And to quote...

Quote me as saying I was misquoted. (Groucho Marx)

The summer tour with 'It's a Beautiful Day' has come and gone. And, to quote the ever eloquent Steve Browning ,
"it was the worst tour ever and also the best". Two vehicle mortalities, 2,300 miles in 9 driving days and a very wet Isle of Wight.
But, on the flip side a great group of musicians who no doubt will now be life long friends. Fabulous gigs, organsised and
attended by wonderful warm caring people. You could not wish for more.

Back to the Isle of Wet...being programmed on the Garden Stage (in the rain) at the same time as the Manic Street Preachers
played the Big Top (in the dry) probably wasn't the smartest move in history. But, a small but enthusiastic crowd braved the weather
to watch us do our stuff...mad impetuous fools! Again to quote Mr Browning when asked what playing the Isle of Wight was like...
"it was like standing in a bucket of water while someone spits in your face repeatedly".
I couldn't have put it better myself!

I've set up a page to share links to video and photos of the tour...and also sell the small amout of merch we had left over!!!
Click here...It's a Beautiful Day 2011 UK tour.

I've also just joined the 21st Century and upgraded my old Pro Tool set up to the latest version...which involved new hardware
too...ouch expensive. But wow to say I'm like a kid in a sweet shop (oops almost typed sweat shop - not very PC) is a massive
understatement.

It makes me feel damned old when I realise that 30 years have gone past since the first ESDB recordings and gigs.
December 16th 1980 for the first recordings and December 22nd for the first gig. For those who are interested six
ESDB tracks (all remastered from the original master tapes) are now on MySpace. Here's the link - ESDB Myspace
or use the link in the home page...
I'm also working on setting up a link so those who wish to can download the entire ESDB catalogue.

Listen to the results of collaboration with Bodyglass here...the new fakermonkeys recordings
Also, in 2011 I'll be working with Mike from the band on a funk project, which should be a load of fun.

auralcandy news.....

The new EP entitled "extenteded playtime one" has been sent to the record pressing plant and very shortly we should have shiny new 10" records to sell.
The EP has 4 tracks..

New Shoes
Down down down
Rollercoaster
Dead Weight

We're not selling CDs of this EP but you will be able to purchase the MP3s at iTunes etc once set up...news to follow.
in the meantime why not click here to listen to our latest tunes on Last FM

If you're on Facebook we have a page...just type 'auralcandy' in to search and up will pop our page. Go on join our little friends group...pretty please!
If you do you'll get first dips at the new material!

The collection of songs to make up the new CD is now complete. There are some final tweaks and overdubs to do
over the next couple of weeks then to the studio to mix and master. The songs have been chosen from things I've
written over the last 4 years - so there'll no doubt be songs that have been available on Myspace etc for some time
amongst them. But, the logic behind the choices is that they all fit together in some way and I am determined
that I won't apologise for them - as I have done so often in the past.

So, there's the detail....

The CD will be called "flag".

I would like to think the listener will be able to find almost every definition of the word encapsulated somewhere
within the songs in the collection.

Here are the songs (in no particular order)...

Night falls,
Wait,
Death of an atheist,
My meteor,
Waiting for the rain,
Once I was a dreamer,
Hey little dreamer,
Cry,
Dancing at arm's length,
Down down down,
The last party,
Addict,
The silk scarfe and the sofa,
Cold,

Probably extra tracks will include "the girl and the double rainbow" and "delirious".

I am extremely pleased that my good friends at Homeground Records have agreed to release the CD on their label.
Tremendous news....plus it means I actually have to get of my fat backside and make it happen!!!

As always the jazz, jump and blues gigs are the bread and butter...or at least pay for bread and butter.
Just need a few more and I'll be able to afford jam!

Playing a fair amount with The Fraser Tilley Trio which is a very nice gig. I can stand at the back and play my guitar
...no pressure! Also, it allows me to work to improve my very average guitar playing!

Be afraid, very afraid...
As well as picking up work playing guitar, keys or vocalising (or all three) I've recently started getting booked for bass gigs!
Considering I only bought an instrument so that I could put bass on my demo recordings this is a frightening development
for any one who loves music!

Hey ho there's the one off things though - you know - sessions, backing jobs
etc etc blah blah...

Hopefully see you at a gig sometime...I'll supply earplugs to the faint hearted.