musings to music

[imperfectman]

AmpRocks 2014

Around about 6 years ago I'd just seen the first Ampthill Park Proms. It was a great event. 1000 local people enjoying the music of a superb orchestra. The atmosphere was pleasant, blankets and picnics a plenty and there was even the odd glass of champagne being enjoyed. But I have to admit that I was preoccupied that evening. There was something stirring in my head. I couldn't help but look at the huge stage, the biggest the Ampthill Festival had ever seen, and wonder if we (the festival committee) could make even more of it. 

It was in this moment that AmpRocks was born. I floated the idea with a few of the committee members and within no time a sub committee was put together. With the help of Mark, Chris, Andy and Chris, over the odd pint at the Albion, we masterminded an event that saw a meagre 150 people enjoy Pauline Black of The Selector in front of a massive stage, with blinding lights. The following year the Lightning Seeds came to Ampthill and whilst we believed deep down that it would be a success we were plagued with bad weather in the run up and there was a constant worry that we would jeopardise the Ampthill Festival as a whole if we made too big a loss. 

Thankfully the festival committee members were understanding and gave us one more year to establish ourselves. The team grew a little larger, and The Feeling played to a crowd of over nearly 2000 people. We just broke even and had made a name for ourselves. AmpRocks was here to stay. 

In April 2013 I moved to Bournemouth, only a two months before The Hoosiers and Toploader played to a sell out crowd! It's a 

move that I don't regret and has brought me much happiness. It meant that I had to hand the reigns over to someone else.  Ian Scarr stepped up and over the last two years has lead the development of AmpRocks to a point where it is not only more successful than ever (we hope to donate a large amount of money to charity this year) but also, with the help and support of volunteers on his committee, has stewarded the event to a more professional point. AmpRocks had the smoothest ticketing system ever this year, wifi on site, increased levels of security and some amazing food concessions!

(Before anyone says anything, we know we need more toilets next time!) 

From four guys fretting over their beers and celebrating each individual ticket sale, AmpRocks has come a long way. 

There are lots of people involved in the growth of the event and I can't name them all here, but Mark Frary, Andy Hampshaw, Chris Hayes, Chris Treacey, Ian Scarr, Graham Broe, Belinda Pyper, Cecile Terrelonge, Jack Arnold and all the others that I've missed, thank you for being part of AmpRocks. 

Of course the event would be nothing without an audience! Ampthill is a unique place with a unique community. Local people really support the numerous events that happen throughout the year. The fact that almost 5000 people part with their hard earned money to enjoy in the spectacle that is live music in our beautiful park should not be underestimated. 

I'm proud that I founded AmpRocks. I'm even more proud that so many other people have helped it become what it is. Thanks to all of you. x

[carlosbaila-deactivated20200503]

Marina Abramovic meets Ulay “Marina Abramovic and Ulay started an intense love story in the 70s, performing art out of the van they lived in. When they felt the relationship had run its course, they decided to walk the Great Wall of China, each from one end, meeting for one last big hug in the middle and never seeing each other again. at her 2010 MoMa retrospective Marina performed ‘The Artist Is Present’ as part of the show, a minute of silence with each stranger who sat in front of her. Ulay arrived without her knowing it and this is what happened.” “En los años 70, Marina Abramovic mantuvo una intensa historia de amor con Ulay. Pasaron 5 años viviendo en una furgoneta realizando toda clase de performances. En 1988, cuando su relación ya no daba para más, decidieron recorrer la Gran Muralla China, empezando cada uno de un lado, para encontrarse en el medio, abrazarse y no volver a verse nunca más. En 2010 el MoMa de Nueva York dedicó una retrospectiva a su obra. Dentro de la misma, Marina compartía un minuto en silencio con cada extraño que se sentaba frente a ella. Ulay llegó sin que ella lo supiera, y esto fue lo que pasó”

[imperfectman]

This is beautiful...

[imperfectman]

I've been following the Lance Armstrong story for the last few weeks with great interest. I teach a unit called current issues in sport and one of the issues we always discuss in class is performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Lance was always an inspiration to me as much as he was to so many others. To come back from cancer not just once but three times to compete at an elite level was astonishing. His ability to hide his doping in a sport where so many of the top flight have been caught out or finally admitted to cheating is also astonishing. It surprises me that in 2005 when he tested positive for EPO that more wasn't made of the story. (Incidentally he got off on a technicality - the urine sample had been mishandled and he refused a retest) Was this the point that USADA decided to go after the almighty Armstrong? An apparent advocate of clean sport who even donated money towards anti-doping programmes! Sadly it seems Lance's Arm was not strong enough to with-hold the barrage of accusations from former team mates and colleagues, all promised immunity in favour of their testimony. I have sadly admitted that Lance Armstrong was a cheat. The evidence facing him is undeniable. 12 former team mates, several other performers and friends (nearly 30 altogether) have stated that they witnessed him preparing and using PEDs. Despite all this he manage to fight back three cancers and train to a point where PEDs would make a difference - they are not miraculous chemicals that turn you into a champion overnight. The doping programme used by Armstrong was described by USADA as the most advanced and sophisticated it has ever known. The science of sport has been allowing athletes to get faster, stronger, higher for decades. Lighter, more sophisticated clothing and footwear, increased knowledge of diet, supplements and recovery aids have allowed performers like Usain Bolt to seemingly be better than we have ever been before. Are PEDs the next logical step in sports technology or are they simply for cheats? I don't know. It's an interesting debate that most won't even consider. For now Armstrong is a cheat. And cheats never prosper?

