Blog time….
So off to Scotland, Ogidan in tow….
First stop off the train ‘Traditional Local food’ should have known not to expect too much as it’s 1 min from the station, the tourist trap. In we go, microwave hell!
Catch, or at least try to catch a few zzzz at the hotel to no avail. Tonight I’m playing the caves, it turns out to be one of the best venues I have ever played, it literally is a hollowed out cave or so I’d like to think. The accoustics in the room are unbelievably. I always get scared when the support is a folkster, these chaps normally have top skillz on both the guitar front and the singing. (will find the name of the support – please excuse) Anyway this guy was amazing, still waiting for him to send me his stuff.
The gig wasn’t packed but nothing really mattered in that room, I would have been content just singing and playing to myself and the cave walls, I will definitely go back here.
From there we wandered across the road into the local pub, a little unfriendly to start but ended up with one of our entourage helping out in a brawl. Can’t comment for legal reasons! I remember lots of apple flavour shots the rest is ??
Next stop was Glasgow, I love Glasgow, the grit and the twists and the turns it holds. But…….Last time I had an RKC here I played ‘Captain’s rest’ this venue is perfect, I knew it would take some beating.
Perhaps I’m being over sensitive but it was decided that a band would go on before me, if you’ve read my moanings on here before then you’ll know I’m not a fan of going on after bands, it’s the sonic environment and energy it creates. It’s very hard to compete with as a folkypoppy tone. Unless you have a catalogue of known songs or a media presence, it’s a grim challenge. It just felt wrong.
The other band grudge I do sometimes have is that lots of bands hide behind the power of the ensemble, loads of energy but no songs, when I’m up there I can’t rifferama or pull some fancy but louds fills, it’s all about songs when playing accoustically! Not a bad or a good thing, just an observation!
So glasgow this time didn’t really go off. Weren’t in the mood for a knees up but headed to nice and sleazys which was rammed packed so off to bed for me, picked up the worst pie I have ever had on route, bad choice, OG came to the rescue with noodles.
Off back to London, was supposed to be playing Ipswich that night but the venue had again put me on after two energetic bands, we always specifically send out emails pleading…..So I put my foot down like a sulky teenager!
Also had a Herts solo show pulled, they contacted saying that the tickets are slow, and not wanting to lose dollar they wanted to pull it. The next day they called back after a big press piece went out, it seems it was suddenly going to be busy…bit late says I, either commit or don’t. Am getting a bit harder in this self managerial role. Give em an inch and all that, any how it’s rescheduled for the new year.
Few days off, resting, well…..
Babyshambles time, a week of getting the ship back on course. I spent the week in the country with the band working on new stuff and entering the first phase of our 3rd album. It feels great to be digging back into it. Everyone’s had a chance to do their own thing for a while so it feels refreshed and rejuvenated. We listed about 25 songs to work on and we’ll probably write another 10 so there’s loads of weeding to be done. It’s all taking shape nicely, I don’t want to temp fate with a release date but we’re working towards a summer 2010 completion. The plan is to fine tune 10 songs at a time then demo them hopefully with Stephen Street again
So now, here, I’m in Milan, hold on I forgot to mention my RKC solo in Guildford, after a hectic day of rehearsals I squeezed in a lovely little accoustic set in Guildford. After the last Glasgow show I was feeling a little weary but this venue reinstalled my faith, the perfect environment, fairy lights and a warm listening crowd.
So Milan.. had a ‘record playing’ booking last night – still loathe to use the word DJ as the term is now used by the masses, especially in London, as a poor excuse attempt of being a performer of sorts. I do ‘DJ’ in certain environments (which involves pitch and beat mixing, and generally being creative with the weaving song forms) Last night I played the role of ‘record choosing’ which is also fine but ‘record choosing’ is not an art. Anyone can ‘record choose’ I do it well but it’s not like learning to play the piano! I’ve ‘record chose’ since the ripe old age of 16, back in my hustling days it was my only source of income so I know how to please crowds. The club was wickedio but I got stung on a massive cab journey to the airport which practically wiped my fee out! oh well, we live and learn, off I go to Brussells.
Here I am in Brussells, it seems I have landed in the ‘other’ Brussells airport to the one the promoter is meeting me at! Sod’s law, oh bugger!
Was going to train it but the promoter is being a diamond and coming here for me. I reckon tonight’s going to be ’stonking’ am playing some tunes with Paul Gallagher so it should get messy.
Am running out of things to talk about….er, I bought a new washing machine last week, the old one wasn’t cleaning and all my wool wear came out with some kind of tissue embellishment, I blame the previous owner.
Oh here’s something funny, was flicking through the mags at the airport, actually no, no more moaning about young famous people’s kids dressing in charity shop attire. lower working class chic without the struggle? This chip sometimes takes over, I’ve repressed it for now though…it tends to shine on twitter more so, had a run in with the Fly mag the other day, tweeting about the traditional Babyshambles topic, bit rude to us all I felt, but alas no one came forward to justify when challenged. I’m sure any subsequent music I release will now get an anonimous kick in. Got to stand up for what’s right sometimes even if it makes enemies of the ‘Roman Empire’ of music reviewers.
Anyway are the Posties still out?
I was a postman for a while.
FPOTP = Moscow – Orange Juice
It’s raining here but I like Belgium, good bit of beef in Belgium.
Coming weeks we got…Me solo in Cardiff, me solo in Nottingham then hitting the European road solo with Peter, I might use an electric with some pedals to spice it up a bit, who knows, you might get lucky or unlucky. Will bring a ton of merch to make ends meet. keep an eyeball on the myspace.com/roseskingscastles, if anyone fancies doing a bit of street teaming on the europa dates grab me on the mysp or face book or twittski.
Christmas solo London show (me) being announced shortly. Bettsy Trotwood late Dec with Tommy Williams and his boats. Ogidan will dress up as santa and invite you into his grotto. Followed by another repeat of the last London outing back at Ogidan’s bar.
See you later…..
PS. Roses 2nd Album all done as you know, it’s out in Feb, waiting to build the sizzle on the recent ep still. 2010 Roses Kings Castles ‘Suburban Time Bomb’, Babyshambles III, RKCTVP and perhaps sneak in an Adam Ficek solo ep towards the end, am thinking 100 only to chums and gang members.
Excuse the PS. I’m back.
Am now Eurostaring back to London, last night was bonkers, It went off like a Tyson clump. It’s always these smaller but buzzed up places that surprise me!
I’m definately coming back for ‘Hindu timesII’ in the future. Don’t want to sound like a ‘London Polyester smiler’ but everyone I met last night was top dollar, real bunch of no bullshit chaps and chappesses.
This red wine on the Eurostar needs some attention!
As I have some time to kill til Kings cross thought I’d share some insight into the RKC trail/struggle/fight against nob eds.
It’s been a year or so now since the first album release and loads of things have changed. My biggest problem is working out how to place the live thing, I played all the instruments on the first album and a great deal of them of subsequent recordings(Ep and Suburban time bombs) am now faced with trying to work out a way to perform the songs to the best of my ability and resources. The most enjoyable shows I do are the ones where people are used to listening to accoustic acts, leaning towards the folky type venues. This is great but I’ve never really been that comfortable with the folk tag, I see my stuff as more indie pop but being performed in a stripped down fashion. I think the problem with some of the ‘folk’ tagggers is that they take themselves far too seriously. also the term ‘folk’ is a bit dated now and no longer relates to what was essential music of the people, this whole new folk thing happening now seems to be have a real exclusive middle class snobbery attached to it, maybe it’s that insecure chip taking over my mind again…I think perhaps the term ‘folk’ is more consistent with the sonic environment rather than the ethos?
