Downloads Down / my new word

23 Jul 2008. 0 comments

The downloads from the shop are currently not working, due to some sort of hiccup with the provider... which is interesting as I'm not either... working that is!

Having said that, I'm about to head to the studio and do a vocal for another remix by Future Cut, and work on a new track.

I'm writing a song for a film set in Memphis, but it can't be a generic song as it has to come from a character in the film.  I'd love to tell you more about this guy, and the screenplay in general but I'm not sure it'd be cool to talk about it just yet.  For now it's enough to say it's a fantastic script, and that I'm falling in love with the guy that writes the song.... wish I was more like him.

I was over playing Letterkenny at the weekend...the gig was interesting, not the sort of thing I'm used to but good nonetheless.  The best thing about it though were the other bands... David Holmes, Cashier No.9, Aliens (former members of the Beta Band), and a band called Dry County (although they've just changed their name??? I liked it)... Cashier No.9 are a great band, I'm not sure where to put them musically though?  Just good.  The front man, Danny, sort of put me in mind of Ian Curtis, not musically though.  I had a good heart to heart with David Holmes about other projects I'm working on, that I was planning to release under a pseudonym... he raised a few interesting points, and subsequently the next album could be pretty far away from Hope... we'll see...

I'm in constant flux musically speaking...  I write a whole lot of material but never get around to releasing it, and I'm beginning to question my method...

there are a few artist at the minute that seem to release something new every few months (quite literally), which I find very inspiring from the point of view of my relationship to my art form... it would be so liberating....  on the other hand I'm not sure it necessarily translates into a career building exercise, but yet again I'm not sure I actually care about that anymore!?  I've always admired The Blue Nile, who are a band that very rarely release material.  They seem to focus on creating something that their really proud of and think will last out there in the big cruel world... which is the antithesis of everything I just said a second ago, but is equally beautiful.  I guess that was part of the reason for working under an alias or two; so as to have the best of both worlds.  We'll see... everything is changing in my world at the minute.. actually, as I write this, Paul Simon is singing in the background "nothing is different but everything has changed"... whatever that means...

Did you notice I learned a new word last week?  It's never appeared in anything I've ever read before and then it appeared twice in my last post.. what a word though...

quixotic
exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical : a vast and perhaps quixotic project.

Sounds like my life!

Prison tour Part II

19 Jul 2008. 4 comments

Why is it that, when things go wrong before a performance, it's often the thing that makes it!? I'm obviously speaking personally here...I don't know if it's like that for everyone (?)

I seem to work better on the back foot. I arrived at Full Sutton Prison last Monday feeling I knew just what to expect, and with a fair idea of what to play...but before I could lean on that old crutch I was met with the following sentence.

"Foy, I'm afraid the PA has blown, how do you feel about a quite set?" Said John (the ever helpful, who not only came in on his day off, but it was his birthday!)

Which meant playing anything with the loop station was out the window and that was the stuff they liked most.... In the end I was able to botch my gear through and old guitar amp, that at first sounded horrid, but then I realised if I changed the approach to it, I could make it sound alright... which meant rethinking the set, and playing everything with a quieter approach (because if I played to hard it was just distortion central)... but it was beautiful... it ended as it often does in requests. It's at time like this that I'm glad of my years slogging on the circuit; you end up knowing a lot of songs from all genres. Having said that, I generally worry that all these songs are taking up valuable hard drive space in my brain, because I tend not to forget a song when I learn it.... anyway, it bowed well at Full Sutton...

I was struck again this time by the 'city life' nature of all the prisons I went to. I know the idea is to rehabilitate the prisoners, and I know that's the intent of most of the people I met working with the prisons, but for a large part it seemed like everyone in there gets institutionalised. I don't know if that's down to the prison's approach or to the sorts of people that end up inside?

Either way, there they all are, getting on with day to day life seemingly unaware of a world outside at all. At the same time every day they get up, wash, eat, work, socialise etc which I know isn't that unlike the lemming mentality of the outside world, but we chose it, for them it's imposed. They have their pecking orders, their social status, their own set of morals and codes of conduct, it really is like another world. Which is why, I guess so many people keep returning, when their let out... I can imagine for a lot of people, it could end up a sort of strange comfort, compared the the reality of life on the outside. In there, they can be whoever they want. They're under no obligation to tell the truth about anything, or for that matter face up to anything they've done. What makes a person have a moral epiphany and face up to the reality of their crime irrespective of how that might make them feel? I'm pretty sure it's not putting them to bed at the same time every night, or getting them out of it at the same time every morning.

I am a tad quixotic, but nonetheless I suggest music as a means to helping them come to a place of understanding... needless to say, it's not gonna work for everyone, but....

