*Girl In A Thunderbolt

My 2011 Highlights in A Few Pictures (Or, A Quick Run-Down Of Some Of The Gigs We Played At Last Year)

2012-01-09T01:53:00.001Z

Yeah, I know, the title makes this post sound like an article in Hello magazine. Anyone who knows me knows that that couldn't be further from the truth (well, apart from that trip to Barbados in January...)

I haven't updated in months, so as well as being a 'Highlights of 2011', this is also a 'What I've Been Up To Since August' post.

Jo and Dan signed up at the turn of the year to provide bass and drums, giving a much-needed kick up the arse to my 3-year solo project.

We messed around with old songs, created some new ones, and hit the venues in July.

One of the first gigs we played as a band was supporting Sea of Bees at Norwich Arts Centre in July. The girl is totally captivating. If you get a chance to see her live, grab it hard.

Sea of Bees

We were asked to play Daylight Music at Union Chapel in September, which was pretty spectacular. By far the most stunning venue I've ever played in (ever). It would be amazing to write a set specifically for the acoustics of that church. Who knows, maybe this year...?

September's naughty little outing to Shoreditch for The Kemistry's EP launch at The Old Blue Last was another highlight. Those magic ingredients of great sound, great line-up, great crowd, and great beer.

First, we out-stared each other for 90 minutes though...

At the end of September, we recorded a live radio session at Old School Studios with Mr Jason for Breakthru Radio. You can listen to it HERE, but make sure you click the PLAY NOW button at the top of the page, or you'll be listening to whatever show is streaming right now.

This post is about pictures. Here's a picture taken while recording. Wow.

The Norwich Sound & Vision festival and conference too place at the end September also, and we played a lively, if slightly inebriated set at Norwich Arts Centre on the second evening.

Another stand-out gig last year was Apocalypstick at The Hawley Arms on 3rd October, despite all the pear cider I drank beforehand making my stomach all peculiar during the set.

photo by Dom Fisher

Our last gig of the year was a six-band affair on two floors at Karma Kafe in Norwich on 30th December. Organised by Gravy and Battery In Your Leg, it was also the cherry-popping gig of the new addition to our line-up, guitarist Ed Parker. The pictures below were taken by Robert Powell.

One Minute Wonder

2011-08-19T00:03:00.000+01:00

Just found out one of my songs is going to be included on a 7" vinyl compilation! (whoop! whoop!)

The brief was to write a 60-second song containing an element of drama. I chose to write an 8-bit dub-electro murder-ballad about the possible outcome of a woman's bad taste in men. (Thanks to @CruellaRibbons for the inspiration..!)

You can listen to the song here:

For the full run-down of all the artists included, click here...

2011-08-18T10:36:00.000+01:00

We did our first band photoshoot last night, a low-key affair in my flat with Jemma of JMA Photography.
Looking forward to seeing the results...!

Free Download

2011-07-28T12:30:00.000+01:00

Thought it was about time I put another free download up on my Bandcamp page. I wrote this about a week ago after watching an episode of The Apprentice that left a bad taste in my mouth! The TV show was the starting point, but then I started thinking about those aspirational 80s teen movies like Pretty In Pink and Risky Business, and the idea expanded from there.

It was recorded at home, mostly on the Omnichord.

Have a listen, and if you like it, download a copy for free!

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://girlinathunderbolt.bandcamp.com/track/the-perfect-affair"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Perfect Affair by Girl In A Thunderbolt&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Amy

2011-07-23T20:43:00.002+01:00

PJ McGinty's Tonight

2011-07-13T02:06:00.000+01:00

Yep, don't mess with us...We bang drums and everything!

Last Night...

2011-07-12T15:55:00.000+01:00

Norwich Arts Centre. Photo by Ryan Watts.

2011-07-11T04:15:00.000+01:00

Just played our 2nd gig outside Norwich Arts Centre for the Lanes Summer Street Fayre. The heavens opened up big time towards the end of our set so big thanks to the hardcore amongst you who stuck it out and got completely drenched!

New Line-up

2011-07-06T22:56:00.000+01:00

Jo - Me - Dan

Last Night...

2011-07-03T13:29:00.000+01:00

...slightly drunk.

Playfest 2011

2011-06-06T19:04:00.000+01:00

I brought my camera, and then spent the weekend having too good a time to take any shots.
Bah!

I did manage to take this though, on the way back to the tent on Sunday night...

Norwich Fringe Festival

2011-05-30T23:57:00.002+01:00

It's an unfortunate thing that my posts have become less frequent as months have progressed. This has been largely due to the acquisition of an iPhone and subsequent satori to the wonders of Twitter (which, for those of you who have an account there, I'm @girlthunderbolt . Come find me!)

Besides the fast-paced and high-octane World of Twitter (TM) that I currently find myself seductively embroiled in, I've also been known to play the odd gig.
The photos below were taken last week by Hannah Jones as part of this years Norwich Fringe Festival.

Vaudeville Stomp

2011-05-06T15:49:00.000+01:00

I played the launch night of Vaudeville Stomp at Native Tongue a couple of weeks back. Such a good evening with great promoters and a superb crowd. Only gutted I had to leave early to catch the last train back to Norwich.

Here's some pics from Mighty Bee, who did the snapping on the night.

2011-04-29T14:00:00.000+01:00

Last night was the album launch for Sing Me To Sleep, a project put together by Alex Carson from Barefeet Records. 10 specifically-written lullabies, by 10 different artists, all recorded by Carson and put together on one album.

Apologies for the quality of the pictures. I forgot to bring my camera and only had my iPhone with me.


James Boyce

Mat Riviere

Alex & Me with the finished product

Sam James Hill. Overlord of the Boss RC-20XL

And here's the tracks, although for some reason, Jenny Didn't Like To Be Photographed isn't coming up on the player. You can get a copy by clicking on the 'buy' button. (obvious, that, I know!)
x x x

&amp;lt;a href="http://barefeetrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sing-me-to-sleep"&amp;gt;Sing me to Sleep by Bare-Feet Records&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

New Toy

2011-04-27T22:48:00.000+01:00

There are few things in life better than coming back from work to find an eBay purchase waiting patiently for you. Looking forward to writing some new songs on this!

Free Download

2011-04-25T00:50:00.001+01:00

I know, i know, I've been away for AYYY-GES! Been pretty busy with new things in the pipeline (more on that later). In the meantime, I've created a little video for a free download I'm offering at the moment called Nitroglycerine.

It's an oldish song now, but I re-recorded it at the end of last year with producer Russ McNamara (or Mr. Magic Ears, as I like to call him). I managed to persuade my boyfriend Rob to play bass, and Ben from Sargasso Trio to bash away on the pagan skins. Rob and Ben used to play in a band together about 10 years ago and I think it's the first time they've been on a track together since.