In my opinion the closest thing to localised ‘Urban’ folk is probably the music and ethos that the estate kids and grimesters are making. It reminds me of how jazz changed from the 60’s as being a real popular inclusive art form into the schooled ‘high brow’ exclusive music type it is today. I studied a bit of jazz and it’s development and used to love the freedom that improvisation held but the place I studied at drained me of any excitement and energy I had for it due to it’s one upmanship snobbery….
To conclude it might sound odd but a band like ‘Oasis’ are far more folk than ‘Laura Marling’ can ever be, in regards to ethos and creating a sense of community and social commentary.
Where was I, RKC live, right, as I said in the previous blog I’m looking to push the live forward, I’ll probably start going out with a semi accoustic and a few pedals to give me some different sounds, and perhaps in the future RKC will be an ensemble and I’ll do the Adam Ficek solo thing. I’m at a bit of a cross roads musically at the moment, I can write loads of songs in the style of my first 2 albums, but It’s important for me and any artist to try and push things along to open up other areas, looking back I do feel that some of the music I’ve written is far to melodic and slightly lacking in the swagger side of things so that’s what I’m moving towards. I personally think that it has to be a bit dirty and at the moment that dirt comes from the words, my next set of songs whatever release they get be it Adam Ficek solo, RKCIII, or Babyshambles will be much tougher with more restraint on the melodic content.
So that’s where I’m at, if you think this is all a load of balls, please email Ogidan@Icouldntgiveaflyingmonkeys.com
aaahhh back in Blighty.
Where were we…
It’s been a while I know, I’ve been a busy bee though, what with baby birth, Peter shows, babyshambles shows, RKC shows, Adam ficek shows, DJismz, house moving, remixing, getting my lips done.
Anyway I’m sure you’ll understand. I’m currently flying to Dublin for a solo show in Whelans, Ryanair is as impressive as always.
So forgive me if this blog doesn’t run in any coherent chronological order.
The past few days have been ace, been all over France supporting Peter, and then playing drums in the backing band with Graham Coxon, Drew, Stephen Street and some great string players, cor, what I’d give to have that opportunity to perform with such a rich musical backing. One day! The shows were far more organised than our babyshambles shindigs, set lists, sound checks and all that grown up stuff, these shows have really raised the game so us Babyshambles are gonna have to step up to the mark. The sets have been much longer also, some nights playing up to 2 hour shows, for me it’s a really versatile experience starting with me playing guitar and singing then percussively I get to use beaters, Brushes and sticks. It’s like being in an orchestra, very ‘musical’. The key to all these performances has been Stephen Street without him none of these shows would have been as high calibre.
It’s been great watching and listening to Graham’s stuff, he goes on after me (RKC) playing songs mainly from his recent album ‘Spinning top’ , some top class playing there. So glad I go on before him, my guitar playing can best be described as adequate!’
These French shows were the last ones of Peter’s solo tour as a band so it’s on to Babyshambles now. We finished in paris playing the ‘Zenith’ a massive bunker like place holding about 6000 people, I was on first then Dot Allison, followed by Graham, and his band, I hadn’t seen Graham and his band before, was blown away, great players. We all then joined up for the Peter show which was good, not the best we had played on the tour but still good fun. Although it got off to bad start with us all going on to a dark stage with a song still being played over the speakers, we normally go onto the sample of ‘English Roses’ then the the lights get set but unfortunately it all went wobbly in the biggest venue we play, sod’s law really!
We pulled it off and began the celebrations, about 4 glasses of champagne/few lagers/drop of wine in, I remembered I had another show down the road in a hotel bar below a hostel. oops! I was a bit drunk but i couldn’t get out of it. I can’t remember playing much but I’m sure it was a funny one. Bed time, not so fast! I had all the intentions of getting myself to bed to prepare for the manic week ahead, next thing I’m a fashion party in a flash club in Paris. I don’t really feel that comforatble in these type of places, I know it’s supposed to be something to aspire to in the ‘rockstar world’ but it all feels a little synthetic, all these places like the flash bars of London don’t really do it for me. It doesn’t help with this working class chip on me shoulder. Ya ya ya ya…
So that was France, forgot to mention, I also had a little solo show and radio sesh in Paris, they were fun, will post some links when I find them.
generally on this tour I’ve been playing stuff from my new album, released next year, it’s all mastered and ready to go but I didn’t get the press I wanted on the last ep ‘apples & engines’ so decided to wait until the press gets moving. It’s a funny old game PR, will save that one for another time! So yeah, RKCII ‘Suburban timb bombs’ in the new year, I think there’s a plan to release a single before christmas but not quite sure at the mo.
Am now on route home from Dublin same Ryanair experience, it’s bumpy up here! last night’s show was top, a good turnout and it feels as though my performance is getting better all the time, the room was perfect for vocals, loads of space to resonate. Had a nice chat with the staff there, it’s refreshing to find people passionate about the music they book. I find it so reaffirming to meet people in this industry who are driven by the art not the dough. I also had another ‘Phantom Fm’ radio session (if you live in Ireland, you’ll know it as the best alternative music station) and ‘balcony TV’ which is always amusing!
Back to the ‘previous month’ blog.
V Festival – well this was a manic one for me. For the past few months I have had my fingers crossed that the pending birth wouldn’t arrive on one of my live dates! obviously these things can’t be planned but….If I can just get the V fessie done I’m home and dry, alas, the day of the first show, we have movement! No sleep that night, in the middle of labour and I have to play V festival in Essex, what can a poor man do, I have two choices, call up the gang and tell them i can’t play or keep my fingers crossed zoom to the show and back, I chose the latter and lady luck smiled, during ‘Time for Heroes’ I looked down to my phone under my low tom and the phone was ringing! Shit! OFF STAGE, IN CAR, GET TO HOSPITAL. All was well and 6 hours later we had a boy. the next day was a bit of a blur as the sleep deprivation was kicking in. I don’t know how I got to staffordshire but I did and played a show, I remember Amy Winehouse being there or was that the night before??
I became a father in the middle of V, a story to tell when we’re older. Since then we have had loads of other shows, let me open my memory, Babyshambles Cannes.
This was an interesting show, Cannes is not the typical place a band such as us would be invited! We flew in a day early to get some rest and the explore the city, it’s a cross between Bond St and Bognor, althugh the beaches are somewhat more golden. It’s generally quite flashy but we did manage to discover some grittier places. The venue was a fairly modern theatre, which was all seated. As soon as I saw the stage I knew it would be invaded. The security were warned but they bragged about how ‘Iggy Pop’ was there the week earlier and they knew about ‘Rock n Roll’, ha, we’ll see. Insurance, I thought.
The show started and it was a little sterile the all seated thing always tends to be more difficult. I knew it wouldn’t be long until the crowd were on the stage, obviously being a band that, ‘purposely speed up and slow down the music to whip up the crowd into a frenzy’ it was inevitable. Peter started Bollywood to Battersea and gestured the crowd to come on, so I naturally sped up the pace to try and get some energy out there, it all worked the kids were on. Just like the old days security getting bamboozled and mania on stage, it always gets nasty when security’s ego’s get knocked they tend to take it out on the poor indie kids. I could see some wallopings going on! But all credit to the Cannes fans they were on and they weren’t getting off, we were all surrounded, what else could I do but give out some sticks and invite the stage invaders to partake in a helping me drum. Lost loads of sticks, in fact all of the sticks but it was grand. We then all came off got a warning and were allowed to go on for one more song, after a quick plea to the crowd for my sticks back we went and finsihed the set. A glorious, well needed moment. We spent the night on a beach where a member of our gang went swimming in pants, lost pants, almost got arrested!
