Happy to report that I passed my 100 words shorthand exam. I also passed my Law NCTJ a while back so the qualifications are coming along nicely!
http://www.nctj.com/moreshortdispaly.php?sid=11&res_id=res_id
Friday 21 March 2008
Tuesday 11 March 2008
Sam Isaac Interview for NG
The multi-talented Sam Isaac is surely destined for big things but almost incredibly still remains an unsigned act. Dan Palmer from NG Magazine talks to Sam and finds out all about life as a budding superstar, from car break-ins and high petrol prices to playing in people's front rooms.
NG: A year or so ago you were in Nottingham for a gig, and you had some merchandise stolen from your car! Is this your first trip back since then, and do you now bear a grudge towards the city?
SI: I think this is my second trip back since then! I've had some good times in Nottingham, and a lot of my friends are here. Although it was one of the lowest points I've had when the stuff got nicked - we were at the beginning of a pretty big tour and I just didn't need it! But don't worry, I don't have any grudges....
NG: Did you ever get any of it back?
SI: Nope, so that means that somewhere in Nottingham there is probably still a bag of Sam Isaac t-shirts lying around! They wouldn't have meant anything to whoever took them.
NG: You play a lot of 'living room gigs' in people's lounges. How did this idea come about?
SI: Yeah I did a lot of these throughout last year. When I was booking my own gigs, I'd often have a day off between shows and it seemed like a nice idea to play someone’s' house. With these gigs, you knew that people would get a few of their friends round and it would be a nice atmosphere, as opposed to venues when sometimes you don't know what things are going to be like. At houses you don't have to load in or load out any equipment, you don't have to do a sound check and you usually get drunk in the evening after you have finished playing. It was like being on tour and going to a party every night!
NG: Did you have any bad experiences with these though? Surely not everyone was nice....
SI: A couple of times we just wanted to get it over with and leave, but I don't really want to say why! Most people were lovely, and I made a lot of friends.
NG: I guess that as you become better known, the lounge gigs will become a thing of the past?
SI: Yeah, I want to get my music out to as many people as possible, and at the moment touring at traditional venues is a much more effective way of doing that. It would be a shame to drop them altogether though, maybe one day I can come back and play in people's houses for a couple of weeks or so.
NG: You seem to work ridiculously hard and it appears that you are always on the road, having played a whopping 200 shows last year! Don't you ever feel like taking a break? Your petrol bill must be pretty high for starters.....
SI: No, not really. I enjoy touring, and I'm still unsigned so this is the best way of getting myself known. I don't believe in constantly adding people to MySpace like some acts seem to do, I prefer to play live and to become known like that instead. I have over 5000 MySpace friends, and most of them have added me! The petrol bill is a bit high though, and yeah money is constantly an issue! If my car breaks down, or I need to repair my guitars, or if I have to book rehearsals, then I have to pay for it myself. I'm not saying I want to have loads of money or anything, but it would be nice not to be living on the edge of my overdraft all the time.
NG: How was your recent tour with folk sensation Kate Walsh?
SI: Yeah it was ace, we played lots of really nice theatres, and the audiences were really quiet and appreciative. They listened to the songs - sometimes people talk over the top of you! Kate was really nice and down to earth, and the tour was really just about the music. There wasn't much going out or debauchery or anything like that!
NG: New single 'Fire Fire' is out on the 24th March. What's it about then, and how do you reckon it'll do?
SI: Well, although it is quite an up-beat, high tempo song, the subject matter is actually quite dark. It's about me being really bad at coping with family dramas and issues, and generally not dealing with stuff! It addresses running away from problems and situations. I don't think I will chart just yet, but hopefully I'll shift a few hundred copies.
NG: And you will be going on a full band tour to promote the single. Do you prefer playing with a group, or on your own?
SI: It's really good to be able to both. For example, at the end of a tour with the band my ears will be hurting and I’ll want to return to playing on my own, in quiet, more intimate venues. However, if it's the other way round then I'll be itching to get on stage with everyone and just rock out you know? I play different songs when I'm on my own to when I'm with the band, and it's great to be able to mix it up like that. Hopefully I'll be able to keep doing it this way, it's a good combination.