Anyway, here's the vid, very roughly thrown together on my Mac. (Big thanks to the awesome Ann-Margret!)
If you'd like to download a free copy of the song, check out the link below.
Oh, and Happy Easter!
:)

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://girlinathunderbolt.bandcamp.com/track/nitroglycerine"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Nitroglycerine by Girl In A Thunderbolt&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

New Haircut!

2011-04-07T20:45:00.001+01:00

Channelling The Fresh Prince!

x x x

Hurrah!

2011-03-26T02:05:00.001Z

I finally found a new gig bag!

The Warwick Rockbag Crosswalker.
Plenty of room for all my bits and bobs, and then some.
I can sleep soundly from now on.
xxx

Things I Did Today #11

2011-03-24T21:10:00.000Z

Today I've been looking for a new gig bag. I really don't think the one I have will hold up for my gig next week.

I go through gig bags like most people go through toothbrushes. As a solo performer, any gig bag I own has to hold not only my guitar, but also my loop pedal, tuner, tremelo pedal, 3 jack-to-jack cables, an xlr-to-jack cable, tambourine, poo sticks, egg shakers, cappo, plectrums, CDs, etc.
This time it was the strap that went first.

So...I've just spent FIVE HOURS trawling through the web in search of a replacement. Something durable and easy on the eye, with good padding and large external pockets. But as I either cycle or tube to most gigs, it has to be lightweight too.

Five hours later and I still haven't managed to find one. I can never get that time back. Ever.

One thing I learned is that a lot of gig bags out there, while purposeful, are ugly as sin.

HELLO...??!...JESUS CHRIST!!!

I had my heart set on this one, though God knows why. At 825 dollars I've got a better chance of the owner dying and leaving the company to me in his will...

I've narrowed the search down to three cases, one of which is the Gigskinz. At 3 kilos, it will be rather heavy once I get all of my gear in it, and that kind of puts me off a bit, along with the 'swirls'. But it is going quite cheap on Ebay.
Plus, I find myself strangely seduced by my total lack of comprehension of the promo video below.

Ignorance is bliss. And a bit trippy.

Do People Say 'Watch The Birdy' Anymore...?

2011-03-08T21:53:00.004Z

I did a shoot with photographer Joanna Millington a few weeks ago and she's just posted the pictures on her blog.

Here's a couple of the pics, but for the full post click here...

Super Freak

2011-03-02T01:22:00.001Z

For the past few years now, whenever a friend has a birthday, one of us will invariably trawl through Facebook in search of some unforgiving photo to Photoshop onto some unforgiving body with the aim of creating some unforgiving birthday card.

A few weeks ago Ben from Sargasso Trio turned another year wiser. He's a bit partial to a bit of Rick James so I couldn't resist.

I'll Leave You With...

2011-01-30T23:56:00.000Z

...An interview and performance of me and my loop pedal. Music starts at 1:52

G'night!
x

Wow.

2011-01-30T22:04:00.001Z

I've just got back from one of the best holidays ever in Barbados.
We hired a villa on the beach in Hastings and spent 3 weeks resting, eating and soaking up the beautiful island.

The last two pictures were taken at Bathsheba on the east coast, definitely my favourite place on the island. It has a wild and serene beauty about it that's so special and impossible to put into words. Very magical.

Happy James Brown Day!

2010-12-25T03:09:00.000Z

James Brown

May 5th 1933 - December 25th 2006

A man of such talent and genius. You will always be remembered.

Rest in peace.

Image of the Day

2010-11-30T08:20:00.000Z

No, That Was A Shoe On The Floor.

2010-11-29T00:17:00.000Z

Image by Ata Shater Photography

Friday night I headed down to Shoreditch for a gig at Paper Dress, a vintage clothes store on Curtain Road.

I lurrrve vintage clothes, and had a real problem trying to avoid purchasing half the shop. Proud of the fact that I mostly chose to ignore the whisper of my credit card in my coat pocket though. (Evil Barclaycard! Down boy!)
I did give in and buy one dress though. Told myself it would be rude not to, and that was all the encouragement I needed.

It was wonderfully surreal to meet up with friends, not only from Norwich, but from Norway too.

Big thanks to Hannah and everyone at Paper Dress for putting on a great night. Looking forward to returning in the new year with the full band.


Photo by Ellen Shepherd

Photo by Ellen Shepherd

Girl In A Thunderbolt And The...

2010-11-21T12:55:00.000Z

Here's some footage of the band! Yay! Go guys!

I'll still be performing solo from time to time, but I wanted a backing band to beef things up for some gigs.

It's early days so the guys haven't even got a name yet (poor things!) Any suggestions will be greatly received...

Yowzers!

2010-11-02T14:21:00.000Z

Serious hair envy.

(Taken from BGLHonline)

Last Night...

2010-10-30T01:27:00.000+01:00

...I played a gig in Whitechapel with Sargasso Trio. (These guys are one of my favourite bands around today. If you get a chance to check them out, definitely do).

Anyway, Rob and I are about to catch up on Mad Men on the iPlayer, so I don't want to spend too long waffling on. Also, I'm sure some smart-arse once wrote that a picture speaks a thousand words. I too can be a smart-arse, as those who know me will no doubt vouch...

Sargasso setting up. They don't travel light!

Emily doing her best impression of Florence Welch (although Em had red hair first, and she's a better singer!)

Sargasso Trio

Birchanger!!!

Emily (with evil car in the background)


Psychotically overjoyed at the prospect of a soy latte and a trip to the loo.


Ben overexerted himself on the drums tonight.

I'll leave you with a video of little old me and my loop pedal.

G'night!

Rest In Peace Cool Ruler

2010-10-25T14:04:00.000+01:00

Gregory Isaacs died today, at the age of 59 after a long battle with cancer.
His voice and music will always hold strong memories for me. I remember my mum playing his records constantly when I was growing up.
I nicked her copy of the 1977 album Extra Classic when I left home, and since then it's found a semi-permanent home on my turntable.

The guy was a genius and a huge indirect influence on me.

Last Night...

2010-10-25T13:09:00.000+01:00

I'm Back!

2010-10-23T13:46:00.000+01:00

...Just.
xxx

Bed Time

2010-09-11T22:56:00.000+01:00

It's not even 11, but I have to go to bed.

I was up until 6.30 this morning writing music. I wrote two songs; one for the band (which I shall talk about at another time when I'm not so sleepy) and one as an attempt to write a 1 minute song with as much emotion as possible. (I love writing to brief! It's so much fun and I find I don't worry so much about getting things perfect).

Anyway, here's the 1 minute song I came up with; a really cheesy Euro-pop number, complete with syrupy French lyrics!

Mort Decembre by Girl in a Thunderbolt

I noticed on my dashboard a lot of you have written new posts since I last logged in. I'm dying to read them but my eyelids won't stay open for much longer so I'll have to pop back again tomorrow to catch up and comment.

