FUCK ART... LET'S DANCE!!!

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This week: Jim to London and me to the Fashionista (not to be confused with Zapatista) compound on that Greek island.  Things go better with vodka and coke (and viagra.... it all adds up to ECSTACY...) Fun in the sun! or so they tell me.  Apparently, the Russians are coming too....

26 July 2004 - Mon - MGCK Music 

Jonny Miller from 4-Hour Shut Up emailed me to ask if I would review their next album.  I re-read the review I gave them a couple of months ago; a storming review actually.. and told him I haven't felt very inspired lately but would give it a go.  Maybe their newest offering would light a fire of some kind... then I could hail a passing ship.. get off this desert island.  

25 July 2004 - Sun - Saw 'The Return'  last night at the Filmhouse.  It's not for everyone.  Deep, brooding and asks more eternal questions; like how vulnerable are children to the hurts from their parents?  How misshapen do they become from neglect, indifference, absence, and the occasional beating?  What rituals initiate a boy into manhood?  When the sons kill the abusive, initiating father should they feel guilty?  Should they feel bad because he's the only dad they had?  

Endless Siberian vistas... like a giant Kansas with tigers.   Lakes a hundred miles across with islands another hundred miles across within them.  Roads that seem to lead nowhere except the endless horizon and 2 young boys in a car with a father they haven't seen in 12 years (haven't EVER seen, really).  I enjoyed every minute of the film and marvel at the brilliance of young Russian actors ('Lilya-4-Ever' comes to mind).  Where do they find these 'natural' people?  We live in a world of spin and 'mugging for the camera' and smiling and patter.. and endless fake front and bullshit.. I should know.. I've got a website too.  These films make you feel like you're a fly on the wall to a reality so distant and so much realer than your own.

I like the Filmhouse.  Haven't been in there for years.  The bar is nice.  The beer is ok too.  During the Edinburgh Film Festival the place is manic... and this month coming should be a lot of fun.

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Rob P got back to me about the Alt Country tracks I'd sent.  He loves 'Leaving' and has already started working on it.  He is also enamoured of the other 2 acoustic numbers.. "Do You Love Me" and "3 Times Love".   He wants to start with the most raw of the tunes I've got.  Good place to start.  And wants me to write more... send more that's new.  He's going to Seattle for a month and when he's back we'll get stuck in at the deeper end.  Of course, in September, Jim and I are maybe going to Seattle.  Don't know yet.  Nothing is confirmed. 

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Re: the Sudan crisis:  In the satanic underworld I inhabit for an average 26 hours a week, a jejune Scots lass asked, "Did you see the news last night.. in that place.. the Sudan... these people were eating a chicken ALIVE!!! Tearing it apart and eating it!!!"

I looked at her little white face that's grown up in a supposedly 'nice' western world, where she doesn't hear the chicken squawk or cry; she just gets it breaded and bucketed from Kentucky Fried.

I tried to explain to her: in the Sudan, you could say, they are 'influenced by death'.  They are starving.  Inhabiting that thin red line between here and 'there'.  A terrifying place where absolutely anything goes.  If I was 'there' I'd say, "pass the squawking chicken, please!" if I hadn't already machete'd my way to it.  My question is where did they get a chicken?  I'm surprised they're not eating each other (chickens eat each other).  I'm even more surprised George Bush isn't bombing the fuck out of the bad guys.  Well, actually, not so surprised.. there's no oil and as Jim says, it's like these crises are culls.  The world sits back and watches knowing in a few weeks/months, there will be 2 million less mouths to feed.

I just landed on some unknown female songwriter's website.  Her alternative acoustic songs were described as 'original music influenced by life'.  Hmmmmm... That's a good solid generic description, but what does it mean? Noodle salad in the Hamptons or ripped chicken in the Sudan?  How far is it to the bottom of the barrel?  Turn left at the rusty nail.  She needs to be parachuted into North Africa pronto.  

