The Times they-are-a-writing

It's 6am on Saturday morning, and this is the first time since Thursday that I've had to sit down and blog. Which is good, of course, because it is a sign that I am busy. And I like to be busy.

I'm always worried about the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP nights at Fiddler's because, for whatever reason, people don't flock to them. The venue is five minutes from Chalk Farm tube, past The Enterprise pub, and down Crogsland Road, NW1, but this seems to be too far for many, or simply venturing into the 'unknown'. And as you know, most people don't like the 'unknown'. Those that do venture there, discover a great venue, with a good stage, sound and layout, and friendly staff. So I do hope it gains popularity. It deserves to.

Anyway, Thursday night's gig at the Fiddler's was made a bit special by the arrival on Thursday afternoon of an email from a young journalist from The Times, who wanted to talk to me about a piece she is intending to write on mature musicians, and to attend the gig with a photographer. Fantastic! We all know there's a great story in 'mature musicians'. It was just a matter of time before someone had the enthusiasm to write it. Apparently, another London promoter had given our young journalist, Mary, a heads-up about ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP, and being a musician herself she was sufficiently intrigued to listen to music by some of the bands associated with site. She said she was so impressed by what she heard, she felt there was a good story in it; a story about what motivates the mature musician to continue making music past the point that they are too old to 'make it'.

Man! My specialised subject. So I rang Mary and she interviewed me for 25 minutes. I couldn't say enough. I was virtually gushing. She was already aware of 14 Carat Grapefruit and Punks Not Dad, who she had already emailed but was was keen to come down to the Fiddler's to talk to, and photograph, more mature musicians and bands. And she came! Remember the days when you put A&R and journalists on the guest list, and they didn't turn up!

She came down with two associates, one a photographer, and so I fed her mature musicians throughout the night, and she proceeded to take them to a quiet place and eat them. I mean, interview them.
 
First I introduced Mary to Phil Ram of The Great Outdoor Experience, whose story, as some of you may know, includes a short spell in punk band The Vibrators in the early 80s. Tox from 14 Carat Grapefruit came down to show his support and was happy to talk, so I introduced him next. Then it was Luke Toms, who was playing with his band The Luke Toms Vanity Project. Now, Luke also has an interesting story, because he had a contract with a major record company (I think it was Virgin), for whom he made an album that was then 'shelved', and has never been released. I'd put him in his mid 30s. And finally, I sent in Conal Cunningham who fronts Loose Fruit Museum, the headlining band, which is remarkable for fact that they have been going, with various personnel changes since the 80s, or was it the 90s? A long time anyway.

I have to confess I was buzzing about it all. Even the next day.

Anyway, more about the gig in my next blog. There are a few photos here. And I have videos to post to YouTube.