Til then, I'll leave you with Here We Go Magic. I'm totally in love with this song and video!

Nighty-night!

There's A Reason For The 'Wool' Button On A Washing Machine...

2010-09-06T01:34:00.001+01:00

I shrunk my favourite cardigan today.

Me & My Cardigan in happier days

I did this by sticking it in the washing machine on a 30 degree cycle. You'd think I'd know better, but evidently that isn't the case.
My beautiful bundle of purple and gold mohair had shriveled to the size of an iPod skin.

For about 2 seconds I wanted to cry.

Then I remembered that it's only a cardigan and that I should probably get things in perspective.

Regrettably, this is the only photo I have pre-shrinkage. Its cosmic luminescence is somewhat lost, given the spit-and-sawdust charm of a crusty pub and a rather nice Leica camera not doing its job properly.

I hate to throw things away. As I could no longer wear it, I wondered if Rob might give it a new home.

He declined graciously.

Melody insisted that it wasn't her colour, although I think she was just being polite (as cats generally are when wishing not to cause offense).

Dingo said nothing.

After trying it on one last time, I resigned myself to its hasty disposal and set about tucking into the gorgeous apple and cherry cake that Rob made.

Granted, it looked a bit like syphilis, but it tasted divine.

10 Minutes! (part two)

2010-09-01T22:47:00.000+01:00

The spare time I have these days seems to be gradually depleting! I have a million things to do before bed (well, two things...), and an early rise in the morning (I have to be at work at 7.30 in the morning for a conference in Cambridge! Thankfully this insanity is only occurring tomorrow).

So yeah, I've allocated myself 10 minutes to try and continue yesterdays post. The likelihood of me writing everything I want to seems slim.

I jigged around my website last week. Here's a screenshot of the homepage...

I'm not sure what I think... It took me a while to do, but I think it lacks colour and is a bit boring, so the whole thing is still a work in progress.

You can see how I possibly wasted 12 hours of my life by clicking here.

Any thoughts?

20 Minutes

2010-09-01T00:16:00.001+01:00

Jeez! Time creeps by so quickly. 11 days since my last post? That's nearly a month, surely!

Ok, so I'm back at work again this week, after nearly two months of Summer holidays. I can't say that I'm over the moon about the fact, but rent has to be paid and cats need to be fed, etc.

I'll see how much I can post in the next 20 minutes, as I want to be in bed before midnight. That way I'm less likely to be tired and grumpy at work tomorrow. At least, that's the plan...

It was my friend Barbara's birthday a few days previously, so we all went out for a drink to celebrate (not that we needed an excuse really). That's Barbara on the right.

The plan that night was actually to go camping, but August in the UK being what it is, we decided to forgo the canvas and campfire and settle instead for the pub.

Barbara is a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, so Rob and I had the idea of making her very own Rumours album, with the aid of Photoshop and a few crafty photos of the gang.

We changed all the song titles too, and even found a record in a charity shop of the song that was number one on the day she was born, and put that inside. The whole thing took bloody ages, but she loved it, so that's ok!

I've also been trying to de-clutter by putting a few things on Ebay. For years now I've found it nearly impossible to not buy something in a charity shop if it was made before 1970. This has resulted in a flat full of what I consider to be 'Little Gems', and an exasperated boyfriend. (Blokes just don't get it!)

Here are some of the things I sold...

Gorgeous Kitsch Pic by Barbara Tate

Cute little 1960s bedside lamp

35mm Olympus Trip Camera


An original 1960s patent guitar strap

...I've got loads more to write about, but that's my 20 minutes up.
My eyes are growing heavy and I really don't want to be a grumpy cow at work tomorrow. I could never forgive myself...

GIAT Interview on The Natural Lounge

2010-08-20T11:11:00.000+01:00

Ooh, it's all go in the Thunderbolt camp this week!

I was interviewed by founder, Angel Smith, for The Natural Lounge, a website based in the UK that promotes and celebrates natural hair amongst black women (something I'm quite passionate about).

They're also organising a Natural Lounge Meet-Up at Traffic Bar, Holborn, London on 2nd October, and have asked me to sing a few songs then, which will be great!

You can read the interview here

Girl in a Thunderbolt Doesn't Sound Anything Like Katie Melua - Shock!

2010-08-20T10:47:00.000+01:00

Morning all.
I played a gig last week, and a lovely man had some rather nice words to say about it on the Never Enough Notes site.

Click here to read the review

Oh, and if you're interested in getting a copy of my brand spanking new album, please, please do! All the proceeds will go towards funding the next one.
Only £8.50 GBP including free international postage.

Get the album here...

Right, that's the hard sell over and done with!

xxx

Quick Pics Before Bedtime

2010-08-13T03:22:00.000+01:00

Madonna & Basquait 1982

Nighty night!

xxx

The First And Last Time I'll Ever Do A Post On The Fashion Industry.

2010-08-10T01:39:00.001+01:00

It's a subject probably as old as the ink on the first ever advertising contract. And it's one that crops up time and time again.

I really enjoy stumbling across blogs, reading and seeing what people all over the world think, feel, experience. However, I have a confession to make. Whenever I open a blog and am faced with images like this...

Or this..

...I find myself quickly bouncing to another site.

Overreacting? Probably. But it just ain't for me.

Don't get me wrong, I love clothes as much as the next girl, but I just don't subscribe to this idea of beauty that is forever pushed down our throats like an ironic force-feeding tube. To me, beauty is about spirit, strength, adventure, self-expression, imperfection, laughter, and the ability to accept and celebrate who you are. It's not about chasing a malnourished ideal in pursuit of a warped idea of perfection.

The purpose of this post is not to have a go at skinny women. I accept that we're all different and come in all shapes and sizes. My frustration lies in the superficial and vacuous aspect of our society that links this ideal of beauty with success and desirability, where anything 'other' falls by the wayside.

I do not subscribe to this notion of beauty. I have no desire to resemble any of the women in these photographs.
These images do not fill me with a sense of joy, but rather, one of sadness at our collective narrow-mindedness and inability to break the mold.

This is my first and last post on the fashion industry.

I'd much rather post about the beauty of reality.

Adventures in Car Boot Land

2010-08-08T12:31:00.000+01:00

Find/Necessity of The Day


Vintage rack to house some of my records - £1 (modeled by the lovely and charming Melody)

The One That Got Away

Original Vinyl copy of The Harder They Come - 50p. Alas, the seller had only brought the sleeve, and left the record itself at home :(

Today I Mostly...

2010-08-06T02:09:00.000+01:00

...Matched Channel New York Red lipstick to my skanky old gardening gloves to do some uber-weeding for my mum....

