Blog
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
In the studio...
22 May 2008. 3 comments
...I'm in a great studio called Livingston up in North London at the minute recorded for the next single release (which as yet is uncertain as to what it's gonna be)... I'm recording various versions of various songs. I quite like where it's going at the minute with regard to singles. Nobody really buys them anymore but yet we're in an age of the single song… everyone’s their own personal DJ, making compilations galore. Don’t get me wrong, the album is well and truly alive – at least in my book – it’s like the exhibition of a series of work, but there’s something about creating one off pieces too… I think it’s where I’m gonna have to go over the next while. I’ve got so many songs floating around that are gonna die alone unless I get them out there somehow, cause they’ll never be coherent for an album… well not one in the immediate future anyway.
We’re at that stage of the night when we’re all very tired, and to keep ourselves interested we’re now recording all sorts of songs and not the ones we’re meant to be… mainly because we’ve recorded them about 100 times already tonight and we’re beyond bringing anything fresh… the same could be said about this post… I’m not sure I’m making any sense at all?
What’s the point of posting, is it to get stuff off my chest, or to keep you informed of something? I’m under no illusions of knowing anything at them minute…
That’s not quite true; I know this… my new favourite slag term has just been coined by Steve Jones shortly after making a mistake at the end of the take, when he referred to himself as “a dick box”… it makes less sense than my post but I like it!
I'm getting a bit worried...
12 May 2008. 8 comments
...about the internet!
Have you ever watched the episode of South Park when the internet goes down? It's very funny indeed, but I'm worried that it's prophetic. All day today I've been hearing from people that have been sending emails that haven't been getting though, or when they do, there full of cyber jargon where the text should be... this can't be good right!?
Very bizarre altogether.
I'm really looking forward to Wednesday night now. Any time I've done something with the Kindred Spirit lot, it always proves to be a special night... I think we're just a few tickets away from being sold out... I said that so you can get a ticket now if you want one, not because I'm showing off... OK, so showing off had crossed my mind, but just for a moment........or two....
I've been working on the joint show Joanne and I are putting together for June. The work Joanne created for the album will be hanging in a beautiful space in Belfast and I plan to do a short set in the same space as the paintings; I'm really looking forward to it! One painting in particular played it's part in helping me capture a song for the album... I was having a nightmare trying to capture this song until I stood in front of the painting, and out it came. I haven't played in front of the work since that night so I'm quite excited about doing again: our second date! After this the work will go to another Belfast Gallery called James Wray & Co to hang for a couple of weeks.. the first show is a bit of a private view, although there may be a ticket or tow floating around closer to the time, but the second show is open to anyone that wants to come. So if you want to see the work up close (as I recommend you should if you like the cover art) it'll be at the gallery from 5th June (which is opening night) to the 19th... maybe see some of you there.
I'm just about to head into the studio to record the next single (don't ask what it is... it hasn't revealed itself yet)... I like being in the studio at night, it means you can get the drum kit out and mic up the hallway. The idea at this stage is to simply have fun, and as much of it as possible, until I stumble on something that might work and then I can start thinking about how to sculpt it... I'm heading down with a guitar and a tool box - should get something out of that!
Speak soon...fv
Thought you might like these: still on my stage diving high!
Thank you Belfast...
07 May 2008. 8 comments
... What a fortnight it's been... It feels sort of odd being home; in a good way!
Not that I'll be home for long... I'll be back out in Dublin this Friday for the Late Late Show...
Germany was good fun, and the place is beautiful... they've really got it sorted out there. The food was good, the grass was green, the autobahns were fast, the sun was shinning, the people were friendly, the streets were clean, the bakery's were second to none, the beer was world class and to top it all, they had banana flavoured airwave sweets: y'know like the chewing gum...BUT BANANA....AND SWEETS! very odd, and oddly enjoyable. The down side was the daily drives, everyone from the other band travelled in a tour bus overnight after each gig, whereas me and the Tour Mole (Roger the tour manager... works the tour and looks a bit like a mole) stayed in hotels and made the drive the next day... kind of a big mistake there. The shortest drive was nearly 6 hours and the longest wasn't far of 8... by the time we got to the venue we'd be late for soundcheck, so I'd rush through that, then try to eat something as quick as possible before going back onstage, which caused a lot of wind issues as you can imagine....
By the time I landed in Dublin Airport last Thursday, I was fit for nothing, but had to go straight to a radio interview, but the pay off was that Joanne and Ella came to meet us in Dublin so we then went for a great meal on the coast in Bray; beautiful!
I woke up the next morning with a voice like a donkey with laryngitis and being that I was meant to be playing Waterford that night, it wasn't the best timing... I ended up having to pull the gig... I was gonna go ahead and do it but I think it would've put me over the edge... so I headed up to Belfast to convalesce, slouching around in my boxers eating crisps and watching kids DVDs with Ella and generally not leaving the hotel bed for much longer than it took to go to the toilet...
After a couple of days, I felt a whole lot better... and then it happened! The Belfast gig was upon me, and I was well geared up for it. There's really nothing quite like playing your hometown (even though I'm actually from Bangor but you know what I mean). I don't know if there was something in the water that day or whether everyone attending the gig had some magic soup before coming out, but it was electric from the get go. There's also something about a standing gig that keep everyone on the front foot, and unable to fully relax; I think that gives a very positive energy to a gig, well certainly for me anyway. I never like feeling too safe...
