Monday, 16 July 2012

Holiday Videos...

Haven't posted on here for a number of months. Thought I would give a short update.
I have become increasingly more interested in film-making and on my recent holiday to New York and Florida I decided that I would video the trip so that on my return could show people footage of our experiences as apposed to just holiday snaps.

Here is the first two days spent in New York City...


Yours Joe x

Friday, 6 April 2012

The Easter Cow...

As Easter is around the corner, and usually this time of year is not a terribly eventful affair, it was suggested that I paint an egg to then be given as a gift. After being amazed by the blowing-of-the-yolk-out-of-the-eggshell process, painting began. I was at first undecided on what would be best to paint on my egg. But after three hours of intense artistic craft and hairdryer usage, I managed to successfully decorate my egg into a cow, The Easter Cow. I hope that this gift was well received.

Yours Joe
x

Monday, 12 March 2012

Alfred the frog...

There once was a frog named Alfred, a very popular frog was he,
But one day when out exploring, alone where no frog had been,
He hopped and hopped and hopped some more, yet seemed to not know where he be,
Scared and frightened in the heat of the sun, he spies a terrible bird in a tree,
Its beak razor sharp and eyes set to kill, poor Alfred saw no place to go,
However not far away came a girl and a boy, who spotted the frog in the road,
They saw his distress and the mean old back crow, although the boy did think Alfred a toad,
But of course Alfred was no toad, but a frog who just needed to get home,
So the boy and the girl scooped him up and the evil crow's dinner was gone,
They approached some watery reeds and knelt down nearby,
and poor Alfred hopped back in his pond,
Alfred was so grateful to be back home,
that he told all his friends of the adventure he'd been on,
He said they must be more wary of the world beyond,
and that things can sometimes go wrong,
Lucky that little Alfred was picked up in time,
or who knows what may have happened, a terrible crime?
But the boy and the girl made all quite sublime,
and alas here ends the story I've burn out my rhymes,
Chime, dime, hydrated lime, mime, prime and mother of thyme.

Yours Joe
x

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Changes...

These past few weeks have brought with them a great deal of change to my life and have indeed caused the ensuing months to be rather different than one might have expected.

Being somewhat a creature of habit, once I become used to an idea or situation and that situation is then drastically altered, depending on its implications I feel initially unsettled.

This comes I believe with falling into the Cancer star sign. Some people take a rather sceptical view on the subject, with the notion of not believing in the way that each sign categorizes every person. I am rather a believer, I must say.

This change has spurred me on to create a new blog that documents some of these changes in a 'realtime' way, but based on my progress in music. Here is the link to it - http://realtimebandlife.blogspot.com/

Have a lookie.

Yours Joe
x

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Gigging sketch...

Last Friday my band performed our first show of this year. On entering London's renowned Scala venue, I did feel an unexpected nervousness in anticipation of the night's proceedings.

As the floor packed slowly full of bodies, the adrenalin began to pump. Then on hitting the first string of my guitar, the show ignited into a sweat-filled, crowd-surfing, crowd stage-diving, awestruck performance.

With many old friends among the audience supporting, added to this extremely special occasion.

Below is my second sketch of the year that helps to illustrate that day. I am rather pleased with this one...

Yours Joe
x

Sunday, 22 January 2012

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

Sunday, 8 January 2012

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


Sunday, 1 January 2012

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

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

A Christmas cheer...

With countless amounts of leftover turkey inspired meals slowly coming to an end, we can all look forward to the New Year celebrations.

As clique as this may indeed sound to most, I would have to say that this Christmas period has turned out to be my favourite. Hitherto as the festive season would approach - and with more and more years adding against me - I have found myself increasingly in desperate need - come Christmas Eve - to obtain the slightest inclination of magical feeling.

However this year was very much different. Magical feeling came much earlier than usual and with a sense of serenity and ease. I think in a way in can be being immersed in Santa's Grottos or Hyde Park Winter Wonderlands that can help one fall into the festive mood. But it is more important with who you spend this time with. Friends, family, girlfriends, boyfriends... I believe this is what makes it special.

I am very sorry to anyone reading this who this year did not quite attain their much desired festive spirit in time for Christmas dinner.

Believe me, I very much can give condolence as I have found myself in this position on not too few occasions.

Happy Christmas (as I hope for everyone it was one)

Yours Joe
x

Friday, 16 December 2011

You know it is Christmas when...

...You wake up to the freshly sprinkled whiteness of the first winter snow, Santa's grottos with his green pointy-shoed little helpers guiding the sometimes more than reluctant small children into a dimly lit dwelling where they are to tell of the many things they desire to find under their trees in later days to come, all the while warming the rounded red jolly man's knee. On the slight fringe of a disturbing annual tradition one might say. The smell of cinnamon, sparkling incandescent lights draped across our high streets, many a steaming Christmas puddings. But foremost, seeing the iconic Coca Cola truck tops it all this festive year for me!

Yours Joe
x

Sunday, 11 December 2011

Gingerbread, mulled wine and cider with a Y...

Sometimes Christmas can be made exceptionally special by the people which we share these magical times with and this is the way it should be as aposed to the gifts we recieve being the main event. Even though I am a little under halfway through the door-opening process of my advent calendar, I already somehow know that this year's festivities will be a very lovely resolution to the year. It has in fact been already a rather wonderful time thus far.