Next up, some RKC stuff, Brighton was the first musical thing I had done since the hospital, twas a wobbly one, some bright spark put a band on before me, why oh why, unless you have hits and media I find it so diffiut to compete with the sonic levels of a band. It’s so inappropriate. some people.
The saviour of my RKC stuff was an amazing little outing to Portsmouth, I didn’t expect the place to be such a hub of musical appreciation but to my surprise ‘The Cellars’ in Portsmouth is now one of my favourite places. If you want to go and watch real music get yourself down there.
That was then, this is now, on a train to Edinburgh for a show in the caves then onto Glasgow. Had a day off yesterday! well needed, it’s a bit manic as Peter’s been quite ill but he looks on the mend so all seems well. Played Southampton the other day, and a good turnout of old faces and a couple of angry girls at the front calling me a ‘dick head’, I only asked them to settle down as they were fidgetting about, they settled down then realised that they should have perhaps put up a bit of a fight. ‘Shut your stupid little mouth’ can come in sooo handy at times.
Won’t bore you all with the manic amount of ‘Ficek DJ skillz’ sets but there’s been quite a few, been getting into loads of new tunage, currently digging the whole Mike Snow, passion pit, temper trap tang. It’s growing on my guitaresque tastes.
Want to create another ‘ElectrindieII’ but need more time.
As you can see I have been a busy bee.
The next move for me is to start getting the babyshambles wagon moving and to make sure my second Roses Kings Castles album gets the attention it deserves. it’s all finished and mastered now, just tweaking the artwork, it’ll be out in Feb latest. It’s an odd thing when writing music, I don’t like to leave the songs sitting there for too long as they date so quickly. It’ll be 6 months old by the time it’s released and my first ‘Adam Ficek’ solo’ will taking shape aswell as in the middle of a babyshambling spurt of recording, I hope. My second RKC album is much bigger sounding with the usual mix of instruments, 11 songs, some of which most of you have heard from my live sets or blogtv stuff. (www.blogtv.com/people/roseskingscastles) so make sure you all pick it up when it’s born. In the meantime, the ep is gathering a bit of pace so get em while they’re hot. www.roseskingscastles.com
Thanks as always for the support, it’s well appreiciated. 2010 the year of Das shambling Rose.
PS, I’m currently growing my solo soundage, so expect some interesting solo shows from me in the new year, trying to work in midi drum triggers on my feet to play whilst I do the guitar thing, realised that I’m restricting myself on the solo accoustic thing, I’ m not Donovan, it’s not the 60’s.
It’s bloody hard to cut it on the solo accoustic guitar tip unless you got media or big radio hits no one really pays that much attention, so I’m getting tough. bit of wizardry and gizmos.
The plan is to have a group of musicians doing RKC shows then separate ‘Adam Ficek’ shows will be just me and my inspector gadget outfit!
FPOTP = The Nolan Sisters. I’m in the mood for dancing
Blog Catch Up….
It’s been a while so work with me and memory on this….
This blogtime treat finds me sitting on a plane to Basel on my way to play a festival in France with Babyshambles, there was a last minute panic but I won’t go into that. It’s a bit shakey up here, I’m not a great fan of flying so this is a good distraction I suppose.
Last time we met I was just returning from Benicassim and recovering from some overindulgence, I feel I’m just about recovered now!
I’m really not that robust in the consumption department. So since that, the first exciting thing in my life was a photo shoot and interview for the Polish arts council.
I went to an amazing building near Kensington where my friend Grzegorz works. I wasn’t quite sure what they wanted but it quickly became apparent that this gathering was based on the experience of Polish people living in London. It’s quite odd, I’m not Polish, or am I? how do you know? blood? place of birth? parents?
I have never considered myself Polish to an extent but I have always had a healthy interest in where my grandparents were born and raised. So being a Brit with Polish heritage, I gave my tuppence worth on what I understood to be an insight into what I perceive to be happening in the UK with regards to a Polish influence in art etc, won’t go into it here, watch out for the piece. I had a great time and as always I got quite empassioned about my DIY approach to music, the how’s and whys.
Later in the week I had a photoshoot for a magazine, I got a call that the shoot was to be on top of a multistorey car park in Peckham! A little odd I thought.
It took me a while and some probable cc tv fines (on one way streets) to find it but I eventually stumbled upon this arts type cafe on top a 60’s tower block.
It felt a little weird as I grew up in a place where multistoreys were places that smelt of piss, had danger lurking around every corner, complimented with drunken skinheads glue sniffin. So I eventually reached the top where the arts cafe was, and I must admit I wasn’t that impressed, I’m probably a philistine but none of the art really moved me emotionally and the cafe was not that welcoming. Without wanting to offend, I apologise in advance, I know nothing about modern art so it might be really great but I would have preferred a few stains and skinheads. There was one saving grace which was the view across London, I would recommend going up just for that, you’ll meet Hackney art types wearing moustaches but just focus on the view. We set about doing some photos and that was that. I always feel uncomfortable doing photo shoots, I’m trying to develop my ‘photo face’ I’m not that photogenic, some people can be shot anywhere and look great, I have to try and assume a structured facial projection. It’s getting there but needs a bit more work. It’s the point when you remember you have hands/arms and what to do with them? always causes me problems, in me pockets, leaning on a wall?
A few days later I went to see some friends band play in Camden, ‘Those dancing days‘ a great little pop group from Sweden we met them on tour with Babyshambles a few months ago. I can’t remember much else but it was a good show and we ended up at Ogidans.
Next up was a festival in Sheffield, I had been invited by one of the organisers, a good friend who runs ‘The Harley’ in the area so I knew it would be a splendid day however the show turned out. It was an interesting gig, I was booked to play the city hall steps at 4pm! It kind of felt like glamorous busking, I really enjoyed it. I had the power to shout at people across the whole of the city square! Unfortunately the rain came and scared a few people off but there were a few loyal RKC heads braving the rain and representing so all was well. The festival was a great success for Sheffield and hopefully it has helped to reinvigorate and put some well deserved focus into the local music scene up there. I think it’s an amazing achievement when loads of small sponsors and the local community can come together in these smaller festivals, all the big ones in this country have morphed into slightly ugly corporate media beano weekends so it’s good to see things happening on this level, more please! Got through the day relatively unscathed, I met some top people and had a good knees up. I’ll be playing the Harley again soon.
From Sheffield, to the sun of Southern France courtesy of Easyjet. The flight wasn’t too bad actually, as I managed to get ’speedy boarding’ I really am in the upper tiers of society now. It was a must, it’s holiday season and it gets messy! Also had the bonus of getting my ‘electrindie 2′ mix finished, which has subsequently been lost as my mac blew up and fried the hard drive! (more later)
So…Montpellier, I arrived to a hotter than hot France with a severe lack of sleep, as with all these great flight deals, it involves getting up at an ungodly hour to travel. I was so tired but had a few radio interviews to take care of so I spent the day wandering around with a helpful guide doing some small but welcoming press. First stop was a radio station called Divirgence Fm, It was only a small station but one of the best in the area for playing alternative indie music. The interview went well and I played ‘Some things are better left unsaid’ and ‘one born every minute’ from the next album. Then on to the next radio unfortunately the air con had just gone down so it was like an oven. One more interview then sleep. I booked into an Ibis and the limited but cold air con was pure gold.
