Chromefly’s Neighborhood

Hello,

Any of you who are familiar with London music venues, or having a good night out in West London will be familiar with the venue Ginglik.

Formally an underground gents toilet, the local government seems to have other plans for the site.

For all you Facebookers out there who are interested in saving this important venue there is this group you can join:

http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=532554330#/group.php?gid=35587928336

It gvies you email addresses to send messages of support and such, plus a couple of events to save the venue.

I wrote to the coucil folk stated in the group and put my best grown up voice on. Don't send some ranty message, just something stating why you think it's important for the venue to stay:

Hello council folk,

Apologies if these messages are becoming a pain, however I thought it would be important to highlight the importance of the Ginglik venue from both a music industry and local community perspective.

Working as a talent scout for a major label gets me to pretty much every venue in London. The Ginglik's accessibility to both emerging acts and promoters makes this an invaluable resource of new music to the local population and music industry. Also, it's placing means that many people from areas such as Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush have easy access to a solid grass-roots multicultural music venue. I do not no of one A&R person or artist who does not know the venue well. I also have many friends and colleagues who live in the surrounding area who are very concerned that the venue is under threat.

To remove this as a venue would further fence off live music to the areas of central, north and east London, remove yet another accessible venue for new and out of town acts and also remove a valuable asset that forms part of the area's cultural image. In the years I have lived in London I have seen local governments efforts to tidy up Shepherds Bush green and surrounding areas which have been noticed. However removing this important cultural centrepiece of Shepherds Bush Green would have a detrimental effect to both the area's image and micro economy.

kind regards

So be sure to join the group and let's see if we can save the venue! :-)

Hope all is well with you.

IB

Hello,

Apologies that I haven't been around for a while. I've been swamped in sorting out my new place and worrying about Visa's n such. All quite complicated but I think it's all heading in the right direction now.

I finally moved the rest of my stuff into the new place. Which is a huge load off my mind, and my brother's van. He volunteered to help me move again. Which I think is increadable after the last move. All involved, including bystanders, were left emotionally scarred by that experience.

The highlights of the move involved getting a punchbag set up and getting a sofa onto a roof, up a fire escape and having to take a door (and part of the frame) off. Luckily my brother is a joiner so he made a very quick job of it. Although my brother's first words on seeing what needed to be done was "I hate you" in his most deadpan voice, he still went through with it and carried shteloads. He explained afterwards that he's saving all these favours up for later on in life to ask one huge favour. I dread what it's going to be.

I'm now in the process of gradually whittling down my stuff as I have tonnes. But the room is useable, just.

Music highlights of the past couple of weeks included seeing the Cold War Kids. I've never had much interest in seeing them live but my girlfriend is a big fan and bribed a bouncer to get us in which I was well impressed with. I've also just found out that I'm heading to the Connect Festival which I'm really looking forward to. Mainly because Amplifico and Sparrow and the Workshop are playing. Both of whome are amazing.

Spent last night watching Richard Prior do standup with gf and friend who is visiting from the states. I'm quickly becoming a fan.

Anyhoo, apologies for the non-correspondence. If you've sent an email and had no response I am trying to get through them all. I have 500+ messages still to get through with more landing each day. Please don't send the "Hey, check me out messages" as that's what the A&R group is for. All it does is fill my messagebox.

Anyhow, I hope all is well with you and I will continue with regular posts again. Let me know what you're up to.

IB

"When was the last time you were at a wedding that had a death defying hike, rogue waves, a luau, ultimate fighting, a presidential candidate and a budding bromance?" asks Papi Chulo. For most of us, the answer is never, but luckily, Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch took the time to Vox all the amazing moments during their unforgettable Hawaiian wedding on 08.08.08 so we could all take part in the festivities.

The story began last February, when Papi Chulo popped the question and  Secret Agent Scotch said yes! Since then, they've kept us in the loop about all the details, from the bride's veil to the wedding song to the final To-Do List. And throughout it all, they inspired us with their love for each other. (I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than knowing your future husband thinks you are The Perfect Girl.)

It's an amazing love story and we are thrilled they shared it with us. Watch the video of the ceremony and please join us in wishing Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch the fairytale ending they deserve.

And What's a Team Vox Post without New Themes?

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Can't get enough of the wedding? A few lucky Voxers - Krissy, djchall, and Beau Smith - made the trip to Hawaii to take part in the celebration. Check out their Vox blogs for more pictures and stories.

Congratulations again to Secret Agent Scotch and Papi Chulo! Enjoy the Honeymoon!

~daisy 

Was having din din outside one of those lovely pubs near the Dublin Castle and heard my name being shouted from the corner.

Normally I try and hide at that point anticipating an ear-bashing from some disgruntled artist who, though my comment of "Nice, still early days, maybe more rehearsals?", wants to make it clear how pointless a human being I am. That actually happened once.