24 July 2004 - Sat - 

Thought for the Day   "What's wrong with having good clean fun?" - Me

This morning... while randomly tooling around my website's APACHE Server ( I love that name - always makes me think of getting the wagons in a circle) trying to understand it's functions and being amazed that 19,236 pages have been requested since I put the site up, I came across the log file... I noted I've gotten a lot of hits from a specific site.  No, not  www.theundertones.net.   We know what they think about me, since I made the cardinal error of 'flaming' (saying what I thought about) their chat-room when landing there by accident one not so summery day.  They have roasted me mercilessly and repeatedly ever since: touché.  I have gone back to try and make peace, but they aren't having it.   So, no... not the undertones.  The site sending me the most hits is http://images.google.com/.   Apparently, if you type in 'electricute' (why exactly would anyone want to do that?????), you get to a photo normally hidden somewhere way deep and out of the way on my PICS page (I thought I'd named it 'electrAcute).  Just a little fun pop-up photo taken by my boyfriend in New York last year, that now sits on a prominent shelf in cyberspace.  You gotta laugh.  

Yesterday I felt prompted to ask everyone to choose their personal animal totem at http://www.michelleuk.co.uk/Animal%20Totems.htm

Listing towards The (Siberian) Tiger, but that's too obvious and how I've behaved all my life (especially the last part): Power, Energy, Strength and will-power in the face of adversity, Acting in a timely manner, Action without analysis.  I'm big on action without analysis; my dab hand.  

I was torn between that and The (mystical) Wolf: Facing the end of one's cycle with dignity and courage, Death and rebirth, Spirit teaching, Guidance in dreams and meditations, Instinct linked with intelligence, Social and familial values, Outwitting enemies, Ability to pass unseen, Steadfastness, Skill in protection of self and family, Taking advantage of change

The Eagle: Swiftness, Strength, Courage, Wisdom, Keen sight, Illumination of Spirit, Healing, Creation, Knowledge of magick, Ability to see hidden spiritual truths, Rising above the material to see the spiritual, Ability to see the overall pattern, Connection to spirit guides and teachers, Great power and balance, Dignity with grace, Ability to see the "big picture", Connection with higher truths, Intuitive and creative spirit, Respect for the boundaries of the regions, Grace achieved through knowledge and hard work.  (too many things are great about The Eagle)

And then, of course.. my favourite animal of the moment, The Moose:  Acknowledges the truths that have been denied by the soul, Movement to and from the soul world, Movement in the void, Finds the parts of the soul that have been hidden, Building self- respect, Strength, Wisdom, Bridge to the elders, Unseen speed.
Aside from being the most esoteric of the totem animals, if any of you have forgotten why I love mooses.  Here's a reminder: Moose in love 

But, If I have to make a hard and fast choice in the material 'meat-wheel' world of eat and/or be eaten, The Wolf wins hands down (I like men who are wolves!).  Definitely my favourite 'partner' creature on Earth.. vying for first place with the Siberian tiger... and of course running a close second.. to..uhhh... well...beavers (kinda cute aren't they?  It's the tail that does it).  Jim tells me I'm like a dolphin.. but there ya go.  Everybody's got an opinion.

Other than that, the day was fair-to-middling but the evening was a washout (after a glass of wine (to toast our new beaver glory) that turned my stomach - I have some allergy to certain wines).  I had wanted to see the Siberia location film, 'The Return' at the Filmhouse, or the Mongolia location film, 'The Weeping Camel' at the Cameo, but arrived home to want to see only my bed.  Jim went off to the Lighthouse to discuss 'business'... and I stayed in, nursing my universal questions: where are we going?  Where have we been?  Why are there no road-maps here? 

21July 2004 - Wed - 

More Cle*rFUCKINGCh*nnel news.. Someone sent me an email.  ClearChannel.. yes.. them.. are starting a record label!?????  Get me a sick bag and a gun.  I've had enough.  For those of you who don't know what this is all about.  Please.. visit:

www.clearchannelsucks.org

I can't say any more.

20July 2004 - Tues - Thought for the Day - "Make my day" - Dirty Harry

Yesterday John Torj made my day.  Jim was speaking with Jim L about starting recording next week and Jim L mentioned that John was in the studio recording tracks for his album now and said he wants me for the vocals on it.  The 'session' fairy must have heard me.  I know he asked me a couple of months ago if I would consider it and yes I certainly happily will - remuneration will be exchange of trade, his musicianship for my voice on Jim's and my projects.