After a recent time passing of six months with my girlfriend, we thought that mulled wine and mulled cyder (yes, with a "Y") were in need of being brewed up to warm us up from the blistering cold that blows and blusters outside these walls in which I sit writing this. Also as it is indeed Christmas, what better time is there to make some gingerbread men.

Ensuing two or three hours of bubbling, stirring, messing up and slight charring, we had successfully mulled our wine and cyder as well as a number of gingerbread biscuits.


I think that the Jamie Olivers and Gordon Ramseys of this world would find themselves profoundly jealous of our efforts and able ability here!

Yours Joe
x

Thursday, 8 December 2011

Bang the drums...

My movie-making addiction seems to have somewhat overwhelmed me, leading to me creating more recording vlogs, giving people an insight into my band's progress with their album recordings...
Video two of four so far; tracking drums.

Yours Joe
x

Monday, 5 December 2011

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Time to embrace all those many Christmas songs that have been itching at our radio stations and shopping stereo systems. December 1st 2011 has come to pass and now our ears have but no choice to hear "sleigh-bells ring" knowing that "Santa Claus is coming to town." Indeed, I am sure he is busying himself along with his many little helpers to once again get all our most joyous desires wrapped up and safely put under our trees come the twelve strikes of midnight. But one must not forget that if you have not been on your very best behavior then you may well find your sooty hands clutched around a piece of coal come Christmas morn.

All towns have now been sprinkled with their festive fairy lights truly injecting the Christmas spirit into even those few humbugs that inhabit these lands. When I see such sites as this, a flutter of compassion and a tickle my belly lets me know that Father Christmas and his reindeers are soon to be on there way!

Yours Joe
x

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Cinematography...

Film to me has always been considered a medium through which one can truly express emotion as a moving art form. However their have been countless amounts of disheartening pieces of cinema that have left a ghastly stain in the industry. Thankfully there have been a number of stand-alone classics that are so great they manage to keep film-making exciting, inspiring and fresh.

Recently I have slightly indulged in my love of film by making a few pieces of my own. In an earlier blog post I mentioned my involvement in my band Lecarla. Only last week we began recording a number of songs going towards our debut album. I have devised a number of short clips that help to portray our progress. Below is the first video...

Yours Joe
x

Saturday, 26 November 2011

Fallen leaves...

The festive season is fast approaching. The nights grow longer, the winter coats are being slipped over our shoulders and the Christmas Coca Cola advert (though I am yet to see it) has already weaved it's way onto our screens.

The leaves have all left the comfort of their branches and soon December will once again be upon us. I am rather excited about this factor as I have an extremely unusual Where's Wally advent calendar which I am looking forward to breaking into despite my twenty years. I will have to restrain from a premature  advent door-opening for another couple of days however.

Christmas is beginning to swarm into all our lives whether we want it there or indeed the contrary. So all prepare your gifts, decorative trees, tinsel and festive lights because there is not a moment to spare!

Yours Joe
x

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Somewhere, beyond the sea...

When the eyes look upon the sea as it meets the sky one may wonder what lies beyond this line. A magical land far from here where you can relinquish your torment and heartaches and sail out aboard a small vessel toward an uncharted territory perhaps?

I like the idea that as I peer out, that somewhere, beyond the sea there is another being reminiscing, deep in thought gazing back toward the shore I lay my feet.

Maybe one day we could meet, shake hands and have a cup of tea.

All around our coastlines, we can sit looking out. Maybe ponder a thought for who might turn their eyes our way...

Yours Joe
x

Monday, 14 November 2011

Sky lights...

Once or twice a twelvemonth most of us will venture out into the blistering cold to stand witness to the booming lights in the night sky.

Colours; blues, greens, reds and gold come together in harmony presenting a rather spectulative show. Without fail gloves, mittens and wooly hats alike will come out to join the assemblage, as the autumn cold tests us for the approaching winter months.

All together we gaze up to watch the sky aglow. Eyes casting the lustrous patterns. Some may say it is man's way of momentarily painting the sky.

Yours Joe
x

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

A grasp on our senses...

Music can trigger many different emotions. One artist can place a person in the greatest of moods, while to another person can be brought to tears. Songs can very much - to an individual - be associated with a certain feeling, memorable environment, loved one or enemy. These sounds can bring forth to our minds the most brilliant memories of joy. The song will change and you can find yourself in the depths of sorrow, loss, yearning.

Recently I was witness to two live performances; Noah and the Whale and Charlie Simpson. Both were very entertaining however the latter was breathtaking. Tears definitely glazed over. The company to these did however make the experiences that much more delightful.

Feelings linked to music and melody have truly been known to instantly affect my mood. Sometimes the sounds will lift me up, but other times they will send me to the opposing end. Music has always had this mystical and prodigious power over my sensibility. Charlie Simpson's performance was a perfect example of it's hold over me.

I hope that I am not alone with music's grasp.

Yours Joe
x

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

The burn...

One should know that when sweat appears through their tshirt in the shape of a bear, you have thoroughly succeeded in completing a satisfying workout!

Yours Joe
x