For me, last Friday has become ‘unsigned Friday’.

In the morning we held meetings about a compilation CD full of unsigned artists, the evening’s task was judging five unsigned bands in the ‘Southampton Takedown’ at the Talking Heads and between those events I was invited to present a radio show on a national DAB station that only plays unsigned music.

The winners of ‘Southampton Takedown’ were ‘Plastic Toys‘ and they’ll now be supporting ‘YouMeAtSix’ when they play The Salisbury Takedown on July 26^th.

‘Plastic Toys’ narrowly beat deep grunge rockers ‘Burn The Fleet‘ who win the unofficial runners-up prize of an acoustic set at ‘Showcase UK’ in the Soul Cellar on Monday 20^th.

Meanwhile the CD is a collaboration between ‘Showcase UK‘ and ‘Angry Badger Records‘ and titled “Showcase Sett“.

Julian Aplin’s label is fast becoming a feature in the South’s music scene and this album will give 16 acts from Southampton and Portsmouth a great boost.

We’re also using Southampton artists for the cover and sleeve design and with one glimpse you’ll understand why the first collection is called ‘Propeller‘.

It’s released on Saturday 1^st August with a four band show at the Soul Cellar featuring ‘Dlugokecki‘, ‘The Queue‘, ‘Moody Tuesday‘ & ‘Thinking For Tuesday‘.

And finally the radio station is ‘Amazing Radio‘ which I believe is going to shake up both the radio and music industries.

It’s a great thrill and honour to be asked to join them and I’ll only be playing music from the South coast.

First published in the Daily Echo, Friday 10th July www.dailyecho.co.uk/leisure/music/news/4486773./

Houses of Parliament

The justified anger about MP’s expenses has led many people to demand that something must be done about the government.

But have you noticed that in times of stress and frustration with politicians we blame ‘the’ government? It’s almost seen a foreign entity that prods and pokes us in a most irritating manner. It’s blamed for almost everything yet we forget it is ‘our’ government.

We vote them into the House of Commons to spend ‘our’ money and so we are not only responsible for who takes charge of this country, but we also give them the funds to keep it going.

It is time to reclaim ‘our’ government and demand that ‘it’ work for ‘us’.

But we should not go down the route suggested by Lord Tebbit. (Boycott big parties, says Tebbit) He’s calling for people to demonstrate their anger by voting for minority parties at the forthcoming European elections and thereby give the main parties a “right kicking” (my words not his).

It’s difficult to see how this childish idea will help those in the real world and, when you remember that Lord Tebbit is unelected and can not be voted out, you wonder if a serious political, if not physical, revolution is required to get ‘our’ government back into ‘our’ hands.

However we, the voters, have to undergo our own mental revolution. We have to remember that pressure can be easily put on MPs by writing letters, sending emails, going to meetings and speaking out: telling the elected exactly how the electorate feel.

We also have to remember that voting is a privilege which was won by many brave and determined people in our past. As they say: “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.”

National apathy about politics has put us in this position and voting for minority parties, parties who are mainly concerned with single issues, will not make the situation any better.

We need the party system to disappear and a solution to this awful mess found without Labour or the Conservatives receiving beneficial spin from their actions or proposals.

A possible option could be a Government of National Unity.

It was suggested as a fantasy idea by Michael White when the financial crisis took hold in 2008. (Financial crisis may lead to government of national unity) and would mean that MPs work together for a common cause.

Seeing as Members of Parliament are so discredited, it could be the stop-gap that gives us an opportunity to reclaim “our government”.

They’ve just had a fantastic week in America and provided us with an excellent account of the amazing New York visit and then South by Southwest support of the Proclaimers in Austin, Texas.

For their manager Mark “Smutz” Smith the trip ticked every box: “The band really raised their game and, in wealth of experience alone, it was worth every penny.”

Experiences like the gig they performed in Harlem, New York, for which their fee was bar tips; a midnight photo shoot on the Empire State; or meeting the fans they’ve met through myspace.

Of course hanging out with the Proclaimers was pure joy and meeting members of the New York Dolls, Graham Coxon from Blur and a variety of music industry contacts has everyone wanting more.

For Mark the hard work continues with following up all the leads but if even half come off then we could see the band touring and being published in various parts of the world plus gigging again in New York.

There is so much more in the blog but my favourite part is when they are having fun in the back of a taxi.

A truck pulls up alongside, the driver winds down his window and says: “First time out west?” The band reply “Yeah” and the trucker puffs on his cigar and says; “You can tell!”

Read more at myspace.com/dlugokecki

First published by the Southern Daily Echo 27th March 2009

Two satellites have collided in space (first time ever) and also a pair of nuclear submarines have ‘touched’ mid-Atlantic (equally rare).

No doubt these two incidents have been demonstrations of a dastardly device created by an ‘evil one’ (possibly Dr Collido) just to prove how she, or he, can control our best machinery and make it look, well, stupid.

So if Big Ben strikes twice at one o’clock then no doubt our leaders will have given in the demands of the deranged Dr Collido.

And if, dear Hollywood, this scenario is too simplistic for our cinema goers, why not add a twist of science fiction with meteors flying over Sweden and Texas as seen below.

We could call the film: “Dr Collido’s Moon Threat”

Sweden

Texas

This picture was originally printed by Norwegian newspaper Harstad Tidende and the others from places like Miami. Costa Rica and Pakistan.

The pictures show a bright object in the sky which some say “looks as big as a tennis ball in comparison with adjacent stars.” You can seen the full set here

The background to this story is fascinating as well as deep but if you are new to this story then here is a brief summary:

Share International’s editor Benjamin Creme says we are about to see the Emergence of Maitreya, a World Teacher, who can guide us to a much better future than the one we are on course for.