19 July 2004 - Sun  Thought for the Day - THOUGHTS on the Nature and Value of ART

""I say this to myself as much as I say it to you.  Nothing is free in this life
and nothing comes easy that's worth anything.  You are incredibly gifted and
it is your responsibility, in my view, to develop that gift and share it with
others so it may better their existence.  I think that is what community is
all about.   I truly believe that art and intelligence go hand in hand and are
a superconscious force in human life.  They exist for a very important reason,
the survival of the race.  They provide and refine the goals and aspirations
of humankind.  They helps us to understand and better ourselves, to recognize
our potential in thought and feeling and to expand our collective vision.
Whether it's the car you drive to work, or the work you do to make a living,
without art and intelligence the human race is at a complete loss.  It is no
wonder that when governments start cutting funding to art, they cut their own
throats, damage future generations ability to cope and inaugurate decline.  These are my
thoughts of the moment. Love, V."" 18 July 2004

15 July 2004 - Thurs - 

Thought for the Day - "Who exactly do you want to be?  What kind of person do you want to be?  What are your personal ideals?  Whom do you admire?  What are their special traits that you want to make your own?" Epictetus

If I was going to answer that question honestly?  This week anyway?  Bonnie Raitt.  On tour with my songs and my heart and my success.  Of course, to secure that present, I'd have to step back into the past.  Where I was partying, she was probably working like a dog and where I chose to skip around the world on sunshine and shoestrings, she was at Harvard. A good few years ahead of me, but still, obviously her war-cry was 'dedication', where mine was 'let it rip!'  Can't cry over spilled sulphate.  When I was younger (18-21) I wanted to be Mao Tse Tung; leading men on the Long March, living spare in a cave in his mid 40's planning strategies and writing great poetry; about to take China from warlord peasantry to Communist super power.

I received this link today from the magnificent Muldoon.  How to Stuff a Mushroom:

http://emptymirrorbooks.com/thirdpage/stuffedmushroom.html

14 July 2004 - Wed - 

Today Fritz was in touch asking for a copy of the CRAWL CD.  He wants to put Kitty Kitty and Johnny Cash on the Full Moon Compilation CD, but is considering 'That Boy', since I suggested it.  Then again.. the Z28's may be donating tracks.  Kitty Kitty could just about keep up.  He also asked if I was doing the Full Moon on 5 August @ Bannerman's.  Needs info for the poster.  Yes.  I'll do it.   Norman Lamont was going to learn some guitar parts for me, but he's on holiday..  so.. I'm not sure what I'll do, but, yeah,  I'll do it.

Jim Lusted sent CD's up from London for Jim to listen to.  He's currently working with the singer from Talk Talk (Mark Hollis?).  The production on the tracks he sent up was spacious and would indeed suit Jim's music.  Jim L is a man who starts with a vision of how the completed album will sound. 

In my own bailliwick, Rob Prance asked me to send him my Alt Country material.  I've got the Diamond Kitty CD and the newer tracks: 'Leaving', '3 Times Love', and 'Do You Love Me (Springtime)' - sounds like I'm becoming a romantic - and some other older tracks, 'The Note', 'ThatWdMakaChange', acoustic and electric 'Don't Worry', 'Home on the Range', 'Giche Goomie', 'Precious L'il Time'... I've got a shitload of Alt Country for him to plow through.  I might even send him my shlock barrel, 'Married' etc. We'll see if he finds anything he wants to work on.  Rob has great gear in his house in London.  His studio that Sound on Sound did the review of was completely robbed about 2 years ago and he has since rebuilt it even better.

Days Past: Saturday night at Kenny's party met the singer from the Dead Kennedy's.  My first impression:  like meeting my first husband in a slightly different physical replication.  This guy's facial expressions, the way he spoke, the things he said and what he'd been up to for the last 10 years since kind of getting blown out of California and losing everything... just about every detail of him (if not his precise physiognomy) was pure deja vu.  Strange as fiction.  I followed him around like an anthropologist who's found a member of a tribe thought long vanished.  Jim suspected I fancied him.  That was not the case.  I was simply amazed; now there are TWO!

Finally: Get me to the Hamptons!  The Greek Idyll has evaporated.  Brad has informed us he's not a rich man (I didn't know people said things like that out loud) and would like donations of $1,000 from each guest to cover the $15,000 house rental for the month (how gauche to talk about money!).  This is all new to me.   If you invite people, you don't ask them to pick up the tab.  I hate to be a snob, but this is just not the way it's done where I come from.

Thinking over and over again about the exceptional Patti Smith and Bonnie Raitt.  These women are not interested in the conventions; the traditional idea of whatever it is they're 'supposed' to be doing at this time in their lives.  They do what they're good at.  These are women in their 'prime' NOW.. not 20 or 30 years ago.  Doing the right thing at the right time.  I have a feeling they'll both be doing this 20 or 30 years on and beyond.