In Wakefield, where the majority are sex offenders, a guy came up to me at the end of the show and thanked me as it was "the first time in 9 years, head been out of prison"... Some of you may be thinking, he got an undeserved treat, and you know what? You might be right! But taking myself as an example... I didn't learn music through a workshop, or from a music teacher of any sort that was paid to host the workshop or teach in the school... Not that I didn't learn from them at all, but I didn't learn half as much as I did, and still do, from listening freely to the sounds people make for the love of it! It's that element of music that can turn you life around... I'm sure that sounds twee or romantic bordering on quixotic... but that's pretty much what music did for me, and seeing, meeting and performing for these prisoners brings it back to me.....

New Hall women's prison was as interesting as it was the first time... a completely different experience altogether. One that that always shocks me, but not as much as it does at New Hall, is how sweet and innocent some of the prisoners look... there was one Asian girl in particular who looked about 14 (she was definitely older than that), and had the sweetest face and approach to conversation...very shy yet very interested... she looked well kept; a real 'Doctor's daughter who leads the Church Youth Group' sort of look about her. I find myself thinking about what people like her might be in for, not that it would do me any favours to find out, but it really is shocking when you see it up close!

The last gig was in Whitemoor prison, which aside from the town I stayed in, was an altogether great experience again. I really got the feeling that the guys were green for it... their barriers were down, they weren't being dictated to so they had no need for fronts... sometimes they keep their fronts for a bit, but after a few songs and bit of banter they drop their guards and let you play to them.... They come in, shouting requests, the Jamaican's shouting for Elephant Man and Reggie in general and the Irish shouting for Rebel songs and 20 minutes later this room full of hardened men, most of whom are in for murder, are sitting in absolute silence listening to Gabriel and the Vagabond, or 'you've got a friend' by Carol King or 'a case of you' by Joni Mitchell... they really soak it up... I guess my hope is that as the songs washed over them, they left a fragrant residue that won't wash off...

It may well be vain... 'still I can not help myself but hope'

Prison tour Part I

16 Jul 2008. 2 comments

11:53
I've played Full Sutton and Wakefield so far, both maximum security prisons and and I'm just on my way to New Hall Womens prison... I've played there before so I have an idea of what to expect, but at the same time I'm guessing the women are probably quite unpredictable!

I'll update you later tonight, providing I can get internet access...

Saw this in Wakefield...



20:56
3 down and 1 to go... New Hall was an experience.  It never ceases to amaze me at the breadth of people you get in prison.  There was one Asian girl in particular that looked about 15, she was obviously older as she was in the adult wing, and aside from how young she looked, she also had an overt innocent look about her.  I don't think anyone would ever look at such a girl and think anything ill of her, or that she would be capable of anything worthy of imprisonment.  It's an odd feeling because I can't help my mind from running through all the things that these folks might be in for.  I'm told that it's normal at first and that the desire to know leaves after a while.  As I sit here in my hotel room (in the most bizarre town I've ever encountered) I don't see the benefit of knowing their crimes...but yet every time I meet one of the prisoners that look like butter wouldn't melt..!  I find myself pondering what crimes they may be capable of... the thing is... if I found out, it would be of no use to me or them.  the whole idea of doing these gigs is about the human to human aspect of it, that being aware of someone's wrongs is not going to help at all.

Again, there was a bit of unrest in New Hall today... anytime I sang a line remotely romantic or sensual, there'd be a chorus of "oh yeah!!"... don't get me wrong here, I'm under no illusions that the girls think of me as some sort of heart throb... I'm fully aware that it's just a case of "any port in a storm!"...  The question time was interesting as always, aside from the usual questions like "will you take your coat off?" and  "can you come back to my cell?" they ask the question that I get asked every time I go in to do this sort of gig;  "why are you here?"    I'm not gonna bullshit you, in the same as I don't bullshit them: the main reason is a mystery!   Some people fancy George Clooney or Brad Pitt while others prefer Shane McGowan  or Iggy Pop...

I fancy singing in toilets and prisons!

There are other reasons of course but this is the primary one; as selfish as that sounds.

One of the young girls (15 i think) at New Hall created this piece of work... it jumped out at me like a diamond in a coal fire...



I went out to get a bite to eat tonight in this odd little town.  It's the sort of place that sets a great scene for a horror movie... like werewolf in London or something.  Anyway, I was out looking for somewhere good to eat and the best thing I could find was this Indian restaurant that had about 6 tables in it but room for about 20... not a single thing on the walls, just white paint... all the tables were pushed up to the windows like they were just about to hoover the floors if it wasn't for the pest of customers.... the carpet was really old and fusty but most notably, it didn't reach the walls in certain areas!  We're not talking centimetres here, we're talking feet... and it exposed a dusty concrete floor...on top of this it had a huge front window, but you couldn't see into the place as it had yellow-ing blinds from left to right and top to bottom, presumably so that people couldn't look in and be put off walking through the door... it rather made one quite curious actually so you wanted to see if it actually was an operating establishment, and the second you walk through the door they give you a pint and a menu and show you to your seat before you've said a word... charming little place really.  If only I could say 'well at least the food was good', but nah; can't even say that.  However, I kept reminding myself that all the people I've been spending time with over the last few days would be over the moon with such liberties, so I enjoyed it for what it was... i.e. an experience!

