I ate some haggis for breakfast.  And I liked it. The end.

And that is not all! Although I bet that is the script for some ‘theatrical production’ up at The Fringe.  I have just returned and thought I’d let you know what I saw as there was some good shiiiii to look out for.

I was lucky enough to be able to sneak into the BBC Comedy Presents tent (with the help of my secret contact aka my boyfriend) and see quite a few different stand-ups, which helped me choose what to see for the remainder of the week…comedy.

I knew nothing about comedy and here is what I learnt.

Roisin Conaty – I had to concentrate very hard as she speaks SO quickly but I was laughing inside.

Hannibal Buress – Funny. This guy is so laid back, takes his sweet time and delivers.  See him if you can.

Claudia O’Doherty – ‘What Is Soil Erosion?’  Jimmy Carr was in there giving it one of his seal chuckles.  Nuff said.

Totally Tom – These two (both called Tom) do sketches, which was refreshing to see after all the stand-up routines.  Look out for them on E4’s Comedy Lab.

David O’Doherty – Gooood.  He had messed up in his BBC slot that I saw but in his own show he nailed it!  A great mixture of songs, stand-up and shark visual aids – obviously.

Shlomo – my only bit of music.  Mouthtronica was a solo show from the beatboxer who took us through the story of his life using beatboxing.  Soweto Entsha, a 4-piece a capella group, collaborated with him the night I saw him.  My lovely boyf filmed the above video earlier in the week.

The Horne Section – Another goody.  They were in the best venue by far – the Spiegeltent.  It reminded me a bit of the Moulin Rouge.  Alex Horne leads his band and invites various guests on stage to collab with them.  A nice variety of bits and bobs.  We saw some loud Canadian, a fake French guy called Marcel something (don’t like him, he always picks on me) and Al Murray.

All of the above are worth a look!

Karaoke Circus was the last thing I saw.  Karaoke with a live band who accompanied comedians and audience members on stage.  Heather was our audience winner that night.  A young woman with died blonde hair with roots and a purple rinse on top – she was so sweet.  She had to sing Total Eclipse Of The Heart – she was very nervous but kicked it with the help of the audience!

I miss Edinburgh.

Knackered.  The flip side to my double life kicked off today.  Last week I was playing the role of singing teacher at Tech Music School.  This week I am transformed back to, what I like to think of as my true self, the singer/songwriter/recording artist and I’m feeling goooood!

I left with a spring in my step this morning and came home without a bounce in my hair-do as my haircut was cancelled due to the riots.  Selfish buggers.  Nevertheless, today has been good.

Day 1 of my 5 days recording at WAX Studio was spent rehearsing the tracks ready for recording tomorrow.  After feeling very nervous this morning, things have settled in nicely and I’m looking forward to the outcome.

I’m trying to stay focused and hone in on ‘the vision’ that everyone keeps asking me to explain.  How do I want that part played?  What should the overall sound be?  Is it a double or triple chorus at the end?  Eek.

Hopefully by Day 5 we’ll be getting there.

So, I thought I’d write an actual blog seeing as this is a blog site.  Hopefully someone is reading it.  ‘Hello there’ if you are.

I’m listening to BB King and it is reminding me of first realising it’s ok to love the blues and it’s simplicity.  I love the blues.  I remember deciding one summer, ‘Right, I’m gonna sit down and learn a load of blues licks’ – so I did and particularly recall listening to BB King’s ‘Three O Clock Blues’.  Lovely stuff.

I am about to go on holiday (can’t wait) so have been trying frantically to organise my recording session for when I return.  I am recording a 4-track EP.  I won’t have much time when I get back before I’m in there and I am a bit panicked that I have forgotten something vital.

I am going to be working with a brand new band.  I felt the need to push the refresh button for these next recordings as I’d worked with the same band for a few years and things felt a bit stale.  Don’t get me wrong, we had a great time and the boys really helped me develop my songs and sound.  But I needed a change of scenery.

So I’ve tried to build one.  I will be working with a pianist I’ve known for years (that’s the bit that is staying the same), a guitarist I met in someone else’s band and a bassist and drummer who I don’t know and have never met.  Am I mental?