9 July 2004 - Fri - 

 Thought for the Day - "Is there anybody out there who's not a dickhead?"

Saw Fahrenheit 9/11 last night.  Could be called 'Apocalypse Again'.  A must see film for everybody on the planet and raises the questions:  Are we collusionists if we allow despicable leaders to continue 'in our name' as long as our own lives are relatively pleasant?  Am I guilty for not fighting the George Bush administration tooth and nail?  Is this like Germany circa 1945/6 with it's occupants saying, 'We didn't know!' about the concentration camps and other atrocities?  They didn't know.  So they say.  The Iraqi people didn't 'know' what Saddam was doing to the swamp arabs, kurds and others, and we, the american people, apparently don't know what the fuck is really going on.  See the film. We gotta get this puppet and all his stringpullers outta that white house.  And get the frickin' Saudi money OUT of American banks or confiscate it.  There.  That's the answer.  They're such a pack of wanks anyway.

6 July 2004 - Tues - 

Someone mentioned T In The Park to me.  Wrong promoters.  As with substances, I like festivals 'Free'.  If it isn't free, I don't go - except...hmmmm. well, Ozzfest July '99 stands as an exception.  The best 'day out' on a hillside I've had in San whatever California.  But, normally, there's something about standing around for hours that turns me off.  If they deposited me backstage on one of those beds carried by six well-muscled slaves (volunteer slaves of course), I might attend. And now, no Bowie.  Massive Attack I might pay to see, but no Bowie?  Do you think the Darkness can really replace Bowie?  If Marilyn Manson was playing, I'd go.  If Ozzie was playing.. I'd go.  Rob Zombie was playing.. I'd really go.  And, although a lot of people have called them derivative, if Audioslave was playing.. I'd be there.  So, really, if it was a metalfest.. I'd go. (Note on Metalfests: unfortunately after watching Fahrenheit 9/11 I realise the US army has hi-jacked Heavy Metal as it's Wagner.  The Ride of the Valkyries etc, courtesy of numerous metal bands on the headphones into Iraq.)

[Notes on Bonnie Raitt: Breathtaking.  And although her politics are 'sexual', that's part of life too. Between her and Patti Smith, I think I've been exposed to everything a woman can (should) think about (except children) in the last 4 days.  Bonnie's last comment was indeed political in nature and I'm sure wouldn't please the Cle*rCh*nnel running dogs: "Hope we see you next time with a brand new president!"  Amen

3/4 July 2004 - Sat/Sun - 

 Thought for the Day - "Nought is given 'neath the sun. Nought is had that is not won." Swedish hymn

Just trying to relax, think of nothing and enjoy the summer.. but it keeps raining.  Summer seems far away, like it's taking place on another continent.  California calling.  

Hate to admit it, but Sunday night sees me attending a Cle*rCh*nnel promoted event: Bonnie Raitt at the Usher Hall.  I should have known when I couldn't get guest-listed and there was no street promotion that the woman had signed her life over to Satan.  But, I've never seen her before.. and admire her stamina, perseverance, songwriting and musicianship.  She's carved her real career at 'this' end of her life.  Much the same as Patti Smith - 'age becomes her', too bad politics doesn't. 

Jim called from London.  They're in Jim Lusted's studio (Jim L was the touring soundman for the Stereo MC's and bleeding edge David Holmes amongst others) and JL wants to record and produce the album.  The Normal Hawaiians find each other.  This is good good news. 

2 July 2004 - Friday - 

 Thought for the Day - "Age becomes her." origin unknown.

Patti Smith:  The bard came to Edinburgh.  The rock n' roll high priestess graced us with an appearance at the Usher Hall last night. Her power, her grace, her command, and also her happiness stunned me.  For a woman given to presenting  herself in publicity shots as a virago driven mad by this world, she was smiling and healthy and right 'on'.  There is no richter scale to describe the breadth of the performance or its message.  Every bit of it was a message.  'People have the power'.  'Resist'. 'Give me a reason to live'. 'Heroin'. 'Forgive me Mr King'. 'Ghandi'.  For those of you seeking less political, intellectual and emotional involvement, I think Jamiroquai is playing somewhere next week.  I felt a species of shame at my trite personal obsessions; my own songwriting, gagging on sexual politics when there are real issues to confront.  I loved the non-stop art-video backdrop.  Images of Ghandi and the anti WTO March in Seattle edited with mad footage of a coffin racing downhill to meet a pedestal elevated John Knox/Rasputin; a speeding journey through star-encrusted galactic vaginas.  The eternal birth canal.  Worm-holes to another universe.  The band (two guitars, bass and drums) stormed through moments of Zeppelin-esque heavy metal gear grinding, shifting down to delicately grace her silken touch lyrics without seeking approbation.  No star search going on here. They were musically eloquent and discreet bystanders to a genius.  

