Marid Gras at Pop Brixton Saturday 25th February

edited January 2017 in Live music
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Delighted to have been asked to play at this by headliners 7Suns following our joint gig with them back in December.
So, following what was supposed to be that one-off 20 year reunion gig for "The Rhythm Method", it looks like some sort of momentum is developing.
Details of this jazzy, funky, Latiny, Afro-funky event at uber-cool venue Pop Brixton TBC...! (My lot will be on in the afternoon I would imagine.)

Comments

  • That's pretty cool :-c
  • edited January 2017
    cj66 said:

    That's pretty cool :-c

    Thanks.
    I'm certainly feeling proud and excited and grateful about it. All those feelings are insisting it's pretty cool. :-)
    Obviously I couldn't admit to that. That would be uncool.
    And, I'm highly cautious about believing whatever it is that my feelings seem to be insisting about the world at any given moment!
  • We're on 5.30 - 6.30.
    Have been working through technical needs (number of mics, stage placing, etc.,...) with the event organiser today. The whole thing seems very well organised. :-)
  • You're feeling in safe hands then. And pretty chuffed to be part of the day by the sounds of it. Really excited for you, Doc! Video on Chews after the event please!!
  • edited February 2017
    It is reassuring that the organisation of the event seems to be acknowledging the reality of the needs of the bands involved.
    The number of times in the past we turned up at a venue for a gig and the sound man (usually a scruffy, late-middle-aged, jaded, out-of-shape, deaf in one ear, hifi-forum type of guy, in a late 70s rock-band T-shirt) looked blankly at us and mumbled "Oh, no-one told me there were 10 of you...And a horn section and percussionist and backing vocals as well as the lead vocalist...? So this one microphone and 4 channel mixer might not be enough then...?"
    Yes. This feels like a safer pair of hands. :-) Who knows, maybe the sound engineer next Saturday will have some hearing in both ears. ;-)
  • An impressive combo you Rhythm Methoders! No wonder past sound engineers have been a bit unprepared for ya!
    But, come on, you don't 'alf expect the world on a stick! You'll be wanting all the yellow MnMs removed in the green room next.
  • I was unaware you'd met Anna.
  • How are you feeling about it, a week before? Also...how on earth do you far flung guys and gals rehearse ??
  • Good questions.
    Feeling focussed. A sense of purpose always galvanises my being.
    And a sense of excited anticipation too - I hope to enjoy the gig.
    Also intrigued. We are without our usual trumpet player (he lives in Spain these days), and have recruited a suprano sax from 7Suns to fill in. She's very good, and following some horn section sessionals will be fine with her parts, I'm sure. We've also written a new song which will get it's first outing. Always intriguing to see how a new song behaves in public. And what the public think of it!
    Reasonably confident. I think I'm on top of all my parts. Being the biggest show-off in the band, I appear to have become the de-facto between-songs front man. I enjoy this more than I feel the additional pressure, so that aspect is more confidence-boosting than it is confidence-sapping.
    Some apprehension. The last gig was a great experience (everything came together (generally that is, as opposed to specifically musically)), I can't be completely sure this will be the same positive socio-emotional experience.
    Additionally feeling self-conscious. The Scotland v Wales game is on earlier in the afternoon. I want to catch as much of it as I can, and am worried about being seen as being a dick about it.
    Regarding rehearsals... it's always a challenge with this many people. But yes, you're right, the geographical scattering makes whole-band rehearsals very tricky. So there's a lot of variety in how we rehearse. We have a whole-band rehearsal next Thursday evening. 6 or 7 of the guys got together in London for a practice about 10 days ago (I facetimed in from Glaws). Last month I had a writing session with the guitarist and the singer. Next Tuesday the horns are meeting up. We all practice along individually to recordings.
  • This all sounds like it's beautifully on track. The biggest issue you seem to have is that it all went so well last time that this time might not live up to it. :-) Because, tbh, I don't think you need to worry about what the others are thinking when it comes to the game. After all, they've known you a long time, so they've probably pretty much worked out by now that you're a dick
     ;-D  Nah, seriously, it's tricky when 2 passions collide. 

    The rehearsal system sounds inventive. And I suppose you have to be with that number of musicians. I wonder how many other bands work this way now. I suppose especially with improvements in audio quality on devices. 

    Anyway, really hope you enjoy the craic. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.
  • Thank you.
    And yes, as ever, concerns about inclusion and reputation predominate the human condition! ;-)
    You're right too about a fear of disappointment / anticlimax / downward-slope.
    Rationally tho, I know that it'll be fine (at worst).
  • "Somone" who was "in the Brixton area" spotted this yesterday.

    And a slight change to timings We ("The Rhythm Method") will be on 5pm - 6pm.

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  • How did rehearsals go??
  • edited February 2017
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    And we played a bit too.
    Went really well actually. Felt like we moved on from last time (rather than back to square one). Tighter and more dynamic. Which always makes me feel satisfied and confident. :-)
  • Thanks for asking. :-)
  • Excellent. Roll on show time then :-)
  • edited February 2017
    ...Well, it was some event!

    Great day out all round. I was there from about midday to midnight, with a short break for the rugby, and hugely enjoyed myself start to finish. Incredible music, food, booze, atmosphere.

    From a performance point of view, the size of venue, professionalism or organisation and standard of bands was a little intimidating. Apparently even Idris Elba was in the crowd somewhere...
    Biggest thing we've ever played at by some margin.

    In response to Suzy's request for a couple of vids...
    Here's some brief footage of us half way through the Message shot from someone on one of the balconies, just to give a sense of scale (Yes, I know, people shooting in portrait view...FFS).

    A bit more close up (this is usually our closing number, nice cheesy 12 bar with loads of OTT solos. :-) )

    And what does Glyn mean before he introduces my bass solo? "far too much chat...?" (verbose? moi...?)

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    (I think here I was explaining to the crowd why Audiochews is the best forum (Rich' on bass duties for that one.))

    BTW there was a push for a 80s track-suit dress code for the gig. Only me, Bim (soprano), Piers (percussion) and David (drums) followed it!
  • I wish we'd made it. Looks like it was a good gig.
  • Thanks Dave.
    Maybe next year... ;-)
  • Goodness, a venue big enough for balconies, and full by the looks of things too. Vids seem to indicate you didn't let the intimidation factor get to you too much.
    Fab work, Rhythm Method all! And thanks for sharing videos.
    btw, don't think you're fooling anyone with that 80s dress code comment ;-)
  • Docfoster said:
    Thanks Dave.
    Maybe next year... ;-)
    I'll be expecting Glasto next year!
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