There's so much, I don't even know where to begin. I'm still just trying to make sense of it all. I know most normal bands do an album every few months and all that, but this has been a long time coming for us. And the launch shows - sure there were niggles and stressful moments - but I really can't believe it all went so well.
Edinburgh was amazing. It turned out to be the only gig we had visuals at, which I guess made it more of an event. Thanks to Tom for coming and learning a whole new computer programme in order to sort that. (Unfortunately I forgot to ask him how to use said programme for the remainder of the shows.) Pleasance was the perfect venue for it - and the staff were all amazingly supportive and encouraging. Thanks to Rory for playing an amazing support. Sorry the visuals were a bit experimental for your set ('no signal to projector' and my laptop desktop appearing intermittently - which was definitely my fault, not Tom's), but I think everyone was too spellbound to notice.
The Lit & Phil in Newcastle is genuinely the most beautiful space we've ever played - and we've played in some pretty special locations. Something about performing in a working library - not only did it seem to instil a sense of respect and reverence in the audience, but it also worked really well with the artwork. It was like playing in a living recreation of the album cover. Agerskow and Rachel Lancaster were both incredible. Unfortunately we fell prey to our own pretensions - with only moody lamplight and the projector not working, we ended up fumbling around some of the songs a little bit. But the Newcastle crowd took it in good humour. Its the only time I've had to stop playing a song because the entire audience was laughing at me. Dicks.
And Sunday in Glasgow - Glad Cafe again was incredible. Such a friendly atmosphere from both staff and audience. Luckily this time the audience were laughing with us. (I hope.) And just three days after Jill blew me away at the Sparrow & the Workshop album launch, she did so again with Body Parts. I think that band are gonna be huge. (Even if there are only two of them).
Just a massive thanks to everyone involved. To Johnny and Fence for making this thing finally happen. To Kate, Rose, Laura and Stephanie for helping out with the door and merch stand. To Neil for taking photos, driving us everywhere, and regaling us with tales of debauchery. To Gav for coming through from Glasgow to work the sound in Edinburgh (despite, ironically, working at the Glad Cafe). To Narbi and John for sorting such an incredible space for our Newcastle show. To Jake, Kathryn and Steff for keeping it a family affair.
Special mention also to the family who travelled from Perth with their 11 year old son for his first ever gig (and, I imagine, his first ever documentary on human reproduction), to the couple from Leicester who took the Friday off work to drive up to Edinburgh, to Tom for making the trip from London (and for crying - twice), to the guy who contacted us to say sorry he couldn't make the launch as it was his wife's due date ("I am not going to have a silent year. But I will buy your album… and listen to it with my headphones on…"). To everyone who has said nice things about the album. It's all these things that make it worthwhile.
Also have to give a thanks to Johnny, Tommy, Reuben, Chris, Neil & Emily - without whose good nature and infinite patience the album would never have happened in the first place.
Thank you thank you thank you.
ps this silent year is now available from the following shops. Please do support them.
VoxBox, Edinburgh
Underground Solu'shn, Edinburgh
CODA, Edinburgh
Elvis Shakespeare, Edinburgh
Imperial Music, Inverness
Monorail Music, Glasgow
Love Music, Glasgow
Music's Not Dead, Bexhill-on-Sea
origamiaround
gamechangershow
titsay
stormborns
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
romaincrisis