The only disappointment in the evening was served up at the bar and came at a moment when Patti was going for the zone and my pal Deirdre had just finished saying, 'I wish we had lots of drugs. Why do we live in this alcohol culture?'  That comment was seconds later underlined by an outbreak of violence (slapping, punching, pushing, screaming) amongst a pack-let of Scottish girls (teenagers) who'd de-fin-ate-ly had too much to drink.  They let rip with a crescendo of 'Fuck off's' and fuck 'yous!' before they were herded out of the auditorium.  Somehow Scottish audiences take loud, ugly, drunken displays in their stride as the most normal behaviour on a 'night out'.  I was wondering if we all dropped acid and stripped if they'd find it strange.

My last point: this was not a ClearChannel promotion.  Patti Smith is not a ClearChannel 'artist'.  I want to thank Regular Music for guest-listing me to this event.  Every minute of it was important.  The dullness and dumbness of every day life and its inhabitants is fundamentally disappointing (scary actually) after receiving these messages.

1 July 2004 - Thursday - 

 Thought for the Day - "To assume makes an ass of U and Me." origin unknown.

Last nights assumptions: I would see a guitarist play, I would decide I liked his style and I would talk to him about playing for me.  Wrong on all three counts. 1) I didn't see the guitarist play, I watched him 'lig'. He did a little guitar teching for the Marley band but that was it.  2) I didn't particularly like his style, he was very animated (must be a Leo) with all and sundry and kept waiting for me to make the move to come over to him (he obviously hadn't done the math: I paid for the ticket to get in (he's chummed along with the band) and I would have to buy the first round if I went over to him, so he'd better come over to ME: clubbing Bushido) and 3) I didn't talk to him about playing with me.  Something kept me at a distance; probably the math.  Observing initial behaviour in any situation tells you a lot about where it will go, or where I would be going: to the bar to buy the first round.  Not gonna happen.

Julian Marley? These people could play in their sleep. Probably played in the womb. It's so easy for them.  Natural.  A groove.  A flow.  Remarkable really.  Not a duff note or glance between bass player and other musicians as there had been with the support band.  Reggae people know their art - but when they start shoutin' 'bout 'Rasta-far- I 'n I', I remembered they just say NO to kissing and cunnilingus.  Also, dreadlocks are not the most flattering hirsute adornment for a man (or woman) and make me wonder if they wash their hair.  In all, not really my type, but the musicianship was hot. Julian looked most comfortable when holding a guitar.

Farquar MacDonald played a rousing set of Highland thematic funk; fiddles and pipes with bass and guitars.  I was sure I caught a 'Shaft' or 'Superfly' riff underneath. They were fronted by an attractive dude who could have been a Beach Boy: so laid back, tall, slim, blond, Californian type (I didn't know they made them like that in Skye!), wearing a burning surfboard shirt, baggy malibu jeans ; playing an electric fiddle and the pipes in turns and playing them well.  Apparently they hail from the Isle of Skye.  It's a global market. On the net, I found a new term for this fusion of celtic-overtoned funk/rock/electronic: "acid croft".  

30 June 2004 - Wednesday - 

 Thought for the Day - "If you can't join 'em, f*ck'em." me

I've been on my Cle*rCh*nnel rant to all and sundry. But, it's not like I'm a bystander.  I'm right here, right there watching the pitched battle.  I may be a camp follower but this effects me too.  If the boys go down, I go down.  None of us will ever eat lunch in this town or 'this world' again.  So, anyway,  cool it now or draw fire from the Death Star.  There is indeed a disturbance in the Force.  While scouring the net for Friday's pow wow in London, I found this little gem:  www.clearchannelsucks.org

Along with an article from Reuters on the newest Cle*rCh*nnel monopoly efforts:

Reuters.com - Clear Channel Inks First Major Act for Concert CDs
  http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=musicNews&storyID=5532769

My Jim is gone to London today for big Cle*rCh*nnel Pow Wow on Friday.  He's spending the weekend after with Jim Lusted to discuss the recording project.  Break some eggs, make some omelettes.  Life's like that.

