Issue 10 of Southsea Folk came out at the end of March and we were the pioneers of the Summer colouring in focus! We knew the weeks ahead were going [ … ]
Missing
A few weeks into lockdown I had the pleasure of promoting Ella and Missing Promotions for a Friday evening live session that she organised called Isolation Station. There were fans missing going to live music gigs and artists missing performing them so to have a chance to watch a local talented band or musician play while sitting on the sofa with a glass of wine appealed to me!
Brutalist Records
Focusing on the music industry this week was important to me as anyone that knows me understands not only my love of music but also that I have watched my son grow in his band for the last 3 years. Part of watching him grow was picking him up from pub car parks at 11pm at night to watching him build a following in small venues in the city. These venues are what makes a musician or band grow and any success of where they go always comes from local roots, a local following of fans.
Big Hug Management
From being a Portsmouth DJ, a nightclub promoter, record shop, and record label owner, through to being involved in chart successes with Lou Reed and Nina Simone plus working with major record labels as a marketing & brand agency, the move into Artist Management in 2013 seemed a new, exciting and logical step.
10 Tracks From Portsmouth’s Finest!
Supporting your local music scene from bands to venues, promoters, rehearsal spaces, recording spaces and beyond has never been so important. Before lockdown, Portsmouth’s music scene was flourishing and the strongest it’d ever been regarding live music with gigs happening left, right and centre. There was a point that there were so many gigs happening that we’d be torn between splitting our time between up to three gigs over one evening!
Pie & Vinyl
Pie & Vinyl as an idea that would probably not have made it very far on Dragons’ Den but it just works. The idea for Pie & Vinyl was conceived in 2011 and the shop opened in April 2012.
I had this idea of my dream shop (that lived in my head), built around records and music but offering quality food to create a unique experience. Borrowing from the past to create something modern and human. Comforting and real. something that would touch your soul, and make you happy.
Southsea Sangha Reaches 6
Heading into lockdown I’d just started a course on mindfulness. Because of Covid-19 it was sadly put on pause and whilst I carried on using online mindfulness resources, I struggled to make dedicated time for myself. (Don’t we all?) It wasn’t quite the same as sitting with a group, discussing practice and being led in real-time.
The Grape Slayer
So, the story begins back in the olden days before this nawty covid fella got lairy, when a much needed natty lovers gang in Southsea was evolving & in it’s infancy. Grape Slayers were flocking to Southsea Wine Siren tasting events to satiate their natty appetites & learn more about raw wine with no additives or preservatives & made with minimal intervention. The real stuff, the raw stuff…the good stuff.
Dreaming Of The Pub
Isn’t it lovely out there this time of year? That beautiful May sunshine, the scent of new flowers emerging, their brightly coloured petals filling our green spaces around Southsea with a sea of colour. Those seemingly never ending warm evenings stretched out and filled with meeting friends at the pub, sitting in the beer garden, drinking and chatting till last orders. Oh, hang on a minute…
Recipe Love In Lockdown
Look at you lot giving Nigella, Jamie and Mary Berry a run for their money these last few weeks by showing all your culinary skills on social media. I have to say I have done more cooking over the last few weeks than I have for about 3 years!