Mum in 1978

...Who was out, busy getting her nails done, while mine were being ruined by overgrown weeds and Norfolk soil. (Love you mum!) :)

I've also been busy writing new material. Well, when I say 'writing', I actually mean coming up with half a dozen or so unfinished 'ideas' that I'm not very happy with at all.

I've had a bit of a lull recently in terms of productivity, largely due to focusing on the release of my album Seven Sisters (which, for those of you who would like to grab a copy, can do so by clicking here - tee hee!)
I figured the best way to escape writers block was to just get off my arse and write! So, six 'ideas' later, and I think there's only one song amongst them that I'd like to take further and complete. When it's done I'll post it up on here, if only to prove to myself that writer's block can be overcome!

Also, thanks and hi to all my new followers. If I haven't checked out your blogs yet, pop the kettle on and get the biscuits out as I'll be swinging by for a visit quite soon!

Hugs
xxx

Guilty Pleasure No. 1

2010-08-03T18:10:00.001+01:00

Don Henley - The Boys Of Summer

"...You got your hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby..."

Makes me dance like this...

I Thought I Took More Photos.

2010-08-02T22:48:00.000+01:00

Wow!
The Ladyfest gig on Saturday was ay-may-zunnn!

Sneaky Viv-pic during her soundcheck

Good vibes were already in place the moment I stepped in for my soundcheck at half-past six, and the evening just got waaaaaay better!


Queenie, with Charlie from Frog stepping in on guitar

Maxie did a superb job of organising the event, and all the bands who performed gave it their all and totally rocked, without exception. (Queenie, Frog (ex Le Tetsuo), Viv Albertine, The Brownies and Thomas Tantrum).
The whole thing just had a really nice atmosphere. I'd wonder that someone had spiked the air conditioning if there was any.

I must have been having a good time, because I only took 10 photos.
Here are a few of them. (The ones of me were taken by Angela Wood).


Frog

Yours truly

Frog

xxx

My Next Gig

2010-07-27T17:37:00.000+01:00

Albertine in the 1970s

I'm over the moon to be sharing a stage with Viv Albertine on Saturday!

I absolutely lurve The Slits and think it's great that, after a break of more than 25 years, she's returned to making music.

Viv used to play guitar with The Slits, but now plays her own material solo, with a backing band.

The gig is being organised by a friend Maxie (of the band The Brownies) for the first ever Ladyfest Norwich (an international event to celebrate women in music). It's being held at Norwich Arts Centre on Saturday 31st July.

Albertine today.

I wanted to post a promo to one of her current songs, but Youtube wouldn't allow me embed it, so instead, here's a video of one of my fave Slits songs, 'Instant Hit' directed by the wonderful Don Letts (who I must do a post about soon. The guy is God!!)

If you're in Norwich on Saturday, come down. It should be rather grand!

The Afro Chair.

2010-07-24T01:25:00.000+01:00

On another note...I've decided to grow my hair into the biggest-ass fro ever.

When it gets there, I might have to live out the remainder of my days sitting in this chair with a smug grin on my face. (Not that you'll see my face beneath all the hair, but the grin will be there. I can assure you.)

(Nabbed from Thenublack blog)

No Apologies...

2010-07-24T01:13:00.000+01:00

...For not posting in a while. I was going to spend the first few sentences apologising profusely, but I figured that would just be so boring. Besides, what's done is done, and I'm sure you're all far too busy to care either way! :)

On to something more satisfying...The Norwich Music scene.

I really love what we've got here. Every night of the week you can go out and watch people making really fresh and exciting music.
Last week I went to the Howlback Hum event at Jurnet's Bar, which is a really cozy underground crypt in the south part of town by the river, and took some photographs.

Ian O'Brien

Balaclava Kid & Dad

James Boyce

Hoofus

Transept

The Best Thing Ever To Have Been On Television.

2010-07-14T00:55:00.000+01:00

...EVER.

The Soul Train Line Dance.

It all went downhill after that.

My Favourite Hair Porn Site...

2010-07-09T09:04:00.000+01:00

...Has got to be Le Coil.

I grew locs for 6 years, and I loved them, but decided to chop them off when the urge for big frizz began to get a little too overwhelming.

I can't condemn other black women who choose to relax their hair or wear weaves, but for me, natural afro hair is one of the most beautiful sights in the world!

Here's some of the pics on Le Coil that get me drooling...

Before I forget...

2010-07-09T08:29:00.001+01:00

....If you'd like a free download of one of my songs called Gun Squad, you can!

Just click download below.

<a href="http://girlinathunderbolt.bandcamp.com/track/gun-squad">Gun Squad by Girl In A Thunderbolt</a>

Enjoy your day!

Mwuh! x

Comfort Zones

2010-07-08T20:20:00.000+01:00

I've been posting a fair bit about Girl in a Thunderbolt on here recently.
I do have other interests, but music is my life. And creating music, pulling thoughts and ideas from the ether, capturing them, before sending them back into the ether means the world to me.

I do intend to post on other subjects (soon, I promise!) but for now, I'd like to mention a gig I've got coming up next Sunday in Norwich (18th July).

I'm looking forward to this one in particular because I usually perform on my own. This time I'm going to be joined by Karen from The Neutrinos.

I love Karen's voice and her approach to performing. We've been practicing a few new songs, and, if we feel brave enough, we may even step out of our comfort zones a bit!

If you're in Norwich next Sunday, pop along. It starts at 8.30 and it's free entry! Hurrah!

Good Mantra

2010-07-07T23:25:00.000+01:00

(I nabbed this one from Christina's blog.)

"It's great to be here...It's great to be anywhere"

Keith Richards

Psycho-burlesque-abilly

2010-07-07T19:27:00.001+01:00

I got an email from Myspace saying that one of my songs would be on their 'Best of Myspace' podcast this week! Hurrah!
I know no-one goes on Myspace anymore, so no-one will probably hear it, but I'm still chuffed to bits!

It's on their 100th Podcast and you can have a listen by clicking here.

(Lovely) Gill Mills has some nice things to say after the track too! (Gawd bless her!)

That's a Quick Outfit Change. Isn't It?

2010-07-06T08:25:00.000+01:00

I recorded this a few months ago now, but only just realised I could share it on other sites. So here's to sharing!

Enjoy your day folks!

Girl In A Thunderbolt

BBC Norfolk Introducing | MySpace Video

2010-07-04T23:56:00.002+01:00

We Still Have The Whole Summer Ahead Of Us...

2010-07-04T23:46:00.001+01:00

Boudicca's Feast at Dragon Hall, Norwich

James Elliot Taylor

Adelaide's Cape

Me & Bouddica

Cakes & Ale

Back Of My Neck Getting Dirty And Gritty

2010-06-27T00:43:00.001+01:00

Follow Your Heart

at Clutter City Market today

Jacqueline In The Light Of Day

2010-06-26T00:03:00.002+01:00

Summer's here. School is almost out. And life once again feels full of possibilities.
I'm REALLY looking forward to the break and can't wait to spend the next two months writing, playing, and photographing.