[jhnmyr]

[imperfectman]

This album is amazing. I'm not a fan of country music but JM takes the spirit of it and has created one of the most beautiful pieces of music.

[jhnmyr]

Video Games (dub solo electric) w/Binson Echorec

[imperfectman]

Awesome solo guitar instrumental of video games by John Mayer - check it out

[jhnmyr]

Officially back on track as of today. Doc says all clear. Ends an 8-month period of extreme patience and a real head trip… Back to it… See you soon.

[imperfectman]

I got very excited when I read this. I am so looking forward to this album dropping!!!!!!

[imperfectman]

Resolutions?

The last 2 years have been the hardest of my life. It's really important for me to acknowledge that before I begin my next musical project.

Since the age of 8 I've been performing music live, starting off playing the piano during assembly at school, playing guitar and singing in a soul covers band, cutting my teeth as a solo performer at open mic nights in Birmingham and of course at Acoustic Avenue before leading my own funk band playing our own compositions.

Since The Measure went our seperate ways I've played in a collective (Fran Bove and The Collective) and played a few solo gigs. I've also learnt to use my loop pedal a bit more effectively. What I haven't done a lot of is writing or recording. For some people a tragedy that effects them deeply inspires them. However I've not found inspiration in the loss of my mother. I've found it so incredibly hard to write about what I've felt and experienced. In fact I've found it difficult to write about anything at all.

So when I started to get inspiration for a new song a few weeks ago I jumped on it. I was so inspired that I figured that it would be as good a time as any to finally work out how to use garage band on my mac.

And so I set up a temporary studio in my kitchen and recorded the first incarnation of "I want you near". I'm hoping that it's the start of me recording and writing lots more. Over the last week or so there has been much written in the press about the hopelessness of making resolutions in the new year, especially when they focus on giving things up.

I'm not pledging to give anything up in 2012. Instead I'm going to do more of certain things. I'm going to be more honest with myself, I'm going to gig more, I'm going to jam with more musicians but probably most importantly I'm going to write and record more.

I'm aiming to have an eight track LP ready to put out there by the end of the summer. I can't say now that it will be entirely new songs, but I'm hoping to have at least four new tunes down by then.

I've always been the kind of guy who wears my heart on my sleeve so I'm going to throw the doors open on the process. I'll document the writing and recording of the LP as much for me as for anyone who cares to see it! Expect lyrics, videos and of course recordings.

2012 is going to be a fun year. :)

[imperfectman]

My new sounds: A tune I'm working on in it's early stages. Forgive the ropey vocal! I'd welcome comments on the

[mememolly]

For much of the 20th century Britain had a system where fresh milk was delivered to the doorstep in reusable glass bottles in the mornings, usually by electric vehicles called “milk floats”, though it has now been largely replaced by supermarket shopping. Some areas of the country still, however, enjoy door to door fresh milk to this day.

English cuisine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hang on. Nowhere else does this?!

(via mememolly)

I also had no idea that we were unique in this respect!

[imperfectman]

Festival madness

So I am heavily involved in the organisation of AmpRocks and The Ampthill Festival. Both events are run by volunteers who give up a lot of their own time and energy to provide the community with events that are fun, and that bring our community together.

Gala day will always be a free event designed for families. WE WILL NEVER CHARGE FOR GALA DAY.

I feel the need to stress the point because a small number of people have made complaints about the cost of AmpRocks. We're charging £22 and £18 for concessions. For this price gig goers will get to see four bands (three local and The Lightning Seeds)

Now there are two reasons why we have to charge for AmpRocks. The first is to cover the cost of the stage, lighting, toilets and security - which come to a fairly substantial sum. The second is to cover the cost of our headline act. AmpRocks costs nearly £20,000 to put on. If we didn't charge the whole festival would soon be bankrupt!

We've estimated that we need to sell around 1000 tickets to make a small profit. That money will be reinvested in next year's gig. And we hope that year on year AmpRocks will get bigger and bigger.

Now here's the most important part of this blog... The more people that buy tickets each year, the cheaper we can make the tickets the following year. So if 2000 people come this year we'll be able to spend money on a really big act that are "of the moment" and be able to offer it at a low price.

People have mentioned that other larger festivals are much cheaper and offer more well known bands. I assure you that they've gone through the same process we have and once upon a time were struggling to make their festival work.

