Band rehearsing

This is a somewhat blurry version of what it looks like when Klak Tik is rehearsing. The smiling is only because someone is taking a picture, mind.

The trumpets usually play into the wardrobe. A way to control the volume of the trumpets, and the trumpeters themselves.

Loose and firm

So, the last few months have been spent getting the full band together and learning songs, new and old. There's eight of us now. Who would have thought I'd manage to get that many people together. I am very happy with how it's going, the band is a good mix of band orientated musicians and orchestral ones.
A couple of weeks ago we played our third gig, the first one with all eight of us. It felt like a goal reached for me. Hopefully there will be many more.

Apart from that I have been writing lots of new songs. We are planning to record and release a mini-album of maybe 6 or 7 songs in which Chris will be playing vibraphone instead of drums (it sounds magical!). They will be slightly less arranged, more intimate songs, recorded live in Padangle house (my flat).

Apart from that I have been busy shooting pics on my Lomo. I will upload a few samples as soon as I get my hands on a scanner.

My amp is buzzing for me to get back to playing, and I know well to obey it's call.

Sorenious HonkyBonk

Amazing. A Klak Tik snowman made by William. Guess who it's supposed to look like.

Gigs booked

Friday 30th January 8pm - Spice of Life, London
Thursday 19th October 8pm - The Slaughtered Lamb, London

hamas

is firing rocket at Israel??? I think there's more fire to discuss!
EVERYONE, STOP.

Anyway, I'm finding it hard to relate, like everyone else. Short rushes of empathy, followed by guild, forgotten by ambition, vanity, alcohol. Life is short, and the distance is long. I want to reach far, but with a short and focused grip. Firm, but merciful.

I want to go home. I never want to go home.

The Black Dog's Progress

Here's the short animation I did the music for. Great, isn't it!

The Black Dog's Progress from small time inc. on Vimeo.

The governing thoughts

We are probably playing the first ever Klak Tik gig on the 21st of November at the Spice of Life in Soho, London. After that, rock gods permitting, we'll probably be gigging more regularly and hopefully adding a few more musicians to the outfit. I think having a violinist and a trumpeter could add a great deal to the music, and I guess we would get a bit closer to the sound of the recorded material.

Oh yeah, and a picture I took in Vietnam, which is going to be used on the cover of the forthcoming ep, has been shown on the frontpage of The Guardian's art/design section, which is cool.
Yup, ep coming up. It's called Kapitel8, and it's a web mp3 label type of thing. I can't wait for the release.