Before I go on. On my current level with RKC there is no big press machine working for me so all the press I have in France is done by friends and fans, so a big thanks to these top bananas. After a good rest I awoke to go discovering the city, it’s an amazing place reminds me of somewhere in Spain that I can’t remember.
Gig time, I didn’t what to expect as it’s a very small indie scene out in France and here we were in a small tourist location!
The show was ace, very hot but a god turn out. I always get asked the same questions when I play small places like this, ‘Why did you come here?’ they can’t believe that someone in a band like ours would come to such a beautiful city! I don’t understand their logic. So another successful french venture, I stayed for a while had a good chat, then left.
As I was leaving I met some of the crowd, they went on to tell me about a harp player who was supposed to support but damaged her ankle, saying how she was so disappointed at not being able to play the show, so we decided to go and visit her. What an amazing instrument the harp is! sat and listened to some songs wished her well and headed back for some rest.
Back in London my computer decided to die, the mac death, a big question mark floating around on the start up! Fought hard to save it but alas I had to let it go, even worse than the computer death……I now had to face going into the Apple Mac shop!
This place is living hell for me, the most sterile environment on earth, the staff are all droids I’m sure, they have no emotion, watch their eyes closely there is circuitry in there I’m sure. anyway in and out and on with my life. I hope this isn’t the future for retail.
Spent the next few days trying to get some rehearsals together for my ep launch it was only a few days away and I wanted to play with a skifflesque backing band.
I managed a couple of sessions but as usual time was tight. It’s much more exciting playing with other people rather than flying solo although it’s hard to squeeze in rehearsals!
I had planned to have the ‘apples & anegines’ ep launch in a secret location in North London, a few good friends and I had worked hard in setting up a system where people send in their mobile numbers and emails and we give them the address on the day, thank god we did as midnight the night before the launch we lost our venue! So we spent the night driving around London trying to find a venue to host the event, a real stress the day before a show!
The idea behind the secrecy of the event was to have a show of appreciation for my fans and supporters rather than the usual big press party release, sometimes a much better party is had when it’s all me chums. The press party is being planned for next week I think?
We managed to find a perfect venue, it wasn’t as special as I would have wanted but it was great of them to take us at such short notice.
So the venue change alongside arranging merch/delivery of ep’s/paying people/texting was a real stress to us all but we pulled it off.
I decided that the show dress theme should be ’sportswear’ but I forgot to tell anyone!
We had a great turnout and the show was good. I think the shows have progressed since starting this project last year, my voice is getting a little stronger and the guitar playing is slowly getting less messy but still a way to go!
After the show it was back to OGIDAN’S pad for an RKC knees up, this proved to be more fun than the show with a packed flat full of friendly faces and singalong karoakeness.
The day after the show I was back on the promo tip, the release party was the week before the actual release so I had a few days to get the word out there. It’s a real difficult job getting press for small projects like this, Myself and 360 have a very limited budget so we do loads of the graft ourselves, so it’s a struggle at times but it’s a great achievement when we get some tasty press bits and we haven’t had to buy it with a ton of money! The other ace up my sleeve on this promo tip is my fanbase, I’m lucky enough to have a bunch of folk who believe and support me enough to spend their own time and energy on lending a hand by hitting blogs and generally spreading the word of RKC. So to you lot, I thank you.
Finally the ep was released and we had a good amount of orders, generally to my fanbase. The next step for me is to try and get some external press outside my community which isn’t really happening but we’re on it. Almost forgot, we put 6 golden tickets in the ep’s so the winners should be starting to come out of the woodwork, they’ll win a limited edtition (6 only) t-shirt I had specially designed. Will let you know who won next blog. So if you haven’t got one then get yerseves over here. www.roseskingscastles.com
So last week was mainly spent hitting up contacts and blogs for some ep press, I also had to go to the studio a few times to tweak the album.
It’s a scary concept releasing an album, I personally never know when to stop, there is always more to do! It’s all recorded now we’re just tweaking bits and pieces.
My favourite song on it, (which was a late addition) is Bletchley park. It’s a waltz with a haunting melody, it was one of those songs that came together in an hour and seem so seemless. The album with the changing working title ’suburban time bombs’ is looking to be an 11 tracker now, lots of bright instruments with a cynical bounce. Released in Oct/Nov latest.
Although Oct/Nov seems so far away, I need to learn to slow my brain down, be patient, I already have the tracks written for a possible ep release in spring 2010 and my album is not even out yet! It’ going to get a little darker and more stripped down I feel.
Blimey, I’m now flying back to London and this blog is shaping up to be a novel!
So where was I, next excursion was Newquay, I was booked to do an ‘electrindie mash potato’ set then an accoustic the following day.
The drive down was a nightmare 10 hours stuck in traffic!
The set was fun, a mixture of indie hits and current electro favs. Back to hotel for bed fresh for the midday accoustic set, well that was the plan!, had not much sleep and too much gin, midday is far too early for singing had to drink a few hot drinks to kick the vocal chords into shape.
The accoustic wasn’t that well attended but those who came were really into it, I would much rather play to 30 people listening opposed to 500 people semi interested. Also bumped into Lloyd from the Paddingtons he was down in Newquay holidaying, we had a good chat about The Paddingtons new stuff and it sounds like it’s going to be an exciting, fresh sound. So a good weekend all in all
Monday morning first thing, (it’s like being a grown up and having a real job) I hit the studio again to put the final tweaks to the album, it’s now done, I find it hard to let go but it’s time to move on! Once it’s out there it’s out there!
Later in the week I got us all together for a Babyshambles rehearsal, we’re just starting to slowly gear up into the next album sessions so we’re rehearsing on a regular basis now, it’s been a bit sporadic due to everyones other projects but we’re now at the point where we’re starting to warm the engines for an album release next year. Twas great to get the old songs out again and get behind a drumkit.
So this brings us up to date almost, I did have a night in Soho a few days back which is worth writing about purely for the mention that red bull have brought out their own brand of cola, it tastes like panda cola from the 80’s,(is it still available?) now I should mention here, that I rarely go to these types of places but I was hooking up with a pal I hadn’t seen for a while so I can be excused.
So here we are almost landing, I’m about to meet up with 360 to do some signing of stuff for the site then head home.
We played a top class Babyshambles party set last night in Colar (foire aux vins) It was in a wine tasting region in France as part of an expo for agricultural and home appliances! Sounds really weird but it was great, it was a cross between ikea and Ibiza, like the ideal home expedition with a rave in the evening. Why can’t we do these things in the UK it would take the sullen sting out of homebase!
Also just been informed we might be doing this woodberry tavern gig tonight, hhmmmmmm, lets hope there’s drums, love playing the small grits places but there’s never drums, I get a snare if I’m lucky and perhaps a stick!
One last thing to mention is my tweet (twitter.com/adamficek) that got picked by NME about that fella Preston from the’ Ordinary boys’, I used to really like that band. I made a comment about his new style and it got used on the friday update which is an entertaining read worth checking out, nme.com (fridays) but I’m conscious of not coming across as one of those types that kick people in the balls from behind a media curtain.
So there, I’m not a fan of the new stuff, but that’s his business, really like the ordinary boys though, good luck to him, who am I to criticise anyway I got one ear bigger than the other!