I'll be sure to post some of my antics and creations as they occur. In the meantime, here's a song I recorded today. I wrote it a few weeks ago having only the title, which I got from a post on a blog that I follow (I hope you don't mind, Lovely Bicycle!)

I have a few ideas about how I'd like to record it as a demo, but for now, it's just me and an acoustic guitar.

If anyone can tell me what it's about, I'd be grateful, because I haven't got a clue...

Jacqueline In The Light Of Day

In Search of a New Hat

2010-06-25T00:50:00.002+01:00

My bestest, most favouritest, most gloriously delicious hat is on it's way out. It's falling to pieces. I imagine it will last until the end of the Summer, after which, who knows?

This leaves me all shades of gutted.

The felt is battered and broken. The lining is hanging on by fragile thread. The inner leather hangs out like the tongue of an Alsatian in the midday sun.

I do have a number of hats waiting diligently to be crowned my new favourite headpiece, but none quite hit the mark.
This one is like an old friend. Like an old pair of jeans or a comfortable T-shirt that you throw on as you throw caution to the wind. I even featured it on the back of my album cover.

As a solo performer, it's been by my side (or on my head) at gigs. I've worn it while cycling in Winter to keep the snow off my face. I've worn it when the sun's rays were beating down on my shoulders. It's been asked politely to be removed by airport custom officials on three continents.
I imagine Paul Simon wrote Old Friends about such a relationship.

I'm not in the habit of replacing or upgrading old friends, but I fear that without it, something will be lacking from my life, and while I probably unconsciously channel The Artful Dodger as style icon, I really have no conscious desire that I'm aware of to resemble a Victorian street urchin.

So, with that in mind, the time has come for me to seek out a replacement. It has to be done now in the name of implementing a smooth transition. I'm a coward. I really don't fancy going cold turkey with this shit.

The channels are open. I've sent my prayers to The Universe.

Now I'll just sit back and wait.

Amazing Wolf Door & The Sta-Press Trout Pout

2010-06-21T18:05:00.006+01:00

I've never been tagged to do a quiz before, but Caroline at Ergy Erg has tagged me to do just that. Why interviewers don't ask bands these sort of questions I'll never know. Beats the old "Where do you get your influences from?" any day!

Thanks Caroline for the questions. I had fun answering them!!

1. Arrr What dog will that be?
That would probably be this dog. Check out those hips!!

But...
I don't want a dog. I want a wolf.

2. Have you ever got anything good from those 1 pound toy dispensers where you can get
little key chains and hello kitty phone charms?
I've never actually used one of those £1 toy dispensers. Although, my favourite purchase ever for a pound has got to be my old black hat. I wear it all the time as it goes with everything. I took it to Norway last year when I was traveling and playing gigs, and it took a bit of a battering in the back of the bus for a week with people sitting on it all the time, but it's ok. A little bit of tatter shows a life that's been lived!

3. Band or banned?
Erm, maybe banned bands. Is it sweeter when it's illicit?

4.Want to go and get a beer mate?
Hey, let's not stop at one!

5.Do you like the Goofy Movie!?
I've never seen it, and it's not really the sort of thing I'd go out of my way to watch, so I'm afraid that, along with "What is the meaning of life?", I'll probably never be able to answer that question!

6.What is your favourite novelty 90's band!?
Don't know if this qualifies as a novelty band, but the TV ad probably qualifies as my favourite use of a novelty puppet.

7. Do you like animated 90's gifs

No. Next question.

8. What's the best ever thing you've got from a souvenir/museum shop?
I don't think I've ever got anything of great value or meaning from a souvenir shop. Perhaps a few postcards with pretty pictures on them. One of my friends once got Bruce Dickenson's autograph in a pub. He said he got it for his mum, but I don't believe him for one minute!

2010-06-17T18:28:00.003+01:00

Sebastian Horsley

1962 - 2010

I've just learned from Christina's blog, Fashion's Most Wanted, that Sebastian Horsley died today of a suspected heroin overdose. I felt compelled to write a post.

I'd never actually heard of Mr Horsley until I was looking for something to read in the library last year, and the spine of his autobiography Dandy In The Underworld jumped out at me from the shelves like a precious, glowing, magic thing. I picked it out and was glad I did. Witty, eternally irreverent, and often quite shocking, Horsley's greatest talent was by far his way with words. Perhaps his second was turning offense into an artform. For both, he has my respect.

Rest in peace, dandy.

Christina did a wonderful and insightful piece on Horsley back in April 2010. She delves deeper into his complex character and challenges the perception of "... a pervert who stands for everything that is wrong with British society today" (Jeremy Vine).
Well worth a read.
Click here to read.

Last Nights Gig

2010-06-17T16:18:00.004+01:00

Thanks to everyone who came to Norwich Arts Centre last night.
It was a bit of a funny on for me, as I'm not used to such a well-behaved audience! However, I responded by being equally well behaved, and not shooting anybody, or anything. Mummy would have been proud.

Here are some photos from the gig, taken by Duncan Forrest.

I've got to mention too the dress I'm wearing. Vintage late sixties floor-length velvet in petrol blue, purchased for the price of £3 in a charity shop! I love a good bargain, me!

Little Willie John

2010-06-14T16:17:00.000+01:00

Super-brief post, as I've been putting off the housework for quite some time now and the shit's getting ridiculous!

This song came up on my ipod as I was cycling to work this morning and I was reminded of how great it is. (It is possible to dance while cycling through traffic, but I wouldn't advise it).

The artist is Little Willie John, born 1937 in Arkansas, died suspiciously in 1968 in Washington State Penitentiary, aged just 30.

Must go now. I have a date with a duster.

Put in earplugs!

2010-06-13T23:14:00.001+01:00

Haha! The title of this post is purely incidental!
I wasn't sure what to call it, so I decided that the first card I picked from Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies would be the name of this post! Can't help but feel The Universe in all it's divinity is having a right old laugh at me right now!

The reason I say this is because I thought I'd share some of my music with you before I head off to bed. (Do you see what I mean now?!) :D

The first song is called Curtains.
I wrote it about a year ago from the perspective of a girl in love with a man whose heart belongs to another. As usual, my characters tend to possess an element of darkness, and this girl, although physically powerless, wills the emotional downfall of her love interest (ooh, the bitch!)

Curtains by Girl in a Thunderbolt

The second song is called Dopamine.

It was one of the first songs I wrote on my Omnichord a couple of years ago, which, for those who don't know, is one of these...

Photo by Alex Bone

It's about friends who sleep with each other, and the complications that can arise from trying to maintain a platonic friendship in the midst of carnal exploration!

