My 2011 was largely positive. Strewn with the occasional low point, but then it would be unrealistic of anyone to deny that they occur to them, too. I have done plenty that's made me faintly proud, and weathered the storms in a relatively upbeat manner. One of the things I've loved about the last year has been the music. Not just me writing songs & getting to play them on a handful of stages, or recording them, or talking to you on YouTube, but also the music that people have released, which has hit me in the heart & buried itself there. There has been a lot with which I have fallen in love, and it's as if all my favourite musicians have clubbed together & vowed to release music this year. I would like to take a moment to share with you some of the music & events that have lit 2011 up for me.
So here we are, in chronological order, with videos where appropriate.
So here we are, in chronological order, with videos where appropriate.
January
I was contacted by Paul, a friend of mine, who'd pointed a local radio station my way, as they were in need of someone to do an acoustic session on their music programme. Only six months previously, I had dipped my toes back into the music scene, having taken a long break. I accepted and, in the run-up to the broadcast, set up a music page on Facebook, uploaded a handful of old mp3s, and set about making myself look like I meant business.
The interview was a revelation, largely because it had been a very long time since I had talked about why I write and perform, or any of the processes involved, and I was thrilled & excited to be on and airing some new songs & an oldie. I left the radio station with renewed vigour & a fire re-lit in the pit of my stomach.
Shortly after this, I supported Seers (again, pointed my way by my friend Paul) in The Black Swan in Leek, and after a jolly gig - in which one of the blokes at the bar told me that "Imagine If We Fell In Love" was a beautiful song, but when I sing with my eyes shut, I look like Beaker from The Muppet Show - I managed to make the evening more memorable by missing the last bus out of Leek & having the charge in my phone battery run out, resulting in a long walk at 1.00am, until I staggered into a local casino, the receptionist of which allowed me to call a friend who had been checking I was ok til my phone died. What an adventure!
A week or two after this, The Decemberists released 'The King Is Dead'. Their previous album, 'The Hazards Of Love' had been a long, complex rock-opera, and 'The King Is Dead' was a return to relative simplicity. A marvellous album, brief, sweet & stomping by turns.
February
One of the bigger influences upon my music, and how I approach writing and recording is Bright Eyes. Introduced to me by my best friend Mike, listening to Bright Eyes was revelatory. The expression of the deeper, darker emotions has always been as important as the good and the hopeful, and any music deemed to be depressing is never truly that, because in the midst of it all, the song has a core of optimism, that things will be better. And Bright Eyes released 'The People's Key', which got better with each consecutive listen, as a running thread of Denny Brewer (who had produced an album with Bright Eyes' singer & songwriter Conor Oberst previously, and who has some odd and also genuinely nice views on the world) talking about the beginnings of life and how to continue.
Also released was Lykke Li's 'Wounded Rhymes'. An odd yet gloriously atmospheric album, with varying styles of song, although all songs have an reverb which give them a slightly distant/bleak feel. Again, recommended by Mike.
My friend Matt Tyrer has always wanted to group a bunch of people together to perform 'The Mariner's Revenge' by The Decemberists, and this month he, Ed Moseley, Romas Masteika (all three are from Dead Radio Society), Dan Elphick, Victoria Bailey and I did just that. We learned 'Rox In The Box' from 'The King Is Dead', and also one of my songs and one of Dead Radio Society's songs, and called ourselves 'Misanthropic Bell-Ringers Anonymous'. It was fun!
My nephew was born in February, and all of a sudden my little sister has a son. He's a lovely little boy and it continues to surprise me how much he grows when I see him.
March
In early March, Matt Tyrer, Ed Moseley and I went to the HMV Institute in Birmingham, to see The Decemberists on their tour for 'The King Is Dead'. A great show with humour and bazukis. They also rounded the night off with 'The Mariner's Revenge', and the three of us watched with interest & couldn't help but compare notes to how we had done it a couple of weeks previously. And I sang my harmony line.
(I realise this isn't a video from the show we went to, but I couldn't find one)
(I realise this isn't a video from the show we went to, but I couldn't find one)
March is also the month I set up my Twitter account. I had resisted this up to now, but was finally feeling like I was missing something - a way to point a broader audience to the music I make. I was right, more people listen to my songs now than they ever did two years ago, and more than that - something I wasn't expecting - I have made some lovely friends and been introduced to people who have come to mean a great deal. I'm not kidding when I say being on Twitter has had quite an effect on me.
I also knocked http://www.wix.com/mrjohnmacleod/music together.