Blog update….Just in from the Woodberry Tavern, Babyshambles gig, it was pure old school and I had a full kit, sweaty, dirty and loud the perfect platform.
Bashed through loads of classics, ’side of the road’, ‘beg steal and borrow’, ‘unbilo’ and a very apt ‘delivery’.
We’re booked in studios this week to start demos for the new babyshambles album and then V festival on the weekend with the Peter Doherty solo thang.
Until next time….
FPOTP – Stubborn Heart – The Sheppards
Suburban Time Bomb…
As I write this I’m in a prison like apartment on the sleeper train from Edinburgh to London.
Had an immense couple of days, a great week, started with the studio finishing my next RKC album, had a few days of horns and other instruments coming in, it’s all sounding much bigger then the last. It’s always slightly worrying when making music as you never know how it’s going to be perceived! Not that this should matter! But it does…So far this album has got Brass/Woodwind but no strings. It’s looking like a 12 track album of pretty diverse styles similar to my first. But as ever, words can’t really do music justice so wait and hear..
From the continuing studioness of RKC I went to see Blur in Hyde Park.
I was slightly apprehensive as I have been to many a blur gig from mainly the tale end of Leisure and onwards so I was afraid that they perhaps wouldn’t deliver the goods and possibly leave me dissapointed.
The show was amazing, when a band of this caliber play all the hits back to back it shows the true talent blur are, as songwriters and as a live band. Of course it wasn’t the same as the first time I saw them but it came damn close.
I finished the night at the blur aftershow which turned into an oldschool meet up of loads of people I hadn’t seen in ages and lots of the gooduns from Parlophone. These blur outings have been a success and I wish em well. Everyone went home buzzing.
Next stop was a solo RKC slot in a big festival in Hitchin, I must admit i didn’t prepare for this as well as I should, I didn’t expect it to be as large as this! The festival is called Rhythms of the world and has been running for a good few years, amongst all the big corporate fessies it’s a refreshing thing to visit and be asked to play a truely, community based festival. This is how it should be, a true varied line up of acts and artists.
Anyway, I played on the BBC introducing stage hosted by BBC three counties, the show was nice and relaxed although I had been in recording mode for the past month so it took a few songs for me to get back into performance mode. The live thing still a bit of work but it’s getting there slowly….
The show ended in me losing a shoe and hoping back home.
From there I jumped back into recording mode and spent the rest of the week working on the next RKC album, working title ‘Suburban time bomb’ but I need another word for suburban. Any ideas?
I also got all the compiled artwork for the ep from 360, and received the promo cd’s so they’ll be making their way to some choice blogs and mags.
The weekend was a slightly stressful one as we had to play a Babyshambles festival in Spain, with one man down. Missed flights etc…It’s never easy doing these things but we had no choice and the show had to go on, so Peter had to take on more guitar duties to make the songs work, Drew played more chords and I had to combine some texture thickening cymbals and more bass stuff here and there. We coped!
I must learn the Libertines songs! We chucked a few in and I kind of busked it, Gary will kill me!
Had a great time and managed to catch supergrass running through their powerpop set, I reckon Supergrass are the perfect power indie pop group!
As usual post show excitement gets the better of us and we all end up in a small bar in Bilbao grooving to 50’s and 60’s obscurities, got back about 7am, then realised our lobby call for the flight to Scotland was 8am. Shit!
So Shaky and tired we made our way to Scotland for T in the park, it took us via Paris and a horrid 4 hour wait in the airport but we got to Scotland by 8pm that evening, we weren’t playing til the next day so sleep was had.
The next day was T, we got picked up and made our way to the festival with the strings and the Peter solo gang. I like the backstage area of T in the park, it’s very open and cosy, so bumped into some chums I hadn’t seen for a while, mainly the techs and crew I have met on the road. It’s a funny thing with techs and stuff, you get used to one lot then they move on to another band.
There were quite a few pop acts this year which is a telling sign of how the music industry is at the moment, pop is big business, give it a few years and a guitar band will come along again….just hold on in there.
I didn’t really get to see many bands, I watched some of Squeeze, I always forget how many great tunes they have!
Show time- we had a great set planned but ran out of time, I was looking forward to playing arcady with the big bass drum intro but time was against us. The sound was much better at T and i had a blinder of a set.
From T we all went home on a big sleeper train and I realised my ipod had been nicked, It really pisses me off when people steal stuff from our dressing rooms, I no longer leave anything in these rooms! It’s a shame when everything has to be locked away in a production office. Oh, I also got taught how to moonwalk by the dancers!
So this brings me up to NOW, I’m on an Easyjet flight from Spain again, Benicassim, an odd but nice festival that’s kind of been adopted by the Brits. Again I’m shattered, last nights celebrations went on too long and I was one of the last to leave the site…not a good look.
The show was originally going to be Peter solo but we changed it to a Babyshambles knees up. I love playing this festival, we always get so well looked after, swimming pool backstage and a great free bar.
The show was a goodun considering we were on at 1am! always dangerous when there’s so much drinking time pre show. It felt good to be doing a shambles greatest hits set again although we do need to start playing the new songs out to shape them up. ‘Ocean’, ‘Maybelline’, ‘natives’, ‘pretty sue’ and ‘boy david’ have been aired but they need more sculpting before we record them.
So tomorrow, I’m doing a photoshoot for a mag, loads of ep mailouts the heading to the studio hopefully to put the finishing touches to the album.
Ah, I forgot to mention, I sneaked away to Rome mid week to play some records for a friend’s fashion launch, I was booked to play after Sarah from the band Client, but we decided to do a ‘back to back’ stylee which saw me digging into a camp, 80’s electro set! Something I don’t normally do but it made me realise how well produced some of those songs are, Human league, Prince = wow!
Right, almost done, just a reminder that my ep launch venue has been confirmed! It’s at a secret location in North London, It’s on Aug the 4th, 9pm. To get access you need to send your name, age and mobile number to rosessecretcastle@googlemail.com and on the day I’ll text and email you the details, it’ll be a £5 in and the ep will be for sale hopefully!!!
See ya.
PS. FPOTP = Mpho – box & locks
Glasto and More …
So…..this blog has taken me a while, am on the bus from Glasto so here we go.
Just left the mammoth village of entertainment and heading to a dj set in London, been messing with a remix of Dizzee Rascal so that should spice some things up tonight!
Glasto was very calm, the sound onstage was poor but we got through. It’s the worst thing in the world when you’re trying to take care of business but you can’t hear anything with any clarity. I had to watch hands and mouths, so if you see me getting shitty and sulking on the tele, that’s why. Stephen Street held the thing together, without him this level of performance wouldn’t be happening! It’s always a nice view looking out behind those drums into the fields.
So that’s my Glasto for another year, in and out, had a swift meet up with some pals, hello goodbyes - as usual -
now off to play some tunes at the newly refurbished garage in Islington. I used to love that venue, it was a great mid sized gig to play so I’m looking forward to it. I remember one of my earliest shambles gigs being there, the week after I joined. Ahhh the good old days, I really miss them.
So pre Glasto, where was I ??
Er lets start with studio stuff for the next Roses album, it’s all going very well, all the backing tracks are done and we’re busy putting down the vocals and horn arrangements, it is sounding bigger than the last album and i’m hoping it will reach as many if not more people than the debut so watch this space! Oct release.
The ep is now being pressed up, all the art’s in and it’s underway full steam ahead, check out the new vid. It’s out in Aug.
