A musical blog

I've been lamenting my lack of gig attendence since I hit London. I fully intended to go to as many as possible, and play as many a possible, and so far all I've managed is Brett Anderson at the Southbank Centre and Manic Street Preachers at Brixton Academy. Granted both were amazing - Brett Anderson with a string Octet was beautiful, and Manics were godlike as always! But I feel I'm letting my side down...

So 2008 is a gig year for me, I have decided! 16th Feb will see me heading back to Brixton for the Dropkick Murphys - for those who don't know them, they are an excellent American Punk band with Celtic influence, hailing from Boston. I last saw them at Manchester Academy in 2003/04 (I forget!). Any band that can integrate bagpipes and a mandolin in to great punk anthems gets my vote! So join me at Brixton on the 16th Feb!

Quite what else is coming up, I have yet to discover, so should be able to let you know by this Friday.

Next week sees me performing in Manchester at Jabez Clegg. I'm supporting a friend's band - the excellent Destroy The Evidence - who you can listen to at www.myspace.com/destroytheevidenceveinforest (check out The Apparitions - excellent song). I'm playing an acoustic solo set, sometime after 7 on the 23rd (Weds). Problem is, I feel I'm lacking my own songs - I fell out with one or two of them some time ago, so could do with writing a few more.

Songs of the week for Jordan:
* Erika - Destination Nowhere: Great tune from this Japanese singer. Used as the theme tune to the recent J-Drama 'Mop Girl'. Really lifting song.
* Northern Uproar - From A Window: Excellent Britpop anthem, great guitars, great northern band.
* Regina Spektor - Us: Possibly the most beautiful song ever written. Captured me the moment I first heard it, sung by a performer in London.
* My Vitriol - Taprobane/Losing Touch: Gorgeous - amazing use of guitars and effects. But where's the second album?!

Ruby Tuesday

Last night saw my first venture in to playing live music in the capital. An open mic night at The Perseverance in Marylebone. Around 10 performers, each playing two songs... a fantastic atmosphere! My motive for playng was that yesterday was also my lovely girlfriend's birthday! So it was a little surprise for her too...


Since seeing Brett Anderson play on Sunday night, inspiration feels to be coming to me. I really can not describe how beautiful the music was, and how talented he is as a songwriter and performer. We were also fortunate enough to see him at close range in the flesh before the concert also.


Today is presentation day... so shortly I will be making a comparison of BBC Radio Leeds and the Pulse of West Yorkshire (Bradford) in their news output. Both being local stations where I come from (Huddersfield), this is a project I can get interested in very easily!


and a programme in Fukushima prefecture in Japan is recruiting city workers and residents to try their hand at working on a farm, according to Asahi news. Japan's agricultural background is often forgotten in the face of its pioneering technological developments...

the most beautiful concert...

Last night I attended what was possibly the most beautiful concert of my life so far...

Brett Anderson (ex Suede) playing solo, backed by a string octet (Dirty Pretty Strings) and a pianist, at the Southbank Centre.

The music was absolutely wonderful. The strings set off the acoustic performance from Anderson superbly. Gorgeous.