But no! It was Chris from the Lost Levels. They'd just played a set at the Dublin Castle which I'd unforgiveably forgotten about, even after my girlfriend reminded me, twice. I was too busy doing manly DIY things such as putting up shelves and errecting my punch bag. Luckily I had already agreed to go to the 93 Feet East gig which everyone should attend. Every time I see them their set develops another shiny coat of lushness. Visit their myspace now, make friends now and get their newly released single, er now.

Hope all is well in gigland.

IB

Hello,

How is things out there then?

I will finally be getting properly moved in the new place over the next week as the room is now free. Getting in there tonight to do a proper 'Changing Rooms' job on it. Without the masses of MDF or 'feature wall', or raving crazy person in crushed velvet jacket. There's a load of stuff I need to get rid of in there too. Such as:

One stack of pub bench cushions (about six foot long)
Several pairs of high heels (it was a guy that lived there?)
Two Gargoyles (don't ask)
One horrific red wardrobe.
Bars on the windows (handy in a fire?)
A smell (that needs to go first)

This time around I'm going to move in two shifts. Get a 'man with van' to move the essentials this weekend, clothes, PC etc. Then my brother is bringing his van down the week after for the move proper. I have to be a little more organised this time as my brother turned up and I was still packing stuff away. He's quite an understanding chap but the whole experience was quite wearing on all involved I think. Hopefully when he arrives it will be a simple case of, 'here's some boxes, lets move them from A to B'.

I must be becoming middle aged (I'm 28) as I really capitalise on any chance for a bit of DIY (and I use words like capitalise). Already I've decided that I'm going to fit shelves by the chimney breast, fit new locks and raise the bed off the ground so I can have storage underneath. Loser.

Went to the gym last night. Since I've moved I'm now really close to one, but it's a bit crap in comparison to the one I used to go to. No pool or anything. Nearly dropped a kettlebell on my face which was fun. Especially after a acted like a stroppy teenager when asked by a member of staff if I knew what I was doing beforehand.

I can always tell when I'm generally happy as I put on weight. I must be reeeeeealllly happy right now. Half a stone over two months happy to be precise. Plus I want to do another competition before the year is out so need to get into shape. Thing is, Snickers are just so good.

Was meant to have my work experience guy start today, except he's been offered a job at another major. Bastard. At least it shows I'm picking the right ones I guess. He's got a month before he starts so I may have him onboard for a while but not take him into the higher level meetings.

It's a bit scarey as I'm going to be passing on some of the techinques I use for 'Digital A&R'. The concept being I use research of acts and trends of what people are listening to in identifying new acts. I've never had to put any structure to it before. I just use different tools as I see necessary. Now I actually have to think about how I do my job. I;ve never done that before. Scarey.

I really am talking crap and just typing now, so it's time to move on and do something constructive.

Hope all is well with you.

IB

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Hello,

It seems I'm starting every post with an apology of lack of content. I'm still in the process of moving house stuff and sorting my office move out. It's been tough.

I also got surrounded by armed police this weekend, that was great fun. I was on a friend's roof when police appeared everywhere all of a sudden. Every roof top, including the one I was on. "Did you see a bloke run up and down this passage?!?"
"No" We replied.
"Can you see a white bag up there"
"Yep"
"Don't touch it!!! You got a ladder?"
"Yep".

The bag turned out to be some kind of firearm discarded by a nogooder chased down the passage sometime earlier. All exciting stuff.

I've been wandering around the venues near my flat and found that I'm starting to become an inverted snob as regards the clientelle.

I was at a gig recently where there was a stunningly brilliant band playing. I can't say which as it will give away where it was. But no one moved, everyone was immaculately dressed in the latest scenester fashion and at any one time, one third of the crowd wasn't watching the gig. They were looking around to see who else was there. The one person who did start dancing stopped periodically to make sure others were watching. I don't want to sound like some pureist w**ker but I was getting all high and mighty about it. My friend summed it up with "Well it's a room full of +1's innit?". Yep, all guestlist and no enthusiasm. I wont be going back to that one anytime soon. Really sad as it used to be a really good night.

Anyways, moving on. I woke this morning with a ringing in my ears, Tinitus. Again.

I had it for a couple of years when I was in a band and thought it was girly to wear earplugs until my hearing started to suffer and I had to go to a specialist about it. Luckily it went away and my hearing was left uneffected. I had to do wierd tests of pushing buttons when I could or couldn't hear different pitches. Was relived to hear there was no damage after a couple of months.

The Tinitus was because I went to the loudest gig I have been to in years last night. It was at the Rock n Roll Caberet night at The Dublin Castle. I went there to see Bang Bangs, not Kitty Bang Bang who was on the same bill. Very confusing. Rock n Roll Caberet is quickly establishing itself as a little pocket of top talent on a Sunday.

On the initial hearing, before my ears started to bleed, I was getting a real late 60's garage rock feel to what was going on. There was enough gain and top end to the guitars for me to feel like I was in a washing machine full of broken glass. As the set developed it went really post-punk with delay on the vocals and a performance-art feel to the set. I really enjoyed Matt Smith going angrily mental whilst singing. Veins popping out on the forehead and everything. As a front man he sits somewhere between Edward Tudor-Pole (in his prime, sorry Ed) and Alan Donohoe as I find it a bit theatrical rather than a genuine hissyfit. But a great spectacle nonetheless.