NG: You seem to have become a pretty big deal lately, playing at the BBC Electric Proms, Glastonbury and the Maida Vale Studios among others, and you've had airplay on BBC Radio 1. Do you feel as if things are happening a bit quickly?
SI: It may just be that I am pushing my career along pretty quickly as well. I played 200 shows last year, a record for me, which is as many as some bands will play in two or three years. So I'm playing a load of shows in a short period of time, so perhaps all the publicity is coming fast as well. It was great to play all of those events but I should say that there is no guarantee that I'm going to make it big!
NG: So what's coming up next for you, and where do you see yourself in a year?
SI: Hopefully my first album will be out, which I'm going to record in the summer. The aim is to be a full time musician, I don't want to get another job, it would be much better to do this full time instead! There will be a few songs brought over from the Sticker, Star & Tape mini-album on the new record and the rest will be new songs.
NG: And finally, what's your favourite joke?
SI: Erm, I don't really know any jokes but I am trying to improve my puns. Unfortunately I'm not very good at them and usually end up presenting other people with a great opportunity for a great pun. So no jokes, but hopefully the puns will get better!
http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/Sam_Isaac:_Interview/
NG: A year or so ago you were in Nottingham for a gig, and you had some merchandise stolen from your car! Is this your first trip back since then, and do you now bear a grudge towards the city?
SI: I think this is my second trip back since then! I've had some good times in Nottingham, and a lot of my friends are here. Although it was one of the lowest points I've had when the stuff got nicked - we were at the beginning of a pretty big tour and I just didn't need it! But don't worry, I don't have any grudges....
NG: Did you ever get any of it back?
SI: Nope, so that means that somewhere in Nottingham there is probably still a bag of Sam Isaac t-shirts lying around! They wouldn't have meant anything to whoever took them.
NG: You play a lot of 'living room gigs' in people's lounges. How did this idea come about?
SI: Yeah I did a lot of these throughout last year. When I was booking my own gigs, I'd often have a day off between shows and it seemed like a nice idea to play someone’s' house. With these gigs, you knew that people would get a few of their friends round and it would be a nice atmosphere, as opposed to venues when sometimes you don't know what things are going to be like. At houses you don't have to load in or load out any equipment, you don't have to do a sound check and you usually get drunk in the evening after you have finished playing. It was like being on tour and going to a party every night!
NG: Did you have any bad experiences with these though? Surely not everyone was nice....
SI: A couple of times we just wanted to get it over with and leave, but I don't really want to say why! Most people were lovely, and I made a lot of friends.
NG: I guess that as you become better known, the lounge gigs will become a thing of the past?
SI: Yeah, I want to get my music out to as many people as possible, and at the moment touring at traditional venues is a much more effective way of doing that. It would be a shame to drop them altogether though, maybe one day I can come back and play in people's houses for a couple of weeks or so.
NG: You seem to work ridiculously hard and it appears that you are always on the road, having played a whopping 200 shows last year! Don't you ever feel like taking a break? Your petrol bill must be pretty high for starters.....
SI: No, not really. I enjoy touring, and I'm still unsigned so this is the best way of getting myself known. I don't believe in constantly adding people to MySpace like some acts seem to do, I prefer to play live and to become known like that instead. I have over 5000 MySpace friends, and most of them have added me! The petrol bill is a bit high though, and yeah money is constantly an issue! If my car breaks down, or I need to repair my guitars, or if I have to book rehearsals, then I have to pay for it myself. I'm not saying I want to have loads of money or anything, but it would be nice not to be living on the edge of my overdraft all the time.
NG: How was your recent tour with folk sensation Kate Walsh?
SI: Yeah it was ace, we played lots of really nice theatres, and the audiences were really quiet and appreciative. They listened to the songs - sometimes people talk over the top of you! Kate was really nice and down to earth, and the tour was really just about the music. There wasn't much going out or debauchery or anything like that!
NG: New single 'Fire Fire' is out on the 24th March. What's it about then, and how do you reckon it'll do?
SI: Well, although it is quite an up-beat, high tempo song, the subject matter is actually quite dark. It's about me being really bad at coping with family dramas and issues, and generally not dealing with stuff! It addresses running away from problems and situations. I don't think I will chart just yet, but hopefully I'll shift a few hundred copies.