I recently played a few RKC solo gigs Wolverhampton, Holland and Bournmouth. All very special in there own way!
Wolverhampton was an interesting one , I was booked to play the little civic, when I arrived there Mik was also playing, small world! It was a good show, little underattended but sweet none the less. Then off to Holland, this was great fun, the first show was in Amsterdam in the Paradiso small room, the accoustics were immense and I had a good turn out, I love Amsterdam although I lost my passport! Finished the show with a good chit chat and made a good few chums.
Next up Dordrecht, when I arrived it was totally dead, like a ghost town and it was Saturday afternoon! I was booked to Dj and to play a short accoustic set before in the cafe next door.
The show was a real intimate one, I don’t think they were used to having someone come off the stage and perform sitting on their table. Again had an ace show then off to DJ. The set was great, managed to get away with loads of electro classics including the ‘Tczek’ remix of a bloody beetroots tune, it’s grand when I can get electrolised.
The last show I played solo was in Bournemouth, I knew this would get messy as Ogidan was coming!
Before the set I had ben booked to take part in a Dorset music forum discussion about the music industry as I see it. I always enjoy these little jaunts and it gives me a chance to impart some of my own personal experiences within the often challenging environment of the music industry.
From then I went on to the gig, it was an average show but I just can’t perform seriously when Ogidan is about, he makes me laugh too much! I can’t hold it together!
So halfway through I just invited him up to sing, just as things were taking a turn for the worse suddenly two burlesque dancers appeared! They saved the evening as all eyes were back on the performance! Slghtly confused I Headed home.
A few days after we were back on the shambles trail, playing a show in Milan with the Pogues, this was very odd, it wasn’t with our usual promoter so I was a little apprehensive!
The festival was a weird one, we were playing with loads of punk bands, not the normal indie scene we exist in, we played, had loads of stuff nicked from the dressing room and went back to the hotel, not our best show but it’s good to be playing with Babyshambles in these ‘interesting’ times.
Finally off I went for a little 3 day holiday to Spain, a chance to relax, maybe, it turns out Peter got into some bother so I spent the majority of the holiday trying to rejiggle rehearsals for his solo festival shows, we hadn’t rehearsed with Stephen and the strings so it was imperative! The only dates that they could do was my RKC Luxemburg date!
Now, I really really hate having to postpone my gigs, so I spent hours trying to move and jiggle these rehearsals as the last thing I wanted to do was to let the Luxemburg promoter down. It took me and many others soooo long to persuade the promoter to book me and I promised I wouldn’t let him down!! And I did! So, it was a hard call but I Really had little choice! So hopefully I haven’t burnt my bridges in Luxemburg. I’m not lucky enough to have big media profile so my gigs take lots of persuasive work from me and all my friends so it was a horrid felt decision.
The Rehearsals went well and were hopefully worth it, so sorry all you that were coming to Luxemburg! I am just waiting for a reschedule!
So this brings us to almost today, yesterday we were in Sweden, Peter had just had his implant so I really felt for him having to do a double set, one hour him solo then an hour in Babyshambles guise. He did it and we played a blinder. So a big up to the boss. It can’t be easy but hopefully it’s a rosy future.
So this week sees me back in the studio with my second RKC album and then doing some shambles demos, I think i have something next weekend, yes, that’s it I have a solo RKC festival in Hitchin, I better put some time in on the guitar!
Bye.
FPOTP = Somebody stole my thunder – Georgie Fame (it’s an oldie)
right off to do more blogging, arguing, elecrtindieII, and singing praccie!
Follow Me To Work
Ok so here’s what’s been happening over the past week since Paris…
I have the mixes back from the ‘apples & engines‘ studio session and they’re sounding great, the goal is to get the same charm as the first album, but with a bit more punch. It’s hard trying to get a feeling across in music, the last album sounded spot on, it was sincere not Lo-Fi for the sake of it, it was Lo- Fi because that’s how it turned out, I didn’t give it much thought, it’s harder this time around!
As you’re all aware ‘facebook’ took me down…..well one of my sites, my own fault for telling too many people that my music exists…but, they have given me back my profile! none more surprised than me!
Ideally I would have all my contacts on my mailing list, in the future I hope to able to utilise my own web site in a similar way to some of these social networking sites, similar to Trent Reznor, it’s the way forward and stops the ‘Man’ having ultimate control! so as I always say, get signed up, just in case…
First gig of last week was my London show at The WIlmington arms, first thing to say here is that, it’s really, really, really, uncool to be on facebook whilst being employed to take care of a bands sound! Can you believe that the sound engineer was on facebook, very rude, although to be honest the moment I arrived I could tell this side of things was going to be a fight! Just can’t get the staff these days. Managed to play the bossa song ‘where’s your life gone’ without getting killed. Big thanks to Tom Williams and the boat for lending us there gear.
The gig was fun, a lot noisier than normal as I had a couple of friends helping out on drums and strings, I/we should really rehearse.
We played loads of new songs that will be on the next RKC album, and some from the forthcoming ep. All in all the night was a success, although I must stop talking so much!
I end up getting dragged into onstage conversations with hecklers, it’s all fun though!
Shambles won soccer 6 again, bit of a farce, but an interesting day, I had to leave early to get to my gig. These events always make me cringe a bit, it’s embarrassing to watch small time celebs desperate for attention, swan about. I have always tried to avoid hanging with celebs – not my cup of tea really. As Shaun Ryder puts it ‘I always get on with the grafters better than the stars’ – although I’m sure I could have more publicity for RKC if I was better at pretending to like people when I think they are fuckwits….Anyhow this year it was a bit lacking in the organisational side of things. Far too many reality TV bods, oh well. I’m pretty sure we won’t be invited back. They don’t like us winning.
Off to a solo RKC in Folkestone, I was a little worried about this as seaside towns can be hit or miss, when I arrived I wrongly expected a challenging environment but it was quite the opposite. There was no P.A so the audience had to belt up! Perfect, the crowd were spot on. I can honestly say this was up there with the best, along with Bristol (coming next).
As usual I stayed and chatted for a good while and made some top friends in Folkestone, especially the promoter who has some great plans start streaming live shows from the venue.
I’ll definately be back.
Then, Bristol, again an amazing gig, I played ‘The Louisiana’, venues don’t get much better than this, small, intimate and an amazing sound.
So two great UK gigs in a row! who’d have thought it? Won’t temp fate but I think my shows are starting to attract a real hip audience of late.
Here I am in Belfast, lovely day, just getting my set all sorted, I had a mess around with some Indie classics earlier so will air my new mixes.
Back in studio tomorrow to start my 2nd album! then some shambles shenanigans later in the week, am really missing the shambles at the mo, oh well, won’t be long.
Hopefully by the time you read this the free mailing list track get signed up would have been sent to the RKC subscribers. It’s called ‘follow me to work’ and it’s got some cosmic whistling on it, I think it’ll be on the album in Oct.
It was a one off. so if you’re not subscribed you probably won’t get it. I like to keep my mailing list happy.
So sign up now in time for the limited edition tee shirt coming, and of course the mailing list only ep.
As always, until next time..
FTOTP – Horace Silver – The Jody Grind (It’s not current but….)
PS, keep yer eyes peeled for my monthly rant for gigwise.
Apple’s and Engines
Right..So Murcia was fun, late dj set great shambles show.
Managed to get home without too many problems.