It would be really unfair for me to give a detailed appraisal of the songs as I really couldn't hear what was going on after a while. So I've turned to the myspace to recap and found a much neater, not-what-I-expected-on-the-myspace, sound. 'In Arms' is my personal highlight and I'd like to see it at a larger venue or somewhere my eyes don't feel like they're going to fall out due to the hemorage-inducing volume of the PA.

Have to mention this band simply because of the name TITS OF DEATH. Even writing the name now I'm giggling childishly to myself. I don't think they're any good, just love the name. Well. That's mean I guess. It's not my thing, see what you think. Discuss. 'Iron Nipples' is particularly good.

Hope all is well with you.

IB

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Helloo,

Yep, I dissappeared for a while. I'm in the process of moving both office and home at the moment, I think I'm a glutton for punishment.

Someone else is organising storage space around the office so I've had to be very creative with stuff under my desk. I never liked putting my feet under the desk anyway.

High Street Kensington seems like a nice enough place, lots of shops and the like. Plenty of eateries which is all I care about.

My new work phone scares me as it resembles a car dashboard with satnav. Luckily I don't use the landline very often, only to accept calls and I think I've worked that out. Hopefully.

The new house I've moved to is a mouse-infested dive, poorly mainted and a bit smelly but I love it as it's in the centre of Camden and I can know get anyway in a short amount of time. I'm in the process of making it proper nice, painting, disinfecting etc etc.

Music-wise there's been so much going on I can't really keep track of what I've done. Caught up with The Chapman Family last week. They'd just finished recording a Radio1 session at Maida Vale. Momentum is really building for them now and I need to decide on what my stance is as regards what they're doing. I think it's fantastic and love what I see live, but I wonder if it's too left of centre for a major?

It's an annoying fact but worth considering, if I love a band for whatever reason I have to think of they're capacity to generate revenue. 40k units for a major wouldn't be considered a hit but if a smaller label shifted that amount it would be considered a big success by them.

Currently I like what they've got recorded as I know how it turns out live, so I have a pre conception when listening to their music. However, someone who knows nothing about the band, having a listen may not win them over as it could be a bit inaccessable. Saying that, I've heard some new mixes of existing material which I hope will edge them further towards the mainstream.

I came accross Cats and Cats and Cats last week through the myspace page (soon to be developed and intergrated into the existing platform). I always like listening to something a bit different in the way of 'band-based' music. Ie, not something that sounds like a low-calorie Libertines or 8bit Killers. The first act that springs to mind on listening to is 70's prog-rockers The Nice, except they don't have an organ, or Keith Emmerson. But apart from that, they're very similar...?....:-s

I think it's Ben George's vocal that feeds that idea into my head. I like the fact they can create a large, grandiose sound without cliche reverb and bizarre extended intro's. A very English-upbeat Sigur Ros or Arcade Fire perhaps? Hypnotic layers of melody and the relentless stopstart drums from Doug Jenkins make for quite emmersive and engaging tracks. I'm really interested to see what they're like live. Once I get a night going again maybe I can get a booking out of them.

Other than that all is pretty good in the world over here. Let me know what's happening with you.

Hope all is well with you.

IB

Although we typically post on Team Vox to let you know about things that are going on with Vox (to, uh, state the obvious), once in a while, we like to let you know about other cool things that are happening around the blogosphere. And we think the idea of four hilarious mommy bloggers traveling across the U.S. on their way to the BlogHer '08 conference - all the while blogging and video blogging the journey - is one trip you will not want to miss.

Four adventurous bloggers from the Silicon Valley Moms Group were selected to participate in the Summer Road Trip '08 and blog about their travels, hotel stays, media appearances, time away from their families, and life on the road. Six Apart helped them partner up with General Motors, who provided the blogging mommies with a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV to help make their journey comfy, safe, and a little more green.

In case you're not familiar with them, SV Moms is a group of over 200 bloggers who showcase the ups, downs, outrages, struggles, victories, and everyday humor of motherhood. There are currently nine regional and demographically tailored sites that give mothers from D.C., New Jersey, the Deep South, Rocky Mountains, L.A., and Silicon Valley a powerful voice and sense of camaraderie across the country. Whether you're a mother, a child, or just a person who enjoys a good blog, you'll really love reading the words of these amazing women.

The moms buckled into their Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV on July 11th and even got an encouraging message from Katie Couric to kick things off! They are currently somewhere in the middle of America making their way to San Francisco where they'll attend an SV Moms Group Party, as well as BlogHer '08.

You do not want to miss these entertaining and irreverent bloggers -- or their spontaneous contest giveaways! -- as they blog from the road. Experience the journey at MomRoadTrip.com.

And let us know about your summer road trip - or plane/boat/bus trip - in the comments! (I like to live vicariously.)

~daisy