Here it is in all it's invitational glory:



How could I resist really!?

Q&A PART I

13 Jul 2008. 8 comments

whoop, there it is...

Q&A PART I

Ask a question!?

Whiskey and freedom

11 Jul 2008. 2 comments

Had a couple of mates round last night for some food and banter.  It's always good to see them (them being Roly -great holding page- and Paula), but last night was particularly good; for me and Roly at least.  Over the last year or so I've collected a good range of Whiskeys, generally donated by the gigs I've played, and last night we pulled out seven of them and did a mini tasting... which resembled more of a general drinking them to be honest, while occasionally noting differences. IT was hard to be sure by the time we got to the last one, but I think our favourite was the Bushmills 21yr old Single Malt Madera Cask.... oh boy!  I got that one from doing a gig at the Bushmills Distillery.  I've been doing a few gigs for them actually, and every time they arm me with quality uisce beatha...  I've got a nice bottle of their 1608, 400yr anniversary sitting unopened, waiting for the right occasion.  However I can be a bit impatient so I maybe need to redefine 'occasion'... are Tuesday's considered an occasion?

Getting geared up for my prison tour next week.  I'll try to blog as much as I can throughout the week.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Most of all I'm looking forward to seeing the same faces at some of the prisons.  That was part of the original idea, to keep returning to the same places so as to build relationships (however distant).  It would be just as easy for me to keep hitting new places, but I really want to find the select few that I return to regularly.  I think this could be of use to the lifers.  I know how much music affected and transported me, and I can only imagine what it must be like to someone locked up for life.  It must be like an oasis in an arid dessert.  Just to be clear; it's not that I think giving treats to these people is, in and of itself, the thing to do...BUT... I really believe that music has healing qualities, it can be a poultice to stuff you didn't know existed...so what can it do for someone whose being specifically rehabilitated?  I'm intrigued by the prospect of rehabilitation through music... surely if you treat someone with decency, irrespective of their wrongs, and then give them a piece of music to mark the occasion, that song or piece will have the potential to blossom in them and start to affect them!?  Am I getting to romantic? maybe... I just know what it did for me!  It's easy for me to get carried away with myself... I'm out here rockin' in the free world!

However the free world is getting less and less free...check this out! funny but frightening, really.

I realise it's been a bit quite here on the western front for a while... I've been replenishing my stocks and working on new ideas... it always sounds so mysterious/ambiguous with me doesn't it!?  Maybe I'm becoming a Steve Jobs clone... hopefully there'll be something a bit more candid for you to check out soon...

...not to mention the Q&A films... I'm having fun doing them, however the first one is SO cheesy...wonderful!

Free to be pointless...

08 Jul 2008. 1 comment

I start my prison tour next week and I’m looking forward to it!  I’ll put the dates up this week… hopefully none of you will get to see the gigs but you might know someone in there.  I heard that 1 in 4 people know someone in prison these days, madness eh!

I love playing the prisons; they’re really green for the music… I guess being coupled up in a cell all day everyday would make something like live music seem orgasmic… would for me anyway…

I started answering the questions you’ve been sending in… I should have a vodcast (techno speak for a video podcast) ready be the end of the week…. Some of you want to know same rare things, but I’ll oblige being that it’s you and all…  I got a bit carried away today though, making little animations and what not… I’m sure it’d be more effective if I just answered the questions.

Here’s my thought for today, care of Gavin Maxwell:

“If you know exactly what you’re going to do, what’s the point in doing it?”

Such beauty that only the free can enjoy!

 

JV's Show

18 Jun 2008. 4 comments

Just a quick note to say that Joanne's Artwork (including the work used on the album) will be taking down on Friday, so tomorrow is your last day to go and check it out - which I highly recommend you do; it's great work. 

The album art is great and the 'My Life's Worth' series of portraits are something to behold... anyway, go and see it if you get the chance.

I'm just back from a gig in London at the Borderline... it was an industry gig essentially, which usually implies it's gonna have a vibe bypass, but tonight worked well, maybe that's just because I got a lot of aggression out of my system... either way it was a good gig..


You'll be glad to hear I've started answering the questions you sent, however I'm gonna have to cut it into various blogs as you all went to town....  I'll try to answer them all though...

till then, keep on keepin' on
fv

Change of venue

10 Jun 2008. 6 comments

there's been a change of venue for the Sheffield gig; it's now in the Sheffield union - Fusion... hope that doesn't cause too much agro...

