birthday recap (+ pickups)

It was my 20th (!!!) birthday last week, which I guess marks the end of my teenage years - which is sad, but now this could be considered "the next part" of my life. University in September to study Media & Communications. I'm thankful I'm going, this year has really taught me a lot and made me more introspective about what I want & what I'm doing.

But really though, It's not different at all.

My birthday was great, though. Best birthday I've ever had. On the Friday, Charlotte cooked me a 3 course meal & made me a Dr Pepper cake. It wasn't even my birthday yet and it was going off! Seriously though, that cake was amazing, as was the meal, it's definitely a sign that she should cook for me more often, but hey - that's just wishful thinking.

The Saturday night, a few of us went to Drop Beats Not Bombs 10th Anniversary, at Q Club, Birmingham. The venue was moved there from Rainbow due to "a catastrophic power failure;" which I thought would suck, as they were closing the entire street by Rainbow for this.

Luckily though, the converted chapel was probably one of the more surreal arenas I've been in, I just remember looking up & thinking I was in Hogwarts, shit was amazing, even if it was £4 for a can of Red Stripe.

I'm not gonna recap the entire night (partly because I can't) - but it was easily one of the best nights out all year, set a pretty high standard. I felt blessed to have such people around me.

Supreme x Kermit

I finally acquired one of my grails!

Picked it up from a guy on Reddit for a good price (a birthday present to myself...).

It was a good week clothes wise - new jeans & shirt from Charlotte as well as some Nike Roshe Runs (Light Bone colourway). It'll be nice to add a bit more variation to my wardrobe





It's still early in the morning and I'm still very tired, So I think I'll publish this, re-read it and think 'what the fuck?'

I'm writing a post about Hype Clothing, so that should be up soon.

Peace

so we filmed in a sweet shop

Last week, we had the opportunity to film new talent Cannon Street for the 14th chapter of our Croft Sessions saga. We sat and had drinks with the acoustic duo of whom are very, very friendly people. We chatted, discussed ideas and the Birmingham talent.

Something I love about doing these sessions is that we get to meet such an array of talent and people who have not just an interest in music, but a genuine passion to reach and perfect it; to get involved in the music scene. I've always known that Birmingham is full of special, hidden talents, to which I feel these Croft Sessions do their part in proving that. Quality over quantity.

This particular session was filmed in Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop; a traditional sweet store in the Great Westerne Arcade. Once we asked if we could film, they shut their doors of customers and left us alone to film, and we're so glad they did.

We have 2 more songs to release with Cannon Street across the upcoming weeks, starting 2013 off in incredible fashion - and, if these are anything to go by, 2013 is going to be an incredible year.

Watch this space.

Facebook / YouTube

Boat To Row & a good night!

Last night, me, Chris & Charlotte went to see some personal favourites, Boat To Row, headline their show as a part of their UK tour - it was brilliant!

It was definitely one of my favourite times seeing Boat To Row perform - both in filming and concert. The venue was absolutely jam-packed, which I think surprised even Boat To Row. It's definitely a well deserved presence, mind you.

Misty's Big Adventure, terrifying.

The folk band were supported by Charlotte Carpenter; of whom we've filmed before for Croft Sessions  (below) and also absolutely love. So I'd definitely recommend giving her a listen. Also, Misty's Big Adventure; who for the most part have a very odd presence about them - but the character of the band make it work very well. especially when their mascot is this quite frankly, terrifying super villian (right). All through their performance he kept the energy high by being, well, terrifying.

I was disappointed that we couldn't see Young Runaways, who unfortunately dropped out last minute. Which is a shame, as I was excited to see them perform; we filmed them near enough this time last year and to be honest, they are very nice people, very humble. But hey, things happen. I really do hope we'll be seeing more of Young Runaways in the very near future!

Before and after the gig was such a laugh, we had some drinks in the Victoria pub, opposite the Mailbox and I'm disappointed in myself for not realising sooner how nice of a pub it is! I had been in there a few times; but never actually sat in there and took it all in, it's a great environment to surround yourself in and decorated so well! It's set the standard for what I want a pub to look like. We also hung about in a pub along the Broad Street canal, which made me feel about 10 years old due to the amount of the *ahem* older generation were occupying the pub. It was nice, funny and just a good night. I do always have a good laugh with Chris.

All in all, I had a very enjoyable night. I am going to make sure to get myself to more and more gigs, big or small. I'm mad at myself for not making myself go to more, even if I have to go on my own! (well, we'll see.)

Check out Charlotte Carpenter, for Croft Sessions:

Also, I'm writing this from Windows 8, I don't know how I feel about it, but I'll probably make a blog post about it.

boat to row "freedom" for croft sessions

Over the summer, we've had the privilege of being able to film the very talented Boat To Row for a-part of our Croft Sessions project. I say we - I mostly mean good friend of mine (and project partner), Chris. Who went to nearly all of Boat To Row's festivals to film while I was stuck at work.

We've released 4 out of 5 parts of the series with Boat To Row, alongside an official music video (!!!). Part 4, is hands down my favourite. The band performed their awesome track 'Freedom' - which they've given away for free on their Facebook. Chris filmed the band during Barn In The Farm festival in the summer. The music is great, the filming is great and the scenery is just fantastic. Here it is:

I'm not going to turn this blog into a shameless plug for these sessions - but do expect me to post about them occasionally. They mean a hell of a lot to me and I find great pleasure in being able to meet such talented artists and filming them is nothing short of a privilege. It makes me feel so good to sit back at and look at your completed work - to be proud and eager to want to share it with the world is something I've never really felt before. I'd love to do this my entire life. I want to learn more about promotion techniques - or at least with a promoter, I just want as many people to see these as possible because they mean a lot to me.

Anyway, Boat To Row for Croft Sessions.

Love.