Girl in a Thunderbolt - Dopamine by Girl in a Thunderbolt

If you want, please do have a listen. Earplugs are purely optional!

xxx

Next gig - Wednesday 16th June at Norwich Arts Centre

2010-06-13T13:19:00.000+01:00

This post is mostly (well, entirely!) for folks based in Norwich. Anyone else, look away.....NOW!

I haven't played a show in WEEKS so I'm really looking forward to getting up on that old stage again. I'll be supporting the sickeningly-talented Ana Silvera, and it's a SEATED EVENT.
This excites me no end as I've never played to a seated audience before, and Norwich Arts Centre is a great venue to do so in. Out with the rawkus numbers, in with the soft spacial numbers. A touch of experimentation perhaps? I may even find the courage to make something up there and then with my loop pedal! Who knows. (Who indeed).

Advance tickets are available here.

Caroline at Ergy Erg

2010-06-10T19:38:00.002+01:00

A couple of weeks ago I came across Caroline's blog Ergy Erg and fell in love with her beautiful diy self-portraits. She mixes psychedelia, punk and victoriana to create magic childlike scenes that ever so slightly hint at something darker (or maybe it's just me!)

It was pretty difficult to pick only a few images to post, as she's created so many that I love, but here are some that particularly stood out for me.

Check her out at Ergy Erg and, hey, follow her blog!

She also sells her own clothing and accessories at Ergyerg.com, including this rather fetching Yorkshire Terrier handbag. Cute!

xxx

Wow.

2010-06-08T08:47:00.000+01:00

Rob And My Hair

2010-06-06T13:32:00.002+01:00

The Man Who Shot The 60s

2010-06-05T11:21:00.000+01:00

Brian Duffy

1933 - 2010

Fiftieth Post!

2010-06-02T11:56:00.000+01:00

The Gallery Cafe, Bethnal Green, London.

Photo by Val Phoenix.

I don't know if that calls for a celebration or not. My guess is it doesn't, but if anyone fancies cracking open a tinny, I'll join you.

Here's a link to an interview and live session I did a month or so ago for Future Radio. It's about 25 minutes long, so make yourself a brew and find a comfy seat.

Girl in a Thunderbolt on Future Radio

First review of my album!

2010-06-01T13:07:00.001+01:00

Taken from The EDP, 27th May 2010.

They got the release date wrong, and printed the artwork upside down (!) But apart from that, they had pretty nice things to say!

Prim Uzor

2010-05-29T20:26:00.002+01:00

I've never really had any heroes. No-one that I admire wholeheartedly, respect explicitly, and trust completely. No-one except my mum.

Strong, beautiful, kind, funny, and incredibly humanitarian, she was born Primadonna Martin on the island of Barbados in 1950 and moved to the UK in 1971. This post is for her.

Barbados 1969

Canada 1970

1970

Trinidad, 1970

Southampton, UK 1971

Liverpool, UK. 1972

Norwich, UK. 1975

1975

1978

1980

1987

With my gran, 1994

Me and my mum, 2004

The Lady & The Tramp. 1971 / 2010

Satori in Soapsuds

2010-05-27T22:14:00.000+01:00

It came to my attention, while I was washing up today, that I simply cannot go on living without a portable digital recorder.

This is for a number of reasons:

1) I'd be able to get those ideas that come to me down, when I'm lying in bed teetering on the edge of slumber.

2) I would no longer have to go through the rigmarole of laptops, cables, microphones, headphones, et al every time I wanted to record two bars of something.

3) I can't think of a third one.

Nevertheless, I have to get one.

If anyone knows any good models, do please share. Something idiot-proof though please!

Thanks
;D xxx

Well, I ain't no bleeding Shakespeare

2010-05-26T21:01:00.002+01:00

It's half term next week and I really can't wait!
I've been experiencing bouts of creative inactivity, of late.
My late-to-bed and early-to-rise tendencies have resulted in piggy little bloodshot eyes that no amount of eyeliner can hide.
(Believe me, I've tried!)

I'm going to spend the week writing new songs on my Casiotone keyboard,
with my headphones strapped on.
I'll rise when my body clock sees fit, and not when the alarm tells me I should do it.
And I'll take breaks in-between recording to sit on the balcony
Smoking fags and drinking green tea.

I Just Saw The Last Episode of Lost...

2010-05-26T01:15:00.001+01:00

I, like millions, have spent the last six years of my life glued to the screen once a week in a perverted trance, secretly getting a kick out of the fact that I didn't know what the hell was going on. Each time the scriptwriters threw another riddle into the pot, my, by now, predictable cries of "WHAT????!!!" were actually in bitter contrast to the true excitement of being none-the-wiser.

The finale ends on a rather philosophical note, leaving some small details unanswered while shedding light on others. I guess it couldn't have been any other way.

As I switched off the TV and sat back in eager anticipation of the next big-budget series to grab me by the socks and rock my world, it got me thinking. Lost worked so well because we don't actually want all the answers. Who wants to know everything. The thrill is in the ride, the journey, the feeling of uncertainty that reminds us we're still human. The destination is incidental.

It's something we've been aware of all along, but it's nice to have a TV show remind you.

Dear Jim'll...

2010-05-19T01:53:00.001+01:00

...Please can you fix it for me to wake up tomorrow morning and find these sparkling at the end of my bed, bathed in the golden rays of the first morning sun streaming through a crack in my bedroom curtains? (But can you not bring them yourself. I didn't say I wanted a nightmare.)

Thank you,

Girl in a Thunderbolt
x

One. Two. Three.

2010-05-15T12:04:00.000+01:00

Hello guys

I think this is going to be a quickie post, but you never know. I might end up rambling for a bit. We'll see, shall we?

First off.
I've been updating my website, adding new dates, videos and pictures. It's still a work in progress ( I was up until 4 last night in front of the computer! On a Friday!) but it's taking shape.

girlinathunderbolt.com

Second.
I don't have much live footage of shows, so it was a real treat when Nigel d. Nudds sent me this video of a song played at Norwich Arts Centre last week where I supported Jesca Hoop.
The song is unfinished, with the working title of 'Last Man Standing' (although that has to change. It's a bit 'corny'!)

I really enjoy previewing unfinished songs at gigs. I like the whole thing of starting a song in front of an audience without knowing how it will end or if I'll forget the parts! It presents an element of surprise to both me and the audience and keeps me on my toes.

Thirdly.
I received a nice review from the folks over at CrystalBearFighter. Strangely compared to Jim Morrison and Noisettes, but I can live with that! You have to scroll down a little to read the piece.

Was that a quickie post? Does that qualify? Answers on a postcard please...(remember them?)

Style On A Shoestring?

2010-05-08T13:30:00.001+01:00

I've got a bit of a thing for old decorating books, particularly those from the sixties and seventies. They're cheap as chips to pick up in charity shops and offer hours of entertainment, not to mention countless styling tips.

