Wednesday 26 June 2013

New specs and another trip...

Well, I bit the bullet and pulled out an awful lot of my hard-earned for some new specs. Really needed them too...was as blind as a bat even with the old ones on!

Got some rather snazzy black and citrus frames (funnily enough black and citrus are Satsuma Elephants colours - quite unintentional choice, my subconcious must have made the descision for me lol)...have been told they make me look quite intellectual - don't believe that for a minute haha. See for yourself...it's the sort of pic mothers use to frighten the kids...my apologies. :)


Anyway, I'll now be able to see everything that happens at Godiva Festival next weekend, my next foray out into the world of live music. Mr Matt Henshaw of Satsuma Elephants is playing there accompanied by Reggiimental, and MuthaFunk, on the Saturday afternoon around 5.25pm, in the Rhythm tent.

It is also my birthday weekend (don't ask, I'm not counting any more) - I'm spending most of my actual birthday travelling to Coventry on the Friday! So the next time I see Matt & Reggii, I'll be a year older...and it'll likely be the best birthday I've had in years!

If you happen to be going to Godiva, and fancy meeting up, let me know. I'm the friendly sort, and a bit of company would be nice :)

In the meantime, here's what Mr Henshaw has been up to of late, and a few vids of Satsuma Elephants, Censored, Matt & Reggiimental, some interviews and stuff, just to keep you going. Some really good vids there, (love the old Censored ones) enjoy watching/listening and leave him a message/like or two. We wouldn't want him to feel neglected, would we? :)

http://matthenshaw11.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-actress-bishop-birmingham-setlist.html

http://www.youtube.com/user/ilsonowl

Enough of my rambling.

Get reading/watching.

See you at Godiva.

Lesley
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Thursday 20 June 2013

A survey...and an advert.

Just a quick question really... I'd like to get an idea if this is a feasible proposition, and who better to ask than you lot.

Would you be disposed to part with a quid for a white Satsuma Elephants rubber bracelet if you were at a gig and offered one?

Serious question as I'm looking into getting some done.

I've had some Satsuma Elephants t-shirts made, had one on for the gig (will post a pic of the ladies style tomorrow) - for the very reasonable price of £10 (inc post & packing) you could own one of these beauties too. Message me if you're interested.

Matt has kindly given me free reign with the merchandise, so if you've any suggestions as to what you'd like to see in the future, let me know and we'll see what can be done.

50% of any profit from these endeavours will be going to the band (Matt doesn't know this yet...my idea, not his) as a contribution to keeping them gigging, eating, living etc.

Anyway, let me know if either of those items above appeals.

Ta
Lesley
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Wednesday 19 June 2013

There And Back Again

Yesterday, I left home in Newcastle and travelled for five hours by coach to Nottingham. For one night. The purpose? To see Nottingham's finest new band play live in their first gig in their hometown for almost five years. Was it worth it?

HELL YES!

Picture the scene - a hot humid night, a multitude of cold drinks, a gloriously eclectic cafe-bar called Pepper Rocks in a little cul-de-sac in the middle of The Lace Quarter of Nottingham, a plethora of uber-talented musicality, and a very enthusiastic audience. In a nutshell, this music-lover's idea of heaven.

The first act to really grab my attention were Virginia Moon...beautiful bluesy/jazz /folk, with guitar &vocals to die for, and harmonies that will make you cry.  Don't take my word for it; find them here, www.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F74154545  - have a listen and decide for yourself. The appreciative crowd certainly enjoyed them. I suspect we'll be hearing a lot more from this duo...

The Satsuma Elephants were next, but more of that in moment. The act following them, Georgie How was also superb, and another one to watch out for, we'll certainly be hearing more from her, she's got an incredible voice, and I loved her.