NG: And you will be going on a full band tour to promote the single. Do you prefer playing with a group, or on your own?
SI: It's really good to be able to both. For example, at the end of a tour with the band my ears will be hurting and I’ll want to return to playing on my own, in quiet, more intimate venues. However, if it's the other way round then I'll be itching to get on stage with everyone and just rock out you know? I play different songs when I'm on my own to when I'm with the band, and it's great to be able to mix it up like that. Hopefully I'll be able to keep doing it this way, it's a good combination.
NG: You seem to have become a pretty big deal lately, playing at the BBC Electric Proms, Glastonbury and the Maida Vale Studios among others, and you've had airplay on BBC Radio 1. Do you feel as if things are happening a bit quickly?
SI: It may just be that I am pushing my career along pretty quickly as well. I played 200 shows last year, a record for me, which is as many as some bands will play in two or three years. So I'm playing a load of shows in a short period of time, so perhaps all the publicity is coming fast as well. It was great to play all of those events but I should say that there is no guarantee that I'm going to make it big!
NG: So what's coming up next for you, and where do you see yourself in a year?
SI: Hopefully my first album will be out, which I'm going to record in the summer. The aim is to be a full time musician, I don't want to get another job, it would be much better to do this full time instead! There will be a few songs brought over from the Sticker, Star & Tape mini-album on the new record and the rest will be new songs.
NG: And finally, what's your favourite joke?
SI: Erm, I don't really know any jokes but I am trying to improve my puns. Unfortunately I'm not very good at them and usually end up presenting other people with a great opportunity for a great pun. So no jokes, but hopefully the puns will get better!
http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/Sam_Isaac:_Interview/
Monday 10 March 2008
Sam Isaac @ Social for NG
Standing at around six foot and sporting a large mop of messy ginger hair, Sam Isaac is a far from average looking pop-star. But as soon as he picks up his six string acoustic guitar it becomes clear that his performances are far from average as well.
This young singer/songwriter from Malvern has seemingly mastered the art of the acoustic pop song, with every number tonight succeeding in making me feel warm and tingly. Ably assisted by backing guitarist Matt Randall, Isaac produced a set at Nottingham's Bodega Social that never failed to hit the right notes.
Around forty souls witnessed the gig and they saw a man who must surely be destined for better things. Mainly playing songs from the Sticker, Star & Tape mini-album, Isaac’s vocals were particularly impressive - passionate and heartfelt, but at the same time loud and full of energy.
Lyrically he showed a talent and maturity that lies way beyond his young years, and it is hard not to relate to his raw, down to earth observations on life, love and relationships.
Highlights included Sideways, a pacy, jangly tune about growing up and leaving home, and new single Fire Fire, with its distinctive opening riff and catchy chorus. These were proof enough that Isaac can produce fast, fun, mainstream hits that wouldn‘t sound out of place on any radio playlist.
On the flipside, the more sombre What Good Did That Do? and the darker Annie Hall slowed things down a bit and showed that Sam has also mastered the art of emotion and pathos in his music. These slower numbers complimented the faster songs beautifully, creating a perfect mixture of pounding acoustic pop and gentle, quieter sensitivity.
Isaac occasionally plays with a band, and one can only speculate at how much better the songs would sound when spruced up with a variety of instruments. It is testament to him, however, that he managed to produce such an assured display predominantly on his Jack Jones. He also spent a lot of time talking to the crowd tonight, and while for some that habit would grate, it also displays a confidence that will take him far in the industry. Encouraging the small audience to get involved on Carbon Dating and I Traded My Friends For You, Isaac demonstrated that he won’t be intimidated when fame and recognition come calling.
This would be the least this man deserves, as his music strikes a chord which gets under your skin and is difficult to shake off. To put it simply, Isaac makes brilliant music without ever trying too hard and in a world full of acts trying to be too clever, he really is a breath of fresh air.
Review: Dan Palmer
Images: Jack Ladenburg
Wednesday 5 March 2008
Cook Islands, for Platform
A series of gasps echoed around the cabin as our pokey aircraft gently slipped through the clouds.