This book from 1973 was picked up from a car-boot sale last weekend for the grand total of 10p.

I particularly like this shot. Look how happy they all are in their Wallpaper Wonderland! You won't get that kind of satisfaction from Homebase.

THEY'VE ARRIVED!!!

2010-05-06T18:33:00.001+01:00

My album arrived today! 1000 copies packed neatly into cardboard boxes. If the moon was full I'd be over it and halfway down the other side!

I was a bit worried about the image on the CD not lining up with the background, but it matches perfectly. Perhaps there's a few design ideas I'd have liked to have done differently, but I sharn't disclose! :D

Now the hard work begins - the job of promoting it. I don't want to have 950 copies sitting in the loft this time next year. That would be depressing. I'd have to move house.

My, My! Has it REALLY been that long?

2010-05-05T16:24:00.000+01:00

Time really does fly when you're busy being busy. Before I knew it, two weeks have come and gone and I haven't even done ONE POST! My life has been a tangled web of....

Spring-time bike rides

And Gigs and Socializing

These were taken by my mate Jo Millington at the Bicycle Shop in Norwich

I've also been gearing up for the debut album release on 1st June. By "gearing up" I, of course, mean avoiding putting pen to paper to write a press release and to update by biography. These things scare me like hell! It's like, what you write has to be so... FINAL! And I don't like final. I like open-ended, drift-on-inevitably-and-maybe-change-your-mind-once-or-twice-along-the-way. Trying to pin-down what it is you do, and how it is you do it, is probably one of the hardest things for an artist to do.

But time is drawing near and I've reached the end of the cliff. If I don't get these things written by the end of the week then it could mean...the epilogue...or the news in Welsh...for life..." (*ahem*)

Putting all this business stuff aside for a bit, I've been working on six new songs, which I'm quite excited about! And I've had a couple of ideas about subjects I want to blog about. It's just a case of finding the time. Maybe I should write a song about it...

The Skelton Closet. 16th April, Islington Metal Works.

2010-04-18T21:05:00.002+01:00

A hastily-scribbled set list that I didn't stick to.

After my set.

Voodoo Trombone Quartet backstage.

The Countdown Begins...

2010-04-14T12:36:00.003+01:00

June 1st, 2010.

I'm going with this cover, and I've set a release date.

Oh Shit.

2010-04-13T11:15:00.002+01:00

Over the last few months I've been working towards the release of my debut album Seven Sisters, recorded in Bergen last year. I'd given a lot of thought to the artwork as I wanted an image that conjured up the mood of the music and that contained an element of symbolism. About a month ago I settled on a theme, deciding to pay homage to Scott Walker's Scott 3 album cover, which is a classic. I came up with this...

I got the mastered cd back a couple of days ago, and was ready to send everything to the pressing plant yesterday morning, when I stumbled across this...

The cover to Rufus Wainwright's new album, released April 5th 2010 and almost identical even down to the lack of text over the image (although I think mine's better!!) :D

Now I'm in a bit of a pickle. I don't want it to seem as though I've copied Mr Wainwright, but I'm really very happy with my image and I don't want to change it. Besides, the cover goes perfectly with the rest of the artwork on the album, and I almost blinded myself with the flash while trying to capture 'the perfect eye'! I'm thinking I may just go ahead and press it...

Malcolm McLaren 1946-2010

2010-04-09T12:14:00.001+01:00

Controversial old bugger, you will be missed.

Girl In A Thunderbolt News

2010-04-07T20:30:00.001+01:00

Recently I've been getting a few messages from folks in Europe and Stateside asking how they can get a copy of my CD. Well...this is just a quickie post to let everyone know that my ep SONGS FOR MODERN LOVERS is now available worldwide in cd format through my Website! Hurrah!

I'm down to my last copies now, and I don't plan on getting any more done EVER, so if you want one, best to hurry!

xxx

The Zenith, Islington. March 2010

2010-04-02T15:39:00.001+01:00

A couple of photos taken while waiting to play at The Zenith in Islington last week. (Just visible in the top photo is Lucille in the right-hand corner, waiting to be played).

New Bike (Part 2!)

2010-04-02T15:13:00.000+01:00

I can't help myself. I like old things. 21st century design holds no charm for me. Without sounding too much like my grandmother, nothing is built to last these days. Cheap plastic, shoddy workmanship, very little attention to creative detail. Plus, old things seem to carry within them a certain energy and connection which I can't explain. It's a very subtle spiritual experience.

Which is why I could hardly pass up the opportunity to own this...

Bought for less than the price of a half-decent bottle of wine, after much research online I've discovered it's a ladies Rudge Sports Tourist made between 1944 and 1946.

It's a really good solid bike, alive for nearly 70 years and will easily live for another 70, and it came with all the original parts including tyres, inner-tubes, and a 65 year old Brooks saddle. But it was also covered in 65 years of grime and dead spiders.

I spent the weekend lovingly soaping it down and steel-wooling it up. I replaced the tyres with some Raleigh white-walls, and I found some vintage rubber handlebar grips on ebay to replace the disintegrated ones the bike came with (note: at £16 including p+p, the grips cost more than the bike itself!)

Check out the cool crank, and my hand-knitted bike lock cover!

I took her on her maiden voyage to work yesterday and she handles like a dream! However, I do have a slight dilemma. I'd like to be able to use this bike for grocery shopping, but I don't want to put a twee little basket on the front. I'm more than happy with the old saddle-bag, but you can't get much in there, and panniers would interfere with the dynamo lights. I guess I'll just have to start spending less at the supermarket!

Bed Peace

2010-03-25T21:27:00.004Z

Apparently, today marks the 41st anniversary that John Lennon and Yoko Ono (can I call them 'Jo-yo'?) took to their bed for a week in the name of peace.

Whether or not they achieved their objective, if indeed they even had one, is beside the point for me. I think it's worked wonderfully as an installation of living art. I don't think they deserved the ridicule they received at the time.

Recently I've been re-digging Les Beatles again. I find myself going through various stages of musical tolerance, but in the end I always come back to John, Paul, George and Ringo (and The Smiths, but that's another post!)

Viva la Kitt!

2010-03-23T19:47:00.001Z

Grace, style, vibrancy and charisma, this woman had it all. Definitely a favourite of mine.

The Queen of 'Um'

2010-03-21T03:17:00.000Z

A few weeks ago I recorded a session for BBC Norfolk Introducing to go on their website. It's just a short piece consisting of a brief interview and a live acoustic performance.

The song I played is a relatively new one called 'The Watchmaker'.

Intended to be all recorded in one afternoon, we ended up having to split the session in two, with the performance shot a week later. This was around the time that Lucille was playing up. She refused to perform on the day, buzzing and humming all over the place, so I had to return the following Friday with another guitar to record the song. Happy to say Lucille is now fixed and purring like a Cheshire cat.