Then came the reason I was there... the appearance of Satsuma Elephants. Wearing my very own Satsuma Elephants t-shirt (and having forgotten to take the spares I had had made I was the sole wearer of said item of apparel) I managed to get a prime viewing spot and waited with anticipation for Matt and Chris to begin. I was not disappointed. From the very first riff and drumbeats of '707' the room erupted into an explosion of rhythm and blew away any notion anyone may have had that this was going to be another folksy-type act, bringing those inside who had been sitting outside, making for a very decent-sized crowd.
Matt's vocals soared, Chris's drumbeats pounded, and the combination stirred the crowd into dancing mode. 'I Went On Holiday', 'Always In The Way', 'Creep Into The Night' and a guest appearance of Mr James Batchelor aka Jimmy B-Boy aka Reggiimental on the hauntingly beautiful 'Let Everything Go' (my personal favourite) ensured the audience were not kept wanting.
I have to say I sang along with every single word, turning around to watch the crowd's reaction to my two favourite people - the whole audience were looking suitably impressed, which pleases me immensely. The penultimate song was a new one to me; a country/blues vibe, slightly unexpected but an undiscovered treasure. 'A Hard Road Of Hope' is pure Matt Henshaw...soaring vocals and a crying guitar - what more could one ask for.
All too soon it was the final song, 'Yeah Yeah Yeah' - a hellishly good floor-stomper which went down very well, culminating in the loudest and most appreciative applause of the evening. Bearing in mind these two have only been playing together again since January, the sheer quality and talent of this duo shines through powerfully. They blew the place away.
I overheard a comment last night, one I meant to tell Matt about before I left, then promptly forgot when he presented me with my own satsuma elephant. It was this - "Bloody brilliant, they'll be big very soon.."
I heartily concur, my wise and learned friend. They will. And it's just what they deserve.

Thanks Matt, Chris, Charlie, Kirsty and Jimmy for the hugs, the music, the stickers, the satsumas and the company - it was an excellent night! Love you! See you again very soon... (and Charlie - I'm already sorting the tattoos lol)

So. Was it worth the ten hours of coach travel? YES!!!!

Would I do it all again? HELL YES !!!!

Am I doing it all again? WHAT DO YOU THINK!!!! ... :-D

Godiva. Coventry. 5-7th July. (my birthday weekend celebration)

And, possibly, Y-Not, Matlock, Derbyshire. 3rd August (if I can swing the time off work...)

See you there.

Lesley
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Monday 17 June 2013

This Tuesday I Shall Mostly Be...

...travelling to Nottingham once more. Yes, off we go again, but this time I shall be seeing Satsuma Elephants play live for the first time, and seeing Messrs Henshaw and Goring for the first time in about five years.

I have so missed doing this, the 'travelling to see my fave people' thing...

Pepper Rocks will be a damn good night, I hope (courtesy of my friend Alli) to have some rather brilliant pics to post, and maybe a small comment or two from the most excellent musical gentlemen!

If you're going, I'll see you there...I won't be hard to spot since I'll be wearing my Satsuma Elephants t-shirt. Should you not see that, just follow the sound of the Geordie accent ;) If you do spot/hear me, please say hi, I won't bite you... :)

If you're not going - why the hell not! You'd better have a damn good excuse, that's all I'm saying... ;)

See you tomorrow!

Les
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Monday 3 June 2013

From East to West...

I know I said the next post would be a review of the Pepper Rocks gig...I lied.

I have just booked travel and accommodation for Coventry.

I have been persuaded to get myself to Godiva festival on 6th July...where some certain people will be playing. I am most happy about this...not least because it's the day after my birthday.

So this is my birthday treat to myself.

Okay, done now.

As you were.

Les
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Just a little'un...

Hello you lot :)

Just a little'un to say I am off travelling again, back to the fair city of Nottingham, for one night only, on 18th of this month. Well, I have to. You see, there's this gig I have to be at.

18th June. Pepper Rocks. With Satsuma Elephants. And me rocking my own Satsuma Elephants t-shirt! I shall, of course, be taking pics, and blogging all about it afterwards. And should anyone want their own Satsuma Elephants T-shirt, well, that can be arranged for a modest fee. ;)

I am excited. That comment must rank as the understatement of the century!

It has been far too long since I last saw Matt & Chris, and I'm damned if I'll leave it any longer. So, off I go again.

Five hour journey there, five hour journey back the following day.

How's that for dedication :)

Just proves how good they are, doesn't it...either that or I'm completely barking mad! (which is a possibility, I grant you...) Or both.

Next blog will be a review of the gig :) With pics :)

Until then

Au revoir, mes amis. A bientot

Les
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