April
Nothing much seems to have happened here, so I'll move straight onto...
May
At the beginning of May, I supported MEME, a band who were playing their first gig in a pub called The Musician, in Stoke-on-Trent. MEME share a bassist with Seers in Mark Bayliss, which is how I came to be recommended, and it was a great night. Mike came with me to take in some tuneage, and MEME were foot-stompingly good. My set was largely uneventful, right up until the last song, when three drunks staggered in and, in turn, tried to ask that I play Michael Jackson's 'Man In The Mirror' for a recently divorced friend, took the microphone off me to sing something unintelligible, and loudly boo me because I wouldn't play any Richard Ashcroft.
My Twitter escapades continued on apace, then at the end of the month I had three consecutive days of musical japery. On the 27th I was a guest with my friends' band 'Our Mutual Friend', who had learned 'Dirty Badger' especially (this was fun, I hadn't played electric guitar onstage for ages - although lack of plug sockets meant that I had to operate my guitar pedals from on top of my amp - that was tricky).
On the 28th I returned to Leek for the music festival, which was holding a busking competition and I spent a merry hour outside Boots, playing whatever songs came into my head. After two minutes getting heavily rained on, I encouraged a smile from a passer-by by playing Crowded House's 'Weather With You'.
The following day I went to de.bee's in Winsford, for a charity event. MEME were also playing, so we all travelled together. It was a lovely day, we all had fun, although there was initial concern when a glance at the running order saw my name with a question mark next to it. I ended up cutting my half hour set down to three songs, as the apparent course of action was to trim down on the solo acoustic guy, but it was a good night and it's a lovely venue.
That weekend, Gemma Hayes released 'Let It Break' - her fourth studio album. It's beautiful, quite simply. Lots of interesting harmony work and full of pace. The standout track for me on this album is 'Keep Running', a song which just aches. Gemma is another of those artists who has really influenced the way I write & record, the layering of vocals & guitars has always fascinated me.
June
Nerina Pallot's fourth album, 'Year Of The Wolf' was originally slated to be out at the same time as Gemma Hayes', but there was a two-week delay, and instead it came out the same week as Emmy The Great's second album, 'Virtue'.
'Virtue', an album written as Emmy tried to deal with and make sense of her fiance's sudden turn to Christianity, resulting in him breaking off their engagement. A superb set of dramatic, at times moody, but always beautiful songs, excellently arranged and benefitting from Emmy's songwriting and delivery.
I had been looking forward to Nerina Pallot's album for a while, and when it arrived, I put it straight on the stereo. I had recently had something of an epiphany about my life & circumstances and was hitting a sort of resolve, and as such was a bit emotional and thoughtful. Also - I have found that as Nerina continues to write songs, each one has the power to move me, whether it be an upbeat song, full of joie de vivre, or a quiet, introspective piece. So from beginning to end of my first listen to 'Year Of The Wolf', I was reaching for hankies and dabbing my eyes, and deciding it was best to wait a bit before thinking about dinner, as I was crying a bit too much. Especially by the time we got to 'Grace'.
What else was out? Well, Bon Iver's self-titled album was out in June, but I didn't hear it until November. Regardless, it's one of the most original albums I've heard, along with Lykke Li. There's a warm, distant, bleakly beautiful quality to this record, and it's spent a long time on repeat in the house. I love it.
And then Liam Finn released 'FOMO'! Short for 'Fear Of Missing Out', this takes the raucous, fantastic energy - not to mention the softer side - of his first album 'I'll Be Lightning', and harnesses it, refines it, and makes it into a worthy follow-up to his debut. Highlights for me are 'Reckless' and 'Jump Your Bones'.
July
A big month.
First up, Bright Eyes' tour brings him to the UK and, specifically, Manchester Academy. I travelled across that day and walked around the city - it's my favourite city - getting my bearings from the hotel to the venue and back, then staying in my hotel room half an hour too long & transforming what was going to be a saunter into a mad dash. It was in the middle of a hot spell in the UK and so was gloriously warm. Bright Eyes were amazing - more amazing than I thought they would be - and I left Academy 1 just bowled over. The energy, the occasional flashes of wit, and the amount of songs played - it was a hell of a night. I travelled home from Manchester the following day, energised.
At the end of the month, my friends Matt & Sarah got married. Matt is MEME's frontman, and we all met that night at The Musician. At de.bees, they asked if I would play some songs at their wedding, to which I gladly said yes. Imagine my embarrassment on the day, when as all the guests were arriving, I was still trying to figure out how the PA system worked and frantically plugging and unplugging things, praying that I could start playing soon, and stop looking like a sweaty panicking man. The wedding was a beautiful day with perfect weather & good company. My personal highlight of my gig was people encouraging children to dance to 'I've Still Got your Blood On My Curtains'. Bonkers.
