Wired @ Shoreditch House:...

Although many might find it strange for me to call myself a 'new girl', my near 2year presence on the music scene is but a drop in the ocean by industry standards! Though of course I'm working towards a title that carries a bit more weight I quite like being a 'newbie' lol! I love the fact that I can still be inspired by voices on the underground scene, I'm still not bored of trekking to the ends of the Metropolitan Line to get a studio fix, and there are still magical untapped music events for me to discover :D! I attended one such event on the 13th June:


WIRED is a music showcase that's been right under my nose all this time in a venue MADE for all things trendy, luxurious, and entertaining - Shoreditch House - and in a room aptly named the Biscuit Tin! On the first Monday of every month organiser Kate Bond and host Duke make a real charasmatic pair bringing you some of London's finest independent talent!

Kate Bond

This chica had a beautiful soulful voice and boy could she hit them high notes. But what struck me was how intimate it felt to hear her...excellent sound, the lounge chairs adding that homely touch, and enough people to start a mosh pit lol...it was a really hot way of being serenaded!

My boy Shakka! UK's answer to John Ledgend...Wired soooo got it right having him in to entertain! Check out more of this guy here: SHAKKA

Duke - smashing a Prince cover!

Bring on the Brass!

I definitely recommend this night to all...though it is guestlist only so you might have to do your research to get in there! It was nice to see familar faces like Ayo @ We Plug Good Music and my dep keys player Jonathon lol, as well genius vocalist Steven Tart to mention a few! Good times in Shoreditchland lol!!

Not wanting to miss out on the another amazing night that night...I also snuck over to Style and Substance @ the Queen of Hox - hosted by my lovely ladies Sistova! I arrived just in time to catch the end of an amazing dance/spoken word performance...who says these nights can't be multi-platform ay!!

If you know of any other nights that AA and co. should check out...HOLLAAAA! HERE!

@sh.x

Gig-geddy Gig-geddy part 1...

Hmm...I'm still wondering if I should've called the next couple of posts 'Camden Nights'...? since it covers the last couple of gigs I've played in Camden Town and I'm not sure everyone will grasp the comic reference in the current title lol?! Anyway...yes Ashleigh Ash has been doing her thang with the boys, JoelKeys, GibbiGuitar, KieranBass and TobiasDrums and it's been amazing!

Our first stop was Lockside Lounge at the end of March - and these guys put on a MeaN party lool!! Imagine the serenity of sipping rose by Camden canal on a Sunday eve, then add live music from house band The Coalition, a BBQ and a bar packed with colourful characters! The result is a jam to remember :D. I was rocking some new Fly53, and they were sure to show their support by blogging about the show...see their write up and pics HERE!

Due to the success of the first gig Duane Flames (the host of UK Unsigned, and accomplished rapper/producer) invited the band and I back for a another installment! We have to jump forward in time a little bit...it's the 15th May and we were about to do Lockside for a second time! The vibe was equally magical, but I was a little nervous about the fact that the band and I didn't have time to rehearse! :o

There were a few special guests in the audience this time too...Lucid Tiger were there to see me perform for the first time...as were a couple of girlies I went to school with! Costume wise I kept it simple this time with a little black number, accesorised with one of Bwoy Wonder's lego creations (http://www.lyrics4lyrics.com) and my rouged McQueen hi-tops! Feeling comfortable on stage is half the battle...and it turned out un-rehearsed as we were I really let my hair down and the performance went down a treat :D

(Thanx to GEEproductions for the photos...video footage coming soooon!)

Thanx for believing in me Mr Flames...and of course nuff lurrrve to the band and everyone who came down to support!

@sh.x

MusicConnex

There are points in every artists journey when they´re faced with taking 'the next step'! I took my 1st steps with Jonathon Hockley, Kasha and Composure in early 09'...and the next steps revealed themselves pretty quickly after that! Branching out and meeting more producers and artists...setting up my blog and other social networks came next...then getting a band together in early 10' for my 1st gig...which inevitably led to more gigs! But with all this hard graft under my belt where exactly is the AA project heading?? I knew the 'next step' was imminent but I didn't have a clue what it was!?!

I've got Faron McKenzie and his partner Jon Mansfield to thank for my latest musical ephiphany! MUSIC CONNEX -their brainchild - does exactly what it says on the tin, and MorE lol! I was skeptical when Faron 1st mentioned this conference because I hadn't been to a seminar since uni days...and the business side of the music industry has always been a bit over complicated for my liking! I gave it a go however...and on the 1st day alone I was blown away by the energy and keen faces that filled Kings Place! This wasn't just a seminar...this was a celebration of success!

The three-day programme covered a range of subjects relevant to any budding artists! From brain rehearsing to hints on how to get signed. Youtube gave a tips on how to get your music out there digitally and Miss Bee from I Luve Live told us how to secure good gigs!! And innovative companies such as Music Dealers showed us exciting ways of monetizing our work! I was spoilt for choice with artist speakers like Labarinth, Random Impulse and Jazzy B in the house. As well as industry moguls like Charlie Sloth and Glyn Aikins from Virgin! The highlight for me though was an intimate discussion with the one and only Al Shux (producer/songwriter of Emipre State of Mind!) His room was SOOO packed that me and a couple of others set up camp outside his room til we were granted access!

In between seminars we all had the opportunity to network and connect in King's Place beautiful canal side setting! The bar was buslting...and so relaxed! Novice artists like myself could rub shoulders and pick the brains of veterans like Ian Titchner from The Music Consultancy (Think DJ Luck and MC Neat). We were also treated to showcases on x2 of the nights...including performances from visiting Canadian Blast rap troupes! (You'll hear a bit about producer S.O.U.L soon)! See pics here! At this point I got to make a big shout out to my boy Sketch Williams! He's a Canadian artist/producer I met at MusicConnex...big talent...and new found friend ;D!

So what was this career changing next step? Well as independent as I've been up until now I learned that the AA operation needed extra hands and minds to help crank this thing up a gear! Hello Lucid Tiger! I don't want to say too much about this management duo at the moment as it's still early days, but if all goes to plan you'll be hearing a lot about Anthony and Raphael over the coming months! :D

Music Connex connects you to like minded driven people in the music industry! I was working on a short film at the same time as the seminar, so I only attended 2 out of the 3 days...wish I could have had it all lol! I won't summarise my experience in words...I think this video (filmed on location in the Kings Way hall hehe) says it ALL:

Thank you Music Connex! (And Jonathon for filming this vid :D)

@sh.x