We are going to rehearse on Day 1 and get straight in there and record on Day 2. Yep.  The rest of the week will be recording vocals, backing vocals, horns and any other extra bits including hand claps!  So I’ve got the basic plan together but we will see how it turns out in the end.

I will keep you posted x

We have some great artists lined up for this event.  It is completely free but we will be raising money for St.Raphaels Hospice.  Here are some words about the hospice from one of the artists playing on the night, Olivia Marcus -  

‘St. Raphael’s Hospice looked after my Dad when he was suffering from a lymphoma from which there was no cure.

To have had the pleasure of being around people who gave my Dad everything he needed and did everything to make him comfortable was a real honour, which is why I feel the need to stress what an amazing cause the hospice is.

It is an awful thing to watch someone you love becoming weaker, and eventually to die, but the hospice made it easier, and helped to ease that pain for Dad, for me, for my family and for our friends. The staff cared for us just as much as they did for Dad.

A hospice is a place you never think about, until you need it. St. Raphael’s made a real difference to the last few months of my Dad’s life and has given us some amazing memories of the time we had with Dad.

I think it’s fantastic that the gig is donating money to St. Raphael’s this month, and as a new and aspiring singer, something that my Dad always supported me with, I feel it an honour and the perfect tribute to be able to help the hospice.’

We hope to see you there x

Facebook event invite

Another track from the demos done in my living room.  Enjoy! X

We’re really excited to be hosting a stall by Elmstone at our next ‘Globe Jam Presents’ fundraising event.

Elmstone is a new and exciting independent fashion label founded by Kilburn born Maddy Weaver. Elmstone is notorious for incorporating beautiful feathered designs into a stunning collection. Maddy’s love of ‘vintage’ attire and inspiration from nature, in particular feathers, has resulted in some truly inspiring pieces.

The carefully selected, locally sourced feathers are designed in enchanting arrangements that brings to life any outfit they are teamed with.  Elmstone pieces are all handmade by Maddy and are therefore completely unique.

The current collection includes top hats, fascinators, earrings, headbands necklaces and tie pins and will all be available for purchase on 6th Oct at ‘Globe Jam Presents’ @ Rich Mix, Shoreditch. 

After a busy schedule of festivals throughout the summer, this may be your last chance to buy a little something to spice up your Lake of Stars outfit if you are heading out to Malawi for the festival this year.

Elmstone is an accessories label to look out for.

http://www.facebook.com/Elmstone

http://twitter.com/ElmstoneFeather

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elmstonefeathers

http://www.youtube.com/elmstonefeathers

Here is all the info you need to know for our ‘Globe Jam Presents’ debut at Rich Mix in Shoreditch on 6th October…

Festival goers will be preparing to fly out to Malawi for this year’s Lake of Stars Festival and we thought it would be nice to send them off with a leaving party as part of the LOS monthly night at Rich Mix. With exciting stalls to peruse through, hand-painted tattoos available and live music and comedy to entertain you, it is set to be just what you need to get you in the festival mood! If you’re not going anywhere and just hanging back in London for the rain, this will cheer you right up.

DEMOS: 1ST TRACK - ‘FEEL GOOD’

Having had a little trip to Tottenham Court Road, just to find out my crappy leads were fine and it was in fact my crappy interface that was causing the crackly problem, I have successfully finished the first demo from the ‘Live from my Living Room’ session.

No interface, sunny day or hayfever was going to hold me back today! I have finally completed a demo of my new track ‘Feel Good’ - and I hope it does make you feel good.

If you like it…do me a favour and play it to someone else.  Think of it as a little present to both them, (it will hopefully make them feel a bit special/generally good), AND me, (I’ll know that one more person might be introduced to my music today and could even perhaps like it).

This is where it all happened…

ENJOY! X

Friday night saw Tommy Ludgate have her debut at the Jazz Cafe in Camden…

I got up and sang a track called ‘Spinning Out’ with Sven Hammond Soul, which is their latest single release.

It was a pleasure to get up with the boys and thanks to everyone who came down!  I was up doing BVs with Corrina Greyson too which is always good fun.

Will keep you posted on gigs to come…

I’ll be featuring with ‘Sven Hammond Soul’ as well as providing BVs for Corrina.  Buy tickets in advance as they’re selling fast - price includes exclusive after party!  Would love your support for my debut at this world renowned London venue.

See flyer below for more info…