Tonight at the Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh: Julian Marley and support band Farquar MacDonald.

Norman said his launch party was packed and a great success - lots of CD's/currency changed hands.  Sound by Mal Function and Fritz on drums. Brundlefly as support, who I've yet to see.  I missed it, actually, and I feel damned bad and sad that I did.

28 June 2004 - Monday - 

TONIGHT - NORMAN LAMONT CD LAUNCH PARTY - "The Wolf Who Snared the Moon" @ Cafe Royal in Edinburgh.  Lots of bands and lots of whatever moves you and Norman is a very cool and wonderfully acerbic fellow.

Thought for the Day - "All flap and no throttle." Aviation industry axiom.

Was looking at some 'action' from Glastonbury on the box last night.  Hmmmm....  Morrissey does not look like he's been living in California for years. Maybe he's been living in some part of California we're not familiar with and sneaks back to Clapham to drive the buses.  On a less superficial level, it's not just about how he looks.  Something about the content was lacking.  The vibe.  The, dare I say it, 'soul', was missing.  Morrissey's soul is missing!  He looks like a man who decided it's time to get the quids in for the retirement package.  Very 'middle-aged'.  There's no such thing as middle-age in California, unless you count the years from 13-78, so how the heck does he manage to survive there?  He looked rough to me.  Paunchy, wrinkled, balding - PUFFY! but not in an ingratiating or interesting paunchy, wrinkled, balding and puffy kinda way. Actually, he looked like even he wasn't interested.

Then we were treated to a king.  Christie Moore and his extraordinary league of musicians.  From the first touch of his guitar you could feel, 'yes, this is real.'  This is not for the quids in.  This is what these people do, because they love it.  The 'dance tent'?  Haven't we heard that same beat for the last 10 years?  17 years ago it was good.  Some still is.  Most is not.   No cutting edge/bleeding edge.  A sock full of E's wouldn't help.  Fancy goggles and no edge, or as they say in the aviation industry: "all flap and no throttle."  This was nothing like the state of the art stuff we heard at the Tryptich Festival (Venue) in April in Edinburgh.  That was 'music' and sound to melt your nose and blow your sock full of E's off.

27 June 2004 - Sunday - MGCK Music    

Thought for the Day - "Action is a highroad to self-esteem and confidence." Bruce Lee, 'Tao of Jeet Kun Do'

Jim just told me (out of the blue and about a month late) that Radio Forth had promoted the Rush Festival gig at Bannerman's; talked about the line-up and my name was mentioned as 'a very special talent from America'.  That bit of bigging up is probably down to Rosie Bell, who has been one of my champions since I began at the Full Moon Club. (Thank you Rosie!) But I didn't know so many people listen to Radio Forth.  Apparently,  a few of Jim's acquaintances have mentioned hearing those broadcasts.  It's a pleasant surprise when people say nice things about you.  

In negotiations with some guys running Venue 78 at the Festival.  It seems I'm invited to do some nights there. More info when the details come clearer than mud.

Speaking of which, on the Clear As Mud theme: to the political front (the Western Front) : The Cle*rch*nnel thing has just exploded in my brain with complete understanding.  But COMPLETE understanding.  They're buying up all the promotional and live act media in Britain (+ the world).. aside from billboards and lightboxes and covering the sides of every building site in London and Edinburgh, they're putting on all the big names and they DON’T USE POSTER or STREET MEDIA in their advertising campaigns.  They’re aiming to control all the LIVE act stuff through their CCLIVE.co.uk branch (I call it CapitalistChristianityLive.co.uk) and starve out all the mid-level (buy out all top level) music/arts advertising and promotional companies who've gotten 'too big for their boots', dared to raise their heads above the horizon line - dared to promote Non-Cle*arCh*nnel artists!  Once they've monopolised the actual events end, they’ll throw their money (already are) into changing the laws and street postering which is the only media that supports all level - small, mid and main-stream acts as they tour, will be a criminal offense.  They're gonna starve evvybody out.

The plan is so huge, so unbearably huge in it's political agenda as well as it's globally monopolistic stance...talk about 'branding'.  Hide your cattle!

