I’ve spent all my working life in the music business and on the road. It’s what I know and love, but I’d never really appreciated just how right we get it most of the time until recently. I had a glimpse of what life is like in the non-touring world, and I have to tell …
I’ve been teaching meditation classes for some time now, mostly to people who are completely new to it. It seems that meditation is something that we all know can benefit us – reduced stress and stress-related illnesses, calmer and happier disposition, better sleep to name but a few – but most people don’t know how …
…..but a little chocolate now and again doesn’t hurt! I was shocked yesterday when I saw the price of chocolate eggs. I’m not massively into Easter anyway, but this seemed ludicrous – pure consumerism in the non-delicious sense. So I decided to make something as a gift instead. It’s not exactly a health food, but …
So I finally did it. I finally kicked that long-held, sweaty-palm, racing-heart, oh-god-I-might-be sick-or-possibly-cry, fear to the kerb. I faced the bugger down and I NEVER HAVE TO DO THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AGAIN. It’s done. Did I jump out of a plane? Save a child from a burning building? Escape from a …
This week I’ve been at rehearsals in London for a new show, so I’ve joined the daily commuter grind each morning and evening. The studio’s tricky to get to from mine, so I’ve been leaving very early and not getting home till bedtime. That’s cool, it’s the nature of the beast, but as I’m up …
At the Total Production Awards this week, I was struck by how many of our road-family we have lost in the past year. Men cut down in what should be their prime years, many still far from pensionable age. Is it the rigours of a less-than-healthy life of touring? Even if someone has never touched …
My friend Karen shared this recipe with me recently. Now you’re probably thinking what I thought…. ‘ummm….these are not bread ingredients….?’ It sounds bonkers but trust me, it’s super quick to put together, takes an hour to bake, and it’s just gorgeous! I love dunking a big hunk of it in a homemade soup for …
And lo, as the season of festive lunacy descended, ‘twas written that the roadies and performers would return from whence they came, and seek answers to the big questions of existence. Where does the food come from? Where does the laundry go? And why do I keep waking up in the same place I went …
I’m crouched over an open suitcase in my pyjamas, next to a tour bus at the side of the road, rootling around in a pile of clothes trying to find some clean socks. It doesn’t help that it’s raining and I seem to be providing the entertainment for passers-by. Still, hopefully the showers in the …
Pants on the Pavement: the unglamorous side of touring Read More »
Wow, it’s easy to procrastinate isn’t it? I never need to schedule cleaning out the drawers in my house because I know they’ll be spotless come tax return time. Things that never even occur to me to do the rest of the year suddenly become of paramount importance and great interest – and I know …