You can watch the video by clicking here.

After watching it back, I can't believe how many times I manage to say the word 'Um...' in the course of the interview!

New Set Of Wheeeeels!

2010-03-19T19:51:00.002Z

I've been without a bike for almost a year now. My previous faithful friend suffered a cracked rim and, being quite a rare bike, would have cost a few hundred to fix, more than the bike was worth itself.
It's been languishing in the shed since last summer and I've been relying on my feet as my main mode of transport.

But...For my birthday, Mr Davidson offered to purchase a new cycle for me! We found this one on Ebay - a vintage Raleigh 3-speed dated March 1980. It was going pretty cheap and located in my neck of the woods. Ideal.

There's a few cosmetic adjustments I want to make. I've ordered a leather Brooks saddle online to replace the God-awful monstrosity currently masquerading as a saddle, and I want to replace the handle grips too, which look like they were made from an empty toilet roll covered in a ripped up pair of old knickers.
Then there's lights, and perhaps a change of wheels in the form of Schawlbe Delta Cruisers! Yum!

(I'd like to point out that I don't usually make a habit of cycling indoors!)

Feeling Catty

2010-03-19T01:03:00.000Z

A Report On The Weather

2010-03-11T18:54:00.000Z

In England we talk about the weather. All the time. And to anyone who will listen.

I have a theory about this, based on absolutely nothing whatsoever, as most of my theories tend to be.

I think it's because the standard food is pretty crap. People from countries with great cuisine never talk about the weather.

They just talk about sex.

Without diverting from the cultural norm, I'm going to talk about the weather, and in particular, about how LONG this winter has lasted. The sun packed up and left over six months ago and we're all still in mourning. Faces are long. Shoulders are hunched and aloof. Everyone's grey and depressed. Friends on Facebook are contemplating suicide if the sun doesn't make it's presence felt in the next few weeks (albeit in humour, I hope.)

The Beatles 'Here Comes The Sun' has been swimming around in my head for a couple of days now.
This is one of my friend's bands, The Real Ones, performing that song at the friggin' NORTH POLE! I guess the Norwegians know a thing or two about missing the sun.

The Women of Mali

2010-03-07T23:48:00.001Z

I really love the look Fulani women have going on.

Born Again?

2010-03-07T21:08:00.000Z

This weekend has been one of excess and revelry, which was kind of nice and yet slightly ironic given the fact that I'd, days previously, had a massive system detox involving Thai massage, yoga and healthy eating. I was feeling GREAT! Seemed like the perfect excuse to celebrate to me...

The 4th of March was my birthday. It's also the birthday of two of my friends, Emily and Marilyn. On Friday night 'the gang' hooked up for drinkypoos in town, then headed back to ours for more drinks and mouth-watering dips made by Rob's fair hands.

Loved Emily's white boots, a birthday present from her boyfriend Ben.

Looking slightly busty and worse for wear!

Saturday night was the night of Marilyn's sixtieth birthday celebrations, a sixties dress-up affair which I applied myself to with full relish. Sadly I didn't take any photos, but it was a good night. Marilyn asked me to bring my guitar along, and I played a few songs before deciding it would be a good idea to make up a song on the spot. Luckily everyone there was drunk too so it went down pretty well!...

I was kind of hoping that I'd wake up early enough on Sunday morning to take part in an all-day vocal workshop held in Norwich. It was going to be my birthday treat to myself, a little creative self-exploration to round off the weekend festivities. No such luck. Woke up with a thick head and a sore throat and didn't fancy croaking my way through a workshop.

I went to the sauna instead. Which was a pretty good idea, I think. Then I hooked up with Mr Davidson for some lunchtime pizza.

Blissed-out post-sauna-ness

It's been a while...

2010-02-25T18:29:00.000Z

Hey there!

This is my first post in almost a week, and for that I apologise.

Been two parts ill, one part lazy, and three parts busy (evidently I have 6 parts to my being).

More on what's been keeping me busy to come.

Till then, here's a message from our sponsors...

2010-02-19T02:34:00.003Z

I am now ready for a new adventure.

Dita

2010-02-18T01:00:00.002Z

This beautiful lady was delivered through the post today!

An early birthday present from my boyfriend (who is rapidly going up in my estimation by the minute!)
She was born between 1910 and 1920 in Germany, but still looks pretty hot for her age. I've named her Dita.

I've got a gig tomorrow night and I really wanted to take her out but she can't sing in tune until the tuning pegs are replaced (which will probably happen next week now).

Still, with all her strings humming different melodies, I can still tell that, once set up, she'll be a guitar I'll be playing for a very long time.

All-Time Favourite Singer

2010-02-17T01:59:00.002Z

There's something about Howlin' Wolf's voice that stops me in my tracks every time.
I can't explain what it is, but when I hear him sing it's like experiencing the beauty of someone you love coating a knife in sugar before stabbing you in the heart with it. It get's me every time, and every time I find myself surrendering to it despite my will.
No other singer has this effect on me.

How about you guys? Are there any voices out there that totally possess you?

The Electric Bolt Like A .44 Colt

2010-02-15T03:55:00.000Z

I was sitting in the bath this afternoon, brushing my teeth, as you do, when an almost complete song popped into my head from nowhere. Only half of the words were there, but the vocal melody and harmonies were complete, as was the music, rhythm and atmosphere. I could hear it all, as if someone in the next room had just put a record on.

I ended up spending the next 10 minutes humming it to myself and clapping my hands in an attempt not to forget, so that when I was out and dried I could record whatever remnants of the song I could remember to work on later this week.

Thankfully I managed to get the idea down in a very rough and basic form on my crappy little dictaphone - an absolute necessity for moments like these.

The thing is, I quite often have moments like these. It's during the times when it's not actually practical to create that I'll find myself hearing the most wonderful songs. The prime example is when I'm just about to fall asleep. I must literally have heard over 100 beautiful songs in the small hours of the morning when I'm lying still in bed aware that I if I get up to record them I won't get any sleep and will be close to useless AGAIN at work the next day.

Bob Dylan had a theory that every single song that has yet to be written already exists somewhere in the ether, and it just needs someone to use as a vehicle to come through. I think there might be some truth in that.

For me, the creative moments that energize me and leave me grinning from ear to ear are the ones where I'm minding my own business when a song just flutters down, taps me on the head, and then floats away, leaving me to chase after it and, if I'm lucky, grab it by the tail. When that happens, it doesn't feel as though I'm part of the creative process at all. The song comes into being through me, not because of me.

It seems to happen when I'm most relaxed, when my mind is completely clear of everything that's happened at work or during the day. When I unconsciously stop being "Maria Uzor" and just exist in timelessness. And when it comes, it hits like a bolt of electricity.
It DOESN'T seem to happen when I'm sitting at my desk with my guitar on my lap and the record button flashing on the 8-track! Pah!