The Belfast gig was like a courtship... I truly feel in love with them throughout the night. A lot of the songs I sang, they sang back at me like the really meant the lyrics and owned them. It was a profound and beautiful experience. the highlight by far was the stage diving episode. Duke Special had come along to sing with me, so that had everyone on a major high, including me. We sang a song from the album called 'I was Made', which is quite a tender song but we made it into something else by the end... I had looped up a cacophonous racket on the loop station until there was nowhere else to go with it, bar to dive off the stage; so I did. What a release... all those years of being in a grunge band and I never once stage dived... I was in many a mosh pit but never crowd surfed... usually because I was in the crowd and spitting with the rest of them instead of being on stage and singing. I can tell you now, if you come to a gig and it's standing and there's enough of you, you can rest assured I'll be diving on you!!! I LOVED IT! I can't believe I've never experienced it before, it's almost embarrassing....
there was no sign on stage diving in Dublin the next night (but it didn't stop us from having a good gig)... it was seated so I would've broke my back I reckon... great venue though, the Academy... I highly recommend you go and see something you like there, it's got a real vibe!
Anyway, I'm waffling on here... I actually just wanted to say Thank you Belfast for my most enjoyable gig to date... well done... Love, Foy x
Waterford Cancelled
02 May 2008. 9 comments
Hey all ye Waterford folk... really sorry but I've had to pull out of tonight's gig... I hate doing this sort of thing but having spent the last 8 days traveling the length and breadth of Germany, I've worn myself out vocally. Germany was great fun but it was endless traveling (6/7 hours a day)...and it's that more than anything that has left me feeling run down...I'll be well rested for Belfast, I assure you... Again, sorry Waterford!!! I'll get down to you as soon as I can...
Right, I'm off...f
I'm not taking the piss...
27 Apr 2008. 6 comments
...but I've just spent the last 30 minutes updating you on where I've been, what I like and dislike about being in Germany, giving you a bit of history on Köln (that's Cologne - where I'm going tomorrow for a day off), I've explained where I would visit in Köln and why....I even searched out some German translations for you... and then when I hit 'POST' it waited for a second and then said... 'TIMED OUT'... AAAARRG!!!!!!
Sorry you're missing out on all that info... I must tell you it was my wittiest post yet... you really would have loved it... no, really you would have, honestly; best ever...
One thing that I will add here that was in the post before is this... I will not be in Berlin tomorrow as planned!!! Instead I'll be enjoying a day of with Roger the tour mole (my tour manager; it's a long story...) in Köln (pronounced coolnn... don't say I never teach you anything...)...
Right I'm off to bed before I lose my rag and bounce this laptop of the wall.... speak soon...
Steve Wright and Steve's right
19 Apr 2008. 4 comments
First of all here some gig info... the Waterford gig is actually at the Electric Avenue and NOT the Forum!! Also, a London date has been added, 14th May at Gramophone. It's a different format than I'm used to; with a Q&A after the show, but it promises to be a good night. I think the last person to do this gig with the Kindred Spirit guys was Marva King (Prince's backing vocalist) and she seemed to love it, so I'm looking forward to it...
On another note, Steve Wright played the single on Thursday... a bit of an odd sensation! He's been on the radio for as long as I can remember. I'm sure my brother used to listen to him when he was on Radio1... then I remember listening to his Saturday morning show... very bizarre to hear him play one of my songs... bizarre but very enjoyable I must add!! The single's starting to get a lot of plays now, which is very exciting considering Radio wasn't on my radar when I was making the record initially. My main concern was making something of worth, not something that radio would play.
Most of the stuff I like, is stuff you would never hear on radio actually. In fact I'm courting a song at the minute that is re-birthing my love of music. do you ever get a song that you just can't stop listening to? Maybe it's not like this for everyone, but it is for me. I remember when I first heard 'My Brother Jake' by Free, I think I rewound the tape and listened to it over and over for about 10 times.... I had the same thing with 'All I need' from Radiohead's 'In Rainbows'.... Well now, I've got it again with a song by a friend (I'm very happy to say) called Steve Jones. You've mayber heard me talk of him before...? I did a cover of one of his songs for the Toilet Tour films: Angel's in Drag (another wonderful song)... Well just when I thought he'd reached his song writing peak with Angel's in Drag he produced this meek monster of a song. It's a song about his wee boy Luca, called 'Summerlight'.
He and Luca came by the other day and while Luca was busy flinging Lego round the living room, pulling all the pages out of the printer, rolling marbles down he stairs and making a mess in my bath Steve was burning me a copy of his new record (which he plan's to give away, free on his website!!! - links below)... I'd heard Summerlight before, but not this incarnation.... Anyway, he left it with me, and I listened to it over and over and over, until bedtime, at which point I put it on my iPod and fell asleep to it. I'm addicted to it, I need my fixes throughout the day IT'S WONDERFUL!!! What's more, is you can have it too! And not in a Bid TV way either... I'mnot about to say, you can get it for just £5.95 or anything of the sort... when I said how much I was loving it and that he needs to get it out there for people to hear, he gave me a link and said "work away, it's free to whoever wants it"... I think he's got the right approach (hence Steve's right)... Although he does have the advantage of being a world class flash designer to lean on, whereas monkey's like me are limited to one trick and therefore are stuck in the old 'flog it to pay the bills' regime....
Anyway, you may not feel as strongly as I do about it, but here it is; a gift to you from Steve
Summerlight
Steve's website
I hope you enjoy it... right I'm off to see Wicked... my mate Dougal's playing the lead today.... see you soon...x
Recent articles
- barefoot in the mud... on 01 Sep
- moving house on 27 Aug
- "STOP!"... on 08 Aug
- Camping, marraige and Micro Society on 04 Aug
- Downloads Down / my new word on 23 Jul
- Prison tour Part II on 19 Jul
- Prison tour Part I on 16 Jul
- Q&A PART I on 13 Jul
- Whiskey and freedom on 11 Jul
- Free to be pointless... on 08 Jul