Sometimes I feel it's happening with such insidious and silent rapidity; here comes the Death Star and all the dumb-asses are thumbing their Play Stations or texting Big Brother.  Don't you know? You don't have to text him.  He's watching.  Please read the New York Times article.  That's what all these CC links in blue on these pages are about.  Read it a few times.

But the other side of that coin: if you want to be a star.  Get in bed with God's Bush. Just keep your mouth shut and don't do a cover of 'Eve of Destruction'.

News from the other side of the Atlantic that barfs in the face of the Right Wing Capitalist Christian Bush brigade.. see the film 'Fahrenheit 9/11'.  Michael Moore's done it again.  This is what's happening people.  Wakey wakey.

26 June 2004 - Saturday - My father's birthday

Thought for the Day - "Beauty cannot be constructed." Origins unknown, source Fiona Jackson.

No beauty cannot be constructed, but it can be deconstructed.  Must report... many margueritas and a trip off the curb while walking home with Julie Bismarck Hogan in the wee hours has left me with what appears to be a broken, twisted, sprained or just plain ballooning ankle. Nothing very musical about it. 

So...VISIT MAGNATUNES!  Another dude fighting the good fight.. or at least he says he is.  

25 June 2004 - Friday - 

Thought for the Day - "'Success' is sometimes little more than the ability to fit into other people's agendas."  me

I will successfully go out and say farewell to a friend tonight.  A lovely Trinidadian babe named Jah-nine, who reminds me (in many ways) of myself when I hadn't yet learned to be assertive.  She's leaving town and her fiancé and heading home to think again.  Self-assertion is kicking in.

And another thing: the guitarist's name is John Bruce.  Called him.  He was on his way to Skye to gig over the weekend with Belle & Sebastian??  Am I making this up?  It was a bad connection and I couldn't hear much he said.  Marley? Liquid Rooms?  Wednesday?  Static... hum... brrr... gone.  At least I made contact. If only the aliens would do the same.  I'm breaking out of my bell jar.

24 June 2004 - Thursday - 

Thought for the Day - "Less and less do you need to force things, until you arrive at non-action.  When nothing is done, nothing is left undone." Tao

Well... it's offishal.  John Torj called on Tuesday and Jim Lusted called today and Jim is finally, and at last, going to record his album in their studio in London.  They'll do it in block bookings of 5 days.. but when this can begin is the next question.  The Festival kicks off end of July, the run up to the Festival, i.e. promotional preparations et al.. started weeks ago.  This is the busiest season for those who promote. 

On the personal/professional front a call from the Codfish yesterday.  The news down the grapevine... or straight from the Codfish's mouth -  my two ex-partners in intimacy and musical enterprise are joined at the hip in a management business arrangement.  One's already making millions, the other's not far behind.  Actually.. Mr Number One is raking in the money.  It's pouring in. I got the lowdown today: deals in the States with his main artist (who we all know) and deals with Sony for the newest of his two proteges.  Life is so strange.  It wasn't that long ago, he was more or less down and out of the game.. just goin' around on the road with that Thrash metal band.  Just touring with them.. selling t-shirts and going crazy... drinking himself softly to sleep each night.  How it turns around.  He doesn't drink.  He's at the top of his game and he's raking it in.  All this in just 10 years.  The Codfish, on the other hand, was at the top of his game just 10 years ago and has since golden-parachuted into a position to need Mr Number One.. but.. I'm sure, this will be a great relationship for them both.  Welcome to the golden cowboy industry.  Anything can happen.

Anyway.. that's invitation number 2: Not quite the Hamptons.. but I am welcomed with open arms to London to share the good fortune and be with people who are simply wonderful!  Actually.. there's one or two of them I would like to see again, but on my terms.  So, it may have to wait.  The tough part is resisting the urge to ask for help.

But really, you can't say enough about London, New York, LA.  If you're a musician and you wanna hook up, you have to be there.  You can't be in Dunfermline or Whitby or Scunthorpe or Sant Cugat OR Edinburgh or Tunafish, Wyoming.  You have to take your pick and make your leap of faith and be there.  For the creative end, maybe a big city ain't that great a place, unless you need to collaborate.  The vastness of a metropolis, ultimately (for me anyway), stifles creativity.  But to hook up with movers and shakers and quakers and bakers.. you must head south cowboy.  South by South West.

23 June 2004 - Wednesday 

Thought for the Day - "The good ones are always taken."  Unknown  ( If you look around you'll note, plenty of the bad ones are taken too.)