The day after, I supported Our Mutual Friend. They had hired the Artrix Theatre in Bromsgrove, their hometown, and this remains my favourite gig that I've played. A 300-seat theatre, people sitting down, listening to what's happening, sound technicians, lighting rigs. I was in heaven. It was nice to pitch a set at precisely my level, without battling to be heard, and everything I said between songs was just spoken. I usually have to shout a bit. I skipped off stage, practically. Happiest night.
August
Similar to April, except I started using YouTube, and began a series of Q&A videos called John MacLeod Speaks To The Internet. I also entered a competition set by Nerina Pallot to be a support act for the London date of her tour. It was exciting, the first time I'd done something like it, and Nerina was kind enough to leave a comment on the videos that entered the competition.
Also, this hit the Internet and everyone got a bit excited over it. It is a beautiful song, and so I include Lana Del Rey's 'Video Games'. Looking forward to seeing what the album brings this year.
Also, this hit the Internet and everyone got a bit excited over it. It is a beautiful song, and so I include Lana Del Rey's 'Video Games'. Looking forward to seeing what the album brings this year.
September
Neil Finn releases the album he made with his wife, Sharon, under the guise Pajama Club. A fresh, exciting and new sound for Finn, which makes you wish they had discovered they had this musical chemistry sooner. Interesting stuff from start to finish, and you can see how much a change of direction suits him, and Neil & Sharon suit each other so well in this.
I also made a second appearance on Moorlands FM, chatting about what I'd been up to, my thoughts on songwriting, and the presenter also went through some of my back catalogue during the chat, which was a new (and fun) experience. I then played three songs, the introduction to one of them was marred slightly by the sound of my other guitar sliding off its rest and crashing to the floor.
The following weekend I recorded one of my songs, Ether Halo, which I'd written earlier in the year for a friend I'd made on Twitter. A small video now exists for it, which I uploaded to YouTube:
October
On the last day of decent weather that the UK was to see for the year, I went to see Nerina Pallot play at the Manchester Academy 2. A brilliant gig, it felt more like a gathering of friends at a party. There was such an atmosphere of goodwill in the room, and Nerina aids this by being a champion of between-song banter. There are not many who excel at this to the same degree, and we were treated to insights into songs and musings on what it is to be a student (it was Fresher's Week, which was amusing because the day I came to see Bright Eyes, it was Graduation Day). I got to say hello to Nerina afterwards, and also made new friends. It was magic & a happy evening. It was also the last day this year I walked anywhere at night without a coat or a jacket.
Two weeks later, Dead Radio Society released their first EP, 'Plan Z', and held a launch party at The Rigger, where they played the EP in its entirety, then played a slew of songs that are yet to be released. They have so much good material, in such a variety of styles (as do Our Mutual Friend), that they are a great band to watch. I supported them with a 40-minute acoustic set, and was dead chuffed to be a part of the evening.
(This video was made a few weeks later at Fat Cats in Hanley)
November
I had a nice couple of gigs this month, the first being at Verve Bar in Leeds - the first time I've visited the city - on a music evening hosted by Hayley Gaftarnick, an amazingly talented musician with a fantastic voice, one of whose songs has been floating in & out of my subconscious ever since. I enjoyed the sets of the musicians who played that night, High Hollers and the duo Gerry Cooper & Phil Snell, really good stomping blues & bluegrass. I had fun playing my set too, managed to orchestrate a singalong of Crowded House's 'Fall At Your Feet', and rouse those present with my own songs, too. Then got lost on the way back to my hotel in slatting rain (this is a habit for me).
Three days later I played in a pub in my own town, The Old Brown Jug, support Headsticks & Dirty Money No.5. Having got a near-perfect setlist on the go in Leeds, I was able to give it a tweak & make it even better. I have lived in this town all my life & never had chance to play in this pub, so it was a treat to do so.
Nothing was released in November that I heard & loved, although it was during my trip to Leeds that I picked up 'Bon Iver' from Jumbo Records in the St. Johns Shopping Centre, and so here is a piece from it.
