Remembrance...

Today is one of those days when reflection is needed for those loved ones who have passed. Two years ago my dear Grandpa passed away due to lung cancer. Looking back at our time together I am blessed that there were a many happy joyous moments despite the few months of illness at the end.

It is important for families to remember their beloved and treasure the good times had. I find that it helps to bring us all together. 

I am very fond of my Grandpa. He was a rather awesome person! 

He also painted me this picture for me below...

Yours Joe

x

My Year...

2012 has now truly begun and I think it could be a good year for me. The latter year was a rather mixed affair but with a positive gradient I felt. There were a number of life-altering events that may well have some drastic effects on this year. But I do have an inkling that the outlook could be one of greatness.

I thought I would recap and reflect on the past year. Below is my abridged 2011...

January -

• Had the last of my Sno!Zone shifts in Xscape, Milton Keynes. Have yet to be asked for more hours.
• My band after returning from playing a festival in the Maldives and a new guitarist joining we began booking shows for the year. 
• Being single is balls.
• Anniversary of my late much loved Grandpa.
• Back to University (penultimate year)

February - 

• Video shoot for the second Lecarla single, 'Bruises' in the coldest of barns available in the country.
• More gigs played.

March - 

• Perform with Does It Offend You, Yeah? Biggest support slot up to this point.
• First tour of 2011 with Lecarla. Began 10th March with Arms of Atlas. Venturing into new lands such as North Wales, Crewe, Peterborough...
• Release of second single, 30th March.

April - 

• Tour continues until 17th April with a band named Violet joining the bill.
• HUGE LIFE CHANGER! 3rd April, Lecarla play a matinee show on Mother's Day in Croydon, 20 people present, the promoter walks without paying us, random man gives us his number because he thought we were good...
• Later that month, receive a phone call from producer of Led Zeppelin/Thin Lizzy - Nick Tauber, who entreats for a meeting with us at a studio in London.
• Met Nick and his partner Jack Rustin, they love us and look to get us management, booking agents, PR...
• 26th April, have a rather drunk night out in Milton Keynes and met a girl...
• Begin touring with Jody Has A Hitlist.

May -

• Continue touring and watches the Royal Wedding celebrations.
• Break up from University for the summer. Second year is over.

June - 

• 2nd June, I have a new girlfriend.
• Gigging and industry showcases start to pick up. Get a PR man on board.
• 30th June, CMO Management (roster of Gorillaz, Blur, Grace Jones) come to see us play at The Peel, Kingston...

July - 

• 2nd July, I reach the age of twenty. 
• Attended Sonisphere Festival and realised that screamo is horrendously poor.
• Play a festival with Ed Sheeran.
• Meeting with CMO Management in London and begin to work together.
• Experience my first Cambridge Folk Festival.

August -

• Braved the London riots.
• Attended my fourth Reading Festival.
• Further gigging...

September -

• Eight show tour with Thousand Autumns.
• Voted one of the top 10 Unsigned bands in the UK by Kerrang! Magazine.
• Girlfriend goes to University in Norwich.
• I commence my final year at Westminster University.

October - 

• Talks of heading into the studio to begin work on Lecarla's album.
• Witness Charlie Simpson live at The Waterfront, Norwich.

November - 

• First seven days of recording begins in Chichester's Old Chapel Studios. All expenses and recordings paid for.
• Christmas shopping begins...

December -

• A six month celebration.
• Last Lecarla gigs of the year, ending with a homecoming show.
• Recording for another five days again in Chichester. More recording to come.
• Christmas spirit is high this festive season for me. A trip to the Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, the making of Mulled wine and Cyder with a Y. Christmas was exceedingly special.
• New Year in Norwich, rather subtle but was just right.

A somewhat erratic year one might say. But it definitely turned out well in the end. Who know what this New Year will bring. I look forward to experiencing its many trails and tribulations. We'll see how things pan out...

Yours Joe

x

New Year first sketch...

As a gift for Christmas I received two different sketchbooks. I aim as this year progresses to fill these with many a drawings.

After revisiting my artistic painting/drawing side for need of a present idea I had in mind, it has been invigorated by sketching, painting and illustration.

I have started one of my sketchbooks already. I aspire to keep to the theme of scenes in this one. By this I mean I would take sketches from various locations in the area where I am situated at that specific time. I make notes of any events or sounds that happen in or around that area. And thus come to final piece made up of a compilation of my day in sketch form.

Here is my first sketch of the New Year below.

Yours Joe
x