Good morning campers, how are we all?

Bit of a music theme going on in this edition of my fairly infrequent journal...I've got quite a lot of updating to do so I warn you this could be a rather long journal. And I'll give you a link to a video of me making a complete fool of myself about half way through.



My Music News


This weekend I went down to the Guildford area (nr. London) to jam with a great little duo called "Gally's Folly". I can safely say that I'm now absolutely knackered! It was good fun though, and they've asked me to help them out at a few gigs and festivals coming up this summer which is excellent. If anyone fancies pottering along to Crawley Festival on June 29th or scooting down to St. Ives for a couple of weeks in September that would be grand

I've also decided I want a cello! Well, I've wanted one for ages but only recently did I manage to persuade my mother that it would be a good move. I picked a little 1/4 size up when I was down in Guildford in the house of many instruments and discovered I could just about play about. Hurrah for basic string player skills Apparently the cello in question (now called Albert) is looking very forlorn - it never gets played generally! I had to spend a while tuning it up before it became mildly playable.

In terms of my solo project, I've been receiving lots of very encouraging feedback I've had a bit more potential radio interest and people overseas have been asking after my albums! I've also had about 10,500 hits on my MySpace page now, and nearing 9,500 plays which I'm really happy about. If you're interested in giving it a listen click the following link (and my banner's at the bottom) - [link]

Lots and lots and lots of recording for Folkearth and Folkodia later, apparently we are NEARING completion! We aim to have finished everything for the summer, and that will be all potentially until Autumn. Fingers crossed all will go well there.



So I'm going to stop jabbering about my music work now and show you some of the work of the music fans on the thumbshare forum. Thanks everyone that responded to the post





MUSIC FEATURE













Watch me look VERY very silly indeed :[link]







My Photography News


I've finally read a bit of my camera manual...I managed for ages just working things out for myself with a few basic settings but then curiosity got the better of me. I hate reading manuals normally...but I must admit I found this one quite interesting. I finally know what more of the huge number of buttons on my camera do *hurrah!* Anyway, the new favourite setting is the aperture priority - possibly hence the sudden boom in flowery / naturey photos in my gallery.

This Friday I'm doing the photos for my old school's year 11 prom (marking the end of their compulsory education - a bit of fun before the big exams kick in before their real holidays). Should be interesting anyway...

In August I've got a wedding to photograph - my first one so a bit nervous it has to be said! However, I'm also quite excited. You've got to try most things at least once right?

Prior to that I've got a couple of band promo shoots to do, and hopefully a few more gig shoots! In October I'm taking the photos at Derby Folk Festival which I'm really looking forward to.







A Selection of the LATEST FAVOURITES











ARTY NEWS

I've been receiving a few art commissions recently from the music world. I'm currently designing the cover slip for Gordon Jackson's (www.myspace.com/) EP, the album cover for 4Square (www.myspace.com/) and have been doing some artwork for local band Element 104 (www.myspace.com/).



Ok, so that's the essay for the moment... I hope everyone's well


xxx



p.s. If you've managed to read all the above then I salute you!