Spent the next few days getting the new RKC stuff in order for the ep that’s being released. It’s always a little scary going into a studio and recording songs that have no arrangement but they always come out the otherside.
Finally got the go ahead from EMI that gives me ownership so full steam ahead.
Started the week with a guitar lesson which is always hard but rewarding, I need to put more hours in, both singing and guitar skillz need improvement but, these things take time. Am feeling the pressure slightly to write more, I have always written naturally when and where it suits me but I need to have about 16 good songs ready for the ep and album this year and that’s on top of babyshamblings stuff.
It’s a funny thing trying to write the more I pressured myself the more nothing came, so I spent about 2hrs listening to loads of different songs on youtube, then POW finally a little gem just fell out. Will save it for the album in Oct.
Early start at the studio 10am, the tracks came to life, pulled in some friends for musical duties this time, I wanted different people to play on it this time round. The last album was perfect but it was limited in terms of the instrumental skills I have.
As I write this i’ve just finished listening to the ep without the vocals (or with bad vocals) got a cold so have to wait a few days for throat to get better! It really is ace, but I would say that, it sound much bigger than the last record but I needed to move, the album will sound even bigger. While we’re on the subject of this ep, remember to sign up at www.roseskingscastles.com as this ep is limited to 500 x 10″ and 500 CD’s, will send a link a few days before they go to the shops so you can get it from me at the shop. (It’s released in shops July 28th – I think)
http://www.roseskingscastles.360degreemusic.com/signup.php
I’m so glad I haven’t got to deal with the dirty world of marketing and media this time around, it nearly killed me last time and made me realise how horrid it can be.
Again like last time the label I have signed with are an old school indie, (meaning independant, not meaning independant but in the financial pocket of a major – is that how you spell independant?) anyway, you’ll probably not see lots of big reviews and radio campaigns as we haven’t got the money to get the good reviews and features, but a part of me likes that, perhaps it’s the underdog thing. So it’ all moving, get signed up.
The Babyshambles ship is slowly moving on up now, we’re trying to sort some times to get into a studio and knock up more demos they’ll be an album in 2010, it’s shaping up to be a corker.
Was great to play with the lads again, can’t wait for the Johnny R tribute show at RF this week, a chance to play and show some love for the good man.
What else….er, a Dj set in Leeds, not the best but had a good chat with some students studying music business stuff, I offered to come in and a have a chat to them about my side of the business, Major label and small indie man etc. So that will be fun. I also went to Ikea to get some new CD racks, it’s always so messy in there…can’t remember anything else.
So I started this week in the studio again getting the brass and flutes in, wonderful, it’s not really band indie though! but I loves it, at least RKC stuff is unique!
I also managed to finish my electro mix, as you know I like a bit of boom boom music,
have a listen – http://www.xstreamist.com/members/3262/audio.php
lots of my current favs on there, crookers, La Roux, Bloody, Deadmaus.
ah almost forgot my Ficek’s pick of the pops is..
FPOTP = La Roux – bulletproof (Zinc Remix)
I know it’s obvious but I love this melody.
My 4th track on the new ep is a little bit dancey, don’t kill me!!! give it a chance.
Also had an accoustic gig in Hemel, not many people there but twas fun.
Lille and beyond
So at last I grab a minute on an easy jet from Alicante, we played a storming Babyshambles show last night, threw a couple of new ones in. A little bit shabby but glorious….and by the way the Prodigy are on the same flight.
I’ve just managed to finish my first ‘Electrindie’ mix on this flight, now I’ve got some time to get back to blogging duties.
SHIT! Mik’s just spilt red wine all over me, I knew sleeping with a bottle of wine in hand is not a good move..looks like I’ve wee’d meself..
Before I start my (Ficek’s pick of the pops) FPOTP = Mike Snow ‘Animal’ Crookers remix (that’s on a dance tip though)
if you want some melody go for anything by ‘Those dancing days’ saw them last night, hip Swedish pop.
Last week’s happenings.
Lille was amazing, I supported Peter in a great venue – an old theatre ‘Theatre Sebastopol’ it was all seating, so much calmer than most shambles outings.
I played a good few song and recieved a warming welcome as always from the French fans, It struck me whilst on stage playing to 2000 people that is was a year to date when I had my first ever RKC show at the rhythm factory as part of an open mic night organised by the great ’spoon’, and here I was in front of 2000 people in france – what a journey! I’m still a beginner in every sense, my guitar and singing is getting better but still a long way to go. But…. as they say, it’s getting better all the time!
The next day I squeezed in a small accoustic gig in a ‘cafe disquaire’, to my surprise it was packed! These small intimate gigs are the best, just me and a guitar and loads of fans crammed in. Met loads of ace kids and grown ups but had to dash to catch my Eurostar. So a big thanks to all those who helped me organise and supported me there.
Right, need to check the diary to see what happened next…I obviously got home but…Ah, I remember was supposed to meet some pals from the 360 community but something came up so we re-arranged.
The next evening I managed to get some guest list to watch ‘Camera Obscura’ at Shepherds Bush Empire, it was a great show, I’m still growing into the new album but it was a brilliant gig, the sound was perfect, like listening to the CD! Just like us..
Next stop another RKC gig in Sunderland, this was one I had to reschedule from my Jan tour because of my throat so it was good to finally sort it. An interesting one, I drove a fair few miles, got there and I knew it would be difficult as I entered, bit of a Friday night bar atmosphere so I bit the bullett and entertained as many as I could, I didn’t enjoy it too much but met some nice folk as ever, I’m sure I’ll go back but perhaps a different venue.
So the day of the glorious Camden crawl was upon us.
I had 2 sets lined up and a possible mess around with some shamblers who were in town, but that never happened. The first of my RKC sets was in Tommy Flynn’s organised by 360, I was expecting the sound to be awful here but to my surprise it was one of the best onstage sounds I have had, as it was an early set, Camden was still waking up but the atmpsphere in the venue was perfect, I left feeling elevated, then over to Spread Eagle for set number 2, this again was great, a receptive audience and atists of a similar style. Some promoters understand how to put gigs on, these 2 Crawls were a perfect example. I then fought my way to the stage in the Hawley arms to play with Drew but it was sooo busy, I didn’t feel comfortable so I went and found some space. I don’t like places that are too busy, was a bit horrid.
Managed to get an interview on the myspace bus and hung out there for a while, Ogidan arrived and started an African rain dance, it rained and we all went home. That night I was shocked into finding out that lots of credible acts and electro queens don’t write their own songs and were plucked from pop idol stock, then allocated a stylist to media them up, was most distressed, is it wrong of me to feel cheated? At least pop acts like girls aloud are upfront about what they are, I don’t like it when people try to pull the wool over us fan’s eyes.
Spent the next week in the rehearsal room with Mik and Drew sorting some new songs for the festivals, it was great to be back in and moving the shambles along a bit, we felt it was time we took the wheel and put things into action as the ship was slowing a little. We’ve hatched a plan so keep yer eye’s peeled.
Ah, almost forgot I played a few RKC shows also last week. The first was at the Strongrooms in London, a quirky little venue for an old friend, East London always scares me a bit, it’s a bit ‘crazy’ in the uncrazy sense, a moderate crowd some louder than others, it reminds me of how different London gig crowds are to other parts of Europe. I think I’l stay out of London for a while once these next few dates are done. www.myspace.com/roseskingscastles. Was good to see old friends and my pal Tom Williams play, so that made up for it.
