Work
What I've been up to lately
- Just finished playing Edinburgh Jazz Festival with The Discordian Trio - what a fab night. Also on the bill were the amazing Haftor Medboe Group - total top night of music with lovely people doesn't get any better than that. It was nice to play again with The Discords - our last Jazz Festival gig was in Cheltenham back in May - it's been too long. Keep you eyes peeled for a tour later in the year.
- Speaking of festivals, I've just done T in the Park with The Horndog Brass Band, as well as Insider Festival and Wickerman with Homework who I'm at Belladrum with this weekend.
- I also played with The Wanted on BBC TV recently - you can see footage Right Here
- It's worth mentioning that the guys from The Discordian Trio have not been sitting around on their arses though - we were performing as Somi's backing band at the TED Global Conference in Edinburgh. Pretty much the coolest gig of the year!
- Been rehearsing with Carrie Mac for her show at The Playhouse this Sunday, it's gonna be rocking - full band and members of The Gospel Truth Choir accompanying - ouch!
- Been in the studio with my good pal Shahab cutting some beats and gospel fills for a Canadian Hip Hop producer - wee sneak preview HERE!!!!
- Speaking of videos I have been making some cheeky little clips with my pal Haftor for your amusement - see our tribute to Stevie Chunder here
- Was also in the studio with Andy Chisholm, Anna Smith, Carrie Thomas and Joe Rattray cutting some trad stuff for the Edinburgh sounds website - that shit's gonna be rocking.
- And speaking of rocking trad - been making a few guest appearances with Norman MacKay and chums lately - ROCK!
- And speaking of rock I've been through in glasgow rehearsing something pretty special. More on this soon.
- Also been playing with the wonderful Zack Moir again - can't wait to get some of this stuff laid down in the studio.
- I've also been doing lots of other stuff but I can't be bother typing any more.
Listening Post
Some things I like at the moment:
- Jr Walker and The Allstars - 'Shotgun'
- Panda Su - 'Eric is dead'
- State of Affairs 'You Were the First'
- Rachel Musson's Skein 'Flight Line'
- Cinematic Orchestra 'Live at the Royal Albert Hall'
- DJ Danger Mouse 'The Grey Album'
- Drive By Argument (RIP) 'sex lines are expensive comedy'
- Norman MacKay 'Kitchen Criminal'
- James Brown 'The Funky Drummer' (never gets old)
- John Martyn 'Solid Air' - how the hell was that recorded in 72/73?!
- Headhunters 'Evolution Revolution'
- Coltrane 'Meditations'
Play
Stuff that doesn't have too much to do with music
- Taken a couple of very short breaks away to the west coast this summer - kind of makes the 18 hour days worth it when you can then spend 2 hours sat in a hot tub with a cold beer watching the tide come in. Anyone want to buy me a holiday home there please? Seriously though, I have a taste to do quite a bit of hiking this winter when i got a little more free time. Any suggestions for my first munro?
- Picked up the Sherlock Holmes back catalogue on paperback the other day - Conan Doyle might have believed in fairies but he could fairly write a good crime novel. Fair play to the guy. Seriously though - fairies?
- I'm never going near a casino again, thanks to the guys from homework for encouraging me to lose money.
- Your man Morrissey is an idiot. Click here if you haven't heard his latest comments. Sometimes it's best to keep your opinions to yourself pal.
- Been working through some new concepts on the drums for a project lately, really making me realise how infinite the learning curve is with almost everything in life. If I had 3 lifetimes it wouldn't be enough to study the instrument.
R