Below us was the South Pacific - a magnificent blanket of turquoise blue - and the lush green volcanic island of Rarotonga.
Waves were breaking over coral reefs and beaches glistened with the perfect hue of white. But the best thing was that all of this beauty was completely unspoilt. There were no buildings here, no eyesores.
This was nature as god intended, completely devoid of that menacing human touch. "Welcome to the Cook Islands" mused the pilot. "Welcome to Paradise."
The Cook Islands are thousands of miles from Britain and about as far as it is physically possible to get. The principle island is Rarotonga and there are several others, all scattered around the Pacific. A former part of the empire, they now operate as a self governing democracy in association with New Zealand. Most of the population descend from the Maori and they must surely be some of the luckiest people on Earth.
It didn't take long to slip into the ridiculously chilled way of life that the Islanders get to enjoy. One road travels the entire circumference of Rarotonga and numerous people sat alongside it; chilling out in the shade or drying off after a swim. No-one seemed to have a job here and there didn't appear to be many laws either. My driver, an old rugged looking chap named Bill drove barefoot and the rules of the road seemed to be lacklustre to say the least. A fellow traveller told me how he obtained a Cook Islands motorcycle licence simply by following an official for about two minutes.
There were times when all signs of life just seemed to disappear completely. I'm not sure where everybody went, but I could spend hours without seeing a living soul. On a four hour hike around the island I was left completely undisturbed to explore at my own pace. The beaches were simply idyllic, pure white sand and nothing else, and the sea can genuinely be described as a picture. Most postcards exaggerate places and make them look better than they actually are, but in the Cook Islands they don't need to do that. The place is practically perfect already. With nobody around I began to drift off into my own world, so much so that I felt a bit like Tom Hanks in Castaway.
I took a trip to a waterfall which lay in Rarotonga's forested centre. What immediately struck me was the lack of buildings and high rise. Any development here tends to be carefully nestled in foliage meaning that the natural beauty is left unhindered to flourish. It was a stark contrast to places like Thailand and the Costa del Sol, where numerous high rise hotels have ruined the scenery which attracted the tourists in the first place. The waterfall was impressive, cascading from a great height and pounding into a pool below. I would have liked a picture of myself there, but once again I was the only visitor.
Eventually some other travellers turned up at my hostel and I was able to chill out with them. Days seemed to blend into one endless blur, time didn’t matter or indeed exist and the most pressing decision one had was whether to open another beer. A barbeque always seemed to be on the go and life was an endless beach party. A small crew of people from all over the world began to gather, none of us wanting to leave this haven of relaxation. You would often find us sprawled out on a sofa or bean bag, soaking up the rays having not moved for a good few hours.
However there are things to do if you can be arsed to get up. Snorkelling and diving are a delight in the crystal clear waters and you can also hire kayaks. On one day I discovered a few offshore islands that looked in easy reach so I paddled out to them. There was nobody else present on these rocky outcrops and I liked to think that I had found my own place in the world. I had visions of declaring it independent and living out my days in this tranquil paradise. Another of the islands was home to an abandoned tin shack which gave the place a spooky feel like something out of Lost. I visited the final island with a sense of caution as locals had informed me that the sound of drums could often be heard from it, despite it being empty. As I stood on its beach, regularly watching my back, it suddenly dawned on me that I was one of the few people on Earth to have ever stood on this spot. It was an extremely cool realisation.
I recounted the feeling in the bar later and the American who owned it agreed with me entirely.
“I came out here ten years ago and never went home,” he tells me. “And why would I want to? I’ve found the best place on Earth.”
It’s not hard to see where he is coming from. The Cook Islands are probably the world’s best kept secret. I just hope that they stay that way.
Eventually some other travellers turned up at my hostel and I was able to chill out with them. Days seemed to blend into one endless blur, time didn’t matter or indeed exist and the most pressing decision one had was whether to open another beer. A barbeque always seemed to be on the go and life was an endless beach party. A small crew of people from all over the world began to gather, none of us wanting to leave this haven of relaxation. You would often find us sprawled out on a sofa or bean bag, soaking up the rays having not moved for a good few hours.