December
December slowed me down. I am surprised by how much it did it this year, but my impetus & forward motion just sort of stopped. I didn't even tweet as much. Mad, eh? One CD was released in December that got me, an EP by Nerina Pallot called 'Yes, December'. Five songs, including a cover of 'Last Christmas' which I can listen to. The original winds me up, something about the sound of those drums, and it just bugs me. That's not all that there is to be commended on the EP, the new songs are top drawer, and 'Lot Like Heaven' is on my learn-to-play list, while 'Two Figures In The Snow' blew me away. A nice last release to hear before the New Year begins!
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It should be noted that throughout all this, I regularly attended Bearfoot's hosting of the open mic night at The Rigger, and the Folk Club at Keele University, hosted by Dan Elphick. These music nights have been wonderful & welcoming to play at, despite my occasional frustrations at what pub crowds can often be, and I am extremely glad & thankful that nights like this exist. Thank you to all concerned for putting them on.
So there it is, my year in music. I hope you've enjoyed reading, and if you've had time to watch the videos, I hope you've heard something you really like. I hope 2012 is every bit as exciting in musical terms, both for me and for the people to whom I love listening. There are amazing musicians and singers and bands out there, people who didn't release anything (or that I just haven't heard yet) this year and therefore didn't make it on the list. People like Cathy Davey, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Villagers.
I retire for the evening now. Here's to 2012, and all who sail in her. Thank you for reading my blogs, being a Twitter-chum, listening to my songs, and letting me bang on about all the above. Have a lovely year, and keep being ace.
Love,
John.xx
Two weeks later, Dead Radio Society released their first EP, 'Plan Z', and held a launch party at The Rigger, where they played the EP in its entirety, then played a slew of songs that are yet to be released. They have so much good material, in such a variety of styles (as do Our Mutual Friend), that they are a great band to watch. I supported them with a 40-minute acoustic set, and was dead chuffed to be a part of the evening.
(This video was made a few weeks later at Fat Cats in Hanley)
November
I had a nice couple of gigs this month, the first being at Verve Bar in Leeds - the first time I've visited the city - on a music evening hosted by Hayley Gaftarnick, an amazingly talented musician with a fantastic voice, one of whose songs has been floating in & out of my subconscious ever since. I enjoyed the sets of the musicians who played that night, High Hollers and the duo Gerry Cooper & Phil Snell, really good stomping blues & bluegrass. I had fun playing my set too, managed to orchestrate a singalong of Crowded House's 'Fall At Your Feet', and rouse those present with my own songs, too. Then got lost on the way back to my hotel in slatting rain (this is a habit for me).
Three days later I played in a pub in my own town, The Old Brown Jug, support Headsticks & Dirty Money No.5. Having got a near-perfect setlist on the go in Leeds, I was able to give it a tweak & make it even better. I have lived in this town all my life & never had chance to play in this pub, so it was a treat to do so.
Nothing was released in November that I heard & loved, although it was during my trip to Leeds that I picked up 'Bon Iver' from Jumbo Records in the St. Johns Shopping Centre, and so here is a piece from it.
December
December slowed me down. I am surprised by how much it did it this year, but my impetus & forward motion just sort of stopped. I didn't even tweet as much. Mad, eh? One CD was released in December that got me, an EP by Nerina Pallot called 'Yes, December'. Five songs, including a cover of 'Last Christmas' which I can listen to. The original winds me up, something about the sound of those drums, and it just bugs me. That's not all that there is to be commended on the EP, the new songs are top drawer, and 'Lot Like Heaven' is on my learn-to-play list, while 'Two Figures In The Snow' blew me away. A nice last release to hear before the New Year begins!
---------------------------------------
It should be noted that throughout all this, I regularly attended Bearfoot's hosting of the open mic night at The Rigger, and the Folk Club at Keele University, hosted by Dan Elphick. These music nights have been wonderful & welcoming to play at, despite my occasional frustrations at what pub crowds can often be, and I am extremely glad & thankful that nights like this exist. Thank you to all concerned for putting them on.
So there it is, my year in music. I hope you've enjoyed reading, and if you've had time to watch the videos, I hope you've heard something you really like. I hope 2012 is every bit as exciting in musical terms, both for me and for the people to whom I love listening. There are amazing musicians and singers and bands out there, people who didn't release anything (or that I just haven't heard yet) this year and therefore didn't make it on the list. People like Cathy Davey, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Villagers.
I retire for the evening now. Here's to 2012, and all who sail in her. Thank you for reading my blogs, being a Twitter-chum, listening to my songs, and letting me bang on about all the above. Have a lovely year, and keep being ace.
Love,
John.xx
Hi honey. I have awarded you a Liebster Blog Award , link back to my blog page for details http://tearosesmusings.blogspot.com
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