Hot hot heat...

We’ve had a real burst of hot weather here in sunny Manchester so predictably nobody has been sitting in front of a computer for longer than they have too. As a result, my blogging has almost died a slow and painful death. But low and behold, it suddenly gone rather muggy and there’s the possibility of rain. I’ve decided to retreat to the safety of the online community for a quick half hour just in case the heavens open.

Now let me see. What has been going on? Well, given that the last entry on the MySpace blog was regarding our lovely gig at The Troubadour, which is now some time ago, quite a lot has happened. We have basically returned to the studio to work on recording some of these new tunes, and I’m pleased that 90% of “The Observatory” is complete and once I’ve lived with the mix for a few weeks, I’ll post it both on MySpace and Vox for some feedback. There’s still a few guitars to put down, but the weather is just so not conducive towards being in the studio that I don’t think its going to happen just yet. Also started doing some drum loops for Invisible Man which I’m hoping will come together quite quickly.

We had a fun time playing Green Bohemia last weekend at The Green Room, Manchester. The Green Room is one of those small, urban, arty theatre spaces for experimental and community based productions. It also has a nice bar and a balcony for afterhours entertainments. It was so hot, I was dripping wet by the end of the gig and it was rather like I’d just stepped out of the shower. I can only assume that the heat was rising from the bar downstairs, as heat is want to do. Thanks to everybody who came down to support us. It was a rather spontaneous show, I don’t think we really knew what we were going to play, and it was fun to just launch into tunes on the spur of the moment. At the end, I really regretted wearing those black skinny jeans, I can tell you!

I should at this point mention that we have a show coming up at the end of the month for the MAPS Festival, which as you may know is an urban festival based in the Northern Qtr across the bank holiday weekend. I think it should be a good do. There are a lot of venues and a lot of quality local bands involved. Tickets are quite expensive unless you get them directly from me or a member of the band, so I would urge you to do so. We are playing in the Mint Lounge on Sunday 25^th May, in a prime time slot (cheers Stuart!), so obviously the powers that be think we can pull a decent crowd. Lets hope so. I think it could be one of the gigs of the year, so do join us.

It should be fairly obvious to you all by now that I have recently turned 30. Now, if I gave a shit about major labels wanting to sign us I shouldn’t really be announcing this fact on the blog, because these days if you are not under 25 you don’t stand a cat in hells chance of getting a major deal, and there might be A+R men reading this. It’s totally discriminatory but such is life. Even so, I couldn’t let this go without mentioning what a fabulous time we all had across my birthday weekend, and you can see the video over on our facebook site. I might post it up here or on VOX if I’m allowed. I’m glad to say that as well as our cultural expedition up Pendle Hill, with the witches and wind and the bleakness, we also partied hard throughout the night and I’m reassured to learn that despite what EMI might have to say about us being too old to rock, we are certainly not too old to party!! (just ask the neighbours!)

And that is, of course, another reason why I’ve not managed to blog as much as I could over the past few weeks, as its been “birthday season central” right here. I’ve lost track of how many birthdays have been upon us recently. Let us have a big happy birthday to all our friends, family and fans who have struggled up another rung of the great ladder of life in recent weeks!! I’m sure 2008/9 will be a fabulous year for all of you.

Manchester in the summer is a great place to be. Less students doesn’t necessarily equal quiet clubs and no atmosphere, and its also the season of outdoor gigs, impromptu street performance and light nights till late. It’s normally a short lived affair, but a worthy one. Everybody at least tries to make the most of it. People float round town wearing vest tops and light dresses, and sit on the grass in Piccadilly Gardens. Children jump about in the water feature. The knackered old houses don’t look quite so knackered. I’ve heard it said that Manchester has such a thriving arts scene because for nine tenths of the year, we are all inside, having to make our own entertainments and create our own little worlds in music or art. This is partially true, for sure. But at least once a year, the party spills out onto the street and if you are willing to embrace it, its one hell of a ride.

I think the possibility of rain has finally passed, so I’m going outside again for more sun. Lets hope it doesn’t storm on me as soon as I cross the threshold.

Ben