However there are things to do if you can be arsed to get up. Snorkelling and diving are a delight in the crystal clear waters and you can also hire kayaks. On one day I discovered a few offshore islands that looked in easy reach so I paddled out to them. There was nobody else present on these rocky outcrops and I liked to think that I had found my own place in the world. I had visions of declaring it independent and living out my days in this tranquil paradise. Another of the islands was home to an abandoned tin shack which gave the place a spooky feel like something out of Lost. I visited the final island with a sense of caution as locals had informed me that the sound of drums could often be heard from it, despite it being empty. As I stood on its beach, regularly watching my back, it suddenly dawned on me that I was one of the few people on Earth to have ever stood on this spot. It was an extremely cool realisation.
I recounted the feeling in the bar later and the American who owned it agreed with me entirely.
“I came out here ten years ago and never went home,” he tells me. “And why would I want to? I’ve found the best place on Earth.”
It’s not hard to see where he is coming from. The Cook Islands are probably the world’s best kept secret. I just hope that they stay that way.
(Page 12).
Tuesday 4 March 2008
Titchfield In Post
The park story posted below made it into the community section of the NEP today. This piece was found after reading a letter complaining about the park's state in the Hucknall Dispatch. I asked the Council about it and they gave me the story. Pretty proud of it as I believe the way I dug up this particular bit of news was quite good journalism!
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133965&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133948&contentPK=20052217&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch
The Coates story I did was also featured in the news, but the Post and the Dispatch had the story before I found it. I wasn't to know that though, and it is still pleasing to find a story that was considered newsworthy. Hazah!
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133965&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133948&contentPK=20052217&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch
The Coates story I did was also featured in the news, but the Post and the Dispatch had the story before I found it. I wasn't to know that though, and it is still pleasing to find a story that was considered newsworthy. Hazah!
Monday 3 March 2008
Titchfield Park
THE Astroturf pitches at Hucknall’s Titchfield Park are set to re-open in the summer after a £30,000 revamp.
At present the courts are locked due to misuse but it is hoped that when the work is complete they can return to regular booked usage by local football and tennis clubs.
Works proposed include the replacement of solid board panelling around the courts with a strong metal mesh – commonly seen on small ball courts.
Landscape Architect Andrew Hinchley, from Ashfield District Council, said: “It is hoped that by opening up the pitch visually, we will discourage misuse of the area.
“We currently have problems with youths hiding behind the boards, drinking and damaging the surface and equipment, as well as dog owners using the pitch as a dog exercising area.
“Opening the park up in this way should discourage such activity through informal surveillance and also make the park feel safer by opening views.”
The project has been funded by a Section 106 allocation, money which is provided by housing developers for open space provision and improvement and distributed by local councillors at the Hucknall Area Consultative Group.
Titchfield Park was allocated £117,000, to be used for the pitches as well as skate park
modifications and car park improvements.
The news has been welcomed by residents who wanted to see the courts open again in time for the lighter summer evenings.
Andrew Riley said: “It will be nice to see the pitches used for sport again, as they are supposed to be.
“I think they were definitely in need of a spruce up.”
At present the courts are locked due to misuse but it is hoped that when the work is complete they can return to regular booked usage by local football and tennis clubs.
Works proposed include the replacement of solid board panelling around the courts with a strong metal mesh – commonly seen on small ball courts.
Landscape Architect Andrew Hinchley, from Ashfield District Council, said: “It is hoped that by opening up the pitch visually, we will discourage misuse of the area.
“We currently have problems with youths hiding behind the boards, drinking and damaging the surface and equipment, as well as dog owners using the pitch as a dog exercising area.
“Opening the park up in this way should discourage such activity through informal surveillance and also make the park feel safer by opening views.”
The project has been funded by a Section 106 allocation, money which is provided by housing developers for open space provision and improvement and distributed by local councillors at the Hucknall Area Consultative Group.
Titchfield Park was allocated £117,000, to be used for the pitches as well as skate park
modifications and car park improvements.
The news has been welcomed by residents who wanted to see the courts open again in time for the lighter summer evenings.
Andrew Riley said: “It will be nice to see the pitches used for sport again, as they are supposed to be.
“I think they were definitely in need of a spruce up.”
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