I've been getting you're questions and I fully intend on answering them very soon.  I'm in my studio as I write... I'm feeling a distinct mix of 'run down' and 'creative'.

I'm working on a few projects that are really getting my juices flowing.  I've never been happy creating music in any one genre so I'm now splitting myself into compartments... I want to be the first ever solo artist to split up.

At the minute I'm working on three albums, but who knows when they'll ever see the light of day;  I just need to get them out of my system for now...

The show with Joanne was a real success and we're planning to do more still... looking at Dublin next them London and maybe NYC, where next eh! the moon? who knows...

what a day...and jv

02 Jun 2008. 2 comments

what a day... sunshine and shade - mates and late breakfast - tattoos and BBQs - swimming in Groomsport bay in our underwear - playing guitar in the garden at twilight - today has truly had it all.. the crescendo is surely that my close friends gave birth to  their first child - a baby girl... the bump was referred to as 'Kid A' but I'm assuming she'll get a regular name any day soon:till then, enter Kid A...

I'm doing a show tomorrow night with Joanne and all the work from the album...  the last time I played in the face of it was recording the album, and being that the pieces are on sale and I may never play with them again I'm really looking forward to it.  The works are truly striking, to be in front of... if you like paintings that is; which I do.  Joanne's actually got a series going now with similar works... she had been focusing on portraits of her homeless friends but people are really responding to the work she did on the album and she's now working on a few commissions, people wanting old polaroids of them when they were kids immortalised on canvas.  They've got a real vibe... a bit David Hockney and a bit of Edward Hopper and a lot of JV...

Anyway, I'm punctured so I'm going to bed... thanks for the questions incidentally, you really took that challenge seriously didn't you...  I'll get them answered for you next week via a video blog or something; maybe we're entering a new phase in our relationship... fv

p.s. Joanne's site is now live (link above), so go check it out...

Important gig news etc...

30 May 2008. 3 comments

Unfortunately a couple of dates have had to be canceled on the tour...

Liverpool :: Cavern Club
Coventry  :: Kasbah Club

Sorry about that, but there was no getting away from it I'm afraid.

The Borderline gig on 19th June is actually the 100 Club (thanks Ciara) and tickets are available here

On another note, I've been doing a lot of live sessions of late and they're now online to view... in fact they've been online for some time, but I just haven't got round to informing you of it yet; but the good news  is it's because I'm too busy making music!  anyway, here they are

The Late Late Show (on RTE)
For those of you in ireland you can get this single from download.ie by texting  'MUSIC FOY' TO 57501

Tiscali Sessions
3 live tracks and an interview... 

Interviews are interesting things, they're generally a lot of flaccid questions that inspire little or no answer, so I end up filling gaps so that it doesn't feel like it falls on it's face.  When Van Morrison says there's no need to do interviews because "it's all in the music", I know exactly what he means... Most of the time there's nothing to say.  Especially with questions like 'so tell us a bit about yourself Foy'... Which translates as " I haven't got anything of real interest to ask you, so just say something entertaining or interesting' or else just ' I don't know anything about you, so start from the beginning'... in which case it begs the question 'Why are we doing this interview?'

If you're an artist/musician and the interviewer knows nothing or you're art/music what is there to talk about that won't be mindless peripheral bull shit?  OOOOH, come off the fence there Foy and tell us what you really think...

I can imagine that the more interviews I do the, more I'll end up resorting to one or two word answers... maybe it go like this:

Q: So, tell us a bit about who Foy is... (which doesn't even constitute a question)
A:  A Musician

Q: erm... good... and eh, what sort of music do you listen to? (at least this one's a question)
A: Good music

Q: right... for instance do you like anything current?
A: yes

Q: ok... let's move off music for a minute... where did you grow up
A: who cares?

Q: good point... erm... so did you enjoy growing up?
A: Listen man... you don't know what to ask and I can'[t bare to answer, so let's just call the whole thing off... I'll go and write some more songs and you should seriously consider a job in the travel industry...

INTERVIEW ENDS

I actually wish that interview happened as it would be a lot more interesting that most of the crap we're offered... especially 'celebrity news'... "BRAD AND ANGELINA HAD EGGS ON TOAST THIS AFTERNOON AT A TOP...OH... WAIT, THIS JUST COMING THOURGH.... YES, WE CAN CONFIRM THAT THE EGGS WERE ORGANIC AND SERVED MILDLY POACHED"

aaaarrrrrggg... it makes me wanna pull my lip over my head and swallow!

There we go, I'm glad we talked about that I feel much better... in fact you guys should interview me, at least any questions you ask would be coming from people with a vested interest being that you now know and own the music yourself...  you send them in and I'll answer them, what about that!?  flick them in an email to info@foyvance.com , let's see what you really think....

Right, back to studio fun... speak soon  f