seeing darkness and half-empty glasses for way way too long; Finding my marbles, sparkle and smile again - they were down the back of the sofa all along! If any of that sounds wank, go read another blog. It means a lot to myself that I can write some of it in the first place, so make no apologies.

Thoughts are with those who have recently had some shocking news and have some tough times to come. Always here for you, as you have been for me.

Until next time...