Although Creme has been preparing the way for the past thirty years there hasn’t been a right moment for Maitreya to appear.

However thanks to the global financial crisis, and its serious implications to everyone on the planet, now is the time.

And to mark the start of Maitreya’s Emergence it was announced by Share International at the end of 2008 that:

“In the very near future a large, bright star will appear in the sky visible to all throughout the world – night and day.”

Well they couldn’t have picked a better or worse time.

The good news is that 2009 is the Year of Astronomy, marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first peak through a telescope, so no doubt many eyes will be looking up at the celestial wonders above us.

However the bad news is that Venus is resplendent at the moment and, to be honest, it has fooled me on a number of occasions. (I have found the Neave Planetarium invaluable if I am unsure as to what star or planet is putting on a display).

This planet has also sparked wild debate on the Internet and where you find someone discussing a strange star in the sky you’ll also find someone pointing to Venus.
When I last looked the thread “STRANGE VERY BRIGHT STAR LIKE THING” at www.godlikeproductions.com it had run to almost 70 pages of discussion, insult and argument.

However in that forum this video was posted (you’ll find more here)

The next event to look out for is Maitreya’s first interview which will be on American television. In the Jan/Feb edition of Share international, Benjamin Creme’s Master writes:

“On that open, public occasion, still unannounced as Maitreya, the World Teacher will present His views on the economic and financial chaos which now grips the world. He will explain its origins and final outcome, and present, to some extent, His recipe for amelioration of the present heavy burden on the poor of the world. Thus He will prepare the way for a more detailed and specific announcement of His ideas.

How will viewers respond? They will not know His background or status. Will they listen to and consider His words? It is too soon to know exactly but the following may be said: Never before will they have seen or heard Maitreya speak. Nor, while listening, will they have experienced His unique energy, heart to heart. Also, this is a unique time in history with whole nations stunned and apprehensive for the future. Therefore it can be assumed that many who hear His words will be open and eager to hear more.”

Exciting times! You can read more here:
http://www.shareintl.org/magazine/old_issues/2009/2009-01.htm

Their solution is getting up early and working from 5 to 7am.

My father wrote his book in the early hours, I’m sitting here in a similar fashion and my friend Carla White has recently used this two hour slot of peace and quiet to create an application.

It’s called “Gratitude!“: a personal gratitude journal for the iPhone.

Unfortunately I don’t possess one of these sexy devices so can’t vouch for her creation but Carla is a great coder and, as we are informal members of the 5am club, I feel obliged to point you to her direction.

happytapper.com

or download it from iTunes

No – New Coal
No – Heathrow / Aviation expansion
No to Agrofuels

Yes to renewable energy, energy efficiency, low carbon transport, deep and rapid emission cuts, green jobs.

The National Climate march is going to be a big mobilisation of people concerned about our climate. There is a meeting on 4th October 2008 in London to plan for the demo as well as the year ahead.

Venue: Room G2 in SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London. SOAS is off Thornhaugh street, off Russel Square – otherwise approachable from the other side from Malet street.

Nearest tube : Russel Square. G2 is in the main building where the Students Union is, up the stairs from the central courtyard.

Date and Time: London, Saturday 4th October, 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

The meeting is organized by the Campaign Against Climate Change who announced in a recent email:

“The National Climate March on December 6th is also part of a Global Day of Action on climate – last year more than 70 countries were involved. Help us build this international campaign still bigger- both for the Poznan Climate Talks this year and the all important Copenhagen 2009 Talks next year.

As well as joining other countries around the world to demand urgent action and climate justice from world leaders the National Climate March will be pushing 3 major issue/demands to the government

No New Coal

No Heathrow / Aviation expansion

No to Agrofuels

While these negatives are balanced by a positive

Yes to renewable energy, energy efficiency, low carbon transport, deep and rapid emission cuts, green jobs…”

http://www.campaigncc.org/

It’s called Freecycling and these are the groups of people currently doing it in the south’s main towns – there are many others

Winchester – 3305 active members
Southampton – 9419 active members
Portsmouth – 3685 active members
Isle of Wight – 1904 active members
Bournemouth – 6472 active members

The above are main centres we’ve picked out but there are many other groups who could be much closer to you for example:

New Forest East – 1634 active members
Fareham – 1449 active members
Wimborne Minster – 754 active members
http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK

As they say…
“Freecycle groups match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them.

Everything posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages. When you want to OFFER something – whether it’s a chair, fax machine, piano or an old door, simply send an email to your group.

Maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself? Post a WANTED message and a group member may just have what you’re looking for. Alert the group with a follow-up RECEIVED email.”

There is one couplet from that song which will always stick with me:

Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief
All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief

I wonder if Bono gave himself a large pat on the back upon completing those words because in my opinion it’s one of the best observations put into song.

The full set of lyrics can be read on a web site dedicated to U2 – u2wanderer – it is a joy to use this web site for the layout, content and no pop-ups.

I wasn’t able to see it all but the moments I witnessed gave one hope for the future of mankind. The colour, the precision, the costumes and what a finale! It honestly brought a tear to my eye.

But what really irritated me was the commentators on the BBC broadcast. They couldn’t stop talking. They couldn’t let the action speak for itself. All sorts of scraps trivia were delivered.

It was like being at the cinema and having a couple chatting about production techniques during the whole film.

The moment I cracked was during the pianist Lang Lang’s performance and the presenters continued wittering away about banal and inane things.

I telephoned the BBC to complain but the line was busy so maybe others felt the same. I’ll let you know if my e-mail gets a response.

However should anyone ask you to commentate on such a spectacular event in the future, this handy quote from Confucius should be kept for future reference:

“Silence is the true friend that never betrays.”