They say of all start up businesses music promoters are the most likely to fail. Well we're not a business and we have one major asset on our side - you! We stage AmpRocks for the community and it is only with the communities support that we can make it a success. So put a poster in your window, share the link on facebook and tweet us on twitter but most importantly buy a ticket and let's make AmpRocks 2011 an event to remember!

www.amprocks.co.uk

[parks-and-rex]

[imperfectman]

Great gig update

Well the lineup for The Great Gig is coming together nicely.

Opening the night will be Fran Bove and The Collective playing some acoustic folk/funk/blues. www.myspace.com/franmusic

Next up will be esteemed singer songwriter and frontman of the prog metal band Chaos Calling - Iain Jackson. Iain will be playing epic acoustic songs of love, life and everything inbetween.  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=201756070576&v=wall&ref=ts

The next two slots will be filled by bands to be announced. Headlining will be the superb Folk n Ska Souls playing folk tinged ska having headlined the Ampthill Festival back in June this band are sure to get you dancing and moving - highly recommended and will promise to bring the great gig to a great end.

http://www.myspace.com/folknskasouls

If you're coming to the gig you're in for a real treat - be sure to tell all your friends! If you're not coming and would like to donate information shall follow tomorrow

Expect a further lineup announcement later this week.

Love and hugs

Fran x

[imperfectman]

The Great Gig

My mother is the strongest woman I know. Obviously not in a "tow a jumbo jet by a rope strong", more like "strong enough to deal with anything that gets thrown her way".

She's currently embroiled in a fight for her life - literally.

Only three years ago (I say only because it feels like a decade has passed since then) mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent major surgery and following a course Chemotherapy and a trial course of Herseptin she was on course to make a great recovery.

The whole time mum had been inspiring in her desire to keep life as normal as possible - she would still cook a sunday roast, even when the chemo was making her incredibly tired.

About 2 months ago mum found a lump. The cancer had come back. Tests revealed that it had come back with a vengence in her neck, breast, lungs and liver. Those of you who know a little about cancer will know that in the most part when cancer comes back (often termed "secondary cancer") it's terminal.

What followed for us a family has been an emotional rollercoaster - first we were told it could be 5 years, maybe 18 months. The next visit to the oncologist revealed stark news that it was more likely to be 18 months at best, then we were told it could be weeks.

So far mum's been fighting like a trooper and has undergone intense chemo alongside herseptin and we've had the first bit of good news yet - a 20% reduction in the tumours in her lungs, breast and neck.

We're crossing fingers that they'll be a change with the liver and in the mean time we're making the most of the time that we've got.

Anyone's who's seen what chemotherapy can do first hand knows how physically draining it can be. Mum is not only dealing with this but also an aggressive course of steroids to reduce the swelling of her liver. The nasty side effect of this is muscle wastage. Mum can still get around and insists on doing too much on the odd occasion, such is her tenacity, however one task is becoming onerous and increasingly difficult. As a result of the muscle wastage mum struggles to get in and out of the bath at home (which also has a shower in it) the step is just too high.

Those who know me know that I don't like to sit and watch things happen, there's always been a part of my personality that likes to be in control. Of course I can't control the cancer but I can control how easy it is for mum to wash. So I'm raising money to have a shower installed and I'm raising it the best way I know... A GIG!

This is a link to a facebook event http://tiny.cc/mns2j it's happening on September 11th 2010 at Bedford Esquires and it promises to be an amazing night of live music played by people who know and have met my mum. If you're not busy that night I urge you to come down. Half of the funds raised will go towards the shower whilst the other half will go to the chemotherapy unit at The Luton and Dunstable Hospital where the nurses do amazing work to make what could be a horrid and traumatic experience as comfortable as is possible. Details of what they do can be found here - http://www.ldh.nhs.uk/Cancer_Services.htm

If you can't make it I'm looking at a way of raising money online so that it can still be split and of course I'll post an update as soon as I can. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested, especially if they know my mum - the strongest woman on the planet x

[imperfectman]

dreams become nightmares

What follows is a conversation between myself and Sofia from customer service...

Fran "Hi there just thought I'd call to check what time my bed would be arriving today" Sofia "Oh well it says here on the system that a call was made to let you know that it would now be delivered on the 28th" Fran "um we never recieved any call and I've taken a day off work for this and I've already sold the bed I was sleeping on" Sofia "would you hold please?" LONG PERIOD ON HOLD

Sofia "Hi there - apparantly a call was made yesterday evening but we couldn't get through" Fran "So no-one has actually told us that the bed wasn't arriving" Sofia "er no" Fran "Can I speak to your manager please!"

I have never been so angry with a company before - the call was apparantly placed yesterday evening so it would have been too late to cancel my annual leave even if they had got through.

If you've had any bad experiences with dreams let me know - Perhaps I'll write some kind of protest song about them!!

[imperfectman]