Then I headed to Colchester which again was a chance to meet up with some old friends who incidentally have just started looking after ‘The Holloways’ I think they’ll do a great job. It’s hard to find enpassioned managers but they do exist if you look hard enough. The gig was great, I had to sing ’shut your stupid little mouth’ to someone but it worked and I had a good time.
The week ended with a meet up with the 360 gang to discuss the next RKC thingy.
So I’m pleased to announce I’ll be releasing something on their label very soon. We have planned for two releases this year, will let you know in the newsletter so sign up www.roseskingscastles.com.
Whenever the insecurities of my RKC musical worth are swimming around my head I can always be sure that after a few minutes in the 360 house, I’m ready to write a thousand melodies. (that sounds like an advertising quote)
As I finish this, I’ve arrived safely back home from Spain where Shambles just played a spanking set.
We all came away hoping we can sort ourselves some shows before gathering for the next festival in June.
As I mentioned earlier I’ve just finished my ‘electrindie’ mix, as some of you know, I do like a bit of ‘devil’s music’ (I used to DJ house and Garage music aswell as lots of 60’s etc) but don’t tell a soul.
I will get it up so you can all have a listen, if ‘boom boom’ music don’t float yer boat then there’s always ‘La Roses’
Viva La Shambles, Viva La Roses, Viva la Electrindie world.
Eurostar Madness
So where were we?..
Errr Dubai,
It’s an amazing place once you get through the inquisition! Very hot as usual, spent the first day hanging out with some friends ‘the meercats’. They were supporting that night so we had a leisurely day in the ‘irish Village’ where they frequently book Bob Geldof so I’m told. hhhmmmm.
I was always a little concerned how the roses stuff would go down over there as it’s indie scene is smaller than small, played the show a little late and I think most people wanted to cut some rug at that point so it was a challenge, I got through and moved to the Dj booth. The Dj set up in Dubai is a lot more established so with the RKC set out of the way It was onto the easier task of playing some records. As usual the regular Ficek mix of indie/electro/60’s classics, got the night back on track and a party was had until the early hours. Managed to drop some of the new promos I have been storing up.
Ficek’s pick of the pops this week = Kissy Sellout – ‘The Kiss’ – This tune has it all…
Also I love how Club Alpha in Dubai has 4 cdj’s, I can get all busy and manically throw about four cd’s at a time, always good fun and the cause of a few mis-haps after the consumption of Gin (which is not allowed in the Dj booth, may I add).
So then off to Frankfurt, I knew from previous expeditions that this club are partial to a little electro, after all, Frankfurt is the home of trance! So I had prepared a few harder ‘leccie’ mixes on the flight over which went down well…that’s the genius of modern technology I can sit on a hour 6 hr flight from Dubai and still create some alternative take on some old clasics with the aid of my friend ‘Ableton’.
(Am sitting on the Eurostar as I write this….Why the fuck do old people have to shout down mobile phones? I really don’t want to hear about your Electric Energy Conference and how they won’t do 40% – shut your stupid little mouth) where was I…
Frankenfurt, yes, arrived a little tired as the previous night’s party in Dubai went a little longer than expected…headache,
Met up with a promoter pal of mine and we headed off to find some traditional Frankfurtisch food, Schnitzel was found.
I played a small acoustic before the dj set which again was slightly inappropriately framed, sometimes the dj’s that play records before my solo set have no idea at all about style and sonic environment, oh well.
(‘Ya Ya Ya, I’m not budging from 38% SHUT UP YOU TWAT!, ’so on a cost price of 25 Euros we an make 45% GGGGRRRRRRRR, WHAT A BELL END) thank god we just entered the tunnel.
So Frankfurt was another great night.
Next up was a few days off in London, well not off! I spent all of my London time in the studio doing some shambles demos, loads of great stuff coming on well, we’re stitching it together whilst Peter does his solo thing.
We’re lucky enough to have a small studio set up paid for by EMI so we can demo and knock some music into shape in our own time. I think it’s important for us to not rush this next Babyshambles album. I’m of the opinion it’s ready when Mik, Drew, Peter and myself are happy with it and not before so ‘hold yer horses’, it’s a tricky time out there for guitar bands at the mo, we’re in the middle of a mini movement again leaning towards electroisms, which is all good but us at shamblesville have got some corkers that won’t be rushed…
Later in the week I had a show in an acoustic club in Bishops Stortford (Essex/Hertfordshire) area.
It was a real grown up affair, serious singer songwriter place, to be honest I felt out of my depth, I sat and watched all of the supports which normally i find hard but there were some amazing guitar players and singers.
It always makes me realise the extent of the unknown talent out there, so many great musicians that will never get noticed as they don’t have a media angle, it’s all part of the game I suppose!
Another revelation was that most of the players on the night were far superior to me in terms of playing, (Oh SHIT HE’S SHOUTING AGAIN)
‘Hi it’s me David Buckham, I’ve already accepted an invitation to the dinner after, ya ya ya I’m on the mobile’ HE’S BACK… see above.
Yes, so Bishop Stortford accoustic club at the half moon, this place is tops, run by real music fans for the love. A great night. I came away feeling the warmth of the people but realising my limitiations as a performer and that I kind of exist in an indie pop bubble which although is great for the ego, but if you can’t cut it without the hype then shape up Adam!
Fundamentally I’m a musician, take away the blanket of all the areas I exist in and I can still sit in a room with a guitar/piano/drums and get a buzz from playing and singing, and that’s what matters, the shows, the press and the entanglements are all fantastic and I appreciate them, but it’s not the driving force.
From Bishops Stortford, next stop Oslo, An early flight after a late night, starting to need some kip!
Arrived in Oslo and made our way to the hotel, I had travelled over with a few friends to help me out on some of the musical aspects of the Roses show.
We had a good look around the town, which is soo beautiful but sooo expensive 6 quid for a beer!
We played a cracking show, a few mistakes and a little messy but glorious none the less. Spent some time chatting to some fans who were astonished by the cassette idea and couldn’t buy them quick enough! We then headed out to another bar to finish the night off, met lots of top musos/promoters etc and finally got into bed.
Next stop Stockholm.
Probably the worst plane journey ever, SAS probably the rudest most unhelpful staff ever, oh well…
But when you arrive in the utopia of Stockholm all is forgiven, we headed straight to the old town where I was playing an instore in a record shop, although on arrival it was a little scary! it was a bit rock and heavy metal but people came and enjoyed themselves so all was well, I stumbled through a few songs then we were needed at the venue so off we went.
On arrival I could hear some of the sweetest music ever, an excellent choice of support -
We then sound checked and got ready for the show, I had a good feeling about this one, I was right. The show was a corker, great crowd, great promoter, great venue, great everything.
A few drinks were had and again met some hip people then off to bed.
Got up late, as the hotel room had no windows, rather odd but interesting, had a brief wander round Stockholm then flew home to play a show in North London.
Still buzzing from Scando, London wasn’t quite as welcoming, a little slack on the organisational side of things…..!! but… met up with some friendly faces and their support is always greatly appreciated.
Managed to sneak in a few new ones. ‘Inner love in outer space’ which is on the cassette and another new new new new one, ‘Twisted words’ aka ‘Don’t blink’ aka ‘it’s the same old story’, the former is on the cassette if you haven’t got one - get one.
So today off to Lille to support Peter in my beloved France, should be fun, then playing an instore tomorrow, wanted to do FNAC but due to my indie nature it wasn’t viable..$$$.
Speak soon.
p.s one for all you snooker fans…
