That was some weekend.
It was my birthday on Friday. And on Saturday. And on Sunday too as it happens. Ever since I became too old to get the latest Optimus Prime as a present i've not made too big a deal of my birthdays and had it not have been for all the gigs i'd booked around it, this year would have been no different.
As a little birthday "warm-up" we went to see Reef at the O2. They were the first "big" band I ever saw live, my old band (Freerider) supported them on their 1st date of their 10year anniversary tour (which is where the beginnings of AlBenAza were formed), and over the years i've ended up having various dealings and random acts of chance involving them. I've supported "StringerBessant" (Gary & Jacks other project), AlBenAza had a gig once were Dom was drumming for us and Reef's current front of house engineer recorded half of my first EP. Anyway, they absolutely smashed it and it awesome to see them again.
The Friday was my actual birthday and a few friends and I went to a venue called the Stag & Hounds to watch the Plymouth based band Moriarty. Having lived in Plymouth before Bristol, I know Matt (the drummer) but i'd not yet seen them. Annoyingly every time they'd played Bristol, i'd either be giggin myself or working away. It was nice to finally catch them and played a corker of a set with some banging riffs. if you get a chance to see them, do it.
Despite trying to take it easy, shots may have become involved so when I woke up the next morning I can't say I felt 100%. After composing myself I drove down to Totnes to support Dizraeli & The Small Gods at a sold out Barrelhouse. It was great to be back down that way as the Barrelhouse is a great venue and I got to catch up with some friends as well. The gig was awesome too. I'm my own worst critic but that was probably the first gig i've done where I was really happy with how I sang. I'd been listening to the Dizraeli & The Small Gods album on repeat all week and I have to say seeing them live is a must. The album is great, but there's definitely and added layer of awesomeness when it's right in front of you.
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| Sold out! |
The next afternoon(!) I drove back to Bristol to play the Shakespeare for the Totterdown arts trail. The arts trail is basically a load of artists displaying their art in venues and house in the Totterdown area. I got back just in time to catch The Montgomerys who were awesome and another band i'd been meaning to see but just not got round to. Considering by this point my hangover had developed quite nicely and Ben the bar manager had greeted me with a shot of sambuca & tabasco, I managed to get through the set and I dare say I felt like I sang better than I had done the previous night. The night was completed by the Lewis Creaven Band. Seriously, these guys can play. Lewis is probably one of, if not the best guitarist i've ever seen in real life. Get them in your life. :-)
So that was my birthday weekend. Thanks to everyone that came to the shows, bought me drinks, and sent me messages. I'll now be hibernating for a few months. ;-)
EP news! We are in the latter stages now! We should be starting the mixdowns this week and then it's just mastering and artwork to go. Whoop whoop!
Finally, we're off to Launceston at the end of this week to film the video for a single. Quite excited about that so i'll let you know how that goes next time around.
Laters
Aaron
P.S. Moriarty won "Best Video" at the South West Music awards on Friday night. Check it out below.
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